Don’t Spare Change — Welcome It

What drives manufacturing solutions that add value to customers?

“Precision Tsugami is known as a world leader in small parts manufacturing, primarily Swiss lathes,” says Michael Mugno, president of Tsugami America (IMTS booth #339410). “In recent years, we have expanded to a wider offering of machines like Tsugami America’s LaserSwiss line and Multifunction mill/turn machines, which allow our customers to make more complex parts in a single machine.” 

“If you take the technology and the machinery of Tsugami and you add the people, that’s the magic setting the Tsugami customer experience apart,” says Mugno. “Our application engineers help turn ideas into parts, while our service teams keep machines up and running.”

Salay Quaranta, vice president of sales at Tsugami America, praises Tsugami America’s dedication to putting the customer first. 

“Tsugami America acts as an extension of the small parts manufacturing processes for our customers,” says Quaranta. “Customizing the best process and solution for Tsugami users is built into the ethos of Tsugami America and is the driving force behind all decisions our company makes.” 

The Impact of Training

Seeing how technology impacts users is what Mugno loves most about his current position. Visiting customer shops, learning about the parts they manufacture, and hearing their successes and their challenges has been formative in the direction he has taken the company. 

“Our number one job is listening to customers, then imparting knowledge in a way that puts them in a position to succeed,” says Mugno. “The thing I hear most frequently is that job shops can’t find operators, so continued education and automation have been a consistent driver.” 

Tsugami America hosts weeklong training sessions in each of their facilities around the country on a regular basis. These classes are free for anyone with a Tsugami machine. 

“We offer lifelong learning and training. At any point in their career, people can come to us for training. If you have a new hire, a new promotion, or want to raise the skill of your people, approach us,” says Quaranta. 

Embracing Unique Technologies

Consolidating operations and improving overall production has been a driver behind the Tsugami LaserSwiss, which combines the precision of a Swiss turning center with an integrated laser cutting system. These machine models are highly customized solutions ranging from 12-32mm capacity and up to seven linear axes.

“A demonstration of the Tsugami S205-II-LaserSwiss at IMTS 2022 opened a lot of eyes, because this machine has the capability to do so much more than just cut tube, which is a typical perception of laser systems,” says Mugno. “We showed visitors how our LaserSwiss integrated multiple operations in one set-up, including turning the diameter, milling flats, drilling the ID, and laser etching, cutting, and welding. They saw new possibilities for creating fine features on delicate parts, as well as improving efficiency and operational uptime that benefit from laser capabilities.”

Growth and Development

Tsugami America is expanding with the opening of several new facilities, including a new corporate headquarters and process development center in Windsor, Connecticut and a technical center right outside of Minneapolis. Both new buildings provide dedicated training facilities to better support Tsugami America’s training initiatives. 

A new addition to the corporate headquarters will be the Process Development Center, a dedicated facility that combines technical expertise and industry know-how on taking a project from concept to full implementation. The team will provide customers with test cut samples, quality verification, and limited contract services.

“We are responsive to the speed of industry change,” says Quaranta. “Beyond new buildings, we are in pursuit of bringing the best new technologies. 

“At IMTS 2024, we’re going to have multiple new machines at the show, two being unveiled on site, and more automation solutions making smaller parts faster and with greater precision,” says Quaranta. “We are seeing an unprecedented return of manufacturing to North America.” And, that’s why the world according to Salay Quaranta is about “renaissance.”

The world, according to Mike Mugno is about change and evolution. “Our customers are experiencing unprecedented change, and we’re evolving to meet their needs,” says Mugno.

Source – IMTS Insider