Cms Spa & PSR Plastics: A Legacy of Excellence with the Tracer 100

PSR Plastics, a family-run business based in Melton Mowbray, has been producing high-quality plastic components for 35 years. From their origins in plastic liners to engineering plastic components for sectors like food manufacturing and biomass, they’ve continuously invested in advanced machinery to stay at the forefront of the industry. Their latest acquisition is a Tracer 100 Machining Centre from Cms, which marks a new chapter in their production capabilities.

Why the Tracer 100?

PSR Plastics has a long-standing relationship with Cms and Scm Group, a renowned Italian company that specialises in advanced machinery for plastics, advanced materials, glass, stone and metal materials. Over the years, PSR has purchased nine machines from Scm Group and Cms, so when it came time to invest in their tenth, the decision to opt for a router from Cms was a natural one. Richard Evans, PSR’s Director, has always prioritised top-notch equipment to maintain the company’s reputation for quality, and the Tracer 100 fit the bill perfectly.

The Machine That Does It All

The Tracer 100 is a versatile “all-in-one” machining centre, designed to process plastics and advanced materials with precision. Its 3 and 5-axis capabilities, combined with spindle speeds of up to 24,000 RPM, allow PSR to produce high-quality parts quickly and efficiently. The work table, made from extruded aluminium, ensures stability and the powerful vacuum system keeps components firmly in place during production. For PSR, who opted for the PRO-SPACE version, the machine’s flexibility and the space-saving design were key selling points.

One of the standout features is the 14-position FAST tool changer, which enables the machine to switch tools without needing to return to the side tool changer, saving time and increasing efficiency. The air blow system also ensures better-quality parts by aggravating plastic chips enabling increased efficiency with the extraction system, extending the tool’s life and keeping things running smoothly.

Smooth Installation & High-Level Training

The purchase process was seamless, thanks to the strong relationship between Richard and Cms’s Area Sales Manager, Daniel Long. Dan joined Cms fresh out of college almost 20 years ago, working his way to Sales Manager. This progression meant he understood the machinery inside out, and he worked closely with Richard to tailor the system to PSR’s needs.

“I started as a service technician with our parent group Scm, installing and maintaining similar machine centres for multiple applications,” says Dan, “When visiting customers and applications similar to PSR Plastics, my experience better helps to have an understanding of challenges our customer’s face, together with this and Richard’s extensive knowledge of the business and process, it allows us to work together as a partnership. I thrive from challenges and have great job satisfaction finding solutions meeting customer’s needs”

Richard Evans from PSR Plastics adds “With Dan’s experience in this field I quickly found we both speak the same language, so when it came to specifying the machine together with Dan it was effortless”

When the Tracer 100 arrived in the UK ahead of schedule, Cms’s customer services team stepped in, offering temporary storage until PSR was ready to take delivery. PSR’s operators were given three days of training at Cms’s Nottingham facility to familiarise themselves with the new features and updates on the Cms Maestro software. Though the installation and commissioning were initially scheduled to take a week, it was completed in just four days. On the fifth day, Cms engineers stayed on-site to support PSR’s team and ensure everything was running smoothly.

A Tribute to Family Legacy

For Richard, the decision to invest in the Tracer 100 wasn’t solely about increasing capacity. It was a continuation of the investment strategy set by his father and uncle, who founded PSR in 1989. This marks their third new machine in the past eight years, reflecting their commitment to ongoing investment and development, bringing the family’s vision full circle while modernising their operations.

Looking Ahead

The Tracer 100 has revolutionised PSR’s routing department, offering greater flexibility for operators, improved safety features, and a higher-quality output. And this is just the beginning. PSR has big plans for the future, with a focus on sustainability and further investment in new machinery. “We’re looking to install solar panels to help off-set some of our costs,” said Richard, “and in 2026 we’re aiming to replace our ageing Record 220 with a 5-axis version of the Tracer 100”.

Conclusion

The partnership between PSR Plastics and Cms showcases how investing in the right technology from the right company can not only improve operational efficiency as well as honouring the legacy of a family-run business. With the Tracer 100 in place, PSR Plastics is set to continue its growth while maintaining the values that have made them a trusted name in the industry.

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