News, insights and tips for improving the design and
manufacture of metal-formed parts and components.
State-of-the-Art Laser Cutting System Drastically Reduces Production Time, Improves Precision and Quality
The purchase, installation and operation of a new, state-of-the-art Trumpf 6-axis Lasercell TLC 105 cutting and welding system may well be the most important technological advancement in Bomco's history. While Bomco has long had the capabilities to manufacture intricate, precision formed metal components, now the company has the capability to produce even more complex components and assemblies with a greater degree of efficiency and at a higher level of quality.
The new laser cutting and welding system arrived at Bomco in July and was immediately installed in a manufacturing location previously designed and prepared. Having been thoroughly tested over the summer, both by Trumpf and Bomco engineers, the new cutting and welding system is fully operational and integrated into Bomco's manufacturing process.
Here the new Trumpf 6-axis laser cuts small
precision holes and
reduces production time for this part from
fifteen minutes to one minute
"The results are truly exceptional" explains Mike McCarthy, sales engineer, "and our lead times are expected to be drastically reduced." While all production cases are different, Bomco will experience reductions in lead times from 20 to 50%.
In addition to reduced lead times, the new laser cutter will reduce both set up times and run times. For example, it is expected that one part now requiring three set-ups, will require only one set-up. Equally important, the run time to manufacture this part should decrease from 15 minutes to one minute. "We expect some jobs to decrease from 20 minutes to one minute run time," advises Joe Cordaro, plant manager, in explaining the manufacturing efficiencies of the system.
Another manufacturing efficiency is simplified and less expensive tooling for the laser cutter. In previous operations, complicated tooling was required, often for both press and machining operations. Now the fixtures required for the laser are simplified and require far less time and money to produce.
"Another advantage of our new laser cutting system" explains president Pete Banks, "is less use of consumable shop supplies like carbide end mills and various cutting tools."
Not all the benefits of the laser system are easy to quantify, however. Experience so far has shown that overall quality is significantly higher. Likewise, the precision of Bomco's laser cutting operation is far superior to prior cutting operations. There has also been an overall increase in the efficiency of operations due largely to the replacement of conventional operations by the new laser cutting system.
The laser cutting system offers Bomco's customers both current quality benefits and future price benefits. For current requirements, customers will benefit from greater precision, higher quality, less expensive tooling and shorter lead times. New capabilities offered by the system include the cutting of both large and small holes, air foil slots, and multiple operations in one set-up. For the future, customers and prospects will benefit from the rapidly expanding laser technology and the opportunity to work as partners with Bomco in the design, development and production of sophisticated metal-formed components and assemblies needed in demanding original equipment manufacturing.
ISO 9002 / AS 9000 Registration Places
Bomco in Top 1000 SuppliersAfter more than two years of rigorous work, Bomco has achieved a level of ISO registration that few manufacturers attain ISO 9002 and the additional registration to the demanding AS 9000 aerospace specification. While there are 27,000 companies in the US and 175,000 companies worldwide registered to ISO 9000 standards, there are less than 1000 companies in the US registered to the AS 9000 aerospace specification and only 867 Massachusetts companies registered to ISO standards.
Walter Fredrick (center), Bomco's quality control manager and Bomco
president Pete Banks (right) accept the ISO 9002 / AS9000 Certificate of
Registration from Richard Barbieri, president of Barbieri Quality
Registrars at the award ceremony in mid-October.
This recognition of Bomco's high level of quality standards places the company among the elite of precision manufacturers. Bomco president Pete Banks recognizes the need to compete at the top level and to provide the highest possible quality. He explains, "We're going from regional and national economies into a single worldwide economy with a need for one standard system for quality." Banks adds, "Many of our customers do business on a worldwide basis and feel that a simple, consistent, and effective quality system means lower overall costs."
Lowering costs is important to Bomco and Bomco customers. Walter Fredrick, quality control manager and ISO management representative explains, "Our ISO registration gives our customers the assurance that we have a system that meets an extremely high level of product quality. In the future our customers won't have to come to our plant for quality audits, saving all of us time and money."
Sometimes the benefits of ISO registration are hard to quantify. "During the seemingly endless rounds of meetings, management reviews, corrective action and internal audits, there was some skepticism about the complicated process at first" explains VP of administration Maria Blair, "but now everyone is on board and feels that there will be a major payoff for our efforts." Asked about specific benefits of registration Blair says "there's no question about it, the old adage is correct, it's cheaper to do it right the first time." From the reaction of employees, Bomco intends to do just that.
The internal ISO audit team that guided Bomco to ISO 9002 / AS 9000
registration include (from the left) John Remeika, purchasing
agent, Greg Verga, QC staff member, Dennis Lehr, metal
forming specialist, Patty O'Neill, sales administrator, Kate
Brancaleone, order processing, Art Hayford, QC inspector,
Maria Blair, vice president of administartion, Carol Herrick,
QC specialist, and Debbie Alves, manager of order processing.
At an award ceremony and luncheon at a nearby restaurant in mid-October, employees were enthusiastically greeted by president Pete Banks and given a Bomco hat commemorating the successful ISO 9002 / AS 9000 registration. After seafood appetizers and chicken and lobster main courses, employees were roundly applauded for their singular achievement as one of few Massachusetts companies to attain the the dual ISO 9002 / AS 9000 registration.
Bomco employees enjoy the ISO lunch pror to the
presentation of the registration certificate at a nearby restaurant
In making the presentation of the registration certificate to Bomco, Richard Barbieri, president of the auditing firm Barbieri Quality Registrars, congratulated all Bomco employees and commented, "Bomco should be proud to be one of less than 1000 companies in the US to receive the demanding AS 9000 registration." Barbieri added, "Bomco has one of the better quality systems we've looked at... truly a world class manufacturer."
In accepting the registration plaque, both Pete Banks and Walter Fredricks thanked employees for their overwhelming support, dedication, and long term commitment to the registration process. Summarizing, Pete Banks said, "It is your hard work and continued dedication that has made this possible and we sincerely thank you."
And without doubt, Bomco's prospects and customers will also be thankful for a quality system that raises standards to world class levels.
New Laser Cutter and ISO Registration Put Real Meaning
Into Bomco's Mission StatementIt is not unusual for companies to have formal mission statements these days. But it is somewhat unusual for a company to follow its mission statement as closely as Bomco does. By dedicating itself for two years to the rigorous process of attaining ISO registration, Bomco demonstrates its commitment to a world class standard for high quality. Likewise, the purchase of a new laser cutting and welding system illustrates Bomco's long term dedication to the use of leading edge technologies and manufacturing techniques.
Mission Statement
Bomco, Inc. is dedicated to the use of leading edge technologies and manufacturing techniques to profitably produce high quality, precision formed components and assemblies for original equipment suppliers. In addition to excellence in metal forming, Bomco strives to provide a safe and stimulating environment with career opportunities for all employees.
Bomco Holidays
Veterans Day - November 9
Thanksgiving - November 26 & 27
Christmas - December 23, 24 & 25
New Years - January 1
Bomco, Inc.
125 Gloucester Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930-2254
Phone: 978-283-9000
Fax: 978-283-2882
E-Mail: custserv@bomco.com
