Some of Star's History

Star CNC Machine Tool Corp. is dedicated to providing the machine tool industry with superior technology and service. A division of Star Micronics Co., Ltd. of Japan, Star CNC combines the resources of two industry leaders -- Hirschmann Corporation and Star Micronics. Hirschmann Corporation was founded in 1948 to meet the sales and service needs of the machine tool industry. In 1977, the company became the exclusive United States distributor for Star Micronics, one of the world' s most respected manufacturers of machines for the production of small , complex and precise metal components used in a variety of industries. Star, founded in 1950, purchased Hirschmann in 1995.

The resulting organization, which changed its name to Star CNC Machine Tool Corp., in September 1997, combines the expertise and engineering know-how of Hirschmann with the superior machine tools Star is known for -- including state-of-the-art computer numerically controlled (CNC) technology.

As Star CNC Machine Tool Corp., these resources are poised to meet the machine tool industry's needs today, and well into the future.

A Brief Look At Some of The History Of Star Micronics Co., Ltd

• July, 1950 Star Seisakusho Co., Ltd is founded

• June, 1954 Manufacture of cam automatics begins

• August, 1958 Sales of cam automatics begins

• February, 1962 Senegawa Plant built to expand and modernize production

• November, 1962 Export begins with the first machine shipped to the U. K.

• June, 1965 Tokyo Sales Office of Machine Tool Division established

• September, 1965 Merges Tokai Seimitsu Co., Ltd into Star Manufacturing Co. Ltd

• November, 1971 Corporate headquarters transferred to the present location at 20-10 Nakayoshida, Shizuoka

• October, 1976 Manufacture and sale of NC automatics begin

• October, 1981 Listed on the second section of the Nagoya Stock Exchange

• March, 1983 Osaka Sales Office opened

• February, 1984 Tokyo Sales Office transferred to Hachoji, a suburb of Tokyo

• April, 1984 Kikugawa plant established for expanding production
  Suwa Sales Office opened

• August, 1984 Listed on the first section of the Nagoya Stock Exchange

• April, 1985 New York Representative Office opened for further collaboration with Hirschmann Corporation

• November, 1988 Machine Tool Division transferred to Kikugawa Plant to unify production and sales

• September, 1989 Nagoya Sales Office opened

• October, 1990 Listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

• March, 1991 Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

• September, 1991 Star Micronics AG, Europe Subsidiary, established in Zurich, Switzerland

• February, 1992 A & S Precision Machine Tools Ltd., U.K. Subsidiary established in U.K.

• June 1992 Kita Kanto Office opened

• July, 1992 Star Micronics Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH established

• April, 1994 OS Metal established for manufacturing processed plate metal

• September, 1995 Hirschmann Corporation, USA Subsidiary, established

• May, 1996 Hong-Kong Office opened

• November, 1996 LAGRO GMBH, Germany Subsidiary, established

• January, 1997 Tokyo Stock Exchange Discloser Award

• September, 1997 USA Subsidiary renamed as Star CNC Machine Tool Corporation

The Machines of the Present

Some of the Machines of the Past

• The SNC Series
  These were among the first 2-axis NC controlled models, first appearing with Yasnac 2000G DC servo systems. They utilized a programmable cam that could be driven 360 degrees to control an array of 5 OD tools that were positioned around the guide bushing, much like mechanically driven cam automatics. A hydraulically-aligned endworking device provided as many as four ID tools. They were available with bar capacity as large as 16mm.

• The STM Series
  These were large machines with alternately-controlled turrets, each with 8 stations or more, on opposite sides of the guide bushing. They also had the addition of up to 4 hydraulically-aligned endworking tools, and were controlled by Fanuc 3T and 6T DC servo systems commanding 2 axes. They were available with bar capacity as large as 38mm.

• The VNC Series
  These were up to 5-axis, twin turret machines, with up to 10 stations per turret on the larger models. They were controlled by Fanuc 3T, 6T, and 10T AC and DC servo systems. Both turrets were controlled independently, and could support live tooling. The first spindle could be controlled by a C axis, and a second spindle could provide 4 backworking ID stations controlled in overlapping cycle time. They were available with bar capacity as large as 32mm.

