Raving Fan: Olson Machining

	CUSTOMER STORY
	Multi-tasking from a Job Shop's Point of View

The keys to making this Multi-tasking concept work are: trust the idea, have patience, develop strong teamwork, and seek the perfect parts.

by Frank Olson
Co-Owner of Olson Machining, Inc.

I have heard it said that necessity is the mother of invention. Nothing could be more true when discussing the concept of Multi-tasking. How do we meet the demand for more product with less lead time in a market void of skilled labor? One answer is Multi-tasking with Mazak's Multiplex.

For a small job shop there is no magic return on investment formula. We just have to survive in a very competitive and demanding industry. My brother and partner, John Olson (President of Olson Machining) had a gut instinct that would lead our company into the 21st century. We jumped in with both feet and purchased a Multiplex 620 equipped with an LNS barfeeder and gantry load/unload system.

The first six months were painful - especially when you factor the machine cost, shop interruption and learning curve. There were days when we wondered if this was going to work and then...... late one evening the lights are off in the shop - things are being closed down for the day. John and I are by the exit exchanging last minute thoughts for tomorrow's grind when the sound of a machine tool loading and unloading parts from a gantry brings a feeling of accomplishment. Then again, during lunch, another sign of light at the end of the tunnel, the machine continues on with its work, as shop employees take their lunch break.

Our customers must realize benefits in order for this concept to be a win/win for everyone. One important element is finding the perfect parts for this machine tool. Olson Machining has experienced great successes, for example:

A casing that would normally take 4 operations is now being completed in 1 operation at 40% less cycle time, running unmanned.

A wear ring taking 8 operations with a 30 week lead time, due to outside operations, is being completed in one operation with a 4-week lead-time.

A drive shoe, which took 2 operations and 25 pieces per hour, is done in 1 operation with a cycle time of 40 pieces per hour, running unmanned.

The keys to making this Multi-tasking concept work are: trust the idea, have patience, develop strong teamwork, and seek the perfect parts. Our journey continues and after one year we have taken receipt of another Multiplex with gantry. Our goal is now to efficiently run medium quantities through this cell.

Despite all the pressures, Multi-tasking is making this business fun again! We are on the cutting edge and look forward to expanding and sharing these benefits with our customers.

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