Unwavering precision: Moss products 27-year journey with Makino

Established in 1948, Moss Products has a long-standing reputation for quality and reliability specialising in plastic injection moulding and high-pressure zinc die casting. They have built their reputation by supplying quality products to industrial and consumer customers. With a team of qualified and experienced staff, they leverage modern machines and robotics to ensure precision and efficiency.

Producing high-quality tooling has been key to their success. However, as the industry evolved—shifting from traditional pattern-making to CNC machining—Moss recognised the need to adapt its production capabilities to stay competitive and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers. More about Moss Products

We spoke with Paul Nagtzaam, Tool Room Manager, who has been with Moss Industrial for nearly four decades. Starting as an apprentice, Paul honed his skills in drafting, CNC, management, and tooling design, playing a key role in the company’s technological evolution. His expertise was instrumental in adopting advanced machining technology to maintain Moss Products’ competitive edge.

The Challenge

Moss faced a significant operational challenge as their two aging machines were becoming increasingly inaccurate, directly affecting production quality and efficiency. These inconsistencies led to material waste, longer cycle times, and rising operational costs, ultimately reducing productivity and making it difficult to meet customer demands. To address this, the company assembled an eight-person team to assess their needs and explore available solutions. They initially evaluated 11 different machine technologies, comparing key features such as spindle speed and construction, feed rates, and controller capabilities. Through a structured elimination process, they quickly narrowed their options down to the Makino V55 and one other contender.

The Solution: Choosing the Makino V55 for unmatched precision

To make the final machine choice Moss conducted a direct comparison between the Makino V55 and another CNC machine. Using identical steel, cutters, and tool paths, they ran the same roughing and finishing processes. After running both test programs, the Makino V55 stood out due to its exceptional accuracy, spindle stability, and high rigidity, resulting in a significantly better surface finish.

As Paul from Moss stated:

“The Makino won in all aspects hands down. Even though it was more expensive, we knew we were paying for a Rolls Royce machine. The Makino outperformed the competition in every critical aspect—surface finish, cutter wear, and accuracy. While it took slightly longer, it eliminated additional steps like bedding dies, which saved us significant time and effort.” 

In addition to its superior performance, the Makino V55 was five times faster than its old machines, significantly boosting productivity and efficiency while reducing waste and operational costs.

Implementation: 27 Years of reliability and performance

Since its installation, the Makino V55 has remained a critical asset in Moss operations. Over the years, the company has expanded its automation capabilities, integrating robots with their zinc die-casting machine. Today, their operations span multiple moulding machines, with robots handling picking, packing, and preparation—requiring just one operator to oversee boxing.

Throughout these advancements, the Makino has continued to deliver, Paul says:

“It has been an absolute workhorse. During the peak of our tooling operations, I would set up the machine on a Friday night, program all tool paths, coordinate systems, and cutters, and by Monday morning, everything was completed.

Paul adds:

“Regular maintenance by Headland has ensured that the Makino remains in top condition. We service it annually, review the reports, and address any component replacements immediately.”  

Although the machine experienced one major fault—a spindle replacement in its early years—it has operated flawlessly since.

Paul notes:

“Considering we’ve had the Makino for 27 years and only faced one significant issue, that’s an incredible track record.”

The Headland experience: Unparalleled service and support

Moss relationship with Headland has been instrumental in maintaining seamless operations. Paul affirms:

“Their service is outstanding. If we encounter an issue, we call Headland, and if they can’t dispatch a service engineer within an hour or two, they let us know and provide excellent phone and online support. Their responsiveness is remarkable.”

A long term investment in precision

For companies considering an investment in a Makino milling machine, Paul offers straightforward advice:

“Absolutely, I’d highly recommend it. Do your research, but most importantly, talk to the people who actually use these machines. While a Makino might seem like a bigger investment upfront, in the long run, you’ll save significantly on bench time. Our machine has run flawlessly for 27 years—we wouldn’t switch because it has been so dependable.”

Conclusion

Moss Products commitment to quality and innovation has allowed them to adapt to industry shifts while maintaining their position as a leader in precision manufacturing. Their investment in the Makino milling machine has not only stood the test of time but continues to drive efficiency and reliability in their operations.

As Paul sums it up:

“The Makino is an amazing machine—we can run it unmanned, and the roughing and finishing processes deliver unbelievable results. It has been the backbone of our production, and with Headland’s support, it remains as valuable today as it was 27 years ago.”

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