In-House Tooling Maintenance Services
At Allied Sinterings, Inc., our in-house tooling maintenance services play a vital role in our powder metal manufacturing capabilities, where proper tooling is essential for production efficiency and product quality. By maintaining our manufacturing equipment and tools within our facilities, we eliminate the quality control and lead time issues associated with outsourcing these critical tasks to external vendors.
Tooling for sintered metal fabrication can be complex. For example, punch tooling consists of a lower punch, an upper punch, and occasionally a core rod when holes are necessary. Each of these components can be highly intricate, depending on the part, so proper tooling maintenance is integral to the project’s long-term quality and success.
Learn more about the importance of proper maintenance, our tooling maintenance services, and the benefits of in-house maintenance over outsourcing.
How Allied Sinterings Performs Tooling Maintenance
In powder metal component fabrication, tooling defines the dimensional stability and accuracy of the final part. Our tooling maintenance services occur during all phases of production and involve the following steps:
- The first indication of a problem with the tooling equipment is when components start exhibiting signs of wear. Our team inspects the last parts manufactured in the latest production run to determine if the tool needs to be polished or refaced.
- If polishing or refacing is necessary, our team develops an electrode that has all the features of the part to be produced. The electrode burns a new face into the tooling, corresponding to where the wear occurred on the tooling equipment.
- We may do seven to 10 refaces per upper punch. Each maintenance is reworked to a tight fit to a die, or a LAP fit. This ensures elimination of flash.
Importance of Proper Tooling Maintenance
Precise and effective maintenance can enhance tool longevity. Tooling is the most important production element that contributes to the final part’s shape, dimensional stability, and accuracy. In-house tooling, in particular, is quick to perform, minimizing downtime and cutting costs. This is true especially with proprietary tooling, as the manufacturer specializes in that tooling and does not need to hire an outside specialist.
Benefits of In-House Maintenance vs. Outsourcing
When manufacturing powder metal components, in-house tooling maintenance can offer distinct advantages over outsourcing, including:
- Intellectual Property Protection: In-house tooling maintenance protects proprietary processes and designs. At Allied Sinterings, Inc., we go a step further, securing our customers’ proprietary tooling in a locked safe.
- Reliability: In-house maintenance maximizes tool longevity, enabling us to produce tens of thousands of parts from the same tooling.
- Quality Control: Unlike outsourced services, we can enforce strict quality control measures with in-house tooling maintenance.
- Faster Response Time: In-house tooling maintenance eliminates the frustration of lengthy wait times from external vendors. We can quickly make modifications to streamline operations and improve control over every production cycle.
- Customization: In-house services enhance flexibility and custom tooling design capabilities.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Over the long term, in-house tooling maintenance is less costly because it cuts down on transportation costs and production downtime.
In-House Tooling Maintenance Services From Allied Sinterings, Inc.
At Allied Sinterings, Inc., it’s in the small things we do. Founded in 1959, we have grown into a leading custom sintered metal fabricator of small gears and miniature components for the medical devices, automotive, and other critical industries. As a proud family-owned and operated and award-winning company, Allied Sinterings is made of a diverse team of certified engineers and expert professionals who collaborate with our clients to provide reliable guidance with integrity.
We were the first company in our industry to become ISO 9000 certified, and we continue to adhere to ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards for total customer satisfaction. To reduce costs for our customers, we embrace a lean manufacturing strategy for our precision-engineered net-shape parts, minimizing material waste.
Contact us to learn more about our in-house tooling maintenance services or to start your next project.