Manufacturing fixtures are often custom-made for a specific line of production. These custom-manufactured fixtures are made to aid in the speedy, efficient, and effective completion of the product. Without custom manufacturing fixtures, developing these products would not be possible.

For this reason, you must take care of your custom fixtures, so they stay in top shape! Poorly maintained custom manufacturing fixtures cannot only affect the quality of the finished product but may cause safety hazards. 

Here are eight essentials to maintain your custom manufacturing fixtures.

1. Inspect Regularly for Signs of Wear and Tear

When you inspect your custom manufacturing fixtures, look for any areas that may have been worn down from repeated use. If you find broken or malfunctioning parts, you must fix them right away before they cause the entire custom fixture to break down.

2. Clean Custom Manufacturing Fixtures Regularly

Regularly cleaning custom manufacturing fixtures will keep them looking new and working correctly. If you don’t clean them, they could become dirty or corroded with fingerprints left behind from handling the parts.

3. Use Custom Manufacturing Fixtures as Expected

Keep your custom manufacturing fixtures from being damaged by using them the way they were meant to be used. For example, don’t use custom manufacturing fixtures where they are not designed for use. This could cause them to break or wear down faster than usual.

4. Fix Custom Manufacturing Fixture Issues as Soon as Possible

If you’re unsure what’s wrong, don’t just leave it and hope for the best. Fixing custom manufacturing fixtures is vital to maintaining functionality and ensuring that your parts are developed correctly.

5. Store Custom Manufacturing Fixtures Correctly

When you’re not using your custom manufacturing fixtures, it’s essential to store them away properly. For example, if they are made of metal, be sure to keep them away from humidity and moisture that could cause rusting or wear-and-tear marks on the surface.

6. Keep Custom Manufacturing Fixtures Dry

It’s crucial to prevent water from getting into the crevices of custom manufacturing fixtures because it can lead to corrosion. If your fixtures are located near an area where water might be present, you should find a way to keep them protected.

7. Test Custom Manufacturing Fixtures Regularly

Once you’ve set up custom manufacturing fixtures, they’re going to require regular tests and inspections. Your employees must know how often each fixture should be tested and who is responsible for these tests.

8. Maintain Custom Manufacturing Fixtures at All Times

Manufacturing and process equipment plays a massive role in the success of any company. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your custom manufacturing fixtures by using preventative maintenance techniques such as lubrication, cleaning, and calibration.

Cav Tool engineers and develops premium custom fixtures for all your manufacturing needs in Kansas City, KS. We use a custom manufacturing approach and state-of-the-art technology like CNC machining to provide our customers with the highest quality custom machine tool accessories available on the market.

Our team has more than 30 years of experience designing and developing custom fixtures for a wide range of applications and for various industries. Get a free quote today!

Dies are one of the essential types of manufacturing equipment used in various industries. They provide precision and accuracy to the manufacturing process by allowing you to cut, shape, or form parts for a wide variety of products.

This blog post will highlight how dies work and the available types for use in the manufacturing industry.

Difference Between Dies and Molds

Dies are used extensively in the manufacturing industry to make parts out of metals or plastics, depending on what material you use. There is a difference between dies and molds, although they both have similarities on some levels.

  • Mold – A mold allows shaping something from liquid form into solid, e.g., rubber. Molds are usually made from metals, and the metal is cast using sand or clay to contain the shape of either plastic, rubber, or metal, which can be used in manufacturing goods like toys and tools.
  • Dies – A die receives an impression (or makes an impression) onto something else. They are mainly made of steel, which is also used to stamp out metal components using dies on a press machine.

Types of Dies

There are different types available depending upon what kind of manufacturing you require and materials that will be involved in the process, including:

Simple Dies

A simple die allows for the production of one part at a time. This method typically involves taking an object and forming it into another shape or cutting away elements to create the desired product.

Compound Dies

A compound die is a combination of multiple types of dies. Compound Dies are very useful for manufacturing parts that require more than just simple shapes, but instead have complex geometries with several different features at the same time, including:

  • Screw Threads
  • Holes
  • Slots and more

Compound Dies are often used to manufacture parts with multiple features on a single piece without needing separate dies for each feature. These parts require several steps but can be reduced with compound dies, giving you a better end product in an efficient way.

