May 27, 2011 | MTM News
May 27, 2011
HAAS VF-3SS CNC Vertical Machining Centers
Manitowoc Tool has recently added three new HAAS VF-3SS Super Speed CNC Vertical Machining Centers. We now have six active VF-3SS centers to meet our customers’ needs. The HAAS VF-3SS has a 24-pocket tool changer and runs at 12,000 rpm with an inline direct-drive.
Mori Seiki NH6300 DCG II Horizontal Machine Center
The NH6300 DCG II achieves the highest speed in its class by combining high speed on the linear axes, which is attributed to DCG (Driven at the Center of Gravity) for vibration control and excellent balance of Box-in-Box construction, with high speed on the rotary axes using DDM (Direct Drive Motor).
Flow Mach3 4020B Waterjet
Our Fabrication Department has installed a state-of-the-art Flow Mach 3 Waterjet. The Mach 3 includes an ultrahigh pressure pump, intelligent process monitoring and a compact footprint. The NEW Dynamic Waterjet increases speed and reduces taper. Our operators have the ability to load from three sides for convenience and efficiency.
Mazak Mega Turn 900M
The Mega Turn Nexus 900M, the next generation CNC vertical turning center, is designed to efficiently machine large work pieces with ease.
Mori-Seiki NH 5000/50 DCG
The NH Series achieves the ultimate in production efficiency for extended operation. High speed, High precision with maximum performance are achieved in this machine at a very advance level.
Mazak Horizontal 6000-2 Nexus Palletech
Manitowoc adds our fifth Mazak Palletech System with 16 pallets and 2 load stations to better serve our customers with higher spindle utilization, reduced costs and on-time delivery.
Apr 2, 2011 | MTM News
Herald Times Reporter
Machine operator Justin Miller and other Manitowoc Tool & Machining workers focus on lean manufacturing techniques for quality and cost-efficiency.
Written by: Charlie Mathews
MTM’s ‘Wolf Packs’ led by shop floor workers, not management
MANITOWOC — The ultimate goal of the new “Wolf Packs” at Manitowoc Tool & Machining is daunting — expand the use of lean manufacturing techniques to create parts with zero ppm (parts per million) defects and 100 percent on-time delivery.
“This is our way of letting the shop floor make choices … they know their jobs best, let them manage it,” Rick Swoboda, vice president of operations, said of the new self-directed work teams.
MTM, formed in 1965, and its sister company, Manitowoc Tool & Manufacturing, employ about 350 men and women.
MTM has hundreds of sophisticated CNC (computer numerically controlled) machines capable of creating parts small enough to fit in the hand to those weighing thousands of pounds made out of aluminum, ductile iron, steel, brass and bronze.
It has domestic and overseas customers in the automotive, transportation, medical technology, recreation, heating-ventilation-air conditioning and defense industries.
Swoboda said the first Wolf Pack was established in September and another went into operation this year.
“Each pack involves operators that run specific machining tools in the same part of the building,” Swoboda explained.
Northwest Technical College instructors helped to train employees over a 10-week period to develop hard and soft skills linked to the Wolf Pack’s methods and objectives.
Scoreboards show ‘SQDIP’
Company scoreboards show monthly “SQDIP” results related to safety, quality, delivery, inventory and productivity.
Swoboda said MTM also has implemented a visual closed-loop material ordering and supply system.
“Kanban boards” have a red, yellow and gray color scheme behind cards indicating the level of urgency to get materials in-house to help meet customers’ delivery expectations.
Swoboda said the kanban board system “allows the Pack to manage the customer demand and decide on overtime requirements.”
He said Wolf Pack members — about 25 on each one — also are responsible for keeping their areas clean and organized.
“5S” audit sheets are filled out by individual pack members — standing for simplify, straighten, scrub, stabilize and sustain.
As part of MTM’s lean manufacturing emphasis, “One piece flow cells” have been established to make engine blocks, Swoboda said.
“The cell incorporates three vertical and one horizontal machining centers, a hone, conveyor-fed washer, parts checker and leak tester,” Swoboda said.
“The equipment is set up in a counter clockwise, U-shaped layout so one operator is capable of flowing through the cell,” he said.
“Success breeds confidence,” Swoboda said of achieving work force buy-in to MTM’s expanding use of lean manufacturing techniques.
“The Wolf Packs meet weekly with management so we learn how we can help support them better,” Swoboda said.
What holds some companies back? “The status quo, … the attitude that ‘It’s worked this way for a lot of years … why change,'” he said.
But future sales and customer satisfaction are essential factors driving the Wolf Pack method and mentality.
