Spain-based
CMZ Machinery Group SA, a leading European manufacturer of precision
CNC lathes, has invested 8 million euros in its new Precitor factory, a 2,000m
2 extension to its existing factory in Elorrio, which will significantly boost the company’s production capability.
The new factory extension was finished and began operations in late February this year, but will reach 100% capacity by the second half of 2023, helping CMZ to increase the manufacture of cylindrical components by 55%. Together with CMZ’s Neoprec and Mecaninor factories, the Precitor site will provide sufficient capacity for CMZ to manufacture up to 650 CNC lathes a year, although the company is planning to invest further in new machinery to increase this annual production to 850 lathes.
The air-conditioned Precitor extension has tripled the surface area of the manufacturing facility and has been designed like a clean room, with very few columns, and four crane systems to move components around the factory. Furthermore, a 500mm thick concrete floor ensures that the temperature within the factory does not vary by more than 1°C in any 24hr period.
To manufacture CNC lathes in-house, there are 10 CMZ CNC lathes with one or two turrets, some fitted with gantry robots to automate the production process. In addition, there are two Studer S40s and two Studer S33 grinding machines for grinding to tolerances of just a few microns. Meanwhile, to control part quality, CMZ has two Zeiss machines — a high-precision Zeiss Prismo to measure grinding work and a Zeiss Accura for checking turned parts.
At the end of last year, CMZ had record order books, and with the new production capacity provided by the new Precitor site, aims to take turnover past the £100 million mark for the first time in 2023. Furthermore, the company is also committed to European production and manufactures 80% of the parts required for its CNC lathes.
CMZ is represented in the UK by Rugby-based
CMZ UK Ltd.