July 2021 - Cass Precision Machining

Industrial Rapid Prototyping With CNCs

Companies need to develop and introduce new products faster to remain competitive in this fast-moving modern-day consumer market. Since faster product development and technology innovation are key to a company’s success, rapid prototyping becomes the most important element of new product development.

Industrial rapid prototyping bridges the gap between concept design and manufacturing for production. The prototyping process is also an opportunity for company engineers to build physical parts that can be used to test functionality in equipment, failure rates and manage production costs prior to full-scale manufacturing. By detecting problems in the preliminary stage, companies save time and money and create confidence that they are not releasing substandard products to customers.

The Benefits of Using CNC Machining for Industrial Prototypes

The first thing most people think of when they hear the term “CNC machining” is large-scale manufacturing. It might surprise some people to learn how effective CNC machining is in creating prototypes. When developing prototypes in the manufacturing world, many different processes are available, but CNC machining can be one of the best.

CNC machines are ideal for prototyping because the design of the CNC machine itself includes three key elements for prototyping:

1. Speed

The maximum feed and rapid rates can exceed 2,300 inches per minute (ipm), faster than three feet per second.

2. Accuracy

CNCs can hold very tight tolerances (.0001 +/-tolerance)

3. Flexibility

Almost any material can be used in a CNC machine depending on the application (aluminum, brass, copper, steel, titanium, and plastics)

CNCs also have another big benefit in prototyping which is repeatability. CNCs can repeat all process steps over and over, from part to part, and can be programmed to make slight variations in prototype parts for testing and evaluation.

How Cass Precision Machining is Leveraging CNCs for Rapid Prototyping

Cass started its C-RPM business unit in late 2020 to help customers achieve the following objectives:

Faster new product development—prototyping is crucial in the process of creating successful products because it speeds up the product development process
Early-stage design and concept validation of form, fit, and function of the design
Final stage product verification against the technical requirement and business objective
Allows for functionality testing to test the goals of the concept and to finalize specifications
Prototypes give the client, customer, end-user hands-on user experience to get and give feedback

Cass’s expertise in turn parts and CNC machining created the right combination to position Cass for success in prototyping. In fact, the CNC mill is one of the most common tools to see in a prototyping lab, and Cass added both a mill and a lathe to its prototyping cell. These CNC mills are reliable and flexible machines allowing for complex features, like threaded holes, deep pockets, and 3D surfaces.

Today, Cass partners with its customers to help shape the initial prototypes into design-for-manufacturing parts so the finished parts can easily transition from concept to full production. Cass welcomes current and potential customers to see the process and the capabilities of the CNCs in industrial rapid prototyping.

Cass Insider July 20, 2021 Protoyping

Cass Has Machining Job Openings–Operators and Machinists Wanted

Are you feeling underappreciated and under-stimulated at your current job? Were your hours cut, or did you lose pay because of the pandemic? If so, we have good news for you, as Cass Precision Machining has machining job openings, with both operators and machinists wanted. Cass can be the great change in careers you’re looking for–offering premium shifts with full-time and part-time positions!

The following are the most important attributes people look for in any workplace:

That the job is stimulating and challenging
The ability to learn new things and develop your skillset
That you’re able to achieve measurable results
That as an employee, you feel valued and a core part of the team
That you have opportunities to grow and progress within the company
That you are a part of a positive culture where contributions are appreciated

At Cass Precision Machining, we can confidently and proudly say that we knock all six of those attributes out of the ballpark. Lester E. Cass started Cass Precision Machining in 1945 as a family business, and to this day, our staff remains one big family. The leaders at Cass know that our machining tools would be useless without the people who run them. We believe in investing heavily in our staff and treating them like family, which results in low turnover, longevity, and high productivity. We are thrilled to employ workers who take pride in our company, who are invested in the products they are making and in who they are making them for.

We don’t lose sight of the big picture at Cass—our first mission is to provide good livelihoods to our employees and their families.

