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Metalmite – Machine Shop Service Blog

World Class Quality, Service and Delivery at the right price!

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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!

Medical Machining and 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.

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.

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08.Mar.10 5-Axis Machining, 6 Axis Turning & Milling, General News, High-Speed Milling, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)

Windmill Power and CNC Machining

Metalmite has been looking into opportunities to machine alternative energy devices. The most popular device today appears to be the windmill. Recently a large manufacturing house discussed the need for more precision CNC machining houses to get involved.
The advanced CNC Machining procedures and 5 axis milling reduces the machining and finishing time spent on large parts, such as turbine blades. The modern machine shop must support a variety of tasks such as scanning, measuring and inspection, and cutting. Tools include spray heads, water-jet cutters, chopper guns, and finishing tools. Metalmite has the ability to get these processes done either in house or at approved sources.

  The real question is where is this alternative energy push taking us?  We’re constantly hearing reports of  plans to build mammoth solar, wind, and geothermal installations. But in the end, will our increasing reliance on alternative energy even put a dent in overall power use? That’s the question consulting firm Black & Veatch endeavored to answer recently. What the firm found is not all that surprising: the United States’ primary source of electricity in 2034 will be natural gas–the least polluting fossil fuel, but a fossil fuel nonetheless.

    There is some good news, however. Coal-fired plants will make up just 23% of the mix, and renewables will grow from 54,000 megawatts to 165,000 megawatts, or 13% of overall power production. The switch to increased renewables won’t be enough to reach Obama’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, but the President’s growing focus on nuclear power could help bridge the gap. But do we have enough natural gas to keep our power pumping? (Fast Company, 2010)

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05.Mar.10 General News, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)

Metalmite’s Job Tracker Software

JOBTRACKER 005

Machine Shop Job Tracker Software

Metalmite Corporation is continually seeking to use the latest technology. It is important to be on the cutting edge of technology and process improvement. While making a substantial investment in the CNC machine and Wire EDM capabilities, Metalmite Corporation struggled to manage its front office business with “off-the-shelf” software packages. These applications were used to write up jobs, track work flow, and invoice customers. Metalmite also had to archive documents, track quotes, and generate shipping documentation. In some cases, there were three to five different packages where information was stored. A few years ago the senior management Metalmite decided it was time to design, build and incorporate a ground-up software that would integrate all of these needs. After a few considerations, Software Designer and IT Consultant Matthew Cotterman was brought in to organize and complete the project. As major ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and SCM (Supply Chain Management) software platforms were examined, the team gleaned from what they liked and removed what seemed cumbersome and unproductive. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a term usually used in conjunction with ERP software or an ERP system which is intended to manage all the information and functions of a business or company from shared data stores. An ERP system typically has modular hardware and software units and “services” that communicate on a local area network.

As a CNC Machine Shop that knows that “time is money” the software for first and foremost to be fast and efficient. Matthew Cotterman worked feverishly for months to take out unnecessary steps and draw the databases together seamlessly. This resulted in a simple program that is accessed through a web browser on any PC in the shop that can search by any aspect of a job- customer, part number, material, buyers name, or even dates run or quantity ordered. When the matching jobs show on the screen one click allows the user to see all documentation involved with this job. These documents can then be printed, e-mailed, or simply reviewed at that moment. The new software also allowed us to streamline quoting and analyze profitability.

“The goal is to listen to the client,” said Matthew. “They know how to run their business. I have to understand how the client does business and mold the software around that. It must be quick and efficient. The software should do as many of the mundane as well as complicated tasks as possible. Above all, the system should reduce the amount of time and effort required to run the business. That way, the software pays for itself.”

Metalmite Office Manager Tina noted, “Our customer’s have been so impressed with our system that we often get calls asking us to look up old information or drawings and e-mail it to them, when we ask why they say it is because their system is too difficult to work with and take too long to respond!” As Metalmite works hard to stay current with high speed machining, Wire EDM technology, and 5 Axis Machining, they find it only logical that their software be just as cutting edge.

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12.Oct.09 5-Axis Machining, CNC Machine Shop Software, General News, Uncategorized, cnc manufacturing Comment (1)

Metalmite is “Going Green”

Tom Gendich & the SMART Car

Tom Gendich & the SMART Car

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.

18.Aug.09 5-Axis Machining, 6 Axis Turning & Milling, General News Comments (0)

Bill Clark Joins the Metalmite Team

Bill Clark and Mike Gendich

Bill Clark and Mike Gendich

Bill Clark, owner and operator of Machine Tool Services, Inc, has recently joined the team at Metalmite Corporation where his expertise will fit in perfectly. For nearly 43 years Machine Tool Services, Inc served the community as a leader in gear, gear rack and spline shaft manufacturing. Mike Gendich and Bill Clark were good friends for many years and when Bill decided he wanted to join forces, Metalmite was excited to have him aboard. Bill has already brought some customers with him to Metalmite so they too can experience the speed and savings of the 5 axis and 6 axis CNC machinery, as well as the state of the art grinding equipment. Just as Bill has found a place for his unique skill set, Metalmite has found great pleasure in welcoming Bill to the company.
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28.Jul.09 5-Axis Machining, General News Comments (0)

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