Meet The Team – Colleen

Colleen Oliva

When Colleen Oliva joined Kosmo Machine back in early March 2020, her role and objectives seemed clearly defined. We were thrilled she had started with us and quickly gained a high regard for her professionalism and experience.

Little did we all know that the coming months would take every ounce of Colleen’s experience and skills.

A matter of a few days after her start date … Covid-19 hit and everything we knew was turned on its head!

After 14 years in grocery retail, Colleen’s ability to handle the unexpected was clear from day one. In fact, when we sympathized that she had landed at Kosmo in the middle of a global tsunami, Colleen calmly replied :

“It is an ideal time to start with Kosmo because it allows my experience to come to the forefront right away, and I am secure in my abilities to ensure that our team stays safe, healthy, and knows the Company has their best interests at heart.”

Right away the angst and concern we were all feeling dropped significantly.

As a key part of the US critical infrastructure, Kosmo was fortunate to have a strong year and not lose a single employee through a layoff or furlough. We were much more fortunate than many companies, but the challenges of keeping the lights on and the “chips flying” were still significant. Colleen views the past few years as an amazing learning experience and an opportunity to shine.

Mike Redden, Kosmo’s President, added, “Having Colleen’s hand on the HR helm was a major comfort as we all came to terms with how best to deal with the challenges of Covid. This wasn’t something you could plan for in college or study in an on-line course; and Colleen seemed unfazed and happy to jump into the fray. All of our staff appreciated her calm resolve and can-do approach.”

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Colleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Management. And can be heard proudly extolling “Go Rams” whenever VCU has a sporting event.

Colleen is pursuing her Master’s degree in HR Management at the University of Richmond, with plans to graduate in late 2023/early 2024. We assume her repertoire will expand to “Go Rams and Go Spiders” fairly soon.

An avid runner of marathons and half-marathons, Colleen is very active in her church and leads a Sunday church group, while at the same time being a great parent with her husband, Nick, to their six kids; and still managing to find time to read. Next up on her adventures is either a trip to Ireland or a long-awaited return to her birth state of Alaska.

Located near the Richmond International Airport, Kosmo’s 62,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility in Sandston, Virginia, can handle the entire lifecycle of just about any precision project—from initial concept to large-scale production runs.

Cybersecurity – Kosmo Machine attains Level 2 of CMMC

Kosmo Machine attains Level 2 of CMMC

Sandston, VA – April 18, 2022 … Kosmo Machine Inc. today announced that it has attained Level 2 – Advanced Status – of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a required status of sub-contractors active in Federal government contracting.

CMMC attainment became a topic of discussion and an action item for Kosmo Machine early in the spring of 2017. This flow-down requirement is intended to control and protect unclassified information residing outside of Federal government systems from bad actors. NIST SP-800-171 reflects 110 security controls detailed in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication. Ensuing years brought regulation amendments and extensions of implementation dates – mostly due to the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape and related technology advancements.

For some, these delays could be interpreted as favorable as it has allowed unassessed subcontractors to continue bidding and working on Federal projects. Current estimates for the start of CMMC compliance are Q2 of 2023 and Kosmo Machine welcomes this implementation and accreditation requirement, across the board for all federal government suppliers, to further enhance national security.

Mike Redden, Kosmo Machine’s President said, “The investment for a small business to attain CMMC Level 2 is exorbitant yet essential. The efforts have required significant financial and resource commitments by our small business, but to have Federal suppliers and sub-contractors like Kosmo Machine step up and be counted is essential for the protection of our nation’s information and systems, and the security of the people who protect us.”

Redden added, “It has been a significant learning experience, but more importantly, it was the right thing to do. Now, we look forward to the implementation and progression of the requirements.”

In an extract from the Federal News Network, Jesse Salazar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy said, “CMMC 2.0 will dramatically strengthen the cybersecurity of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB’s). By establishing a more collaborative relationship with industry, these updates will support businesses in adopting the practices they need to thwart cyber threats while minimizing barriers to compliance with DoD requirements.”

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. is a contract manufacturer of precision machine components and a specialized service provider to the energy, aerospace, defense, and advanced fibers industries.

