Posted on Fri, Jul 16, 2010 @ 09:28 AM
Our first CNC was a small, though it seemed large to us at the time, vertical machining center. This machine could speed through drilling, tapping and milling operations much faster and more repeatable than could ever be imagined on the multiple drill presses that previously executed these functions. The next addition was a pair of machines. A larger vertical machining center and a CNC lathe with live tooling. The lathe changed the way we looked at many of our common operations. This machine allowed us to complete secondary operations on a part without the need to transfer the part to another machine and we could do things that were not even possible with our previous equipment. One operator + one machine + one handling of the part + multiple operations = higher efficiency and better throughput. We later added another similar lathe to increase capacity.
Two CNC Live Tooling Lathes
The next major update came with the addition of a horizontal machining center with an automatic pallet changer. This piece of equipment became a necessity due to our entry into the wind turbine slip ring market. The ability to be loading one pallet with parts while the other pallet is being machined keeps the productivity of the cutting tool at its highest possible level. This machine also added the capability to machine on three sides of the part in one clamping. This has eliminated having to clamp parts in four different positions to complete all operations. It is now done with two positions and with much higher accuracy than before.
Horizontal Machining Center with Automatic Pallet Changer
Automatic Pallet Changer Loading Station
Our latest addition is a dual spindle dual turret live tool lathe. This new piece is basically two lathes built in one cabinet end to end such that one spindle can actually move over and grab a partially finished part from the other spindle to do work on the back side. This allows the machine to be cutting on two parts simultaneously. In effect, two machines in one footprint. Due to our rapidly filling floor space, this is a serious consideration at present.
With the advances that I have witnessed in the last 2 decades, I can’t wait to see what the next decade will bring.
Kent Davis
Design Engineer
Posted on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 03:39 PM
The latest recession has been challenging for many businesses, including United Equipment Accessories, Inc. However, because of our excellent staff we have managed this downturn far better than those of the past. Not only have we shown our team how highly they are valued by retaining all full time staff, we have never stopped planning for the future and striving to put systems in place for better efficiency and capacity.
The end of 2009 saw our investment in two new CNC machining centers. One is a horizontal and the other is a vertical style unit. Both are state of the art units that will expand our production capacity and capability for continued market expansions.
We are also planning a facility expansion that will be spread over two years. The first expansion will be 4,300 square feet on our south plant facility this spring. This will allow us to have separate areas for shipping and receiving to facilitate better material flow. It will also allow us to move both our shift control and cable reel departments back into the south facility. This expansion will connect to a present warehouse to facilitate inventory storage flowing to production. With this expansion, our south facility will have no more room for contiguous growth.
2011 will see an expansion of our north plant facility with an additional 14,000 square feet. Since our present CNC area is nearing maximum capacity, we need additional space for not only machine department area, but also potential assembly area.
As you now realize we never stop thinking about the future. We want to have the capacity to always meet our customer's needs. We want to have to facilities to add people and equipment to produce the products on which our customer's rely.
-Mark Hanawalt, President
Posted on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 @ 11:56 AM
Welcome from the UEA President:
As President of United Equipment Accessories, Inc., I can honestly say that this is my first attempt in my life at blogging. I plan on surviving. Speaking of surviving, UEA is doing more than just surviving the current economic challenges. We have viewed this recession as an opportunity to build for the future. We have added facilities and revamped present facilities to plan capacity for the future. Further building plans are being made for 2010. In addition we are adding staff in strategic areas to proceed ahead with future growth. Our marketing and sales efforts have been strengthened to expand our product groups to new markets.
Currently we see our markets starting to pick up after the first of the year. By mid 2010 we plan to be back in a more normal production mode.
Many of you know UEA as one of the premier suppliers of slip rings, globally. Change is coming in the next year. We have plans in place that will take us to a new level of product offerings and technology. Our cable reel line is continuing to expand in product offerings and finding new markets not previously served. Renewed efforts in our transmission control line are proving fruitful in aviation markets. Finally, our Decril cable carriers are starting to gain recognition against entrenched competition and proving its quality for the cost of product.
Everyone on our team is as excited and positive as I am about the future of UEA. There will be much more information coming about how our products will serve your current and future requirements. This blog is intended to provide you with knowledge about our products, the industries we are serving, problem solving by our engineers, trends we see and new projects we are working on. Please drop by any time and read what is going on in the world of UEA and the world around us.
Until next time,
Mark Hanawalt
President of UEA, Inc.