We have been told by every supplier in the last month that steel prices are on the rise again. I tend to wonder why in the midst of the worse economy in my lifetime they feel it is necessary to raise prices. So we did a little research into what is behind the steel price hike. Turns out that “steel production declined about 5% in February from January. And it declined across the board in China, other developing countries and the developed world. The appearance of decline January to February is caused by the upward restatement of January’s data. The good news is that the growth from December to January is now much stronger than I stated in the last steel production bulletin – rising from 1.8% December to January to a restated 6.1%. And contrary to the developed world growing substantially faster than the developing world as I stated then, China grew 10% from December to January and the developing world as a whole grew at 6%.” (2010, www.nerdsofsteel.com) So, to sum up, they decreased the production of steel because less people were buying in January 2010, then more people started buying in Febraury and March, now there is a shortage and the prices will rise again. Seems simple enough, but somehow the prices never dip back down too much.
We will work hard to keep the CNC Machining prices low, but you will have to fight like the rest of us about your alloy, stainless, and mild steel prices.
Tags: Alloy steel, China, cnc machining, metal, Scrap, steel prices
13.Apr.10 
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In 2008 our President and Founder, Michael Gendich Sr, had his oldest grandson, Roland Gendich, enlist in the US Army and serve in the war effort in the Middle East. Roland returned safely after a one year tour in Iraq. We all had the pleasure of attending his wedding to his high school sweetheart in October of 2009. Roland is currently on active duty in Alaska. He is awaiting word to find out if he will be needed again in the effort against Afghanistan. Please join Metalmite in our prayers for him and all our troops as they bravely protect our country and each of us everyday!
Tags: afghanistan, cnc machining, Iraq, Military, warfighter
09.Mar.10 Uncategorized Comments (0)
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)
Tags: 5 axis milling, alternative energy, cnc machining, manufacturing, modern machine shop, Windmill
05.Mar.10 General News, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)
Complex part made by 6 axis CNC lathe
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.
Tags: 6 axis machining, CNC Machine Shop, cnc machining, screw machining
16.Dec.09 6 Axis Turning & Milling, Uncategorized, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)
US Dept of Defense has issued continuing contracts for the JLTV, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. A program to develop a new family of light tactical vehicles for Army, Marine Corps and special operations forces is moving ahead at full steam, almost halfway through its technology development phase.
The joint light tactical vehicle is an Army, Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command program to replace the Humvee with a family of higher-performing, more survivable vehicles able to carry greater payloads, said Kevin Fahey, Army program executive officer for combat support and combat service support during a recent interview. The goal, he explained, is to fill a critical capabilities gap while developing a family of vehicles capable of performing multiple missions and sharing common components.
The Army, lead agent for the program, announced just over a year ago that it had awarded three contracts valued at about 6 million for the program’s 27-month technology development phase. The three contractors are BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Ground Systems Division; General Tactical Vehicles, a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General and Lockheed Martin Systems Integration.
Metalmite Corporation has been a key prototype machine shop for many of these components. Although we are not at liberty to discuss any specifics, let us say that the addition 5 Axis Machining has really helped to speed up deliveries. As a Prime Contractor for the Department of Defense and as a sub for larger Prime’s, Metalmite has postioned themselves to be a critical player in the CNC machine shop service area. In general the turnaround required would not be possible without CNC machining. Stay tuned for the new, faster, lighter, and more precise military vehicles to come!
Tags: 5 axis machining, cnc machining, JLTV, Machine Shop Service
24.Nov.09 5-Axis Machining, Uncategorized, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)
Ford and Edison
Photo of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford courtesy of Ford Motor Company
Metalmite Corporation has been a supporter of electric vehicle’s and of Hybrid Technology for years. Michael Gendich was one of the first owners of a Segway personal transporter, and Metalmite was one of the first machine shops to help make an electronic assist for a hybrid vehicle. CNC Machining has been a major player in the new technological advances made by Ford Motor Company and others recently. Metalmite has been approached by and helped several companies, such as Aptera Motors, Tesla Motors, and even FEV in the development of alternative energy vehicles as well.
The Vice President of Metalmite, Tom Gendich, was recently quoted as saying, “My grandfather retired from Ford Motor Company 30 years ago, so we have watched them closely in their fight to survive and find this new market. I feel they are very close to another breakthrough and I hope we can be there to help them with that!”
Greenmonk.net recently spoke with Greg Frenette, the manager of Ford’s Electric Vehicle program and he filled us in on just how long Ford has been working on electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technologies. Although not as long as may be indicated in the photo above, Ford’s Advanced Engineering Research group have been working on concepts with respect to plug-in hybrids since 2005.
Ford’s initial utility partners in their plug-in hybrid program were Southern California Edison but they soon expanded the program to include the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) as well as a grouping of 10 utilities and research organizations across North America.
This quarter Ford will complete the build-out and deployment to the partner organizations of their fleet of 20 plug-in hybrid Escape’s. These vehicles are demo’ing real world vehicle-to-grid interconnectivity. According to Greg they have a prototype communication control system on the vehicle which works with a Smart Meter, through the use of wireless Zigbee technology, to give the vehicle owner control and direction in how they access the charging point.
Ford appears to be on the right track with this project. Metalmite is excited to monitor their progress and will certianly jump in at any point if asked. Yet another way to deliver World Class Quality, Service, and Delivery at the Right Price!
Tags: CNC Machine Shop, cnc machining
12.Oct.09 Uncategorized, cnc manufacturing Comments (0)
We will work hard to keep the CNC Machining prices low, but you will have to fight like the rest of us about your alloy, stainless, and mild steel prices.