The company relocated in 2013 to a 62,500 sqft. climate-controlled facility near Richmond International Airport. Since the move, the company has invested in excess of $7M towards equipment, technology, and staff development to remain at the forefront of precision manufacturing trends and best practices.

Kosmo Machine continues to maintain continuity with all federal or commercial contract requirements while safeguarding our nations assets.
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For additional information contact:
Mike Redden – mikeredden@kosmomachine.com – (804) 326-6819

Meet The Team – Brett

Brett

Kosmo Machine welcomes Brett Cherefko as its new Certified Weld Inspector (CWI).

With over three decades of welding experience in SMAW, GTAW, and FCAW disciplines, Brett has 19 years of CWI experience and is a member of the American Welding Society.

When asked why he decided to join Kosmo, Brett was his usual forthright self, saying :

The first time I visited Kosmo Machine I quickly realized they had something unique to offer. I was very impressed by the quality evident in the shop, the wide range of highly specialized equipment and the skills, ability, and attention to detail demonstrated by the employees.

Kosmo’s Heath Stewart, VP of Operations added :

We developed the Certified Weld Inspector position to take our welding department from first-class to world-class. CWI’s must undergo specialized training and certification, helping them understand the nuances of compliance within the code, and Brett was the perfect person to bring in to Kosmo. He has the training and the certification, coupled with extensive hands-on experience.

Asked a month or so after he’d started whether his initial impressions were correct, Brett added :

Absolutely! All my initial impressions, combined with our ISO 9001:2015 quality program means Kosmo has what it takes to make it right – the first time. Additionally, unlike many other machine shops, Kosmo has a welding division staffed with very talented welders. I knew this was a company I wanted to work for and where I could utilize my skills and experience as a CWI to produce superior products unmatched in the industry. It’s always good when perception aligns with reality.”

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. has operated as a Virginia-based business devoted to quality production and superior customer service. Now their full-service precision machine shop specializes in CNC milling and turning, EDM machining, custom welding processes and critical component reconditioning.

Mike Redden, Kosmo Machine’s President has helped build a company where a reputation for quality and excellence goes hand-in-hand with a focus on staff and career development. Mike proudly stated:

At Kosmo, our well-trained personnel and modern technologies can turn the most challenging designs into reality. This has been made possible by continued investments in the latest technologies and recruiting top talent like Brett and his colleagues. Our history of 99.9% customer acceptance rates and our attention to even the smallest of detail has allowed us to build our business and attract motivated individuals who take pride and a personal responsibility for each job.

We’ll wrap this up by asking Brett his thoughts on some of the challenges facing the industry:

In my experience the industry has evolved over the years to the extent that welding has become an engineered science as well as an art. That transition coupled with requirements for close dimensional tolerances is creating challenges for many welding shops. Kosmo meets these challenges with its powerhouse of machining ability and superior skills, experience, and patience among the machinists and welders. This allows Kosmo to consistently produce technically unique components that other shops cannot.

Located near the Richmond International Airport, Kosmo’s 62,000-square-foot, climate-controlled facility in Sandston, Virginia, can handle the entire lifecycle of just about any precision project—from initial concept to large-scale production runs.

Reconditioning even the most fragile and sensitive parts

Kosmo-BA

At Kosmo Machine, our job doesn’t end with manufacturing. We also offer a range of reconditioning services for worn, out of specification, or damaged parts, with fast turnaround. Our process offers several cleaning options, including some of the latest in green technologies. Once our work is complete, we inspect critical dimensions and features to ensure that the parts continually meet your specifications.

Dry ice blasting uses pressurized dry ice (the solid form of carbon dioxide) to remove dirt, contaminants, and other foreign object debris from industrial parts and equipment. It’s safe to use on electrical components and faster than conventional cleaning methods. Dry ice blasting is eco-friendly—it uses no water or solvents and produces no hazardous wastes—and is a popular choice for those in the food processing and pharmaceutical industries, as well as many others.

Other services offered by Kosmo include soda blasting, a very mild form of abrasive blasting that uses sodium bicarbonate, and wet blasting, which uses water and a very fine abrasive.