Progressive Dies

Progressive dies can be used in the manufacturing industry for many parts, and they are beneficial, especially when you have a lot of pieces to make. A progressive die consists of several different types of dies that work together to create your part, with each type having its specific function such as:

  • shaping material into a specific form
  • cutting material to a certain length
  • threading/creating threads on your part for screws and bolts, etc.

Cav Tool has the correct die for you, whether you are a manufacturer or need to use dies for your project. We provide various types and sizes of dies – from metalworking tools like deep-drawing presses and forming machines to larger industrial equipment such as stamping punches and bending rolls. To get started with our team in Chicago, IL, submit an online quote request.

Nowadays, automated quality assessment is crucial for manufacturers who want to keep their competitive edge in high-quality tolerance parts fabrication. SPC-based software provides valuable data that supports better decision-making across all levels of a manufacturing setup. At Cav Tool Co., our SPC features offer added benefits for manufacturers by producing visual data in control charts that reveal deviations in fabrication processes.

Statistical process control allows us to fabricate parts, new or legacy, without any peak in defects. Here are some more merits!

1. Real-time Rectification

SPC provides industry-standardized calculation and quality control during the manufacturing process. The data acquired during manufacturing in Product of Process measurements are recorded in real-time, then plotted via a graph with pre-adjusted control limits. This allows our operators to detect and control issues, variances, and defects in real-time before they get out of hand.

2. Ease Of Finding the Error Source

Faulty controllers and inaccurately adjusted equipment can cause quite a hassle, especially when you can’t determine the source of it. Through sensors and statistical control software, one can mitigate the likelihood of critical tolerance deviances or a fall outside of specifications. With a predetermined limit control set, any values reaching out from the given value are sure to be easily detected by our SPC software.

3. Streamlined Satisfaction

Our scientifically proven, data-driven tool for quality allows our operators to guarantee product consistency at the time of fabrication. In turn, this means more satisfied customers and an overall lower number of callbacks, returns, or refunds, thus, allowing for smooth production for parts. With an improved brand image and competitive advantages, you are sure to make your shareholders happy.

4. Putting the Quality Back in Control

While the debate for quality hasn’t necessarily been a new one but the ever-escalating quality demand from consumers has set a high bar for companies to attest their product to and turn to the tried and tested benefits of SPC. Through flexibility in the manufacturing process, this solution also provides consistency in the quality of your product.

5. A Route to Sustainability Practices

When breaching the topic of sustainability, a do-nothing approach can mean a prickly nuisance in the future. This is why early detection of defects in products dramatically minimizes the need for product rework and expenditure for fixes. This assists in formulating a systematic environment that helps cut down on waste while operating at its highest productivity levels. Incorporating these practices into your business units further increases your chances of generating profits.

Cav Tool Co. is the place where your designs are literally honed, milled, cast, lathed, and printed to perfection. We also conduct a fine-article inspection to supplement any possible SPC shortcomings though the software’s accuracy makes the visual examination a mere lean formality.

If you have any inquiries, please feel free to get in touch for free quotations on our various manufacturing & fabrication products & services in Chicago, IL.

Machine tool design is a fascinating field. From the precision of CNC machines to the versatility of 3D printers, there are many aspects to this industry that make it truly unique. However, like any other industry, machine tool design has its share of pros and cons. This blog post discusses some benefits and drawbacks that come with designing machines for manufacturing purposes.

What is Machine Tool Designing? 

Machine tool designing is a process by which new machines are developed for manufacturing purposes. Several different devices are used to manufacture products, including CNCs (Computer Numerical Control), mills, lathes, and more. Machine tool designers work with engineers both during the design process and after a machine is manufactured to improve its efficiency or output rate if necessary.

You can contact CAV Tool in Detroit for further details regarding machine tool designing.

The Benefits of Machine Tool Design

Because technology has advanced so much over recent years, many people think that designing equipment like this would be simplified today thanks to computers and software programs. However, there are plenty of benefits associated with developing designs by hand instead of using modern-day tools such as CAD/CAM applications since it allows you to better exercise your creativity. Here are some benefits of using these designs.

Accuracy and Precision

One of the most significant benefits of using machine tool design is that the results are precise and accurate. This is why the design process of these tools remains an essential part of manufacturing to achieve high-quality results. The aerospace and defense industry relies heavily on machine tool design to manufacture reliable tools that function with high precision.

