process is called a draw. Cases that are required to be necked down are done so progressively to prevent creasing problems. Different classes of cases also require different wall thicknesses and hence different size punches. I was surprised at the size of the
draw machines — they obviously op- erate at extreme pressures to alter the shape of the brass at each stage. A tool steel punch with very close tolerances forces the brass cup with considerable force into a carbide die, and with each draw stage the case walls become thin- ner. I was curious about what was used as a lubricant and learned it was simply soapy water. The water and quantity of brass cups are simply poured together into the hopper of the appropriate machine.
Cases at various stages of produc-
tion are contained and moved around the production floor in large plastic tubs, which may or may not be labeled, depending on the particular stage of production. Between each operation the cases are annealed to prepare them for the next operation. In this particular process the whole case is annealed at the
same temperature. Up until this stage most of the machinery is automatically fed. As the stage is complete the case is dropped into a container underneath, and then returned to the annealing machine, the temperature of which is automatically controlled. If a run of a particular type of case
is fewer than 5,000 it is not worth the ef- fort to set up a machine to carry out the operation automatically. The setting up process is very time consuming, which is not surprising when you consider the process involved and the precision required. By the time the setup is com- plete the whole process could have been carried out manually. With such relatively small produc-
Volquartsen_halfPg-VH.qxd:Layout 2 5/16/11 9:35 AM Page 1
tion runs tooling has to be constantly changed. Hence, the total process becomes more labor intensive. Single production runs of more modern cases by major case manufacturers overseas could run into millions, and hence a higher degree of automation would be possible. For Bertram, 50,000 to 100,000 cases would be considered a large run. For many types of cases it is more eco- nomical, when the change in tooling is
considered, to have particular runs of semifinished cases available so that they may be accessed quickly when required at a later date. This is particularly so with the
initial automated draws and annealing between stages. At the end of the initial draw process the same brass cups may become any one of several or more totally different finished cases. Large quantities are kept in wooden boxes available for instant use when required. It is very much a continual balancing situation. The same applies to the finished
product. Quite often there is several years’ supply available of boxed cases in storage simply because it is not eco- nomical to do small production runs. As a side effect, this ensures they are instantly available at customer request. The ability to fill customer orders in the shortest possible time is very important in any business. However, it is not pos- sible to predict demand. In some cases it is necessary to first produce the prod- uct to see if a market exists, a situation fraught with many problems, including the financial outlay.
We have one thing to say to those rifle manufacturers that have stopped manufacturing semi-auto rifles chambered in .17 HMR caliber: You’re wrong.
For the past six years,we have proven over and over again that our semi-auto .17 HMR rifles are reliable and safe, not to mention extremely accurate.Why have our rifles lived up to their billing and been successful while theirs haven’t?Who knows? Maybe just because we’re Volquartsen and they’re not.
Stop by our booth and see all thirteen models of Volquartsen semi-auto rifles in .17 HMR and several other popular calibers…including one brand new moderately priced .17 HMR being introduced at the SHOT Show. Custom barrels, conversion kits, parts and other accessories are also available in .17 HMR.
PO Box 397 | 24276 240th Street Carroll, IA 51401
Phone: 712.792.4238 Fax: 712.792.2542
www.volquartsen.com email:
info@volquartsen.com
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July — September 2011
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