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TCI Precision Metals has increased its waterjet cutting services to meet the growing demand for its Machine-Ready Blanks. The variety of shapes, sizes, and quantities of pre-machined metal plates cut from full sheet material requires maximum utilization, creating as little scrap as possible. Using computer-controlled material layouts and cutting guidance, TCI can simultaneously cut materials for multiple orders, shortening lead times and passing the savings on to customers.
Machine-Ready Blanks are close-tolerance materials that go directly from the customer’s receiving dock to finish machining or fabrication. TCI originally started providing waterjet cutting to customers as a service, using customer-supplied materials or materials sourced mill-direct, aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. “As our blanks business continued to grow, we realized the value of cutting shaped blanks (other than square) using waterjet, which has proven a win/win for our customers and the environment, as we have reduced scrap by as much as 90% on shaped blanks,” said Ben Belzer, President, and CEO of TCI Precision Metals.
The Company continues investing in additional waterjet machines using the most advanced equipment. The OMAX 80X series waterjet, with its patented Tilt-A-Jet cutting head, ensures high precision, square, and finished edge cuts. Precision waterjet cut blanks continue to secondary operations, making them close tolerance and machine-ready to meet customer specifications.
With several grades of aluminum and stainless steel sheet and plate stock and other alloys, in-house turnaround times are short, and TCI Precision Metals ships coast-to-coast. TCI sources materials mill-direct, then precision cuts and mills two or six sides to close tolerance customer specifications.
Precision Machine-Ready blanks eliminate the need for in-house sawing, grinding, flattening, and squaring operations. Each blank arrives deburred, clean, and individually packaged to avoid damage during shipping. Blanks are available in two ways: Ready-to-ship blanks can be ordered online for same-day or next-day shipping and arrive square, flat, and parallel within ± .002” of specified dimensions all around; custom-made-to-order blanks are made to customer specifications and are guaranteed as close as +/- .0005” dimensionally and as close as .002” flatness, squareness, and parallelism.
Gardena, Calif. (October 24, 2023). TCI Precision Metals announces that its A36 Carbon Steel, Ready-to-Ship blanks are now available from OnlineMetals.com, the World’s leading e-commerce metal and plastics supplier. The pre-machined blanks allow customers to order flat, square, and parallel materials to close tolerance specifications.
ASTM A36 steel plate is a grade of steel commonly used in structural applications. This mild steel contains alloys that give it properties such as machinability, ductility, and strength that are ideal for building applications. Due to its high strength, many bridges and other structures are made with A36 steel. It is also used for components in automotive, heavy equipment, and oil and gas applications, including frames, bearing plates, tanks, gears, and base plates.
“A36 Ready to Ship Blanks help shops shorten setup time, reduce scrap, and increase overall throughput up to 25% or more by eliminating material prep. Blanks arrive machine-ready for production,” said Ben Belzer, President and CEO of TCI Precision Metals.
Precision blanks eliminate the need for in-house sawing, grinding, flattening, squaring operations, and outside processing. Blanks are consistent, part-to-part, which reduces setup time. In the case of flat blanks, the production process alleviates the material's residual stress, resulting in reduced part movement during finish machining. A36 Ready-to-Ship blanks are available in sizes ranging from .250”-2” thickness, 6” – 36” width, and 12” – 48” in length. Each blank is deburred, cleaned, and individually packaged to avoid damage during shipping. Ready-to-Ship Blanks arrive square, flat, and parallel within ± .002” of specified thickness and +.125-0 of specified length and width.
“At OnlineMetals.com, we specialize in cut-to-size, small to medium quantity orders shipped direct to any location. Pre-machined A36 carbon steel blanks that are Ready-to-Ship provide that extra processing value that lets customers order materials that arrive ready to go directly from receiving to machining. Customers can use the time they previously spent in setup and prep for more productive use of CNC machining centers,” said Matt Holzhauer, Marketplace Manager at OnlineMetals.com
Founded in 1956, TCI Precision Metals is a family-owned manufacturer producing precision Machine-Ready Blanks from aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. The company also provides Sawing, Grinding, Milling, and Finishing operations on customer-supplied materials.
OnlineMetals.com is the world’s leading eCommerce metal and plastics supplier, specializing in cut-to-size, small to medium quantity orders shipped directly to any location. Online Metals was a garage start-up founded in Seattle in 1998. The company has grown over the years and expanded to six facilities across the U.S., offering over 55,000 products.