Continuous Use and Minimal Maintenance

Machine tool design processes are also beneficial because they allow the machines to be used for long periods. This means that you can manufacture products without constantly replacing them since their designs remain intact through use.

Versatility

You can use machine tool designs for different projects such as woodworking and metal fabrication. This means that you can use the same design to manufacture various products with minimal effort or changes made to your machine tooling production process.

Drawbacks of Machine Tool Design

The following are some of the drawbacks of using machine tool designs:

High Cost

Some tool designing methods are considerably costly to pursue. This means that you may have to compromise on cost for your business to continue growing. This includes CNC machining methods; however, you can make these methods budget-friendly by being proactive in their pursuit.

Operation Errors

Operating machining equipment incorrectly can lead to injuries or accidents in your business. You should ensure that all staff members are trained on the correct operation methods before allowing them to work on any machine tooling production process. You can also call on someone experienced to manage the process for you.

CAV Tool, the premier manufacturing company in Detroit, MI, offers quality machining services, giving you access to high-quality products using state-of-the-art facilities. Get a free quote now and enjoy access to high-quality close tolerance products.

Computer numeric control is a term with a lot to flex. This is a field with zero tolerance for engineered tolerances so that everything fabricated fits like a glove. Imagine the CNC as the fiery crucible where Hephaestus forged precise implements of war for the gods, except that we have considerably less ambitious (and neutral) designs with the CNC rig at our place, but you get the idea!

So, as is with everything that is coded and mechanized, there are CNC limitations that only human wit can overcome. At CAV Tool, we fabricate close tolerance products like jigs, fixtures, bearings, and parts fabrication. And despite all the computerized control, being human is what gets us through to obtaining the perfect finish by improvisation and following safety guidelines with our CNC & SPC setups to deliver on quality.

Let’s hit a refresher on the CNCs we know and then how we bend them to our wills.

Applications of CNC

  1. Milling – A form of subtractive manufacture where precise surfaces and fits are fabricated in parts like fillets, gears, bearings, etc. Of course, we utilize jigs and fixtures to keep the piece in place, some made of our designs.
  2. Cutting – Unlike the manual control of a lathe machine, the CNC cutting setup can include laser or water jets for precision cutting.
  3. Routing – Sensors guide cutting tools to lathe elaborate surfaces on metal, resin materials, or wood.
  4. Multi-axis – Imagine a sculpting machine that deals with the five-axis (x, y, z, & a, b). This CNC-guided rig is for complex designs involving subtractive manufacturing.
  5. 3-D Printing – A form of additive manufacture that can utilize various materials to create sculptures, parts, tools, and even minimalist homes.

Limitations

  1. High installation costs and power expenses.
  2. Repair costs, replacement parts, specialized materials are all costly.
  3. Requires CAD & CAM software knowledge. Even the simple process of troubleshooting a program error requires experienced professionals.

How We Overcome Limitations

Usually, with milling and lathe work on standard parts, the issue is with tool access and tool geometry. Imagine trying to carve a block of cheese only from one direction, with a teaspoon; you won’t get far with the required dimensions in complex parts. Drills and cut tools used in CNC tend to impart their geometry onto workpieces which can cause sharp internal edges or corners that will need to be smoothed out.

Milling and lathe also approach the workpiece from one direction, whereas more mobility may be required, plus the considerations for tool geometry. The best way to work around this is to mill the piece to minimal requirement, allowing a precise 5-axis CNC to smooth out the rough edges. Of course, all of this has to be first rendered on CAD regarding tool geometry, access, material hardness, and tool axis.

For larger workpieces, the CNC weight limits have to be considered, and the part is split into subassemblies if the original CAD blueprint and structural analysis allow it. Custom workpieces are easier to tool if the tooling can be observed with the naked eye, as accuracy and precision are of utmost importance to our clients and us.

Apart from these workarounds to deal with CNC limitations, we ensure all CNC machines are calibrated before working on a piece. All the metal shavings from the milling, cutting and lathe machines are brushed off, cleaned, and surfaces oiled. We ensure our CNC operators receive revision sessions and updates on developments in CNC design and operation.