Complete weld overlay, remachining and testing are an option in certain cases. This process often saves customers considerable expense vs. buying new.

Once our work is completed, we inspect critical dimensions and features to ensure that the parts continually meet your specifications.

Call: (804) 326-6819 or email Sales@KosmoMachine.com

New Horizontal Machining Center

Mazak 8800 Install

Kosmo Machine Inc. is pleased to announce the recent purchase of a new Mazak HCN8800 Horizontal Machining Center.

This capital investment represents the latest machining technology utilizing patented Smooth G software which eliminates distortion of surface geometry commonly found during high speed contouring. Specifications include: four work pallets (tables), 120 tool magazine, 50hp spindle and can accommodate work pieces weighing up to 4,400lbs.

If you have an upcoming project you’d like to discuss, or would like to see the machine in action, please give Kosmo a call or schedule a visit to our facility.

Click below to view the installation of our new Mazak HCN 8800.

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. is a full-service precision machine shop specializing in CNC milling and turning, EDM machining and custom welding processes. Kosmo’s quality management system is certified for ISO 9001:2015, AS9100 REV-D (Aviation, Space and Defense), and Naval Level-1 SUBSAFE inspections. The employee owned company is devoted to quality production and superior customer service. Kosmo is located at 500 Trampton Rd, Sandston, Va. 23150. For more information or to request a quote, please call us at (804) 326-6819 or toll-free at (877) 798-1383.

Kosmo Hosts Lunch and Learn Seminar on 3D Printing

3D printed pieces

On April 9th, Kosmo Machine held a Lunch and Learn Seminar on “The Shape of Things: 3D Printing in Manufacturing” for customers and others interested in learning more about the advanced technology. The event drew over 50 individuals from a variety of manufacturing industries.

“We had recently purchased our first 3D printer, and thought an educational seminar was a good opportunity to help customers learn more about what’s happening in the industry,” said CFO Bill Wheeler, noting that Kosmo purchased the Markforged Mark Two 3D Printer in September 2018.

Seminar speakersAt the seminar, Melissa Ragsdale, CEO for 3DOLOGiE, an Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based consultant who specializes in 3D hardware solutions, spoke about the challenges, risks and solutions of 3D printing, which is also known as additive manufacturing. Both terms refer to the process of building parts by joining material layer by layer from a CAD file. Lishan Mu, an application engineer with Markforged, also took part in the seminar.

Participants watched demonstrations of the Mark Two desktop as well as the Markforged X7 industrial printer and had the opportunity to examine sample parts manufactured on these printers from carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass.

Also on display were 17/4 PH stainless steel products created on the new Markforged Metal X. According to Ragsdale, seven other materials, including titanium and aluminum, will soon be available for printing through the system.

“In the past, materials have been a limiting factor, but that’s definitely a changing landscape. We’re seeing more materials available on the marketplace and that’s why this is a great time for manufacturers to utilize 3D printers,” said Ragsdale.

Melissa Ragsdale speakingShe noted there are some misconceptions about 3D printers, such as the idea that they can create only one object at a time. Some systems can print several parts simultaneously, including “functional assemblies, which are made up of multiple components designed to work together,” she said.

Another myth is that the printers can only be used to create prototypes. To help participants see other possibilities, she gave what she termed a “factory floor walk.” “I tried to show all the areas where a 3D printer can be used in a typical facility,” she said. For instance, the printers can be used to redesign and manufacture of parts and end use components and for quality checks.

The seminar concluded with a question and answer session, where participants could ask questions about using 3D printing for their specific manufacturing needs.

“I think the participants learned something and walked away with some good information,” said Wheeler. He felt the in-person, hands-on approach was helpful to the group. “We had attended two webinars [by other 3D printing companies] and found them to be very confusing. They gave very few answers,” he said.

Lishan Mu demonstratingThen, he met with Ragsdale in person. “When she came to talk to us, she was able to show us how 3D printing could help our business, and she provided some clear examples. She had samples with her, and it made sense.”