TCI Precision Metals has expanded its precision sawing services to satisfy the needs of customers seeking greater material processing options. Customers can now be serviced with needs ranging from precision sawing to six-sided machine-ready blanks. TCI sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct to help customers who require value-added materials, but the company also works with materials supplied by customers. TCI has invested in high-production materials processing equipment in order to...
TCI Precision Metals, Gardena, Calif., has expanded its sawing services to accommodate customers with needs from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks. The company sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct and also works with customer-supplied materials.
TCI Precision Metals has expanded its precision sawing services to meet the demands of customers wanting more flexibility in materials processing. Customers with needs ranging from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks can now be accommodated. TCI sources aluminum, stainless steel and other alloys mill-direct, which supports customers needing value-added materials, but the company also works with customer-supplied materials.
TCI Precision Metals announced the expansion of its precision sawing services to meet the demands of customers wanting more flexibility in materials processing. Customers with needs ranging from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks can now be accommodated. Computerized precision sawing helps TCI to serve more of the customer’s materials needs. TCI sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct, which supports customers needing value-added materials, but the Company also works with customer-supplied materials.
TCI Precision Metals, Gardena, Calif., has expanded its sawing services to accommodate customers with needs from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks. The company sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct and also works with customer-supplied materials.
TCI Precision Metals announced the expansion of its precision sawing services to meet the demands of customers wanting more flexibility in materials processing. Customers with needs ranging from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks can now be accommodated. Computerized precision sawing helps TCI to serve more of the customer’s materials needs. TCI sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct, which supports customers needing value-added materials, but the Company also works with customer-supplied materials.
TCI Precision Metals announced the expansion of its precision sawing services to meet the demands of customers wanting more flexibility in materials processing. Customers with needs ranging from precision sawing to six-sided precision machine-ready blanks can now be accommodated. Computerized precision sawing helps TCI to serve more of the customer’s materials needs. TCI sources aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys mill-direct, which supports customers needing value-added materials, but the Company also works with customer-supplied materials.
The expansion of TCI value-added sawing services is made possible by the Company’s ongoing investment in high-production materials processing equipment to produce its precision machine-ready blanks. Blanks are close-tolerance materials that go directly from the customer’s receiving dock to finish machining or fabrication. By expanding the machine-ready materials processing capabilities to include traditional precision sawing, customers can now eliminate more time-consuming in-house material prep while still having the flexibility to source and supply raw materials for processing if they choose, or they can have TCI do it.
“As competition becomes greater and workforce development more difficult, many shops are looking for ways to do more with less. Expanding our machine-ready materials processing capabilities to our precision sawing customers is one way we can help them maximize their business,” said Ben Belzer, President and CEO of TCI Precision Metals.
Precision Machine-Ready blanks eliminate the need for in-house sawing, grinding, flattening, and squaring operations. Each blank arrives deburred, clean, and individually packaged to avoid damage during shipping. Blanks are available in two ways: Ready-to-Ship blanks can be ordered online for same-day or next-day shipping and arrive square, flat, and parallel within ± .002” of specified dimensions all around; custom Made-to-Order blanks are made to customer specifications and are guaranteed as close as +/- .0005” dimensionally and as close as .002” flatness, squareness, and parallelism.
Founded in 1956, TCI Precision Metals is a family-owned, precision metal services company producing cut parts and Machine-Ready Blanks from aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys. Sawing, Waterjet Cutting, Grinding, Milling, and Finishing services are also available. With the added benefit of being a plate and sheet distributor, TCI Precision Metals is a one-stop shop for value-added materials. TCI serves the needs of the medical, oil & gas, aerospace, industrial equipment, defense, food packaging, semiconductor, and many other industries.
When it comes to CNC clamping and tooling fixtures, choosing the right materials is essential. If you want to optimize your machining operations and increase performance while saving money in the long run, considering different materials for your setup could be an ideal solution.
These are some material considerations for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures to keep in mind.
For CNC clamping and tooling fixtures, stiffness and stability are paramount. A stable fixture is essential to ensure the machining operations are precise and repeatable. Aluminum, steel, and stainless steel are popular since they resist bending forces and rigidity.
Depending on the machining environment, you must choose materials that resist corrosion to ensure the longevity of the fixtures. Stainless steel and certain corrosion-resistant alloys are good options. Corrosion resistance is particularly vital when machining parts involve corrosive elements, like certain chemicals or moisture. A fixture made from a corrosion-resistant material will maintain its structural integrity over time, offering consistent performance and reducing the need for frequent replacements, thus saving costs in the long run.
