The company uses Key Creator as the CAD platform. The translators are capable of using most major CAD files either in native form or in IGES format.

We offer design services capable of taking an idea and creating a casting to suit; but more often customers already have a part design. In that case, we review the part design with a view to any changes needed to improve castability – draft, ribbing, fillets, etc. We also will recommend a material – be it zinc or aluminum.

Once the part design is finalized, critical dimensions and other critical properties must be determined; as well as the need for any capability studies. A draft control plan is created in conjunction with the customer.

We design the entire mold and trim tool set in solids – down to the last ejector pin and screw, ensuring accurate communications with the tool maker. In this way, there is no room for the tool maker to err on the tool build. Creation of surfaces – and hence tool cutter paths – is greatly facilitated and costs reduced.

A set of core and cavity plan drawings are submitted to the customer once the design is finished.

Design and build of any machining fixtures, checking fixtures and gages proceed in the same manner.

The entire tooling phase is monitored weekly to ensure on time delivery of tooling.

Once tools are delivered, critical dimensions on the dies are checked on our CMM. On try out, the parts are given a full CMM inspection and the results analyzed to determine any needed corrections.

Once our engineering staff has certified the tooling as complete, we conduct a PPAP run and submit all required documentation (including capability study results, control plans) generally to Level III automotive standard.

Once the PPAP submission is accepted engineering assumes a support role and releases the tooling for production.

Essentially, we can carry a project from concept to delivered production part.