Month: June 2016

Thinking Precision, Thinking Big- Keystone Threaded Products

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The Team at Keystone Threaded Products shows us that “Precision” doesn’t necessarily mean “Tiny” as they thread the ends of some 20 foot long, 10 inch stainless steel bars for a Metalworking press. The thread is a 10-1/4″ : 4 UNJ RH applied to  each end of the  3 and a half ton bar.

@0 feet long two ends to thread, 3 and a half tons of precision.
20 feet long, two ends to thread, 3 and a half tons of precision.

At Keystone, they roll the thread form onto the material which makes for a stronger thread. Alignment and following the process is critical to assure a good thread.
Thread rolling dies create the thread form on the workpiece.
Thread rolls create the thread form on the work piece.

Multiple passes are needed to build the thread up to the proper dimensions.
HAldf a million pounds of pressure are imparted on the rolls to plastically move the steel of the bar into the thread form. Read the gage.
Half a million pounds of pressure are imparted on the rolls to plastically move the steel of the bar into the thread form. Read the gage.

Obviously it takes knowledge, skills, and experience to apply half  million pounds to produce precision work.
Rich says that he's rolled larger bars, but the confidence that skills and experience and a great team to work with make precision manufacturing a great career.
Rich says that he’s rolled larger bars, but  skills and experience and a great team to work with  create the can do spirit that makes precision manufacturing a great career.

Here’s another look at a finished bar. Precision does not necessarily mean tiny!
Just another point of view so you can see the size of the work.
Just another point of view so you can see the size of the work.

 
Thanks to Betsy Minnick and the Team at PMPA member Keystone Threaded Products for showing us that “Precision” is not a synonym for “Tiny.”

ARTICLE – PMPA Member Astra Precision Finds Success in Diverse Product Capabilities and Strong Customer Support

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Published June 2016

By PMPA Staff

In 1995, Sal and Louise Trichilo purchased Astra Precision, a small mom-and-pop screw machine shop in Toronto, with a strong ambition to raise the company to new heights and position itself as an industry leader in a number of global markets.

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ISM PMI Rises 0.5% to 51.3 Manufacturing and General Economy Expanding

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“The May PMI® registered 51.3 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage point from the April reading of 50.8 percent. The New Orders Index registered 55.7 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the April reading of 55.8 percent. The Production Index registered 52.6 percent, 1.6 percentage points lower than the April reading of 54.2 percent. The Employment Index registered 49.2 percent, the same reading as in April. “-Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

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New Orders and Production Component up in May 2016

“Manufacturing registered growth in May for the third consecutive month, as 14 of our 18 industries reported an increase in new orders in May (down from 15 in April), and 12 of our 18 industries reported an increase in production in May (down from 15 in April).
ISM reports  that of 18 manufacturing industries, 12 reported growth in May; the following are the ‘Growing Markets” served by our precision machining shops: Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment,Appliances & Components; Machinery; and Primary Metals. Markets that we serve that did not grow include: Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Furniture Manufacturing.
PMPA remains optimistic for a pick up in the second half of 2016, which is supported by this positive ISM PMI report.
Chart Link
ISM May 2016 Report Link