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used machine we buy must reduce setups. For us the savings comes in automation on the actual machines and not in robotics loading parts. Sure, you can reduce human error that way, but as a job shop we really need people thinking all the time. We saw how many of our parts required a 4th axis mill op after coming off the lathe and started to look at options to deliver us a finished part. We have a Nomura NN20J2 with a bar feeder from Gosiger. It is in the same building as our bar fed Okuma Genos L300M. Between those two machines alone we get a ton of finished parts. They are not the standard CNC machine you typically find in a job shop, but their speed and accuracy are phenomenal. Loading bar and getting a finished part out the other side is a huge cost saver. Once we get Idaho up and running, I see a pallet horizontal in our future. Looking at the offerings from Okuma right now. Multiple jobs setup and lights out running seems like a great way to maintain pricing across the board.”
AIP is looking closely at 12-14,000 sq.ft. of expansion in Idaho as soon as this summer. With some of their largest customers based in Utah and Tennessee shipping from Idaho or California makes little difference. Their goal is to focus quick turnaround, light production, prototyping and local customer support from their Southern California location and utilize Idaho in a different capacity. “It’s costly to do business in California,” tells Mike. “We see having a second location out of state as a great way to cut costs without just moving the entire company. Hard costs are cheaper there, labor is less, buildings are less. So, it will help us maintain pricing. No one likes to raise the price of a part. We have part numbers that date back almost 20 years and they have never had a price increase. I was just in Idaho scouting locations and the local talent pool. I met with students at the local Junior College CWI they have a great machine shop program and spoke to them about what it is like to be in manufacturing. We see moving a couple machines and buying new ones as a great way to open Idaho operations for production runs, blanket orders, set deliveries, and inventory.”
AIP have customers that have been with them since the beginning. They really shine with it comes to customer service. “Most job shops won’t inventory parts, won’t take blanket orders, spreading out delivery over a few months,” concludes Mike. “Many shops don’t even answer the phone or email. We have great communication and customer relations. Simple things like that make a big difference. We value our customers and they in return value us.”
AIP have a Brother R650X1 mill with their turn table high-speed 2-face pallet changer. It is a fast and versatile machine.
Mike Reimbold handles most of the programming for the 20 CNC mills and lathes.
One of the ways AIP is reducing their costs is by automation. For them automation means reducing setups and takes place on advanced machining centers like the Genos L300M.
CNC WEST April/May 2022
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