Coordinate Measuring Machines and Their Role in Our Custom Machining

Custom manufacturing for any industry relies on the hard work of each engineer, manager, technician, and administrator. This work in turn relies on continuing function of high quality machinery, advanced software, and well-tuned equipment. Bowman Tool & Machining provides innovative custom machining for a range of industries. Our comprehensive services cover every stage of the manufacturing process from prototype design to fabrication to assembly. Each stage of the custom machining and production process utilizes state-of-the-art equipment built on the strong foundation of the knowledge and skill of our team members. 

One of the most important parts of BTM facilities utilized in our custom machining and comprehensive manufacturing services is our coordinate measuring equipment. Our five coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) offer complete geometric form analysis for parts at each stage of production. From piecemeal-machined components to assembled parts, our CMM capabilities provide our team members with the necessary data to maintain quality control every step of the way.

 CMM Functions 

Our CMMs use highly-rated, regularly-updated software and quality-tested machines for form analysis. By processing a series of coordinate points of a part or component on x, y, and z axes, CMMs are able to provide advanced data on the geometry of even the most complex objects. This process can be repeated and provides information to our engineers almost instantly.

 Three-Dimensional Quality Control

The ability to gather reliable computer-generated geometric information about intricate parts and components has vastly improved our custom manufacturing process. BTM takes advantage of the data that advanced software and CMMs provide. Our CMM capabilities act as a quality control system at a three-dimensional level for parts of all shapes and sizes. CMMs offer non-invasive analysis, gathering form data that allows the rapid elimination of structural flaws and providing a practical approach to design. CMM software also serves to sort and organize large files of generated data, streamlining the quality control process for all custom machining and assembly orders.

For more information about our CMMs and software or other equipment, contact Bowman Tool & Machining at (507) 286-1400. If you’re ready to begin work with BTM and benefit from our quality custom machining, request a quote today.

Bowman Tool & Machining understands that precision-based manufacturing and assembly demands attention at each stage. The quality of our production process ensures the quality of our products. One of the most important parts of our success in precision machining, tooling, and assembly is creating a viable foundation for production. Building this foundation requires a well-formed, highly capable system for prototype design and fabrication. At BTM, you can count on our expert engineering services to support you, from prototype to production.  

 Successful manufacturing begins with prototype design. At BTM, we provide contract manufacturing from the ground up, including engineering services for comprehensive prototyping.

 Our engineering services take an upwards approach to prototyping with the simple three-step manufacturing process of consultation, design, and creation.

 Consultation: A successful project begins with our understanding of our customer’s needs. Communication between our engineers and clients in the consultation process is key in giving us both a point of departure and a path to follow throughout prototyping a product. Once our engineers understand what the part’s capabilities and tolerances need to be, we can move to the design stage of product planning.  

 Design: At BTM, we can design a prototype with the use of high-tech imaging software, performance simulation, and digital quality control. This provides our engineers with the information they need to build a quality product. Not only do our prototype design abilities and technology act as rapid product analysis and correction, the process as a whole is a critical stage that allows for the realization of an idea and opens the door to production. 

Creation: With prototype designs made to the customer’s exact specifications, the time comes to put those blueprints into construction. Our prototyping teams use a range of fabrication methods, depending on the product, to allow our customers to evaluate a physical part before launching mass-production.

 These three steps of BTM prototyping are a clean, simplistic approach to what is ultimately a complex process. With our state-of-the-art prototyping and manufacturing technology, experienced team of engineers, and quality materials, you can expect the best with Bowman Tool & Machining when it comes to creating a new product.

 If you’re ready to begin your prototype project, trust the experts at BTM. Contact us at (507) 286-1400 today to schedule your consultation. 

Improving Production Quality and Market Efficiency With Robotic Automation

At Bowman Tool & Machining, we continually strive to improve waste reduction, efficiency, quality, and precision in our manufacturing processes. While our experienced engineers, machine technicians, and other team members play a vital role in providing our customers with high quality prototyping, precision machining, and assembly, the equipment we use in manufacturing has always been a crucial component. Today, robotic automation has become an integral part of our production process allowing us to achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. 

Our automated machining cells, including our Haas vertical machining center and horizontal lathe, as well as our Fanuc robots, allow highly efficient, precise production for small parts in large volume orders. This keeps the cost low for our clients without sacrificing quality. 

While BTM currently specializes in large scale, rapid production of precision-based small parts with our robotic automated machining cells, we’re working to expand our production options in this area.

 Expanding our production reach with robotic automation is an important goal of BTM. The capabilities of robotic automated machining cells in manufacturing quality parts with speed and efficiency serves as a rich supplement to our primary precision machining and assembly services.

 Our current production abilities with robotic automation support not only our goals, but our customers’ goals for production and market reach. With robotic automation added to our fundamental production, BTM offers customers the benefits of: 

1. Rapid manufacturing for large volume orders of small parts without sacrificing quality and precision in the product.
2. Cost-effective precision machining and reliable assembly.
3. Stress-free ordering and service throughout the production process.
4. Fast production-to-market operations with a company you can trust.

 At BTM, we value our robotic automation capabilities for the control, flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency it gives to the production process. 

To learn more about our precision machining, assembly, and robotic automation capabilities, or to request a quote, contact Bowman Tool & Machining at (507) 286-1400 today.

