TCI Precision Metals has installed a second OMAX 80X waterjet machining center at its facility in Gardena, Calif. The new machine is the second waterjet added in the last 12 months to keep up with growing demand for precision machine-ready blanks and other specialty parts.

“Our recent investments in both sawing and waterjet cutting equipment have paid off big for our customers by helping us shorten lead time and improve on time delivery. Most of our machine-ready blanks orders are for either aluminum or stainless steel alloys,” said Ben Belzer, president of TCI Precision Metals...More

TCI Precision Metals has announced the installation of its second OMAX 80X waterjet machining center. The new machine is the second waterjet added in the last year to keep up with growing demand for precision Machine-Ready Blanks and other specialty parts.

"Our recent investments in both sawing and waterjet cutting equipment...More

These are strange times we are living through for sure, with seemingly new challenges around every corner.  So, the current global supply chain issue should not be a big surprise for any of us.  How we choose to handle it is another thing; we can all panic and let fear and uncertainty dictate, or we can work together and plan our way through it.

The pandemic has affected mills with lack of capacities and labor constraints, and they have been slow to ramp up to the high demands during the recent manufacturing highs.  Base metal pricing has increased more quickly than anything we’ve seen in decades, and it has increased sheet and plate prices in virtually every metal category, from aluminum to steel, to copper and more.  In fact, cooper is becoming a precious commodity with some predicting violent price swings as high as $20 a pound in the face of dwindling supply, while demand continues to be driven by production of electric vehicles.

Many are calling the current situation a bubble, one that will be short lived as soon as supply catches up with demand.  Some are optimistic that supply will catch up by mid-2022, and others more worried are looking at least a year out.  Right now, nearly all manufacturing sectors are strong with increasing demand.  None of us want to find ourselves without materials to fulfill orders or holding the bag with excessive inventory acquired at extremely inflated prices only to have the bubble burst and prices freefall.

In my opinion, the key to all of us weathering this supply shortage effectively is planning, cooperation, and communication.  We all need to work together and consider each other’s position within the whole value chain.  Extended forecasting needs to better than ever, up and down the line, to take into consideration possible materials shortages and slower than normal delivery.  At TCI we continuously review inventory levels to ensure availability for our entire customer base.  We’ve also worked directly with our customers’ purchasing departments to forecast upcoming needs so we can ensure a continuous supply.  Add to that our recent investments made in capital equipment, including a digitally controlled precision plate saw and a second OMAX waterjet machining center that have greatly increased our efficiency and timeliness when it comes to supplying Machine-Ready Blanks.  These investments allow us a better yield, which is additional insurance against material shortages, and allows us to pass these savings along.

We are asking customers to give us as much notice as possible by sharing forecasts and placing orders early.  Looking further out with respect to your materials needs lets us combine our capabilities, buying power, warehousing, and logistics to provide you with just-in-time materials.

The more information we have regarding your expectations the better partner we can be.  Together, we can match your production and corresponding materials needs against the rising or lowering tides of materials availability and cost.

Don’t panic, we will get through this materials shortage, together.

Thanks for reading –

Ben

TCI Precision Metals, Gardena, Calif., a family-owned, value-added metal services distributor, has announced the installation of its second OMAX 80X waterjet machining center. The new machine is the second waterjet added in the last 12 months to keep up with growing demand for precision machine-ready blanks and other specialty parts...More

TCI Precision Metals has announced the installation of its second OMAX 80X waterjet machining center. The new machine is the second waterjet added in the last twelve months to keep up with growing demand for precision Machine-Ready Blanks and other specialty parts...More

I find it interesting to hear how different shops quantify investments in new technology, equipment, and emerging processes that promise to reduce cycle time, increase spindle time, or otherwise provide improvement to the status quo of production machining. Anything new that requires an ounce of change in process, regardless of stated benefits, are typically vetted in two camps, the naysayers, and the believers. Depending on which side you find yourself on there are plenty of variables in manufacturing to argue whether a new product or service is good or bad for business. That said, there is rarely a single right answer and ultimately you need to decide what is right for your shop.

Assessing whether a product or service fits within your process is the easy part; justifying the investment and measuring the return is what will tell you whether you are making more money or just trading dollars. In my opinion, it is important to consult every department in your organization before investing in any product or service that influences process in any way. This will help avoid what I like to call the ‘Focus Trap.’ You focus so much on justifying a new product, service, or process that you fail to realize potential upstream or downstream ramifications that can easily cancel the positive ROI you are after. So, while focused improvement, with metrics to support it, can be good the bottom line is the bottom line. I like to look at both net gains at the point of implementation as well as positive effects to our overall business.

