Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd.

machine tools

Positioning itself as Taiwan's leading innovator in the field of specialized machine tools, Shenq Fang Yuan Technology Co., Ltd. makes use of its seasoned R&D capability to develop differentiated five-axis machining centers that are beyond the expertise of most domestic manufacturers. Based on its original design ability, the company is capable of developing state-of-the-art machine tools to meet customers' special requirements, which has helped it land many orders by word of mouth over the past several years. The company is famous for its own “S.F.Y.” brand in the international arena.

The company says its long-term dedication to focusing on top-tier machine tools has paid off. Over the past few years the company has taken on many made-to-order projects because many customers from home and abroad appreciate its ability to design the most-reliable machines featuring specialized functions.

Since its inception in September 1996 in Taichung City, central Taiwan, Shenq Fang Yuan has made significant achievements in developing and rolling out an array of special-purpose machines, including CNC (computerized numerically controlled) five-axis machining center, CNC high-speed panel cutting machine, CNC double-column high-speed machining center, CNC four-axis rotary tire mold engraving & milling machining center, CNC four-axis high-speed roller engraving & milling machining center, CNC double-column high-speed engraving & milling machining center, etc.

The company claims it has rapidly accumulated sophisticated manufacturing technology by focusing on production of custom-designed machine tools. In fact every item made by the company come with unique functions that peers can't duplicate. For instance, its HA-5AX7 five-axis machining center, can do spherical machining on alloy steel. "The machine was 100% developed in-house," Jimmy Huang, managing director of the company, says proudly "We are the only one capable of designing such sophisticated machining center in Taiwan. We have already shipped such machine to customers in Taiwan, France, Ukraine and some Asian nations.

With well-established expertise, Shenq Fang Yuan has the ability to develop specialized machine tools starting from scratch. "Generally, we don't start up development work without customers asking for special specifications," says Huang, "Whereby we can make sure to concentrate on building products meeting customers' requested needs. With years of experience, our ability to develop sophisticated machine tools has won customers' confidence. That's why we receive many new orders via referrals from existing customers."

To meet industrial demands, since 1999 Shenq Fang Yuan has been active in developing five-axis simultaneous-operation machining centers. Currently the company's five-axis machining centers are of three types, including column-type models featuring X, Y, Z axes plus head-swing B axis and head-rotary C axis; wall-type models featuring X, Y, Z axes plus worktable-swing B axis and worktable-rotary C axis; and column-type model featuring X, Y, Z axes plus A, C axes rotary table.

The company's five-axis machining centers' high-rigidity machine construction can sustain high-speed machining. Adopt European built-in spindles with 30,000 RPMs, and also with 50,000RPMs spindle for option. Equipped with the world's most advanced five-axis controllers, the company's five-axis machining centers fully meet customers' requirements for high-speed, automated and high-efficiency operations.

And to meet the special requirements for E-generation innovative products featuring light, thin and small specifications, the company has developed CNC high-speed machining centers which raise the accuracy of molds during high-speed production. A single high-speed machining process replaces three conventional machining processes for milling and cutting, electrode discharge machining and polishing, grinding.

The company's high-speed machining center is equipped with an integrated column-type machine structure enabling high-speed milling and cutting. Several high-speed spindles imported from Europe are adopted; while adopting the world's most advanced computer-control system enables the machine to handle continuous machining. The easy to-use control system makes the machine suitable for connecting with all CAD / CAM, and machining accuracy is assured via laser ballbar diagnositics.?To achieve high speeds, high precision and high efficiency indeed.

The company says it has some 100 models of various machining centers in its product line, translating into having developed 10 products per year on average since its founding. To expedite the development of innovative products, over the past several years the company has budgeted annually between NT$15 million (US$454,540 at US$1:NT$33) and NT$20 million (US$606,060) for R&D from annual sales of NT$500 million (US$15.15 million).

At present, the company exports around 80% of its total output, with export outlets including Hong Kong and mainland China, South Korea, Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Greece, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Ukraine, and Russia.

Although having introduced so many unique machines, Shenq Fang Yuan is still not resting on its laurels-doing its utmost to sharpen manufacturing technology with an aim to develop even more sophisticated products. The company claims it is capable of designing and producing B- and C-axis spindles to facilitate the production of five-axis machining centers backed by its team of highly experienced R&D engineers.

Although we have been successful to develop a wide range of innovative machine tools, we are still trying to consolidate our technological base, rather than rushing to expand production capacity,” says Huang. “Since our inception, we have been focusing on building our own brand, which has to be backed by considerable technology. I think only OEM and ODM (original equipment/design manufacturer) firms need to expand output to stay afloat.”

He says it's a matter of survival for domestic machine-tool manufacturers to develop specific products to fend off underselling competition from developing nations. “In recent years, international buyers see mainland China as the global factory and rush to procure general-purpose machine tools there,” comments Huang, “For instance, the number of foreign buyers at the Beijing Machine Tool Exhibition has significantly increased over the past eight years, meaning that mainland China has attracted the attention of global buyers. To cope with such scenario, we have to develop unique machines to target upmarket orders.”

Before taking customized orders, the company always carries out a feasibility study for a week. “First I make preliminary evaluation and then a team of veteran in-house engineers double-check to see if support producers can complete such project,” says Huang. Huang himself controls up to 60% of the top-half of evaluations, with the company agreeing to take a customized order only when 95% of a project proves to be feasible.

Shenq Fang Yuan says its successful accumulation of sophisticated technology is attributable to low personnel turnover. "As company founder, I deeply believe that talented workers are our most valuable asset because we aim for sustainable development," states Huang. "In fact, our main associates are all shareholders. Our employee turnover has been as low as 5% since day one, which has laid down a solid foundation for sound corporate growth."

Huang says each staffer has individual talents and skills, no matter in design, engineering, manufacturing, shipping or services. "Our coworkers apply themselves fully and effectively because they know very well that contributions made to the company are rewarded with commensurate bonuses. And they know I am determined to make the company stronger and the way to achieve that is by retaining capable talents so as to adhere to the policy of sustainable development. "

To foster future growth, the company is planning to set up a new plant nearby the existing headquarters. "I plan to move production to a new plant and turn the existing plant into a showroom and R&D center," says Huang. "But we can't locate the new plant too far away from the existing one because most of our workers live in this neighborhood. The goal is to upgrade the plant into a modernized one which will boost our production efficiency and help us achieve sustainable development."