D&S Manufacturing Gets New HMC to Meet Demand

The plant purchases a Toyoda FH1250SX horizontal machining center to expand its machining envelope, reduce part changeover, and reduce overall cost to its customers.

Michael Dougherty, the president of D&S Manufacturing (Black River Falls, WI), announced the purchase of a Toyoda FH1250SX horizontal machining center to address recent growth. “We continue to expand our capabilities through significant ongoing investments in technologically superior production equipment. As a result, we are able to provide the resources necessary to assist corporations in meeting their increasingly challenging outsourcing requirements,” he stated.

According to production control manager Rob Bucek, customer demand was the primary factor in the purchase of the FH1250SX system, which allows the plant to expand its machining envelope from 60 in to 94 in to accommodate larger scale components. The new HMC also features a pallet shuttle that enables the shop to reduce part changeover in certain production scenarios. Due to its high efficiency, the FH1250SX assists the company in reducing overall cost to its customers.

“In the research process for the machining center, a cross functional group ranging from managers to shop floor employees carefully evaluated a variety of equipment alternatives and it was clear that the FH1250SX would be the right choice. We had great success with the recent integration of an FA800 system. Adding another Toyoda unit means the implementation process will be easier and more effective because less employee training is required,” Bucek explained.

Plant employees participating in the evaluation process included Erik Brown, Rob Bucek, Adam Hunter, Tim Swartz and Benjamin Wood. For more than 40 years, this ISO 9001:2008 certified custom manufacturer has produced exceptional quality large scale components, assemblies and complete weldments for a broad cross section of well-respected corporations that include Caterpillar, Oshkosh Corporation, Parkson, The Trane Company and CNH.

The plant’s extensive capabilities include technologically superior machining, laser, high definition plasma and oxy-fuel cutting, as well as manual and robotic welding. These resources are complemented by diverse value-added services ranging from liquid spray painting and shot blasting to assembly and testing. A dedicated and highly skilled workforce lives a commitment to superior project management, exceptional quality, accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement, which empowers the company to live its slogan, D&S …. Solid^™. www.dsmfg.com