Harris
Tool and Machine
| COMPANY/LOCATION: |
Harris Tool and Machine, Garrettsville, Ohio (telephone 330-527-4866) |
| PRODUCT: |
Specialists in insert tooling and cutting tool repair |
| YEARS IN BUSINESS: |
10 |
| EMPLOYEES: |
3 |
| SITUATION: |
Over the 10 years Harris Tool and Machine has been in business as a
cutting tool rebuilder, the company actively has sought ways to increase
cutting tool performance and extend tool life. The company developed a
new process using PVD and metal ion implantation to treat tools for enhanced
performance, and they needed a way to both test and validate the performance
of the tools. Looking for technical assistance on this project, the company
called the National Machine Tool Partnership at its toll-free number, 1-800-358-6651. |
| PROJECT: |
Experienced machinists and engineers from ORCMT set up and tested Harris's
cutting tools using specific speeds and feeds the rate at which the tool
is turning and the material being cut is fed into the tool with four test
materials until the tools either failed or were worn out. Other tools that
had been enhanced to improve performance also were tested (this included
the premium cutting tool performance enhancement). The data then were correlated
and put into a report. |
| RESULTS: |
Wayne Harris, president and owner of the company, said the tests gave
him excellent results. His enhancement method outperformed the premium
cutting tool enhancement process, lasting up to five times longer than
other enhancement processes.
Harris rates the service from ORCMT through NMTP as "excellent." He
estimated a possible savings of $1 million$500,000 in cost avoidances and
$500,000 in reduced production costs as a result of the assistance received. |
Technical assistances provided to the private sector by the Oak Ridge
Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT) and its manufacturing extension
partners throughout the United States.
|