If you are looking for fabricators of precision tools like retainers, cut-off dies, punches & buttons, jigs & fixtures, or need legacy parts fabricated, then CAV Tool are at your service! We are fortuitously active and operating in Grand Rapids, MI, so if you require our cutting-edge services, you are entitled to an estimate, on the house!

Custom cutting tools are essential for any custom metal fabricator. These tools have to be custom-made to suit the needs of a custom metal fabrication firm, and each custom tool has different requirements that need to be met.

The quality of the custom cutting tool will determine how much time it takes to make each custom cut and the quality of the custom cut itself. You must invest in high-quality custom cutting tools for your business, or it won’t be easy to stay competitive.

In this blog post, we will go over five ways to check the quality of a custom cutting tool so that you can find one that meets all of your needs!

1. Check the Material

The custom cutting tool you choose needs to be made from high-quality, durable materials. If they are not up to required standards and quality, your custom cutting tools will break easily and won’t last very long. Ensure that when you are checking out a custom cutting tool’s material quality, they are tested and certified.

The custom cutting tool you choose should meet your desired standard for quality as well, so make sure that the custom cutting tool’s material is one of them!

2. Check for Tool Warranty

If there’s no warranty, then the manufacturing company probably doesn’t stand behind their product, and it may not last as long as other custom-cutting tools that have warranties.

3. Customized to Fit

When selecting custom cutting tools, make sure that they are unique to others in the market and should be customized for your specific needs!

4. Watch Out for Imperfect Finishing

Look at the surface of the product to see if there are any scratches and rough patches. If you notice these things, then this is probably an indication of poor workmanship.

Quality custom cutting tools are polished and finished to perfection – with a quality surface finish.

5. Examine Tolerances

The custom cutting tool must have tight tolerances to ensure that it performs as expected. The custom tool’s tolerances may not necessarily be perfect, but they need to be good enough that a slight change in temperature or pressure will not damage the product during use.

Note: Custom cutting tools are made according to tight tolerances, i.e., they have a minimal margin of error in the manufacturing process.

If you’re looking for high-quality custom cutting tools in Atlanta, GA, then Cav Tool is the right place to go. We have over 30 years of experience manufacturing custom cutting tools, and we can help your business meet its goals with our top-notch products. Get in touch so that one of our experts can assess your needs and show you how we can build something specific to suit them. You won’t be disappointed! Get a free estimate today!

Reverse engineering (RE) is quite a techie mouthful to pronounce; with us here at CAV Tools, you already know it means tearing down a mechanical part or machine and understanding how it works to replicate it with modifications. Well – not always a machine – can be software too, but we’re the mech guys here. Dies and casts, unique and obsolete parts you’d want cheaply fabricated, or just custom blueprints, or 3D designs; we have the equipment to tear down your chunk of hardware and render it in 3D for newer hardware!

RE sounds fantastic, and you might imagine some nerd with an additive printing rig, CNC, and CAD tools on a dingy workstation punching numbers, but it’s pretty complex. Run a web search, and you’ll mostly find reverse software because reversing is more like a technique than a physical tool. We want to indulge you in some tools/techniques that we know of that are the rage in reverse engineering. Just thought you 3D aficionados might like a heads up!

1. Teardown Tools

There are many ways to tear down a product. CAV Tools mainly deals in legacy products, machines, and cost teardowns, and our tools are your usual hardware drivers and wrenches with an occasional hammer. Of course, sensitive machine parts get delicate treatment while being taken apart. Every bit gets documented and verified as per origin, make, model, components, and composition.

2. Capture Tools

With the preliminary documentation over, we come to sensor technology to capture precise dimensions of the part’s constituents so they can be transferred into CAD software. GOM-3D is a popular structured light scanning system used in RE projects. Where the composition of a machine part is unclear, spectroscopic analysis helps discern the kind of alloy used accurately. Where possible, physical measurements are made, and tensile tests are carried out to find the original machine’s structural weaknesses.

3. Refining Tools

Decades ago, engineers pried apart everything, fabricated a duplicate, and refined by trial and error until they got it right. Now we have CAD, MATLAB, Ansys, and Augmented Reality. Just scan the part and take it for a rough ride in a simulated digital environment where you can test for all sorts of weaknesses and add enhancements.

