Five-Axis Machine
Assembly Line
Does a Five-Axis Machine Increase Business?
Prototyping and R&D work from labs and private companies has provided Meyer Tool a strong foundation. Although making parts for complex projects like particle accelerators is fulfilling work, it’s looking to expand its customer base. Urban says the company’s goal is to reach 70% OEM work, with more higher-volume and repeat jobs.
In order to accomplish this goal, it’s open to adopting new technologies. “Let’s say we do get a huge contract with a high volume. We have no problem going out and getting that cobot or investing in ourselves to be able to take on that kind of work,” Urban says. “We’re open to pretty much anything that can come our way.”
This is how the company acquired its first five-axis machine five years ago. One of Meyer Tool’s customers approached the shop with a part. The shop is one of a few approved vendors for this customer, so it knew it had a good chance of winning the job. But the part was very complex — a dome with multiple threaded holes and a water channel that curved all the way around the top of the part. Urban knew it would require five-axis machining. The shop had been considering a five-axis machine for some time, and with this job, it decided the time was right to purchase a Hurco VMX42SRTi.
“Today’s quotes are won by price and lead time. Having a five-axis machine gives you the advantage of both.”