utmost. Our customers expect that, and they deserve that.” Expansion is also a definite possibility with
Senga acquiring another machine and growing the LPP to 36 pallets. One candidate machine would be the NHX4000 HMC manufactured in the new Mori Seiki factory in nearby Davis, CA (see sidebar).
In the meantime, Senga’s spindles rarely
stop. “We run lights out with the LPP for most of the night about 21 hours each day. It has allowed us to grow without adding additional labor. And that’s the goal—to run while you’re sleeping, right?” Irion said. ME For information from DMG / Mori Seiki, go
rung Lee, manager of the mill department at Senga, loves his NH4000 machines, but at IMTS, a shiny newcomer threatened to steal his affections. The NHX4000—the first Mori Seiki machine manufactured at the new Mori Seiki Manufacturing USA (MSM; Da- vis, CA) facility might very well be the next machine to make its way onto Senga’s shop floor. “We’re looking at what happens with some new medical ventures we’re vying for,” said Mike Irion, business development manager at Senga. “But the idea is to do well and book more business.”
In the meantime, MSM engineers are hard at work perfecting a new and ambitious assembly-line process that aims to improve upon already advanced Japanese manufactur- ing processes. The team at the new factory will also play a role in machine development— helping to create new standard options and working to reduce costs and helping solve for some of the challenges and issues its customers face. “We’re thrilled to show off what we’re doing—and what we’ll be able to do—at MSM,” said Zach Piner of DMG / Mori Seiki’s Advanced Solutions group. “I trust customers will be just as excited when they see the benefits firsthand.”