Chesterfield Special Cylinders’ major investments in new machinery boost efficiency

Chesterfield Special Cylinders (CSC) has made major investments in new machinery and equipment to improve its manufacturing capabilities, starting with the installation of a DMG four-axis horizontal milling machine.

This follows CSC’s securing of new orders for its safety-critical gas storage systems from the nuclear power sector and from various NATO navies globally. CSC also recently announced a £3million-plus contract from EDF Energy.  The investment in its manufacturing capabilities reflects its commitment to these and other key contract wins.

The investment is part of Pressure Technologies plc’s £2 million investment in new machinery across the Pressure Technologies group.

Engineering director Andy McCampbell comments:  “The DMG DMF 360 four-axis horizontal milling machine features a bespoke loading mechanism for our specialist requirements.  It takes us forward immeasurably in terms of capacity and capabilities, as well as control and monitoring of the manufacturing process given its integration into our ERP system.”

CSC has also upgraded its shot-blasting booth, as well as investing in a state-of-the-art  Ultrasonic Testing robotic system.

Andy McCampbell adds:  “All of this will soon be followed by the installation of a second DMG machine.  CSC is broadening its influence as a global gas containment system supplier, not least within the burgeoning hydrogen sector.  In readiness for increased demand we are investing to improve our manufacturing capabilities.

“We are addressing capacity and manufacturing capabilities right across the site.  We have already reduced the number of times a product has to be handled around the site because many more processes can be completed within the DMG.  This has also immediately increased the accuracy of our product finish while vastly improving our efficiency.

“The DMG machine can meet all our current cylinder requirements from ultra large to even the smallest cylinders in CSC’s range.   Our customers will benefit from this investment for many years to come.”