Quality
Machine and Manufacturing Inc.
| COMPANY/LOCATION: |
Quality Machine and Manufacturing Inc., LaFollette, Tenn |
| PRODUCT: |
Precision machining, tool and die, aerospace |
| YEARS IN BUSINESS: |
18 |
| EMPLOYEES: |
24 |
| SITUATION: |
Quality Machine had encountered problems with the heat-treat oven and
the oil quench stage of the process used to heat treat 01 tool steel for
hardness. The company was aware of the Direct Assistance Programs available
through the Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT) and
called the Manufacturing Technology Assistance Service through its toll-free
number 1-800- 356-4USA. |
| PROJECT: |
An engineer from ORCMT went to Quality Machine's operation and examined
their heat-treat oven and the oil quench process used to the control the
cooling rate and harden the metal. The engineer determined that problems
with the process were related to the temperature of the oil quench and
made recommendations to the company to help correct the problem.
|
| RESULTS: |
Chris Cooper, quality inspector for the company, said that with the
information provided by the ORCMT engineer, the company made a business
decision to subcontract the heat treating of the metal as a cost-saving
measure.
"It's hard to put a dollar value on this service. We do know that
it saved us a lot of time. We had already invested considerable time
in that project. It was a good service," Cooper said. |
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.
|
