Published 9/26/2017

Technology Tuesday: Equipment of the Leadtime Leaders

Cruise through this slideshow to see what technology Leadtime Leaders use to make significant contributions to their fields.

Karen Cornelissen

Contributing Editor, MoldMaking Technology

Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. is the Leadtime Leader Award winner from 2015. Cavalier President Brian Bendig, shown here holding an electrode for an automotive grill mold, began travelling the world in search of new technologies and strategies shortly before taking ownership in 2009. The OPS Ingersoll Eagle 1200 gantry, one of the first of its type in North America, is one notable example. Having saved $126,000 in operating and consumable costs on this machine in its first year, the shop is incorporating two more similar models (larger Eagle 1400s) into its new, automated EDM cell. Image courtesy of Creative Technology Corp.

Christina Fuges blogged about her shop visit with Cynthia Kustush to Graphic Tool Corp., the 2017 Leadtime Leader Award winner. They join Graphic Tool’s president Don Smith in checking out DMG Mori’s DMC 75V-Linear five-axis machining center at the Graphic Tool shop. Smith said in his Leadtime Leader Interview that Graphic Tool uses the machining center to finish an entire insert before moving directly to polishing. Image courtesy of Creative Technology.

Dynamic Tool is the Leadtime Leader honorable mention from 2015. The company relies heavily on Mitsubishi EDMs tended by System 3R robots, which are often configured to serve two machines at once. In all, 13 machines in the shop are tended by robotics. Images courtesy of Creative Technology Corp.

Micro Mold Co. Inc. is the Leadtime Leader honorable mention from 2013. Here, a system 3R robot is loading a holder (of Micro Mold’s v-block design) with an electrode into the GF AgieCharmilles EDM.

Westminster Tool is the Leadtime Leader Award winner from 2014. Oleg Russu, engineer, inspects electrodes on Westminster’s Brown & Sharpe One CMM. Incorporating inspection procedures into the manufacturing process helps Westminster ensure consistent outcomes for customers.

MSI Mold Builders is the Leadtime Leader honorable mention from 2016. Here, a MSI machinist operates an FPT Dino high-speed, five-axis, bridge-style CNC mill.

Krieger Craftsmen is the 2016 Leadtime Leader Award winner. It’s move toward productionizing mold manufacturing to speed machining and reduce lead times comes in the way of this Grob G550 five-axis horizontal machining center with through-spindle coolant and the integrated Schuler 10-pallet LoadMaster. Images courtesy of Creative Technology.

Concours Mold is the Leadtime Leader honorable mention from 2017. It’s manufacturing floor features an array of advanced machine tools, including its new Unisig M50 machining center. Multitasking machines such as this enable faster completion of boring-mill work, gundrilling and CNC cutting.

MoldMaking Technology is looking for the 2018 Leadtime Leader award winner. You may have seen videos or tweets announcing our search. To spark your interest in the competition, I thought I’d make a slideshow that highlights the technology and innovations that have made the success of past winners possible.

Remember, Leadtime Leaders are not always the biggest shops, nor are they always the groups with the fastest lead times. They are companies that make the most out of what they’ve got. Whether you are already a leader in the field or you are aiming to achieve more, consider entering the competition.