Tooling Solution Streamlines Operations

Kentucky-based Quality Tooling, a tooling and engineering provider to automotive and appliance OEMs and suppliers, has streamlined operations using CimatronE, an integrated tooling solution from Cimatron Limited.

Quality Tooling became a Cimatron customer after looking for ways to maximize the speed at which its machines operated. In many cases, several runs were required to complete a project and costly cutters needed to be replaced often due to the multiple runs and inconsistent feed rates and chip loads.

After a review of various CAD/CAM solutions on the market, the company selected CimatronE as its software of choice. Since the switch, the speed of production has more than doubled and cutters now last longer, resulting in significant cost savings.

"Making the investment in Cimatron was a big move for us because we are a small company, but the investment was well worth it and has probably been one of the best we ever made," said Brian Alvey, Quality Tooling's vice president. "Whenever you go looking at what you are gaining, that investment is very minor because you will save thousands of dollars just in cutters alone."

CimatronE has also provided Quality Tooling with a closed loop system to streamline the electrode process. Using the electrode templates saves programming time, and the simulation capabilities eliminate the need for double setups and the risk of electrodes hitting parts. If a change is made to the NC file, it automatically updates the electrodes, leaving less chance for error.

For more information, visit Cimatron.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.