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vendor that could offer us great support. Our SST salesman, Wes Colony, immediately responded to our RFQ [request for quote] and was quick to respond in great detail.” Colony introduced Axxis to another company using the same equipment. This customer had a horizontal machining center with an MMC2 automated pallet-handling system. While familiar with these flexible systems, the staff at Axxis had never seen one at work.


“They didn’t just say, ‘It will work’ —they showed us how. They proved it.”


“We had not initially considered such an automated system, but when we talked to this user, they raved about how it had completely eliminated repeat setups,” said David McClure, production lead at Axxis. “Hearing this made us wonder what improvements and innovations our experienced staff could accomplish with this level of technology. We knew we had lots of parts with long setup times and short cycle times that would be ideal for this type of operation. That’s when we decided that it was the right time to look beyond a stand-alone horizontal machine.”


Axxis began exploring the potential of an automated hori- zontal machining cell with pallet system. “The efficiencies it could provide were really key,” said


Butler. “We realized it could not only help us reduce setups but also combine operations, track tooling and improve scheduling. To actually see and touch it and have someone demonstrate how it works was compelling. When we left that shop, we knew it was time to make the move to automation to improve flexibility for improved delivery and more cost- effective production of smaller part quantities.” The company’s next objective was identifying the best supplier to help Axxis meet its goals. SST brought in specialists from Makino’s facility in Mason, OH, along with representatives from other vendors who would be supplying equipment. Together, they helped to answer the company’s questions and to discuss its needs. “SST made sure every question we had was answered, and not everyone did that,” said Butler. “They didn’t just say, ‘It will work’—they showed us how. They proved it. They rationalized how this equipment was not only affordable, but


would support us in our mission to drive down costs for our customer. They also brought in representatives for tooling, probing and other kinds of equipment to answer questions and validate the capabilities of the equipment. “We realized that the cell controller would require some adjustment and training to use effectively right out of the box. While many other companies were fine taking four, five or even six months to become accustomed to their new equip- ment, we wanted our customers to see immediate improve- ments with a smooth transition. When it came down to it, we wanted the provider that could help us get up and running immediately after installation. SST was, hands down, the supplier we felt most confident with.”


Efficiently Up and Running Axxis purchased a Makino a61nx with 12-pallet MMC2 system in 2014. Prior to the cell’s installation, Axxis personnel attended training at Makino’s facility in Mason to learn how to optimize the cell’s machine and controls. “We thought we would be in a class with other compa- nies, but were pleasantly surprised to learn that the training was tailored to our needs. We worked on a system that was identical to the one we had purchased, and Makino custom- ized the software and taught us about the specific features we should be using. It made us feel completely comfortable with the cell’s MAS-A5 control system to use it on our own,” said Butler.


During installation, SST was the single point of contact on all equipment, and Colony also coordinated ordering and setting all of the tombstones and vises. “The process was very streamlined,” said Butler. “We picked a configuration and they made it work. We had lots of people coming in and out, and SST took the brunt of the scheduling—communicating between all parties. There was great communication between those handling tasks such as the machine setup, tooling and probing. The project was achieved exactly how they [SST] explained it. “The crew that installed the system was very thorough. I mentioned that we might add another machine in the future, and when they were leveling the floors, they were forward- thinking enough to level additional flooring for that future machine. It was all very thoughtful and precise.” Once everything was installed, Axxis began running parts without delay. And already, after just a couple of months of using the system, Axxis is loading its catalog of parts into


87 — Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing 2016


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