Case Study: Tool Gauge Doubles Production with Universal Robots

Universal Robots Doubles Production of Plastic and Metal Aerospace Components Despite Labor Shortage

Tool Gauge, a Tacoma, Washington-based manufacturer of precision metal and plastic components for the aerospace industry, faced a tight labor market and fixed long-term contracts that made it hard to raise staffing levels or control costs. The company needed a way to reduce repetitive, ergonomically difficult work such as glue dispensing and CNC part handling, and turned to Universal Robots’ collaborative robots, including the UR3 and UR5.

Universal Robots implemented cobot automation for glue dispensing, machine tending, rinsing, drying, and packing tasks, allowing workers to focus on higher-value jobs. The result was a 75% reduction in labor costs, production doubled, scrap rates dropped from 15% to 3%, staffing needs were cut in half, and payback on the robots was expected in under a year.

Tool Gauge

Jim Lee

General Manager