Kosmo Machine, Inc.

Types of Industries a Machine Shop Might Make Parts For

March 29, 2017

Machining is the process of producing several types of metal and machine components to create a specific shape or design to fit various industrial uses. Different machine and metal components are used in a wide variety of industries from aerospace and automobile to petroleum refineries and power plants. For this very reason, a machine shop may make metal parts for various industrial processes using advanced production methods.

Advanced machining tools, such as CNC milling and turning machines, are usually employed to create different dimensions to a metal object. In contrast to the manual milling cutting methods in the past, contemporary CNC milling machines consist of multiple rotary cutters to ensure precision and accuracy of cutting metal objects to create specialized parts. The following are some industries that a machine shop might make parts for.

Shipbuilding

The Shipbuilding industry is heavily dependent on a series of metal components and parts for various purposes. For repairing and cleaning ships, rotoblast and tread finishing parts are a big requirement. Different metal components and tools are needed to be made from an alloy that can provide the tensile strength needed, and be easy to clean and be resistant to corrosion. Some of these include shafts, gear blanks, hubs, pintle pins, and other complex parts that needed to be cut according to a precise measure and dimension.

Power Generation

Because power generation is a highly capital intensive industry, the range of metal components through machining is important. Fittings for trailer frames, heat exchanges, and shell plates that consist of tubular shapes need to be cut into a specific size and with holes to enable strong attachments.

More importantly, sophisticated and advanced machining components are required for water, gas and steam, and wind power. In the case of wind power, for example, machining components such as gearbox housings, hears, and rotors are required for optimum performance of wind turbines. As for gas and steam power generation, all manufacturing processes need to be function precisely and comprise of parts and components that can function efficiently under tremendous stress.

Industrial Valves

Valves, such as ball valves, gate valves, and piston valves, are all metal components that require the use of CNC machinery. Codes can be programmed into the CNC machine and be used to make fine cuts according to a particular diameter and weight to support industrial applications. Industrial valves are used in a wide range of industries from oil and gas and food and beverage to pipelines, biopharm, and marine industries.

Electric Motor Components

Machining is also used for serving the automobile industry, especially electric motor components. Metal tools and components such as shafts and gears, as well as other parts, need to be produced cost-effectively and be durable enough for effective conduction of electricity.

There are a number of industries that a machine shop can make parts for. If you would like to request a quote, please click here.

What Skills And Training Does A Machinist Need?

March 16, 2017

The role of a machinist is very important for ensuring all metal components and parts are produced and designed in a manner that conforms to the highest industry quality standards. Also, the machining process has to be managed safely and reliably to avoid the possibility of injuries in the workplace, or damage to the machine tools used for cutting materials and metal components.

These requirements mean that a machinist must be highly skilled and adept in carrying out complex milling and turning tasks. This is especially true with regards to a CNC milling machine, due to the variety of tools and programmable settings that have to be configured to ensure the effective quality of finished parts. Following are the skills and training that a machinist is required to undertake.

Skills and qualification

Our machinists are required to operate a CNC milling machine, they must have an understanding of the software, and be able to program codes to enable specific cutting dimensions for various industrial applications. Being familiar with the technical aspect of the job will ensure the machinist is able to follow technical instructions on the job, understand various blueprints required for individual industrial usages, and be able to follow instructions and make assessments without any difficulties.

Of course, the setup requirements for CNC machines will vary from industry to industry. Nevertheless, a machinist should be adept in the technical aspects of the role, to understand different machining requirements to produce and design specific metal components and parts.

Apart from this, there are no high qualifications required for one to become a machinist. In most cases, a high school diploma is sufficient to meet the educational requirements. The main skills hinge on being proficient in computers and math, an attention to details, problem-solving, and accuracy.

Training

All machinists are obliged to undertake an apprenticeship and on-the-job training. Upon completion of an apprenticeship, you can gain the credentials to operate as a machinist. You can also take examinations from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) and become certified to become a CNC setup programmer.

Furthermore, there are also 2-year degree programs that can be found in some technical colleges. However, an on-the-job training is most preferred for gaining the skills and expertise to work as a machinist. Undergoing this training process can equip you with the practical skills and requirements of producing metal components and tools for different industrial applications, and ground you with real and practical knowledge.

If you would like to learn more about career opportunities at Kosmo Machine, please click here.

New Services at Kosmo Machine

February 23, 2017

The Dry Ice Blasting program is now up and running at our Sandston facility.

This is leading edge technology in the part cleaning business. We now provide integrated on-going cleaning and inspection services 7 days per week. Advantages of the Dry Ice process include:

• No water
• No additional solvents
• No part distortion
• No negative health risks
• Cleaning will not disrupt production
• Less labor intensive
• Grit entrapment is eliminated
• Surfaces are free of residue
• No Hazardous wastes are produced

We are pleased to announce our selection of Cold Jet, LLC. Their MicroClean line brings enhanced performance and extended operation to the revolutionary cleaning system. The shaved ice and feeder technologies deliver a complete precision cleaning. We can now clean small parts thoroughly, even the complex cavities and crevices that other methods cannot reach. It is hard to imagine, but we now clean delicate surfaces faster than traditional cleaning methods – without abrasion or disassembly. Call Kosmo Machine to discuss how this technology can work to improve your product quality and your bottom line.

This video provides a basic overview of this technology:

Environmental Cleaning & Surface Preparation from Cold Jet on Vimeo.