MoldMaking Technology

MAR 2018

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moldmakingtechnology.com 37 FOR MORE INFORMATION Makino / 800-552-3288 / makino.com in these three Makino EDM machines because they utilize less wire, give better finishes and enable us to produce parts faster," Martin says. One of the reasons that Summit Tooling chose the U32j and U53Tj EDM machines was their programmable work tank and ergonomic access to the work zone. "The automatic rise-and-fall tank makes loading and setups easier for our operators in the non-automated configurations. At the same time, the automatic rise-and-fall tank supplies access to robotic loaders from three directions for our automated cells. It simply makes our lives a little easier across all processes," Martin says. Summit Tooling also produces mold compo- nents with the a61 HMC and another EDAF2, both operated as stand-alone machines. Automation Lays Foundation for Existence Since 2008, sales have doubled while Summit Tooling has kept its mold and die shop employment steady at 16 opera- tors, programmers and engineers. Operators program and load the three manufacturing cells to run unattended over- night and on weekends to increase productivity and to fin- ish orders more quickly. Reduced labor costs that Summit Tooling realized by investing in automation and reliable high-performance machines enabled the company to further diversify its services by adding employees to the company's growing plastic-injection molding business. Next in Summit Tooling's drive to automate manufacturing is a plan for a third EDM cell. The company anticipates that a third cell will increase capacity and provide backup to help Summit Tooling avoid any disruption in delivering molds and components on-time to customers. Mold and die shop owners have viewed automation as expensive, complicated and better suited for higher-volume production of milled parts. Owners visiting Summit Tooling often tell Martin that their traditional, manual processes with an operator in front of every machine are necessary to produce the complex shapes and tight tolerances of prototypes, small orders for unique molds and cavity and component repairs. Martin and his team chose another way. "The reality is that had we not automated our moldmak- ing operations, we would not be in business," Martin says. "Automation is hugely instrumental in our profitability and our ability to succeed in the tough times that our industry has had during the past several years." Automation has given Summit Tooling the ability to run EDM and milling machines unattended 24/7. Owner Dan Martin credits automation and Makino support with advancing his company's ability to compete successfully on a global scale, to offer customers faster delivery times and to lower costs.

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