MMT Chats: Maintaining an Arsenal of Technology for Tight-Tolerance Work

_{^{This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.}}

My last visit to Custom Mold & Design (CMD) in Forest Lake, Minnesota, was in 2019.  Since then its arsenal of technology has increased and now includes 10 Yasda machines (two VI40s are the latest addition), which have helped CMD specialize in liquid silicone and metal injection molding with tight tolerances. 

It’s not just technology though. According to Lester Jones, CMD Executive VP, it’s people and process, too. Here, are a few tidbits from our conversation to pique your interest:

• Why Yasda machines are foundational to CMD’s success.
• How they changed their three-axis graphite work to a new Yasda linear motor five-axis graphite machining cell. 
• How and why they are pushing toward more automation, including 6 five-axis machining centers?
  • “I can’t imagine we’d buy another three-axis machine.”
• Why they are “keeping an eye on hybrid AM technology.”
• How they are rebranding to Velosity while keeping in mind the team’s 58 years of legacy.
• Why Jones believes where the industry has been and where it is going “blows the mind”.

For the full quick chat, watch above, and for more MMT Chats, click here.