March 12, 2018 - Advanced Machine & Engineering (AME), a global manufacturer and distributor of machine tool components and metal cutting machines for over 50 years, has recently invested in a Toyoda FH800SX-i, Horizontal Machining Center (HMC).
AME experienced 25 percent growth in their tombstones, custom fixtures, and workholding components as a result of reshoring and insourcing of manufacturing. In addition, AME’s robust website is drawing a significant amount of traffic, providing new leads and opportunities for business.
“Our goal for next quarter is to get our current lead times down to 4 weeks, and with the new machine up and running, we’re very close to hitting that goal,” said Dietmar Goellner, President and CEO of AME.
AME invested in Toyoda’s Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) back in 2013-2014 that was big enough to run two HMC machines, but they started out with just one. About four weeks ago, the second HMC was connected to the FMS and has been running steady.
“Our system allows customers to schedule their work from the attached Rail Guided Vehicle (RGV) cell controller that keeps track of all the pallets in the system,” explained Graham Roeder, Toyoda HMC Product Manager.
The FH800SX-i is a high-speed HMC that features:
•8,000 RPM high-torque spindle with the option of up to 15,000 RPM.
•A 2,127 ipm (54 m/min) feedrate.
•Dual ball-screw drive on the Y and Z axes.
•A Meehanite cast iron base for improved rigidity.
“AME has been phenomenal to work with not only as a customer of ours, but as an industry partner,” said Roeder. “The process and equipment investments AME has made, including two Toyoda FH800SX-i’s integrated with an FMS system, has impressed us for their ability to achieve tight tolerances— so much so, we in-fact use their workholding solutions.”
AME has plans to replace other dated machinery with brand new CNC technology, which will open up job opportunities for the local community. “Over the next year, we will need 10 additional CNC machinists for the rapid growth that we are predicting over the next two to three years,” said Goellner. “We now have the capacity to handle the increased demand, and we want our customers to know that we’re investing so that we can offer responsive service. We’re very thankful for their constant support that has allowed us to invest in new technology and our new facility expansion.”
