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Tornos multi-spindle machine reduces cycle times
Otto Engineering has improved its output and reduced cycle times after purchasing a Tornos Multialpha 8x20 multi-spindle machine.
Otto Engineering markets its products via two divisions: Otto Controls and Otto Communications.
The machine shop is run by John Lang and services the controls division, which manufactures parts for an extensive line of switches and grips used in forklifts, tractors, medical defibrillator paddles, washing machines, F1 steering wheels, B2 bomber flight controls and much more.
The communications division of the Carpentersville, Illinois-based company manufactures and assembles headsets for large corporations and for pilots and military in the field.
When Lang joined Otto Engineering 22 years ago, he knew that as an engineering-focused OEM, Otto had great products but the machine shop was taking too long to produce components and there was too much waste.
The company needed to make parts more efficiently so it could bring prices down on end products and stay competitive.
The ISO:9001, ISO:14001 and AS9100B business added several machines over the next 15 years - including a dozen single-spindle turning centres - and began to make parts in a more modern way.
Employees worked to consolidate and pre-set tools in the turning centres to reduce setup times and streamline production.
When the turning centres were at full capacity, Otto realised it needed more spindles to meet demands.
Instead of simply purchasing more single-spindle turning centres, the company looked at the problem from an engineering perspective and then visited the IMTS show in 2002.
The solution appeared as a multi-spindle turning centre.
The team wondered if it could get the job done using less floor space and less overheads by purchasing one multi-spindle machine instead of several single spindles.
Working with companies such as Nasa, Boeing, Caterpillar, John Deere, Toro and Motorola, as well as the US military, Otto sought to reduce its parts inventory to 'just-in-time' levels - from one months worth of parts to one weeks worth of parts - or less.
The plan was to run 400 different part numbers on a multi-spindle with an average lot size of 100 pieces.
But as multi-spindle machines are generally " id="gwProxy" type="hidden"/>
Otto Engineering markets its products via two divisions: Otto Controls and Otto Communications.
The machine shop is run by John Lang and services the controls division, which manufactures parts for an extensive line of switches and grips used in forklifts, tractors, medical defibrillator paddles, washing machines, F1 steering wheels, B2 bomber flight controls and much more.
The communications division of the Carpentersville, Illinois-based company manufactures and assembles headsets for large corporations and for pilots and military in the field.
When Lang joined Otto Engineering 22 years ago, he knew that as an engineering-focused OEM, Otto had great products but the machine shop was taking too long to produce components and there was too much waste.
The company needed to make parts more efficiently so it could bring prices down on end products and stay competitive.
The ISO:9001, ISO:14001 and AS9100B business added several machines over the next 15 years - including a dozen single-spindle turning centres - and began to make parts in a more modern way.
Employees worked to consolidate and pre-set tools in the turning centres to reduce setup times and streamline production.
When the turning centres were at full capacity, Otto realised it needed more spindles to meet demands.
Instead of simply purchasing more single-spindle turning centres, the company looked at the problem from an engineering perspective and then visited the IMTS show in 2002.
The solution appeared as a multi-spindle turning centre.
The team wondered if it could get the job done using less floor space and less overheads by purchasing one multi-spindle machine instead of several single spindles.
Working with companies such as Nasa, Boeing, Caterpillar, John Deere, Toro and Motorola, as well as the US military, Otto sought to reduce its parts inventory to 'just-in-time' levels - from one months worth of parts to one weeks worth of parts - or less.
The plan was to run 400 different part numbers on a multi-spindle with an average lot size of 100 pieces.
But as multi-spindle machines are generally " id="gwProxy" type="hidden"/>
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