Utilizing CNC Machining Centers for Custom Precision Machining

The mathematic accuracy and high efficiency needed for manufacturing quality parts is successfully guided in part by computer numerical control (CNC) machines. CNC machines play a critical role in creating precision machined parts for any project, big or small. If you’re in need of high tolerance production for complex parts, Bowman Tool & Machining can meet your project demands with our comprehensive precision machining.

 At BTM, we utilize CNC programs with a range of equipment, including our vertical and horizontal machining centers, lathes, and mills ranging from 400mm to 1000mm. With a total of 54 different CNC machine tools, BTM has the capabilities to manufacture a wide variety of parts for your project.

 A significant component of our CNC machining capabilities are our vertical and horizontal machining centers and our vertical and horizontal lathes, which allow machining at virtually all angles around the axis of a part.

Vertical

The vertical machining equipment at BTM that utilizes CNC programs for ultra-precise production include our five vertical machining centers and our three vertical lathes.

Our CNC vertical machining centers offer the usage of 20 tools for a range of cuts and a maximum travel range of  40” on the x-axis, 20” on the y-axis, and 25” on the z-axis.

Our CNC vertical lathes offer the usage of 12 tools for a range of turning applications, a maximum swing of 28”, and a maximum length of 29”.

With mathematically-precise, computer-controlled tooling action, our vertical CNC machining equipment offers comprehensive cutting, slotting, hole-making, and detailing on a wide range of parts.

Horizontal

BTM offers over 40 horizontally-oriented machining options with up to 160 tools within a single twin pallet center.

Our CNC horizontal machining centers are capable of work up to 2000mm (80”) in size and offer a maximum travel to 66.93” along the x-axis, maximum travel to 55.12” along the y-axis, and maximum travel to 60.04” along the z-axis.

Our CNC horizontal lathes offer up to 12 tools per turret with a maximum swing of 28” and a maximum length of 36”. Both 2-axis and 4-axis horizontal lathes are available, as well as two multi-spindle machining centers with live tooling.

Every axis of a part is machinable with our range of computer-controlled equipment. Vertical and horizontal CNC machining centers and lathes get the job done with our experienced engineers and technicians managing equipment and projects.

Contact BTM today at (507) 286-1400 to learn more about our precision machining capabilities, or to request a quote.

Bowman Tool, Inc. of Rochester, MN, is a Tier-1 Supplier Partnering with Customers From the Design Stage All the Way Through Service 

With over 40 years of experience specializing in precision machining, Bowman Tool & Machining, Inc. has established a world class quality management system in support of our Tier 1 services. We have partnered with some of the world's most successful companies to help solve their complex machining and contract manufacturing challenges. By applying rigorous engineering standards along every phase of the process from specifications and prototyping to production and quality control all the way through service, we deliver performance excellence that consistently exceeds customer expectations. We pride ourselves on precision and achieve this by utilizing computer numerical control (CNC) machines. CNC machining isn’t just precise, but it’s also efficient, allowing us to produce high-precision parts on a large scale. Paired with our state-of-the-art facilities, our experience and capabilities offer comprehensive excellence in parts production for our customers from concept through service. With our full tier-1 support system, we can support and supplement customers throughout each stage of the process.

 From start to finish, our full tier-1 support offers an optimal experience for all our customers. Our emphasis on tier-1 client support at all stages of production assures operational efficiency and ideal quality in the finished product.

 Design: During the initial steps of product design and prototyping, our engineers and quality team create strong teamwork with our customer. We take time to understand customer specifications, a part’s function, our production capabilities, and quality expectations. Prototypes are fabricated based on these inputs. Our coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) provide us statistical analysis on prototype features which we feedback to our customers’ design team.

 Precision Machining: With our team of dedicated and highly skilled machinists and engineers, BTM of Rochester, MN, has earned a reputation for precision machining that is second to none. Our engineering-driven process is designed to maximize efficiencies that improve our customers' return on investment.

BTM has invested in state-of-the-art technologies to achieve precision machining in Rochester, MN, including robotic automation and climate-controlled facilities to maintain precise tolerances of even the most complex jobs.

 Assembly: BTM of Rochester, MN, has the square footage, the equipment, and the expertise to meet all your assembly needs—everything from simple sub-assembly to complete turnkey deliverables. We can achieve precision without sacrificing efficiency by utilizing robotic automation. This allows our engineers to program exact specifications into our CNC machines and operate several at once. Thanks to robotic automation, you can count on us to provide tighter quality control, lower costs, and shorter lead times. We are always staying at the forefront of technological advances to provide our customers with better products and a better experience; robotic automation is just the latest in a long line of innovative solutions. 

 Service: The final step in the life cycle of a part is service. As a Tier 1 supplier BTM of Rochester, MN, excels in supporting all customer service needs. 

Our goal at BTM is to provide Tier 1 high-quality precision machining in Rochester, MN, for the entire life cycle of a part. We strive to create the optimal client experience through our full tier-1 support systems every step of the way. For more information about our machining services and capabilities, contact Bowman Tool & Machining, Inc. at (507) 286-1400 today.

Speed and Accuracy a Top Priority at BTM Visit our Facilities tab for our complete Equipment list.... Mazak Nexus 10800 Mazak Nexus 8800 Mazak Nexus 6800 Mazak Nexus 5000

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