At TCI we present and sell our Machine-Ready Blanks to manufacturers on the bases of defendable value points beyond the obvious benefit of eliminating material prep. We encourage customers to do their homework and consider how Machine-Ready Blanks can affect their whole business:

Thanks for reading –
Ben

 

The 5-Axis machine sales continues to grow yearly, boasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate of almost 7 percent, and for good reason - Efficiency

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81LZFlZFGd8

While typical CNC machines move in 3-axes (X, Y, and Z), 5-axis machines add two rotary axes, which opens up many more opportunities and benefits surrounding machining productivity gains:

Though the benefits are many, there is still one issue that holds 5-axis machining back from being even more efficient, effectively clamping to a single surface.  Dovetail work holding fixtures are one of the best methods of securing a part by a single surface, but they to present a challenge.  Every part must first be machined to add a dovetail feature before being 5-axis machine-ready.  This takes time and detracts from some of the efficiency gains promised by 5-axis machining.

A good solution to this dilemma is Dovetail Machine-Ready Blanks from TCI Precision Metals.

Machine Ready Dovetail Blank

Ready to ‘Load, Lock, and Go’ Directly into Dovetail Workholding Fixtures

Dovetail Machine-Ready Blanks are custom produced to your specifications and are Machine-Ready – order from one to thousands with quick turnaround. Each Blank includes a precision Dovetail feature to match the brand and model of your specified fixture and arrives ready to go from receiving directly into your 4- and 5-axis CNC machining centers.  With Dovetail Machine-Ready Blanks the full efficiency and added productivity of 5-axis machining is realized.

For more information or to request a quote contact us.

-Thanks for reading

Cover Story as Seen in A2Z Manufacturing

CLICK ON IMAGE TO OPEN PDF

Remember back when your customers could only pick two of the three?  Well, welcome to 2021 where customers now expect to get their cake and eat it too.  There are still remnants of this model in the market, mainly to cost justify expediting a job- ‘if you want it Good and Fast it’s not going to be Cheap!’ But quality for the most part is no longer negotiable, so from the customer’s point-of-view, it comes down to delivery at the best price.   In today’s manufacturing world many shops and customers alike are finding that through careful planning, research, and execution they can have it all.  As a manufacturer you must remain open to new ideas and ever-present innovation in the industry.  Too many shops are losing their competitive edge by holding onto the notion that ‘we have always done it this way.’ At TCI these are the types of customers we strive to support and help succeed.

The key to success in realizing Better, Faster, Cheaper solutions is data.  You need to understand the elements of time, cost of money, quality, and the importance of fast delivery. We have found that one of the best ways to stay on top of our game, and in touch with customer expectations, is to value stream map often with the goal of continually improving quality while reducing turnaround time and lowering production costs.   Value stream mapping gives us a good hard look at material flow and processes, start-to-finish.  It is amazing how we are able to shave seconds and minutes off our processes, all the while maintaining, and in many cases, improving overall quality.

In our experience with value stream mapping, we have found that complete objectivity is a must; we cannot lie to ourselves.  During our mapping sessions, it is all about critical and creative thinking – how can we be Better, Faster, Cheaper for our shareholders and our customers?  It is important to start with an objective view of where you are at present, this way you can visually map improvements:

1.       Create an objective ‘as-is’ state of process for a new or existing job from beginning to end

2.       Identify time, materials, or process waste and create an improved process map

3.       Create an action plan and timeline to implement changes, and do not forget to monitor improvement

Part of the Process

TCI Precision Metals is part of the value stream map of every shop that utilizes our machine-ready materials, and we take this strategic reliance on our products and services very seriously.   When customers map the value provided by machine-ready blanks we have to know, with complete confidence, that we deliver the materials Better – Faster – Cheaper than they can in-house.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading-

Ben

With qualifying production quote, request a FREE made-to-order sample Blank, and
we will include a voucher for a FREE made-to-order pizza along with your sample.

More and more manufacturers are looking for a pizza-like ordering experience when it comes to buying parts.  They want selection, flexibility, fast replies to RFQs, and quick turnaround on finished parts.  A recent article in Modern Machine Shop dives into how today’s shops are using ecommerce to respond to this rapidly increasing demand for easy online part ordering.

This train, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), has been gaining speed over the past couple of years.  Being on the supply side of the equation we recognized early on that we had two choices, either get off the tracks or jump onboard.  We chose the latter and have invested in retooling our equipment, processes, and technology infrastructure to serve our customers at the speed of digital.

We have added a state-of-the-art precision saw, water jet cutting machine, and more large capacity milling and grinding equipment to improve production capacity and realize better yield from raw materials, all aimed at shortening turnaround time and reducing costs for our customers.

To better support customers with short run and quick turn needs we made the decision to expand our inventory of ready-made standard size blanks, which are available through our online store in 1,700 dimensional and alloy combinations, ready to ship same day or next day.

Of course, our custom made-to-order machine-ready blanks are always available by submitting your specifications through our online RFQ or by talking to one of our experienced materials experts.

How you decide to evolve your business during these digital times is your choice, but regardless, we are ready to back you up with value-added materials designed to eliminate material prep, reduce set up time, shorten cycle time, and increase your shops capacity without adding overhead.

Thanks for reading –

Ben

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