Productive Times

Just in time (JIT) manufacturing, by nature, increases setups and shrinks batch sizes. This puts shops in a bind, because more setups and smaller batches are typically less profitable; but saying "no" to work can be even more painful.

END USER: Urschel Laboratories Inc., (219) 464-4811, www.urschel.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Blue Photon Technology & Workholding Systems LLC, (855) 777-2040, www.bluephotongrip.com. CHALLENGE: Hold a near-net-shape casting for machining on five sides.

END USER: Zodiac Engineering, www.zodiaceng.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Brush Research Manufacturing Co. Inc., (323) 261-2193, www.brushresearch.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce programming and cycle time, and eliminate the need to regrind or replace chamfering tools when deburring part edges. SOLUTION: Apply in-line abrasive nylon disc brushes.

END USER: Greenlee Textron Inc., (815) 784-5127, www.greenlee.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Keyence Corp. of America, (888) 539-3623, www.keyence.com. CHALLENGE: Relieve capacity constraints on conventional coordinate measuring machines. SOLUTION: A portable 3D measurement system.

END USER: North Bucks Machining Ltd., +1908-611-669, www.northbucksmachining.co.uk. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Open Mind Technologies USA Inc., (888) 516-1232, www.openmind-tech.com. CHALLENGE: Efficiently rough-machine a mountain bike frame from a solid piece of aluminum stock. SOLUTION: A CAM software's high-performance roughing module.

END USER: Modern Machining Technology Inc., (303) 945-7570, www.destroked.com; SOLUTION PROVIDER: Industrial Coolant Systems LLC, (303) 968-1707, www.industrialcoolantsystems.com; CHALLENGE: Reduce the cycle time when drilling a large quantity of holes in a 1018 steel part. SOLUTION: A high-pressure coolant system.

END USER: Mast Motorsports, (936) 560-2218, www.mastmotorsports.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Hurco North America, (800) 634-2416, www.hurco.com. CHALLENGE: Replace technologically obsolete production equipment.

END USER: lllinois Carbide Tool Co. Inc., (800) 323-2414, www.crobaltusa.com, www.brakedrumtool.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Agathon Machine Tools Inc., (203) 730-8741, www.agathon.com. CHALLENGE: Keep up with increasing production demands for carbide brake lathe inserts. SOLUTION: A 4-axis grinding machine that enables lights-out production.

END USER: Windings Inc., (800) 795-8533, www.windings.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: West Ohio Tool Co., (937) 842-6688, www.westohiotool.com. ​CHALLENGE: Extend tool life when drilling a high-silica part. SOLUTION: A solid, cross-center PCD-tipped drill.

END USER: Toolcraft Inc., (360) 794-5512, www.tcprecision.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Mil-Tec Inc., (800) 564-5832, www.miltecusa.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle time when machining an aluminum part. SOLUTION: A progressive form tool applied on a horizontal machining center.

END USER: Ramona Enache, +31 634-824-992, www.tothepointer.com; SOLUTION PROVIDERS: DP Technology Corp., (800) 627-8479, www.espritcam.com; Logicad Solutions srl, www.logicad.ro; CHALLENGE: Design metal parts for a wine glass that sticks into the ground. SOLUTION: CAM software that defines all the machining operations, cutting tools and machining parameters.

END USER: RJ Enterprises, (310) 327-8127, www.rjenterprise.net; SOLUTION PROVIDER: Kyocera Precision Tools Inc., (800) 823-7284, www.kyoceraprecisiontools.com; CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle time when roughing a fuel sensor made of 304 stainless. SOLUTION: Switching from a ½"-dia., 4-flute solid-carbide endmill to a 5⁄8"-dia., indexable-insert endmill.