Kosmo has already manufactured some parts on its new printer for customers. While the printers are slow—it can take 24-48 hours to print a part—“if you program it properly, you can just walk away from it and let it print overnight. You don’t have to tie up any workers to watch it,” he said. “From a dollar standpoint, we spent less money on the material and obviously less money on labor”—ultimately leading to greater savings for customers.

The company plans to offer more Lunch and Learn events in the future. “We will be bringing in experts to address topics that affect manufacturing, from an advanced technology standpoint,” he added.

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. is a Sandston, Virginia-based, employee-owned business devoted to quality production and superior customer service. The full-service precision machine shop specializes in CNC milling and turning, EDM machining, and custom welding processes. Quality certifications include ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D. The company’s 99.9% customer acceptance rate, and historically maintained 95% on-time delivery rate are well respected in the industry.

FREE Lunch and Learn Seminar

3D-printed parts
FREE Lunch and Learn Seminar:
The Shape of Things-3D Printing in Manufacturing
April 9th, 2019
9:30 AM-11:30 AM EDT

 

The use of Additive Manufacturing  or 3D Printing is changing development and manufacturing processes, accelerating time-to-market and increasing production agility of virtually every industry – automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial products, consumer products, education, jewelry and more. 
 
Join Kosmo Machine for this in-person seminar as we discuss the current state of AM, along with the challenges, risks, and opportunities in the manufacturing space. We will focus on advanced manufacturing technologies, tools and practices that optimize development and production. By attending the 3D Printing in Manufacturing Seminar, you will join manufacturers throughout the region as they explore innovative solutions, network with peers and find out what’s new to help plan and execute your additive manufacturing strategy.
 

Speakers:
Melissa Ragsdale, CEO, 3DOLOGie
Lishan Mu, Application Engineer, Markforged
 
Location
Kosmo Machine
500 Trampton Road
Sandston, VA 23150
 
Seating is limited, so please click here to RSVP

5-Axis Offers Complex Machining, Cost and Time Savings

earth globe in metal

“Just took my boss and co-worker out to see them and there was a crowd of engineers looking at them. Very nice parts!”
“Not only did the components look great but they also fit together with no issues. Great job to you and your team.”

Mike Redden, Kosmo Machine’s Vice-President of Manufacturing, likes to receive emails like these, in this case from an aerospace client whose parts were completed on Kosmo’s 5-axis machine. “It was a very complex job—airframe components. Successful execution requires a culmination of having the proper equipment, software and most importantly, human talent,” says Redden. “It’s nice when final assembly proves out form, fit and function.”


The 5-axis Mazak 630-5X II T is one of the gems of the Richmond company’s multi-axis work centers. While traditional CNC milling machines operate on the X, Y and Z linear axes, the Mazak can also rotate on A and C axes—leading to endless design possibilities.

“Investing in complex machining can provide big advantages for our customers. While not every job requires true 5-axis construction, it’s perfect for jobs that require more complicated geometries, difficult tolerances, and tighter time constraints,” says Pat Smook, Vice-President of Sales.

Some of the machine’s benefits include:

Increased Complexity. Simultaneous 5-axis technology makes it possible to create highly complicated shapes—ideal for aerospace components and prismatic parts in nearly every material. The machine’s rigid, built-in tables can tilt up to 150° on the A-axis and rotate up to 360° on the C-axis. The machine also comes equipped with 120 tool magazines for milling and drilling operations, along with a turning capability that can create cylindrical parts up to 22” in diameter.

Outstanding Precision. The all-in-one process creates products with far superior dimensions to those achieved through more conventional means. Higher part accuracy is achieved because the workpiece does not have to move across multiple workstations. In addition, the machine continuously minimizes distortion by supplying chilled liquid directly to the 18,000 RPM spindle and precision ball screws.

Superior Product Finish. The machine’s rotational capabilities can bring parts closer to the cutting tools. This means shorter cutting tools can be used, at higher cutting speeds, but with fewer vibrations. The steadier motion allows for an exceptional surface finish and overall better part quality.

Simplified communication. Engineering model transfers are easily accommodated. Plans are imported directly from customers, usually in their native format–minimizing the risk for translation interruptions.

