Rochester Precision Machine, Inc.

RPM was targeting increasingly complex component manufacturing as a strategy for increasing revenue and strengthening key customer relationships. Current manufacturing methods for turning were not competitive. Management was considering the purchase of a multi-tasking turning center to compress manufacturing processes while maintaining product quality, and had set an aggressive ROI requirement to justify the purchase.

Assessment
The current manufacturing method utilized conventional 2 axis turning centers. Poor equipment capabilities led to increased product costs stemming from additional material handling, set ups, fixturing, and batch and queue delays associated with multiple operations and process interruptions. All of these processes required operator attention and the high labor component inflated per-part manufacturing costs, limiting RPM’s ability to be competitive when quoting increasingly complex parts.

Solution
Ellison engineers studied the part process, identifying the equipment that could optimize machining and labor efficiencies by combining operations. The Mori Seiki NL2500Y/700 multi-function turning center offered the greatest flexibility and throughput capacity while equipment accuracy and repeatability exceeding expectations for part quality.

End Result
The purchase of the Mori Seiki NL2500Y has impacted the competitive position of Rochester Precision Machine in several ways. Many of the components can now be manufacturing complete in a single uninterrupted operation, significantly improving throughput and minimizing labor requirements. Product quality has improved and component costs have fallen, allowing RPM to successfully quote on business it previously would have lost or no bid.