The production of precision parts for computer, electronic inspection, medical, power tool, printing, pump and valve industries demands a tremendous effort in terms of equipment skill and knowledge.
CNC turning centers, CNC machining centers, milling machines, drilling equipment and grinders are all essential to accommodating production levels from 50 up to 1,000 pieces in general sub-contract machining. Broaching and chucking tools are also important in these operations.
The machining centers, depending on the model, cover spindle speeds up to 8,000 rpm. Automatic tool changers have from 16 to 40 tools. Accuracies within 0.0002" are typical. Table areas are generally 20" x 40", but the larger versions go up to 40" x 80". Automatic pallet machines and fixtures are vital to efficient production of precision parts.
A wide range of turning centers and turning equipment provides chuck capacity from 4.33" diameters to 15". Swing capacity, also dependent on the model, varies from 10" to 27.6". Spindle speeds are from 20 to 5,000 rpm.
To complete the equipment roster and meet the facilities requirements of precision machining, it is necessary to have different types of sanders, various press models, tappers, vibrators, tumblers and an array of welding machines.
These machines handle aluminum, castings (cast iron, ductile and investment), plastics (Delrin, G-10 and PVC), mild steels and stainless steels in the production of precision parts. The major advantage of this method is that maintenance of product tolerances yields repeatable and consistent parts. These attributes can only result from effective quality methods based on Statistical Process Control (SPC) monitoring of the machining processes along with thorough inspections.
The total precision machine shop offers turnkey-type projects, purchase of materials, responsibility for outside projects and mechanical assembly. Savings can be realized by use of multiple-part loading methods with auto pallet changers, such as twin-spindle turning centers running the same part by producing two at a time or machining both sides of the part.