Originally Published MPMN June 2005

SPOTLIGHT

Metal Fabrication

Materials processing

Advanced materials processes such as laser welding, cutting, drilling, and engraving are among a contract firm’s specialties, as well as wire EDM, EDM hole drilling, and conventional machining. Secondary process capabilities include high-quality finishing services. Accumet Laser, Cranston, RI www.accumetlaser.com

Laboratory services

Process development
A company works with medical device manufacturers to develop new laser-based processes and turn the processes into turnkey production equipment. Past projects included surgical tool and device marking and texturing, dental drill-bit depth gauge marking, and pacemaker cathode cutting. Control Micro Systems, Winter Park, FL www.cmslaser.com

Quick-turnaround metal fabrication

Precision metal parts can be delivered in 24 hours with chemical etching. Working with more than 50 metal alloys, the company uses the photochemical machining process to produce custom, precision metal parts in an environmentally friendly manner. Typical applications range from fine-mesh screens to electrical contacts, heat sinks to lead frames, and connector housings to RF/EMI shields. Fotofab, Chicago, IL www.fotofab.com

Precision-machined components

An ISO 9001:2000–certified manufacturer of precision-machined components and assemblies for medical implants, orthopedic instruments, and devices offers products for joint replacement, fracture management, and spine, hand, and extremity procedures. The company uses CNC milling up to 5 axes, CNC turning, CNC Swiss screw machining up to 12-axis, CNC wire EDM, and assemblies. Specialty services include prototypes, product launching, and project management. Marox, Holyoke, MA www.marox.com

Die-cutting services

A company specializing in die-cutting services offers products such as thermal- transfer materials, EMI laminates and gaskets, electrical insulators, gaskets and seals, and screens and filters. Formed plastic covers made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, and acrylic are also available. Additional capabilities include water-jet cutting, CNC routing, stamping, and laminating. Orion Industries Inc., Ayer, MA www.orionindustries.com

Machined metal fabrication

A supplier has expertise in machined metal fabrication. Capabilities include multiaxis CNC Swiss turning, wire and plunge EDM, five-axis machining, deburring, precision cleaning and finishing, and resistance and laser welding. Other services such as molding engineering-grade thermoplastic and elastomeric materials, micromolding, liquid silicone–injection molding, product design and engineering, in-house CAD/CAM-based tooling design and fabrication, insert molding, overmolding, and white room molding are also available. The firm has a dedicated R&D and prototyping department Donatelle, New Brighton, MN www.donatelle.net

Contract wire EDM services

A company supplying contract wire EDM services has 24 wire EMD machines and five high-speed small-hole machines in its fully equipped facility. Inspection equipment includes video systems with resolution to four-millionths and reverse engineering capabilities. Prototype through production runs can be accommodated. Xact Wire EDM Corp., Waukesha, WI www.xactedm.com

Sheet-metal fabrication

Full-service product conceptualization, design, and manufacturing of metal stampings, enclosures, precision-machined parts, and buss bars are available. Both prototyping and volume production are offered. The company’s design services division helps customers develop and design products with deference to critical considerations for product integrity, functionality, manufacturability, and cost. Quality Tool Inc., Minneapolis, MN www.qualitytool.com

Automated machining

Automated machining services are offered using two horizontal CNC mills with 32 pallets. The machines can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With this service, setups are eliminated and lead times are shortened. Other services such as CNC machining, Swiss machining, and assembly are also offered. Moseys Production Machinists, Anaheim, CA www.moseys.com

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