ORCMT
SUCCESS STORY
 
MASCO Machine Inc.   
 
COMPANY/LOCATION: MASCO Machine Inc., Cleveland, Ohio
PRODUCT: Custom metal cutting and microfinishing machine tools for medium- to high-volume production
YEARS IN BUSINESS: 35 
EMPLOYEES: 75
 
SITUATION:     MASCO Machine was designing a new product for the BridgeMax series and wanted a finite element analysis.  John Fedor, MASCO president, learned of the Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology 
while serving as the chairman of the Industry Advisor Group for the National Machine Tool Partnership with the Department of Energy.
 
PROJECT:        The structure of the MASCO combination computer numerical control machining center is one of the most important components of the machine. The structural integrity of the bridge and columns must be maintained 
for safety of the operators and dimensional accuracy of machining operations. Finite element analyses and other engineering analytical procedures were performed by ORCMT to verify the structural integrity of the bridge of 
the MASCO double column modular VTL/VNC combination CNC machining center.
 
RESULTS:        ORCMT's assistance helped MASCO complete the multi-axis machine tool.  Marketing efforts are under way to increase production and company sales. Through finite element analysis expertise, ORCMT has helped MASCO refine and improve the critical components of the machine, an opportunity MASCO would otherwise have found difficult to achieve. Sales have already increased by over $1 million, and three new jobs have been created for the company. 

"Congress has consistently stressed the importance of maintaining a strong leading edge machine tool industry for the sake of national security,"  Fedor said.  "In order to achieve this, it is essential to maintain a strong relationship between our national labs and our machine tool builders.  The relationship significantly benefits both the labs and the builders in a number of ways. 

"The partnership also assists our builders in brining new technologies to market faster.  This will help us regain our competitive position in world markets," he concluded.
PARTNERS:  

    
 
 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. 
 
 
For information or assistance, call the Manufacturing Technology Information Service at 1-800-356-4USA or visit the
ORCMT Home Page.