Partners in Action at Micro-Mechanics

A recent article in Manufacturing News puts the spotlight on a company that fully utilizes the advantages provide by Partners in THINC. Micro-Mechanics is an international resource for short-run, high-precision components serving customers in the aerospace, medical, instrumentation and wafer fabrication industries. When they acquired a contract manufacturer in Morgan Hill, CA, they knew they would be unable to utilize the existing equipment. Also, given the costs involved in a California location, they understood the necessity for developing full 24/7 machining capability.

RFID on Toolholders

Micro-Mechanics founder and CEO Chris Borch discusses the re-engineering of the facility: "We began by defining the types and quantities of the parts we would be manufacturing. Our customers typically order in small batches to minimize their inventory and obsolescence risk - generally fewer than 25 pieces. The parts are primarily aluminum and sized to fit within a prismatic 28-inch cube or a rotational blank 28 inches in diameter by 28 inches in height. Working with Gosiger Machine, we chose an Okuma lathe equipped with Sandvik tooling that enabled us to integrate radio frequency identification (RFID) on our toolholders. We integrated both standard and specialized tooling and, to save time, we are able to change and preset tools offline." 

MORE: Read the full article, New 24/7 Manufacturing Strategies for High-Mix, Low-Volume Production

Versatile Workholding

The need for high precision, the minimal number of parts machined at any one time, the variety of part configuration and the 24/7 spindle utilization goal made it clear that an extremely versatile workholding system with quick-change capability was called for. The system selected was the HAINBUCH centroteX system, which would not only accommodate the wide variations in workpiece size, but would allow quick and accurate changeover between I.D. and O.D. machining.

Proving the New System

The scope of the system and the multiple components involved presented a significant challenge to all suppliers involved, as well as to Borch's team at Micro-Mechanics. It quickly became apparent that the most efficient way to "prove" the system would require a full-scale demonstration. Over a period of three months, all participants cooperated in developing a working prototype in Charlotte, NC, at the Partners In THINC facility. Due to the skill and outstanding collaboration of the engineers and operations people from Gosiger, Okuma, HAINBUCH and Micro-Mechanics, the demonstration was accomplished on schedule and met or exceeded all desired performance standards.

Creating Great U.S. Jobs

According to Borch, "During the last 30 years, too many good manufacturing jobs have left the United States. Although there are a host of reasons for this exodus, one of our big goals at Micro-Mechanics is to offer customers in the U.S. a compelling alternative to overseas manufacturing. Along the way, we also hope to create great jobs for our people."

Photo Credit: Manufacturing News