4. Manufacturing Tools

Apart from the usual extrusion, rolling, wiring of metal alloys to manufacture new parts, laser remelting, alloying, cladding are popular ways to engineer repairs in legacy parts. Dies are fabricated for cast jobs, and then CNC takes over when a finish to specifications is required. Components are manufactured and assembled. These tools are conventional additive and subtractive manufacturing types.

5. Testing Tools

With a prototype ready, quality assessment and assurance steps in for troubleshooting and benchmarking the assembled part. SPC Software instructs on calibration, and in case of failure on passing QA, the project gets scrapped, everyone goes back to the tool called “drawing board.”

Are you a resident of Kansas City? Do you have that itch to dabble in RE projects? Maybe you need a carburetor fabricated for your vintage muscle car? CAV Tools are at your service!

For free quotes, do drop by our website. We deal in process manufacture, CAD, RE, and custom fabrication jobs across Kansas. You dictate, and we’ll create!

The best part about 3D printed tools is customization and availability in remote regions, from industrial projects to the dainty printing rig in your workshop. They add a great atmosphere to your workshops, and you hardly ever have to bother going to the hardware store.

Since additive manufacturing is so pocket-friendly, we thought we would share some tech-savvy ideas for custom tools that can make your workshop the envy of your neighborhood!

Here are 10 incredible ways 3D printing can get you custom tools that even many hardware stores won’t have in stock!

1. Jigs & Fixtures

3D printed jigs and fixtures are a great way to ensure that you get the job done right. Jigs are ideal as securing supports, while fixtures allow for guiding and securing work surfaces. Add some CAD innovation, and you’ve got yourself a vise!

2. Saw Fences

3D printed in parts and elementary assembly. Fences guide machining saws on work surfaces to ensure accurate cuts and can act as jigs too.

3. Tool Handles

Does a damaged tool handle hold some sentimental value? Rather than dispose of a much-loved handle-damaged tool, just 3D print a custom handle for it! Be it a hacksaw, screwdrivers, or hammers, fabricating a custom handle saves you from having to buy an expensive replacement and keeps your sentimentality intact.

4. Centre Finders

Perfect for flat surfaces. These need basic assembly after printing, while some are print-ready. Some designs have a center trench for intersecting; some designs clamp onto the surface and guide to center; a drill bit center tool helps the drill angle ideally on curved/pipe surfaces. There are so many designs to choose from!

5. Custom Molds

Epoxy is the rage with molded home accessories! 3D printing allows for well-crafted molds for your projects that ensure a reduced carbon footprint while upgrading your abode. Depending on your needs, we can also provide input on what mold you may need.

6. Fastener Tool

Tired of manually having to sort fasteners by length and diameter? This tool is a 3D printed block with marked and measured grooves you can compare against and sort. It’s a very nifty piece of equipment guaranteed to keep your work floor fastener-free.

7. Fillet Gauge

Vernier calipers can help measure the widths and depths of objects but not fillets. This tool may look like a certain masked vigilante’s knife, but it is designed to measure fillets to standard for translating the measure to CAD software.

8. Sliding Bevels

This 3D printed tool gauges and transfers angles to work materials for tracing and cut-outs. Ideal for gauging DIY tiled floor installation in tricky corners in your workshop!

9. Lockable Contour Gauge

Unlike the bevel, this tool measures curved edges to transfer onto the material for cutting to specs. It is ideal for floor tiling, carpeting around round fixtures, and paneling around intricate corner pads.

10. Digit Spanner

What’s the point of a wrench when you can’t reach a tight space to apply the torque needed? This sturdy tool can fit over your finger while the v-slot fits onto basic bolt sizes to be screwed in place.

Love the riveting ideas but lack a 3D printer? Finding it hard to find a reliable 3D printer in Detroit, MI?

Don’t fuss about it! At CAV Tool, we know best how to bring your custom projects to life. We provide comprehensive solutions for your workshop and manufacturing needs. We also accept custom CAD designs and offer the best prices and advice on materials. Do get in touch for a free quote today. Happy 3D Printing Fellow Nerds!

The retainer is one of the essential parts of your industrial process. It ensures that the machinery you use to perform a task will be held in place and working correctly throughout the entire process.

Choosing a suitable retainer for your industrial processes can be a daunting task. There are many different factors to consider, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of them.

To help you out, we’ve compiled this list of five tips that will make retainer selection easier!

