Triangle Machine Products
APPLICATION: Machining of Multiple Parts on Multiple CNC Tapping Centers
BACKGROUND: The Triangle Machine Products Company is a state-of-the-art facility based in Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in machining precision metal components. Part of Freeway Corporation, Triangle Machine Products is a full-service supplier from concept and design to prototyping and production, offering services that include grinding, drilling, tapping, reaming, broaching, milling and burnishing.
ISSUE:
On-time delivery is a hallmark of Triangle Machine Products, whether a production run involves small volume or millions of pieces. To accommodate customer demand for different parts in different quantities, Triangle acquired four additional CNC tapping centers for secondary operations. Thirty-two Acme Gridley screw machines feed the Brother TC-31A and TC-32B machines, two with four-axis indexers and two with faceplates for flat work. Triangle often runs multiple parts across different shifts or even during single shifts. Ideally, Triangle wanted to be able to run the same part on any of the four machines, to minimize set-up time. Triangle Plant Manager Mike Casper emphasized, “Quick changeovers are a must – we simply cannot afford any downtime between parts runs.”
SOLUTION:
To minimize any custom work, Triangle used SolidWorks® 3D CAD software to design and then manufacture their own steel subplates to work with off-the-shelf Jergens Bridgeport fixture plates using the Ball Lock Mounting System for workholding. The Bridgeport plates were selected because they accommodate the larger work envelope of the Brother TC-31A and TC-32B machines, using either a single plate or two side-by-side plates. This approach enabled Triangle to accomplish multiple set-ups using stock Jergens plates.
The repeatability of the Jergens Ball Lock system also proved to be a time-saver for Triangle. Once the x/y coordinates were established and the subplate squared up, fixture plates were secured with just two Ball Lock shanks – without any indicating or further adjustment.
The productivity savings for Triangle Machine products were remarkable:
Manufacturers often fall into the trap of not making the capital investments necessary to improve productivity and efficiency, instead just making do with old equipment and processes. Triangle's management team recognized the need for an up front investment in fixturing and workholding. In order to take full advantage of the Brother TC-3 machining capabilities.