The areas of the fixture that come into direct contact with workpieces and tools should have good wear resistance to prevent premature deterioration. Hardened steel, tool steel, and some surface treatments can enhance wear resistance. Not only does this prevent wear-related damage, but it also ensures the accuracy of machined parts.
Fixtures may be exposed to high temperatures generated during machining. Choose materials that can handle these temperatures without undergoing deformation or losing their mechanical properties.
For example, heat-resistant alloys are ideal for machining applications that involve higher temperatures. This difference makes them great for fixtures such as high-speed cutting and grinding.
Consider the machinability of the chosen material. Some materials might be challenging to machine, increasing production costs and lead times. When you choose a material with good machinability, it enables faster and more accurate machining operations. This machinability also reduces the need for frequent tool changes.
The weight of the fixture affects handling, setup, and machining dynamics. While heavier materials like cast iron provide stability, lightweight materials like aluminum can be advantageous for faster setup and reduced operator fatigue.
Different materials have varying coefficients of thermal expansion. Choose materials with similar coefficients to the workpiece material to minimize dimensional changes during machining.
Consider the electrical conductivity of materials for machining operations that involve electrical discharge machining (EDM). Some materials are better conductors than others, which makes them ideal for EDM operations. You should also be aware of the electrical properties of your workpiece material to ensure efficient EDM operations.
Let's look at some common material choices for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures.
Steel is the most common material for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures. It is known for its high strength, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. Steel fixtures can support heavy workpieces and endure high clamping forces without deformation, providing stable and precise machining. Furthermore, steel fixtures can maintain accuracy over time, ensuring consistent part quality. Steel can be expensive, but its reliability and longevity make it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Aluminum is another popular material for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures. It is lightweight, making it easy to handle and move, which reduces setup time. Also, aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity, which can dissipate heat generated during machining, preventing workpiece distortion and fixture damage. However, aluminum is not as strong as steel, and clamping forces must be carefully controlled to avoid deformation. Nonetheless, aluminum fixtures are ideal for low to medium loads and are generally more affordable than steel fixtures.
Titanium is a high-strength material commonly used in aerospace and medical industries for its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Titanium fixtures offer excellent vibration damping, reducing chatter and enhancing surface finish. They can also withstand high clamping forces without deformation, making them suitable for heavy-duty machining. However, titanium is expensive, and its hardness can cause premature tool wear, increasing machining costs.
Plastics like nylon, Delrin, and PVC are used in CNC clamping and tooling fixtures for their low coefficient of friction, excellent chemical resistance, and non-marring properties, making them ideal for delicate or soft workpieces. The non-conductive properties of plastic fixtures make them useful in electrical and electronic applications, preventing electrical problems. Nonetheless, the durability of plastic fixtures is lower than metal fixtures, requiring frequent replacement due to wear and deformation.
Cast iron can be used for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures due to its excellent wear resistance, high strength, good thermal conductivity, and low cost. Cast iron is also an excellent choice for heavy-duty operations and offers a more rigid setup than aluminum or steel. However, cast iron has poor machinability and can be susceptible to corrosion. It is also much heavier than aluminum or steel, making it difficult to move and handle.
Composite materials like carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar have gained popularity in CNC clamping and tooling fixtures, especially in the aerospace and automotive industries. Composite fixtures are lightweight, strong, and durable, providing excellent stiffness and vibration damping that leads to high accuracy and surface quality. Additionally, composite fixtures can be designed to have a specific shape or pattern according to the part's geometry, providing customized solutions. However, composite fixtures are expensive and can be challenging to machine due to their anisotropic nature.
When selecting materials for CNC clamping and tooling fixtures, consider the requirements of your application and the properties of each material to make an informed decision. Furthermore, always remember safety protocols and environmental considerations when using machining tools. With these factors in mind, you can ensure successful results with quality parts that meet your project specifications.
Aside from choosing the right fixture materials, it is also important to consider the design of the fixtures. The fixture should provide even clamping force, easy accessibility, and reliable repeatability. It should also be designed according to the principles of ergonomics for operator comfort and safety. Proper design will make your machining operations more efficient, resulting in higher quality parts and increased production throughput.
If you need help with metal services, TCI Precision Metals can provide expert advice and assistance. TCI Precision Metals is here for all your metalworking needs, from choosing the right materials to precision sawing. Contact us today; we can help you create the perfect project!
