Smart, versatile machine-tool solutions

SMART, VERSATILE

MACHINE-TOOL SOLUTIONS

The LNS Group is the global market leader in the development and manufacture of automation systems for the machine tool industry. Philip Yorke talked to Gilbert Lile, the company’s CEO for Europe, about its latest ‘Smart’ chip conveyors and innovative bar feeding systems.

LNS was founded in Switzerland in 1973 by three entrepreneurs with a technical background who decided to design bar feeders that improved the speed and efficiency of fixed and sliding headstock lathes. Their success is now recognised worldwide and innovation remains at the heart of all LNS Group operations. Last year the company celebrated 40 years of pioneering innovation that has revolutionised the machine tool industry.

Today LNS is the global market leader in automating machine tools with more than 800 employees worldwide. The group operates nine state-of-the-art production facilities located in Switzerland, the UK, Italy, Turkey, North America, China, Taiwan and Japan. To date, more than 120,000 bar feeders have been produced and delivered by LNS and over 250,000 chip conveyors installed worldwide.

Optimising productivity

The LNS group mission is simple – to be the global partner of choice in automating manufacturing with innovative solutions. The group offers ‘one-stopshop’ solutions for the machine tool industry and is committed to providing the highest levels of innovation and customer-focused service. LNS supports its customers with a wide range of peripheral products designed to optimise their efficiency in its key markets. At the 2013 EMO trade show in Hannover the company showcased its latest entry-level, Alpha 552 bar feeder in Europe for the first time. Other innovative products were also on display including its all-new oil mist collector, the Fox WT700, which will become available during 2014, as well as its Fox SC500 spray cabin.

Gilbert Lile said, “With the development of the SC500 spray cabin, we want to contribute to providing a healthy, clean and safe working environment for operators. The SC 500 achieves this with its high efficiency filtration, low noise level and mobile, compact design. Similarly, with our introduction of the Alpha 552, we have increased operator efficiency and extended our entry-level bar feeder range.”

“Looking to the future, whilst our high-end bar feeders such as the Express and Sprint series continue to be very successful, we expect the entry level sector to grow significantly in the coming years. The main characteristic of the Alpha 552 is its outstanding reliability and ‘quick-change system’, which allows the operator to replace the guiding elements without the need for any kind of tool. In addition, the touch screen is also very user friendly with its enhanced memory and supported languages. Last but not least, the Alpha 552 meets the highest safety standards.”

SM-Cyclo UK, based in Hull, is the British subsidiary of Sumitomo Cyclo Drive Germany and serves the markets in Great Britain, parts of Africa and Middle East/Arabia.

SM-Cyclo UK, Ltd Unit 29, Bergen Way, Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, HU7 0YQ, United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)1482 790340 | www.sumitomodrive.com

Sumitomo Drive Technologies

With over a hundred years experience in the field, Sumitomo Drive Technologies are consistent world leaders in the design and manufacture of speed reducers and geared motors for industrial applications. In today’s economic environment, innovation and strategic development are essential in order to reduce production costs, exceed targets and increase profit margins. We offer bespoke, customer specific solutions for an everchanging industry, tailored to ensure your machinery operates at optimum speed, with sustained durability and precision. Our teams are dedicated to continuous innovation, safeguarding the strength and advancement of your business objectives within fierce market competition. Commitment to our customers is paramount, and with a dependable, international service network spanning 50 countries, you can count on our support to help you adapt, update and evolve. We are proud to announce our current partnership with the LNS Turbo Group, and would like to extend our best wishes for all future collaborations.

Gilbert Lile added, “As far as our European markets are concerned, Switzerland remains our biggest single market. However, Germany and Italy also have very large machine tool markets, as do France, Spain and the UK. What’s more, despite being a global company we think and work on a local level and our facilities are strategically located to be as close as possible to our customers. We are the only company in our sector that can offer a truly ‘one-stopshop’ service, because none of our competitors are able to match our comprehensive package of products and services.

“Not only do we cover all four key areas of machine tool operations – bar feeders, chip conveyors, air filtration systems and coolant systems, but we also offer the most comprehensive range of peripherals on the market too. We work closely with our customers to design optimised products to suit their specific needs. A recent example of this was our development of the ‘Tryton Watch Industry’ bar feeder. This unit was designed to further upgrade production efficiency while limiting certain functionalities to suit the individual requirements of the customer.

“Our latest chip conveyor system is also unique in that unlike most traditional conveyors the LNS Turbo MH series operates with only one motor and belt and it filters all chip types and shapes, as well as any kind of materials. In addition, the energy consumption has been cut by 50 per cent, which makes it one of the most eco-friendly filtering conveyor systems on the market. This is all about being smart; we optimise the product’s strength and improve the design and reliability without adding significantly to the cost. For customers with the Turbo MH500, for example, it’s a simple matter to upgrade to the latest Turbo MH250 model.”

Global one-stopshop approach

The strength of the LNS Group lies in its unique global structure. The company’s regional offices throughout the world continuously monitor local market needs. This is done by leveraging the close relationship the company has established with its key partners and users. At the group’s extensive R&D centre in Switzerland, engineers develop new products in collaboration with their R&D experts located around the world.

From the early stages of each project, the LNS R&D team also partners with the company’s synergy team, which is a specialised workforce committed to achieving operational excellence and to optimise supply chain management throughout the group’s relevant production sites. These focus groups ensure that design for new manufacturing concepts and assembly processes are continuously optimised to guarantee the high level of quality and reliability that is synonymous with the LNS brand. n

For further details of the LNS Group’s innovative products and services visit: www.lns-group.com