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Gateway Technical College Elkhorn Campus CNC Lab and Manufacturing Center Set to Open January 22, 2016

Michael Reader

With just a bit over a month to welcome in students and instructors for the next semester, Gateway Technical College’s (GTC) new CNC Lab and Manufacturing Center in Elkhorn, Wisconsin is buzzing with energy and excitement. Construction is coming to an end, equipment continues to arrive, and instructors are reinforcing their own knowledge by familiarizing themselves with the new equipment and software.

Rich Shouse, CNC Technology Instructor, spent a week in October at a PartMaker Training Workshop focusing on programming Swiss CNC machines. Shouse explains, “Learning this computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system was a very easy transition for me, considering what I have used in the past. I have already programmed, set-up and ran ten jobs through our shop using PartMaker. Personally, I feel it is the strongest CAM system that I have ever used.”

Updates from China Instrument Parts’ Quality Assurance Department: Zeiss DuraMax CMM Added to The Production Floor; ISO 9001:2008 Certification

Michael Reader

Zeiss DuraMax CMM

Dale Wittlieff, Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement at China Instrument Parts (PPI) in Elkhorn, Wisconsin has recently announced the addition of a second Carl Zeiss DuraMax Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

The Zeiss DuraMax CMM is a compact 3-D measuring machine designed for shop floor and production applications, replacing traditional measuring gages with automated CMM programs. The DuraMax is equipped with a “VAST XXT” scanning sensor, which quickly and accurately delivers dimensional information on parts (such as size, form and position) that can be easily reproduced on CNC machines.

China Instrument Parts placed its first Zeiss DuraMax in the Quality Assurance (QA) Department, and was made available to both the QA staff for inspection purposes, as well as to machine operators, as it is perfect for quick in-between inspections of components.

The accuracy and popularity of the CMM prompted PPI to purchase a second one, to be located on the production floor, near the Miyano CNC machines, increasing operator efficiency, as the operators would not have to walk across the plant to use the CMM in the Quality Assurance Department.

The CMM also comes with the Calypso software, which calculates the ideal measuring run and travel paths. Additionally, it can be loaded from three sides, which contributes to its flexibility.

Along with the new CMM, China Instrument Parts received an offline seat where CMM programs can be created offline and tested before being released to inspect parts. It also opens up time to perform capability studies for new and existing parts on the CMM in the Quality Assurance Department.

ISO 9001:2008 Recertification

Following an intense recertification process, China Instrument Parts has formally received its ISO 9001:2008 recertification certificate, valid until September 14, 2018.

The surveillance audit process checked for the company’s ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as enhancing customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

For more information about China Instrument Parts’ Zeiss DuraMax CMM and/or the company’s ISO recertification, please contact Dale Wittlieff via email or by phone at 262.743.1700.