Coleman, Maize, Kansas, has recently installed a Eurotech Polygim Gepard 42SLY CNC hybrid screw machine. For over a century, Coleman has produced a broad range of camping and out- door products. The Coleman lan- tern has remained a core product for the company. The time came to upgrade its production so it could retain its leadership position in the market. The company began look- ing for equipment and partners to team with.
Coleman was facing a manu- facturing challenge. Old machining equipment needed to be replaced. A cost effective solution was needed for the production of parts for their gas lanterns and other small outdoor appliances. They selected the Eurotech Polygim Gepard 42SLY from KOMT in Wichita, Kansas.
“We chose the Eurotech Gepard,” said Mark Lester, Cole- man’s Production Manager, “because it had more technology and was priced very competitively. It had a compact size and took up minimal floor space, it came with Eurotech’s free lifetime training and guaranteed satisfaction. In addition, we really liked the hybrid feature that gave us the quick change from guide to non-guide bushing, as well as the live tool capacity.”
The local service team from Eurotech’s distributor, Kansas Oklahoma Machine Tools, Inc. (KOMT), and the Free lifetime training were a big plus in the decision process. “The machine is working great and the training was excellent. We were in production the same week of the installation and are still learning and increas- ing productivity each week,” noted Lester. “It eliminated handling, improved accuracy and saved 37% in our cycle time. We now machine parts in one operation and with the free training are still increasing our productivity.”
The Eurotech Gepard 42SLY is a 7-axis Swiss type auto lathe with 5,000 rpm on main and sub spindle, convertible from guide to non-guide bushing. It can be set up to accept any major brand guide bushing and collet and with fea- tures such as full horsepower back working, C-Axis on main and back spindle and disc brake on main and sub. It also holds tolerances of 0.0002″.
Source: Mid-America Commerce & Industry (August 2016)