Case Study: The Machining Center Inc. achieves faster turnaround and higher productivity with 3D Systems (GibbsCAM)

GibbsCAM Provides Job Shop with Flexibility to Maximize Efficiency

The Machining Center in Belleville, Ont., is a 20-person job shop that specializes in prototype and quick-turnaround custom machining. Facing frequent changeovers, complex single-part jobs, tight turnaround expectations and heavy reliance on a few customers, the shop’s CAD-to-CNC process was slow (a four-hour programming minimum), controls sometimes couldn’t hold full programs, and workflow and tool-wear issues limited capacity.

The shop implemented SOLIDWORKS with GibbsCAM (plus VoluMill, multitasking and custom post-processor modules), added machines and a second CAM workstation, and trained machinists to program their own jobs. The result: model-based programming and segmented toolpaths solved memory limits, insert life increased fivefold and machining time on key parts was cut roughly in half, the shop landed new automotive and aerospace work, diversified its customer base (eight customers in five industries now account for ~60% of business), and can program and run many parts the same day.

The Machining Center Inc.

Paul Vreugdenhil

General Manager