Improved Productivity. A 2-pallet changing system keeps the machine continually in operation, leading to faster production of parts. As Smook puts it, “The spindle is always in the work piece, making money.”

Speedier Delivery. A typical work order contains several different operations, with each one requiring individual queue times and setups. With the ability to machine four or five different operations at once, scheduling is simplified and required production time is greatly reduced.

Redden likes helping customers overcome challenges through machines like the Mazak 630-5X II T. “We enjoy building mutually beneficial relations with our customers by turning their ideas into reality.”

If you would like to see the Mazak create a complex workpiece, please watch our video.

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. is a full-service precision machine shop specializing in CNC milling and turning, EDM machining and custom welding processes. Kosmo’s quality management system meets ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D standards. The family-run business is devoted to quality production and superior customer service. Kosmo is located at 500 Trampton Rd, Sandston, Va. 23150. For more information or to request a quote, please call us at (804) 326-6819 or toll-free at (877) 798-1383, or visit our website, KosmoMachine.com.

 

Did you see the news?

Kosmo Machine was recently featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Here’s a link to the article, click here.

What is Dry-ice Blasting?

dry-ice blasting
Also referred to as ice blasting, dry-ice blasting is a highly efficient method of using pressurized dry ice for cleaning appliances and equipments in industrial areas and environments. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide, and at extremely low temperatures, it is directed at industrial surfaces to remove dirt, contaminants, and other substances that can affect the quality of equipment and tools.

The cleaning solution is used in various industrial applications including food processing, shipbuilding, electric motor companies, oil mining, power generation, and chemical plants. This post details how dry-ice blasting can serve as an efficient form of maintenance and provide unique benefits in comparison with conventional blasting methods.

How Dry-ice blasting works

The mechanism for using dry-ice blasting is of two types: pellet system and shaved ice block. Both differ in ice density and each can provide unique advantages for specific kinds of equipments and surfaces. The ice block method produces a more delicate dry ice and requires less maintenance. It can be used in various ice block weights and sizes depending on commercial requirements and can be particularly easy to install and use.

A solid pellet system, on the other hand, offers higher dry ice density and pressure that can provide a more effective and robust method of cleaning. However, it requires greater care and maintenance. There are also solid pellet dry ice systems that are capable of directing dry ice at both low and high pressures.

The pellet system works by utilizing kinetic energy from the pellet, as well as the kinetic energy and shock effect from the transfer of heat in the system.

Benefits over other blasting methods

There are many other blasting methods that companies can use, such as plastic bread blasting and sand blasting. However, the dry-ice blasting system has unique benefits over these methods. These are as follows.
Non-abrasive
Abrasive cleaning methods use a machine to propel abrasive material against a surface at high pressures to remove contaminants and dirt through friction. However, abrasive materials tend to lead to health and safety risks for workers especially if they are very close to the surface. Dry-ice blasting, in contrast, is non-abrasive, which means that hazards are avoided and eliminated.
Free from grit media and solvents
Dry-ice blasting is also environmentally friendly as it is does not contain any secondary ingredients that can harm the environment such as solvents and grit media. This ensures all maintenance is achieved by considering the ecological and environmental impact of the blasting method.
Safe to use on electrical equipments
When used on electrical and mechanical parts, conventional blasting methods can lead to risks of electrical fires and damage mainly because the main substance being emitted is conductive. Dry ice, in comparison, is carbon dioxide, which does not conduct electricity or lead to the risk of starting electrical fires.

For more information on how dry-ice blasting can work for your industrial cleaning requirements, please contact us today.

New EDM Machines Offer Improved Precision, Greater Flexibility

New EDM Machines
Kosmo Machine recently purchased state-of-the-art wire and sinker Electrical Discharge Machines. “We’re really excited about these two new EDMs,” says Pat Smook, the company’s Vice-President of Sales. “They’re allowing us to complete even more complicated designs for our clients while at the same time offering unprecedented precision and repeatability.” The machines can be used to cut plate profiles and are popular in the tool and die industry.

The Fanuc Robocut x-C600iB Wire EDM is surrounded by a large tank, which rapidly fills with water. As a positively charged copper wire burns through a workpiece made of conductive metal, white sparks illuminate the area. Tiny bubbles of water carry away the microscopic shavings.

