Ezy-Fit and DMG/Mori Seiki open machine shop extension

16 Feb 12

Ezy-Fit Hydraulics has officially opened a 700sqm extension at its headquarters in Salisbury South, Adelaide, which will enable it to increase production and create new jobs.

The company, which is Australia's leading manufacturer of quality hydraulic cylinders for a wide range of industries, employs 75 people at its Salisbury factory. The extension has already created employment for about 15 people and Managing Director Terry Kerin said that with the company well placed to continue its current growth, there would be further extension opportunities in the future.

"We are in expansion mode again with increased sales and market share across Australia," Mr Kerin said during the opening ceremony on 10 February 2012. "We have invested in a new hone with a 7.5m stroke, a 12m-bed lathe and have recently ordered a DMG DMU 65 MonoBlock 3-pallet machining centre and a state-of-the-art CTX beta 1250 TC turn/mill centre, also with the help of a government grant."

While the company attributes much of its success over the past years since its foundation in 1993 to its emphasis on ethics, fair dealings with suppliers and customers, service as well as its focus on niche specialised products, Mr Kerin knows that as technology changes his company needs to be at the forefront of this change to maintain its competitive edge.

"My best salesman is word of mouth," hey said. "It is days like these open days where people walk away and see we have invested in the latest technology, which can win us future orders we might have otherwise missed out on. Moreover, 5-axis and multi-tasking machining centres give us the option for contract machining if the hydraulic business went quiet one day."

“Since the first installation of a DMC 60 T Five pallet machining centre at Ezy-Fit in 2006, there has been a significant investment by Terry in manufacturing technology with the installation of machines to improve output and reduce parts handling,” added Phil Green, DMG/Mori Seiki Area Sales Manager in Adelaide. “Machines like the CTX beta 1250 TC are designed to significantly reduce setups and give greater flexibility to production shops whilst maintaining high accuracy.”

The new turn/mill centre offers the combined milling and turning technology of the CTX Series, plus an integrated disk magazine of 24 tools with fast tool exchange, 120 tools are available as an option. Users also enjoy the integration of a controlled slide with a powerful B-axis milling spindle for five-axis simultaneous machining. The CTX turn/mill centre is DMG/Mori Seiki’s top model for the production of medium-sized workpieces up to 1250mm long by 390mm in diameter, or for bar material up to 104mm in diameter.

The ability of six-sided complete machining delivers a decisive competitive advantage for Mr Kerin. “We buy the latest technology because it has got a benefit to us in our progression in keeping up with technology as our designs become more complicated,” he explained. “While employing more people due to our continuing growth, we now need less operators because the machines are self-sufficient, are bar-fed and automatic conveyors remove the parts.”

While Mr Kerin could have chosen from a range of other top-of-the-range machine tool brands, he decided to work with DMG because of the local backup service and Mr Green’s expertise and support. “I know with Phil I got someone who can explain the machines and the technology, it is the partnership and the trust you build up over the years. We stayed with DMG since the first installation because it did the job. And as the saying goes, don’t change what’s not broken.”

Click Here to Visit DMG/Mori Seiki's ManufactureLink Showcase for more information and contact details.