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BETTER PRODUCTION Shops Using Technology 102 MMS August 2017 mmsonline.com machines were getting older, no longer very precise and showing increasingly more runout. Their spindles were only 4 inches in diameter, and ther- mal growth would negatively affect part tolerances. The excessive runout meant reduced cutting abil- ity and tool life. Mr. Johns decided it was time to invest in new equipment when a potential customer asked the shop to produce one to three precision parts at a t i m e . M a g n o l i a w a s unable to serve that cus- tomer, as its machines would not hold the toler- a n c e a n d i t to o k to o much time to set up for such a short run. Even for existing cus- tomers, Magnolia was spending large amounts of time meeting require- ments. For example, the shop typically turned a part three times during m a n u f a c t u r i n g : I t m a c h i n e d o n e s i d e , tu r n e d th e pa r t ove r, machined the next side, then turned it sideways and repeated. Machine operators manually found the new sur face each time using feeler gages a n d "j o h n ny b l o c ks," gage blocks of a known length/width, to confirm p a r t p l a c e m e n t a n d tool offset. The challenge was not only the slow manual setup; it was also the work-arounds to achieve a c c u r a c y. O p e r a to r s would get a part within h a l f a th o u s a n d th o r a t h o u s a n d t h o f a n i n c h l a r g e r t h a n t h e specif ication, cut the p a r t a s e c o n d t i m e , check it and cut it again High Production, Accuracy, Enhanced Flexibility and Versatility These are the requirements Mikron customers have learned to expect from our machining systems. With nearly a century of experience, Mikron understands the importance of providing machining systems and tooling for its customers to machine up to several million compo- nents per year dependably, accurately and quickly – with an exceptional return-on-investment. Mikron machining systems can replace several machining or turning centers which reduces the cost per part in high volume machining. www.mikron.com www.youtube.com/mikrongroup Mikron Corp. Monroe Monroe, CT 06468 / USA mmo@mikron.com Tel. +1 203 261 31 00 milling machines and CNC lathes. The shop runs small volumes—usually between five and 15 pieces, though sometimes only one—in materials such as hardened steel, stainless and others. Over the years, Magnolia has found a niche in the automotive industry, with the majority of its work machining tooling fixtures for automotive suppliers. Mr. Johns knew for his business to grow, he needed to invest in new technology. His vertical