“The Fanuc offers positional accuracy of about 1/10,000 of an inch—about 1/30 the thickness of a single piece of hair,” he says. The six-axis machine offers great flexibility. “We can make a slot opening that expands in the piece and turns into a round hole. Or we can make a hole that is round on one side and square on the other. We can also do tapering.”

 

VIDEO// Fanuc Robocut x-C600iB Wire EDM in Action

 

Nearby, the new Mitsubishi Electric EA12S Advance Sinker EDM uses graphite or tungsten-copper alloy electrodes. These custom-made shapes are introduced to a positive electrical current. As the electrode approaches the workpiece, the tank is elevated and automatically fills with dielectric fluid.

Power settings are managed utilizing the patented “Fuzzy-Logic” system, which allows for automatic monitoring of conductivity and electrode gap distance. “This combination creates the ultimate control in dimensional stability while minimizing electrode wear,” says Smook.

The moving column sinker designer provides standard X, Y and Z-axes to 5 micron accuracy. To meet even more stringent requirements, Kosmo added a C-axis rotation. “With this rotation option, we can easily burn curved holes or what some call `port hole’ machining,” he says.

As an example of this, he points to an electrode on a table nearby. The piece has an unusual passageway—a hole that starts on top, goes straight down, then turns a corner and comes out the side.

The machine’s new Orbit-Pro System also assures more consistent side wall and bottom finishes and minimizes electrode usage—which translates to lower costs for the customer.

 

VIDEO// Mitisubishi Electric EA 12S Advanced Sinker EDM in Action

 

Both machines are noted for their ability to bore through extremely hard materials. They are used to create carbide wear parts as well as those made of titanium, tool steel, nickel alloys and tungsten—anything that’s electrically conductive.

“They may cost 10 times more than other parts, but they will last 50 times longer,” he says.

Kosmo’s aerospace, shipbuilding and advanced fiber clients appreciate the durability—and ultimately, the cost savings—of the EDM parts. “You don’t want to spend time shutting down the machine to keep changing that part that wears the most. It’s not just the cost of the part, it’s the assembly time,” he explains.

Guided by Computer Aided Engineering—using nano interpolation to compute position commands in nanometers—the EDMs are also valued for their precision and superior levels of tolerance; that is, their ability to duplicate parts within a slim margin of error. The wire EDM, for instance, can replicate parts to within one-ten thousandth of an inch, says Smook. “That is mind-bogglingly close tolerance.”

Cutting conditions are constantly monitored and cutting speeds are automatically increased using the Fanuc’s Flexible Discharge Pulse Control. “Many of our customers appreciate how small feature accuracy is improved through this feature, leading to more accurate geometry and straighter walls,” he says.

The model creates workpieces with improved corner accuracy and smoother transitions. “The age-old challenge of `approach control’ has been engineered to the point that entrance and exit witness marks are dramatically reduced,” he says.

Once the workpieces are completed on the EDM machines, they undergo a video inspection and are certified by Kosmo’s quality management system, which meets ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D standards. The system covers all the manufacturing work centers in the plant.

“We can inspect everything we make,” says Smook. “A lot of shops can make parts, but they can’t inspect them.”

With the controls in place, “our customers hardly ever see a product that is out of specification. We take great pride in our acceptance rate over 99.9%. Together with an on-time delivery rate of over 94%, those are the best measurements of how well our system works.”

If you would like to learn more about the new features of these machines, and see them in action, please watch our videos.

Established in 1976, Kosmo Machine Inc. is a full-service precision machine shop specializing in CNC milling and turning, EDM machining and custom welding processes. Kosmo’s quality management system meets ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D standards. The family-run business is devoted to quality production and superior customer service. Kosmo is located at 500 Trampton Rd, Sandston, Va. 23150. For more information or to request a quote, please call us at (804) 326-6819 or toll-free at (877) 798-1383, or visit our website, KosmoMachine.com.

 

Did you see the news?
Kosmo Machine was recently featured in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Here is a link to the article, click here.