Currently, at Cass Precision Machining, we have machining job openings for precision machinists and operators of CNC, Swiss, lathes, mills, multi-spindle machines, and grinders for second shifts, full-time (4×10 shifts).

We know that COVID-19 and the pandemic pushed many people out of work and made many people reconsider where they wanted their future employment to be. Cass Precision Machining provides competitive pay with great beneﬁts and a culture of training, development, and advancement opportunities. We are fast-paced and fun. We have a great family culture.

Benefits of Working at Cass

Market-competitive pay
Competitive premiums for health insurance
FREE dental insurance
401k contribution of 3%
Free prescription safety glasses
Partial work boot reimbursement
Referral bonuses
Company-paid life insurance
$100 refund for annual physical
Accrue two weeks of paid time off (PTO), earning more as years of service increase
Eligible for an all-employee year-end bonus
Military Leave Policy
Bereavement Leave Policy
Tuition Reimbursement

If you’re looking for a place to work that values you as a person first and foremost and that offers you control of your work-advancement destiny, Cass might be the place for you. Working at Cass isn’t just a job; it’s a career.

Please check out our careers page to see what positions we currently have open.

Cass Insider July 15, 2021 News & Updates

Understanding Industrial Manufacturing | Cass Precision Machining

The industrial manufacturing industry is responsible for the fabrication of products intended for industrial use from raw materials. When asking the question, “what is industrial manufacturing?” one has to look at the output itself (the products produced) which ranges from large machinery like bulldozers and cranes to smaller products such as wheelchairs and circuit boards. No matter what type of machinery is used, industrial manufacturing is crucial in producing many of the goods and services vital to any economy in a cost-efficient and timely manner.

Equipment Segments Produced

Equipment used in industrial manufacturing can be grouped into seven different segments. Agricultural, construction, and mining machinery; industrial machinery; commercial and service machinery are all special-purpose machinery designed for a specific industry. The four other segments include machinery used by all sectors: ventilation, heating and cooling equipment, metalworking equipment, engine-related equipment, and other general-purpose machinery.

How do companies separate themselves when it comes to industrial manufacturing? In one word: efficiency. The more efficiently a company can produce a product, the more products it can make at a lower cost, which results in higher profit margins. A major trend in this industry is using increasingly high-tech production techniques. Firms are introducing more technology in response to pressure from both domestic and foreign competitors. Robotics, computers, and programmable equipment are common, resulting in increased productivity with more efficiency and a decreased need for labor.

What’s the Difference Between Industrial Manufacturing and Custom Manufacturing?

The manufacturing industry is made up of two core branches—industrial and custom manufacturing. While there are some similarities between the two, each one has its different processes and priorities. As a result, the role their ERP (enterprise resource planning) platforms play within the organizations is naturally different.

In industrial manufacturing, products are configured to order. Customers can order a stock product, and while they have the flexibility to alter certain features of the order, they are still limited to a catalog of pre-designed products. In custom manufacturing, unique products are designed or engineered to order. Custom manufacturers place a premium on ERP systems that bring flexibility and agility. Industrial manufacturers, on the other hand, covet operational efficiency. Unlike in custom manufacturing, where every product is different, industrial manufacturers benefit from predictability and repetition throughout the process.

Pandemic Recovery

Like nearly every walk of life, industrial manufacturing was severely impacted by COVID-19. The pandemic posed sudden and drastic challenges as demand for products fell while others increased, and geopolitical trade conditions severely disrupted access to markets, distribution channels, and suppliers. The speed of recovery for industrial manufacturing is highly dependent on the rate of recovery for supply and demand. While customer orders soared for many companies the backlog of material availability has continued and costs have risen.

Companies in this industry will need to utilize key market data to inform long-term strategic decisions based on shifts in demand and their own downstream impacts. Creativity, collaboration and communication will be key to the success of many industrial manufactures.

Do you want to learn more about how Cass can help with your industrial manufacturing needs? Check out our full list of capabilities here, and our list of industries served here.

Cass Insider July 8, 2021 Manifacture, News & Updates, Technology