Precision Plus – Combining Old and New Technologies Pays Off

Challenge: Business Expansion.

Machining Solution: SS20

Result: reducing the cycle time from 2 min. 20 sec. to 1 min. 15 sec.—a savings of more than 47 percent.

Location: Elkhorn, WI

While visiting PMTS 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Reader was introduced to Tsugami’s new SS platform. Impressed by its flexibility, he says the amount of tooling on the front and back spindles is perfect for Precision Plus. The SS’s unique modular design and full compliment of driven tool positions allowed for much better use of the main and subspindle.

“We felt that we could make serious improvements with more cross working capability on the subspindle.” Actually getting a cross rotary attachment that was rugged enough for a produc-tion environment in a timely manner proved to be a struggle. Resourceful engineers themselves, they began to manufacture attachments in house, including complex live angle cross tools. “We just didn’t believe that a machine existed that offered the flexibility and live backworking capability that we needed until we saw the Tsugami SS20 concept machine at PMTS,” Mr. Reader says.

A long-time member of the PMPA, Precision Plus uses the association’s shows, conferences and mes-sage boards to keep abreast of the latest technology available. While visiting PMTS 2007 in Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Reader was introduced to Tsugami’s new SS platform that was designed specifically for the North American market. Impressed by its flexibility, he says, “The amount of tooling on the front and back spindles was perfect for our business.” The SS’s unique modular design and full compliment of driven tool positions allowed for much better use of the main and subspindle. The large tool capacity would allow most tools to remain resident, compressing setup and change-over time. “It really was the perfect job shop machine,” Mr. Reader says, who would go on to purchase one of the first production models of the lathe.

An early part to be processed on the new machine was a valve stem for a hot water heater that had been previously processed on an older CNC Swiss machine. Cut from 360 brass, the stem required turn-ing and a small amount of milling on the face and sides. The back was a challenge, as it required heavy profile milling and substantial turning. With more backworking live tools, Mr. Shea was better able to fully engage both spindles and succeeded in reducing the cycle time from 2 min. 20 sec. to 1 min. 15 sec.—a savings of more than 47 percent. Impressed by this, the production team began to move other jobs to the SS where they could standardize tooling. “We were able to create a tooling layout that called for five turning tools and two driven tools to stay resident,” he says. Soon, Mr. Reader would commit to purchasing another three Tsugami SS machines to handle a variety of jobs including diesel emission control assemblies and hydraulic valves.

Read the entire piece on Precision Plus here.