• The JNC Series
  Controlled by either a Yasnac LX DC servo system or a Fanuc OT AC servo system, these 2-axis machines were intended for the production of long shafts, and they were great workhorses. They featured twin, alternately-controlled turrets on opposite sides of the guide bushing. Many more 1.260" (32mm) capacity machines were made than the smaller models. Called a JNC-25, most had a 32mm capacity and 6 single-stations on each turret. Some were special made with 10,000 rpm spindles. These machines remained in production long after their time... and were finally replaced by the current SV-32J.

• The KJR Series
  These were twin turret, 5 axis machines controlled by Yasnac LX3BS AC servo systems, with up to 8 stations per turret on the larger models. A revised version of the KJR-25 was briefly produced with a Fanuc 16TTA system. These machines were capable of live tooling work on both spindles, with C axis on the first spindle and optional indexing on the second spindle, and overlapping backworking using one turret and the hydraulically-aligned 3-spindle backworking attachment. They were available with bar capacity as large as 25mm.

• The KNC Series
  These were the "Cadillacs" in their time. Fanuc OTTB and OTTC AC servo systems, twin independently controlled turrets with up to 10 stations apiece, all with live tool capability, a C-axis first spindle, a 2-axis indexing single-point threading second spindle capable of overlapping OD, ID, and live tooling operations on the second side - just some of the things they offerred. Later models, using the Fanuc 16TTB systems and AC serial spindle drives for live tools and spindles, were capable of gear-hobbing, polygon-turning, cylindrical, polar, and helical interpolation, and featured second spindles capable of "phase-matching". They were available with bar capacity as large as 32mm, and have been replaced by the SV-12, the SV-20, and the SV-32.

• The SST Series
  These were very innovative and very capable machines in their day, and still are in many ways. They were 6-axis machines, controlled by a Fanuc OTTC AC servo system, utilizing 2 alternately-controlled OD tools on one side of the guide bushing, and a gang slide capable of up to 4 OD tools, up to 4 ID boring tools, and up to 3 live tools on the other side of the bushing. The first spindle could be controlled by a C axis. The second spindle could do simultanous ID work with the first spindle, and featured optional indexing, as well as providing 3 hydraulically-aligned back ID tools for overlapping work, in nearly identical fashion to the KJR Series. They were available with a bar capacity of 16mm.

• The MAF Series
  These machines were unique among the fleet, being the only of our CNC lathes that utilized a fixed headstock, rather than a sliding headstock. They were 6-axis lathes with twin 2-axis turrets, a pickup spindle, live tools, and C axis. They were capable of live tool operations on the second spindle, and overlapping back working, and were driven by a Fanuc 16TTC control system. They were available with a bar capacity of 42mm.

• The RNC Series
  This was another of Star's innovations - machines capable of realizing cycle times very close to those provided by mechanically automatic cam machines. They were controlled by a Fanuc OTTB AC servo system, and were originally made with 5 OD tools radially aligned around the guide bushing. Two of them could be simultaneously programmed, while a third performed an approach function. Endworking was performed with a hydraulically-aligned attachment holding up to 4 spindles. The machine was briefly produced with a Fanuc 18TTA system, and then was phased out. They will soon be reimbodied in the upcoming SI series of machines, vastly improved in technology and capability. They were available with bar capacity as large as 16mm, and with optional sub-spindles with up to 3 overlapping back ID stations, and even a live tool to the second side.

• The SR Series
  This machine was the most popular model in its day, and the revised versions still boast an avid following. They featured a Fanuc 16TTC control commanding 5 axes, with up to 6 OD tools and up to 4 live tools on a gang slide, and up to 4 endworking tools capable of profile boring on a hydraulically-advanced slide next to the servo-controlled second spindle. The 2-axis second spindle was capable of indexing and using the live tools, picking off profile and eccentric shapes, and up to four backworking tools were available for simultaneous and overlapping operations. They were originally available with bar capacity as large as 20mm, and then later, an all new 32mm model was added. These machines have since been replaced by the SR-32C and the SR-20R.

• The SH Series
  These were very small machines, controlled by a Fanuc 21TA control. They were meant to be the entry-level Swiss-Type lathe, with 2-axis movement and a third axis for tool positioning. They featured up to 6 turning tools and up to 4 endworking tools on a gang slide. Some models were made with limited pick-off spindles. They have since been replaced by the SE-12/16, and the gap between the SH and the SR was filled by the SA-16R.

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© 2001 Star CNC Machine Tool Corp.
Updated: 02/02/01