The most recent addition to our CNC department is the Escomatic NM6-Flexi swiss cnc machine. This small machine is a coil fed machine as opposed to all of our other swiss machines which are bar fed. It can go up to 6mm diameter and has 4 OD tools, 4 ID front tools and 4 ID back tools. They are designed for long runs without lights our production.

The coil fed machine saves time based on the part we’re making. It is 5″ long so the bar feeders change bars every 9 minutes…but not the coil fed Escomatic. It doesn’t have to change bars since the raw material is pulled off of a coil. This will save 90 seconds of production every 9 minutes. This is equivalent to about 4 more parts every 9 minutes.

This machine is also ideal for small short parts. Brass parts are ideal because of the malleability of 360 brass and it can make parts unattended.

This machine will certainly fill a need with our stainless shaft production. The big question is whether we can grow with this machine and become experts on it just like we are on our screw machines and swiss machines.  

Brass parts have been a perfect fit for screw machines for years. The material is high in lead and it can be cut without any of coolant, although we never run production without coolant. The metal flakes away as it is cut so there are no risks of chips clogging up a tool or winding around the part. It is the best material to machine, hands down.

Gent Machine has been tackling brass parts since it’s inception. In the war era, Gent Machine was cranking away it’s screw machines making 50+ million fuses for our military. Thankfully we are not supporting a world war but brass parts are still a great fit for screw machines. Smaller brass parts, under 1/2″ diameter are ideal for our Davenport machines and up to 2″ diameter is ideal on our Acme machines. Contact us today to see how we can help become your first class supplier of brass fittings.

Below is a list of brass parts that we produce on our screw machines:

PROBE HOUSING, PIPE THREAD, HOUSING, SENSOR, FLOW CONTROL HOLDER, Adaptor, Reducing, 3/8F x 1/4M, ZINC-PLATED BRASS HOUSING, Temp probe housing, VALVE STEM FOR TMV, BODY, FPD, M14, BODY, FPD, 1/4NPT, SENDER HOUSING, BODY, FPD, M14, BODY, COMPUCHEK CARTRIDGE, Body, Probe Low Water, CONN, FTG, 1/4″ MNPT X 3/8″ MNPT ADAPTER, FITTING, ADAPTER, HYDRAULIC BRAKE, BODY, COMPUCHEK CARTRIDGE, KAYAK 1″ SHOULDER BOLT, SCREW FOR LABORATORY BALL VALVE (LIFT/TURN HANDLE), RETAINING RING FOR PTFE SEAT, TMV G6200/G6300, SLEEVE INSERT 5100 SERIES COUPLING, VALVE BODY, RETAINING RING FOR PTFE SEAT – TMV G6100, SWING ELBOW, UNMACHINED, VOLUME CONTROL BODY, UNMACHINED, VALVE SKIRT, 5100 SERIES COUPLINGS, CHECKSTOP

In the dynamic world of manufacturing, the integration of cutting-edge technology and skilled personnel is crucial for staying competitive. Like many companies, Gent Machine recognizes the value of fresh perspectives so we started an internship program with several schools and organizations. The program is going far better than anticipated and these students have made an enormous impact in our CNC Machining and Hydromat departments.

Currently, we have 3 interns that operate machines in our CNC and Acme departments. Two of the three students work just 3 days a week and take classes in the evening. The third student is from a trade school and he works a full 40 hours. All 3 of these students make a huge on our production, even if it is for just 3 days.

We believe in this newly found experiment of using interns. Afterall, the internships provide students with hands-on experience, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. In the CNC department, interns have the opportunity to work with precision machinery, hone their programming skills, and understand the intricacies of manufacturing processes. This practical exposure not only prepares them for future careers but also adds a valuable resource to the company.

The symbiotic relationship between seasoned professionals and college interns fosters a culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange. Experienced CNC operators can share their practical insights and real-world experiences, while interns can introduce novel ideas and alternative approaches. This exchange not only benefits the interns but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the CNC department.

Internship programs are a strategic investment in building a talent pipeline for the future. By exposing interns to the world of CNC machining. Companies can identify promising individuals who may eventually become full-time employees. This not only ensures a pool of skilled professionals but also fosters loyalty and a deep understanding of the company’s values and processes.

We have begun the process of interviewing for summer internships. If you know of anyone that may be interested please send your information to info@gentmachine.com and note the reason. We look forward to helping develop the next generation of machinists.

Producing parts to the proper dimensions is enough of a challenge but when you add in machine issues the production process just gets harder. See the image below of a recent oil spill we had on one of our CNC Machines.

To make matters worse, this oil spill did not occur during an attended shift. It happened after second shift had left for the evening and set the machines for unattended operation. Like all of our CNC machines, this one is equipped with high pressure oil to assist with breaking chips and coolant thru drills. The high pressure hoses run from the oil pumps to the high pressure pumps and then into the machine. One of these hoses wore a hole and sprung a leak (of course, while no one was around to catch it) and the oil kept pumping out of the machine and on to the floor. The oil kept flooding the floor until the machine’s reservoir was empty and it ran out of oil.

When first shift arrived at 5:45am, they walked into a mess. Thankfully we have a great staff that jumped on the issue immediately and got it all cleaned up. They used a shop vac to vacuum it up. After each time the shop vac would fill up they’d dump it in the filtration system and then resume vacuuming. Once all of it was vacuumed they mopped and used the floor scrubber to clean the slick floors. After about 2 hours, the result was a clean floor and a lot of oil to filter. We are fortunate to have a good filtration system so all oil like this gets reclaimed rather than having to be hauled off by an disposal service. Hopefully, this is the last oil spill we experience while no one is in the shop.

Gent Machine is in the process of potentially acquiring a local screw machine company. This would add to our Davenport machine capacity and also bring in a book of business. The negotiations have been going on for several weeks now but there appears to be an end in sight.

The owner of the company is looking to exit the industry and sell off his equipment and book of business. He contacted us, knowing we operate the same type of equipment, and asked if we’d like to discuss a purchase.

If the deal goes through Gent machine would purchase his 8 machines, add them to our list of 38 Davenports, and take over the work for his customer base. The part list is comprised of a family of automotive parts that are ideal for the Davenport machines.

More to come as the discussions look to wrap up soon.