World Class Quality, Service and Delivery at the right price!
About Us
Welcome to our Blog! As a full-service machine shop we manufacture, modify, and repair prototype and production parts for a wide variety of clients. What makes us different? For the past 41 years we have pursued manufacturing perfection with a precise mix of quality, service, delivery and price!
Metalmite has been looking into the medical machining field for some time now. CNC machining is the process used to manufacture different types of medical tools such as scissors, clamps, surgical knives, syringes, and others. Medical instruments manufacturing uses advanced machining processes that help in producing precision medical tools and equipment required in the medical industry.
Medical machining involves the machining of metal parts, which are extremely intricate and are mainly made from special alloys, stainless, or titanium. Different techniques used in medical machining include 5 axis milling, 6 axis machining, wire edm, and electro etching. Chemical etching machining process is mainly used for producing typical precision medical parts. The medical industry has very strict guidelines and regulations for how clean the environment must be as well as quality documentation. Many of the medical products must first be proven out with a working prototype and then followed up with the small volume production run. This is where Metalmite is able to excel on both sides of the spectrum.
The need for medical machining ranges from contract precision manufacturing of implants and surgical instruments
to cardio/neuro stimulation, orthopedic, interventional, and drug delivery. As well as Prototyping leading to volume production and cleanroom, packaging, and labeling requirements. The minimum quality rating are ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 registered firms.
Through the years the term “screw machine” and “CNC machine” or “CNC lathe” have been interchangeable. In recent years however the term CNC machining has become much more relevant to the end user. Our small prototype machine shop has even gone as far as to use 6 axis CNC turning centers made by Mori Seiki, the NL-2500 is our flagship multi-tool lathe. These new CNC lathes can not only turn in two chuck’s, but they can mill and drill from all sides as well! If you look at the picture on the left you will see how a part could be made from solid at one time. This is a tremendous cost savings and time savings for the customer. What typically took 3-4 weeks and 3 or 4 operations is now done in two weeks and in one operation. So when someone calls us and asks if we are a screw machining shop we always repond with a firmative and ask to see the part they want made. Keep in mind the terms CNC machine shop, CNC machining, and 6 axis machining can all be interchangeable these days. It is far better to descibe the part you would like completed rather than ask what kind of equipment the supplier has.
Metalmite has worked very hard to save time and money for their customers over the years. Everything from adding 5 axis machining to CNC screw machining centers that have decreased our leadtime by half. On this job in the picture we have manufactured these aluminum plates for over 10 years. The original setup was on 3 seperate CNC Machining centers with 3 serperate operator’s. After a few years of having the job repeat, we were able to maximize our CNC Manufacturing procedure’s. We currently use one CNC Machining center and have 3 separate clamp systems that hold the the part through the 3 separate operations. As a one stop machine shop we work hard to save time and money for our customers. We have used several methods learned from our high speed milling techniques that have further increased our efficiency as well. The part has decreased in cost by 50% to our customer and they are thrilled with the results during these trying times. Metalmite works hard to offer World Class Quality, Service, and Delivery at the RIGHT Price!
I must admit that “Going Green” has become a buzz word today that I am not sure I completely understand. For years in manufacturing we have been discussing “becoming lean”, and the strategies of lean manufacturing. We have Six Sigma seminar’s and discussions about lean work cell’s. We look to cut costs by reducing extra processes and cutting out “non-value added” procedures. Metalmite has achieved these things by using 5 axis and 6 axis machining cells. But now we have this new philosophy about “Going Green” and becoming “Green Certified”. These two philosophies are in direct competition with one another. One is about saving money at any cost, and the other is about saving the planet at any cost. I recently received this e-mail from a company offering us a certificate for being “Green Certified”. They said simply complete “a self-certification program that allows you to describe how your business provides a green product or service, or uses a green manufacturing process. When you register, you will answer a series of questions about the green activities your business participates in. Those answers will appear on your certification page along with other business information.”
They are offering me a certificate for $189 per year that says I am “Green Certified”. Does that mean that I am now recycling my pop cans? Or that we will contact the proper disposal companies for old laptop batteries? Well we do both of these things at Metalmite now. I think the concept is that we will be more conscience of the environment and more protective of our natural setting. We like that idea and have lived by that principal all of our lives. There is a concern though that individuals and companies are missing the main point. It is not about having a green leaf on the side of your SUV, or about having a certificate that says you are “Green Certified”, but rather a commitment to protect our world and our environment. We love the idea of “Alternative Energy” and finding ways to use Windmill power and Electric Vehicles. We are on the vendor list for Tesla Motors, I have been in contact with executive management at Aptera Motors, and we have manufactured parts for the GM Volt. As seen in the picture attached, Metalmite supports the SMART car as well. At SMART Car, System partners on site deliver the prefabricated modules directly to the production line. Protecting the environment, energy efficiency and preservation of natural resources are hallmarks of smart brand. It starts with smart development through to the production of the cars in smartville. The smart fortwo is also classified as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) due to its extremely low exhaust emissions. Metalmite is extremely interested in the future of these vehicles and what part we may play in their success. We have added Wire EDM to our list of services, which offers very little waste or by-products in the process of cutting materials. We continue to be “lean” in our thinking and with our price’s, but we are also “green” in our concern for the environment and in our philosophy of manufacturing. Although I am not sure we will be “certified” anytime soon, we can give you our word that we are thinking and acting “green” in every way we can.
Recently a military vehicle manufacturer came to Metalmite and asked them to make some idler shafts out of 6Al-4V Titanium instead of the 8620 steel alloy they were originally designed out of. The ATI Ti-6Al-4V Alloy (UNS 56400) is the most widely used titanium grade. It is a two phase α+β titanium alloy, with aluminum as the alpha stabilizer and vanadium as the beta stabilizer. This high-strength alloy can be used at cryogenic temperatures to about 800° F (427°C). ATI Ti-6Al-4V alloy is used in the annealed condition and in the solution treated and aged condition. Some applications include: compressor blades, discs, and rings for jet engines; airframe and space capsule components; pressure vessels; rocket engine cases; helicopter rotor hubs; fasteners; critical forgings requiring high strength-to-weight ratios. This alloy is produced by primary melting using vacuum arc (VAR), electron beam (EB), or plasma arc hearth melting (PAM). Remelting is achieved by one or two vacuum arc steps.
Metalmite found that the machining was not as difficult as they were originally told, it must be turned slower and not pushed like the steel alloys. The finish came out very clean and smooth. The parts were turned in the Mori Seiki lathe and inspected on the CMM afterwards to verify that they were right to spec. Another CNC Machining job well done by Metalmite.
Metalmite has been looking into the medical machining field for some time now. CNC machining is the process used to manufacture different types of medical tools such as scissors, clamps, surgical knives, syringes, and others. Medical instruments manufacturing uses advanced machining processes that help in producing precision medical tools and equipment required in the medical industry.
5-Axis Machining, 6 Axis Turning & Milling, General News, High-Speed Milling, cnc manufacturing 
Comments (0)
Metalmite has worked very hard to save time and money for their customers over the years. Everything from adding 
