First Citizen A20s arrive in UK
1 min read
The first shipment involving six of the recently launched Citizen A20 CNC sliding-head autos are due to be delivered to UK customers during March.
The machine that forms the initial UK allocation of these competitively priced turn/mill centres has been hailed by Citizen as the most successful global launch of any new model by the Japanese company.
The high level of take-up by worldwide customers, far greater than initial market projections, has been largely fuelled by new customers switching from fixed-head lathes to CNC sliding-head technology. Indeed, all six initial machines for the UK are going to first-time Citizen buyers having found that the new 20 mm capacity machine will deliver much higher levels of productivity, while costing very little more than a second-hand machine.
“Our ‘Pay as you Turn’ rental based scheme that provides a very attractive installation package has also helped these customers make the decision to acquire new machines," adds Geoff Bryant, managing director of NC Engineering. "With the financial structure of the package, customers can quickly generate a payback status with little risk as the initial machine loading builds up.”
The A20 is almost double the weight of a typical 20 mm machine, has improved vibration absorption when heavier cuts are being taken and with very good thermal displacement characteristics, provides consistent production of components.
The machine, available for the first time in left and right hand variants is able to carry 17 tools, three of which are driven and has a 3.7 kW, 8,000 rpm main and 1.5 kW, 8,000 rpm back spindle. Controlled by a Fanuc based Series 32i-Model A, the software incorporates the very popular ‘Streamline Control’ technology that provides a new level of flexibility and very successfully reduces idle times on cutting cycles.