1) Determine What Type of Retainers You Need

There are retainer types that suit different industries and applications. Knowing what kind of retainer you need will help narrow down your options, so take your time with this step!

You can seek help from retainer specialists to find the retainer that will work best for your industry.

2) Choose A Retainer with Low Maintenance Costs

Choosing a retainer with low maintenance costs can help you save money in the long run, as retainers have to be replaced occasionally.

Choose retainers made from materials that are not brittle and will withstand pressure for long periods without breaking down or needing replacement parts. The retainers should also resist chemicals and corrosion well while still being easy to clean.

3) Invest in Quality Materials

Investing in a retainer that is made of quality materials will bring many benefits. High-quality retainer materials help extend the life expectancy and ensure efficiency in your industrial processes.

Quality retainers also reduce production costs since you do not have to replace them as often. This minimizes any downtime for your process while you wait on a new retainer.

4) Ensure That the Retainers are Properly Designed

If the retainer is not designed correctly, it will either be too rigid or too soft. A retainer that is too rigid will have a tendency of fracturing. At the same time, one, which is overly flexible, may not provide enough support for the process tool and then cause additional problems with the retooling process.

The retainer should be designed to provide precise rigidity for the specific tool and process needs. It may also need to have an engineered design that will ensure flexibility at certain times and rigidity when necessary.

5) Purchase From Suppliers Who Provide Guarantees

With a guarantee, if the retainer fails to perform as designed and falls short of your expectations, you can return it for replacement or refund.

If there is no guarantee offered on the retainer that you want to buy, then make sure that the supplier has an excellent reputation and ensure they are cooperative and provide excellent customer support.

Have you been looking for a heavy-duty retainer manufacturer in Atlanta, GA? Look no further than CAV Tool! We offer premium quality products customized according to your industrial processes, needs, budget, and schedule. In addition to our superior product, we’ve invested in the latest technology so that you can enjoy fast turnaround times on quotes as well as production lead times. Get a free quote today!

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to ensure that their products meet the highest quality standards. One way to do this is through statistical process controls (SPC). SPC is a statistical technique for quality assurance. It involves using a control chart to monitor and evaluate process performance, determine where the process is out-of-control, identify a problem when it occurs, and then take corrective action when necessary.

Professional companies like CAV tool in Detroit offer cutting-edge manufacturing solutions using SPC tools.

SPC can be used in a variety of industries and has been proven highly successful in manufacturing settings. In this article, we will discuss why manufacturers use this technique to ensure product quality.

How Do Manufacturers Use SPC Controls in Manufacturing?

Manufacturers use statistical process controls to help ensure their products are up to the desired quality standards. Manufacturers can implement different types of SPCs to maintain product quality and prevent defects from occurring during manufacturing. For example, they might take measurements of product attributes, such as color or weight, before their products head to the production line. They also ensure consistency throughout the process by measuring it again at various stages along the line. They could also measure things like moisture content or acidity levels before packaging items for customers, which would allow them to catch any problems early on so they don’t affect their customers’ perceptions of the product’s quality after purchasing it.

What are the Benefits of Using SPC?

SPC techniques are used in manufacturing as well as other industries such as healthcare. The benefits of these techniques include:

1. Improved Productivity

It has been observed that companies with SPC’s in place are usually 20% more productive than the companies that are not using SPC. One important benefit of Statistical Process Control (SPC) is that it helps managers monitor changes in process variability, reducing the risk of any defects going unnoticed.

2. Reduced Costs

Statistical Process Control techniques can help companies reduce production costs by reducing the number of defects. This reduces the amount of time and money spent on inspections, rework, or scrapping products. In addition to saving on costs, it also improves quality because, with statistical process controls, there is a more efficient system for identifying defects.

3. Easier Decision Making

Statistical process control is a great way to ensure quality, making it easier for different roles in the organization to collaborate. The control information is updated so that managers have access to precise data on how product performance has changed over time, making it easy to determine if any corrective action is required.

At CAV tool, we use SPC to deliver quality results for the services we offer. Whether it is CNC machining or reverse engineering, our experts provide quality results using SPC tools. So, if you’re looking for precision and quality in your manufactured products in Detroit, MI, CAV Tool is here to help.

Get a free custom quote from our team now!