CAM software answers the call

By Esprit CAM

Emergency responders require the best tools available to fulfill challenging jobs. In critical life-and-death situations, every second matters. Countless firefighting, policing and other first-response organizations worldwide count on Holmatro Inc. in Glen Burnie, Maryland, to equip them with the most reliable, efficient tools.

To satisfy these demands, Holmatro has relied on Esprit CAM in Camarillo, California, for more than two decades. From the products that Holmatro makes to the manufacturing processes needed to complete them, efficiency is key, and Esprit CAM software allows Holmatro to machine more features in a single operation.

Esprit CAM can keep up with Holmatro’s high demands. Image courtesy of Espirt CAM

Since 1999, Holmatro has used Esprit CAM software to manufacture hydraulic rescue equipment like cutters and spreaders, as well as cylinders, plungers, check valves and more, from aluminum, steel and exotic alloys. Although Holmatro most often is associated with hydraulic rescue equipment, the company also makes complex parts for many demanding industries, including rail and energy.

Despite being a longtime Esprit CAM user, Holmatro is far from complacent.

“We periodically check in with our team to ensure Esprit is evolving with our needs,” said Manufacturing Engineer Chuck Cain. “Esprit was very good at multifunction machining when we bought it in 1999. A few years ago, we reviewed many other CAM packages to evaluate if we were keeping up with the times. After many demos, we concluded that Esprit was still the best choice for us. We ended up adding multiple seats of Esprit to our facility in the Netherlands.”

Holmatro’s U.S. headquarters houses more than 30 CNC machines, ranging from nine-axis mill/turn to five-axis simultaneous equipment, mostly made by DMG Mori USA Inc. and Okuma America Corp. Holmatro uses incredibly demanding processes to get the job done. Because a lot of the products save lives, there’s no room for error.

“The parts that we manufacture are complex due to the nature of manufacturing parts to such close tolerances,” Cain said. “A typical product will have tolerances not to exceed 30 µm (0.001″). We also have many products with 20 µm (0.0008″) tolerances.”

Holmatro regularly uses Esprit CAM to quickly manufacture fixtures and program parts on five-axis milling machines.

“We were able to save approximately 30 minutes per part by utilizing a 3+2 machining mentality,” Cain said. “ProfitMilling also helped with cycle time reduction.”

In recent years, Holmatro has been interested in exploring how automation could improve efficiency and ultimately the bottom line. Esprit CAM’s diverse cycle selection and ability to handle any machine make done-in-one
manufacturing possible.