September proved to be one of the busier months with the remaining plastics departments moving from the old PMP building to the facility. Mold maintenance, CNC, and quality moved in the middle of the month, followed by the tool room and plastic injection molders.

With the help of Checkmate Industries, the plastic injection molders were moved swiftly to the new facility in just three days. Molders were then reconnected and calibrated to keep up with production schedules and to prepare for Boeing’s BAC5231 recertification.

Due to delays with a demolition permit, demo day was pushed back from early to mid-November but that didn’t slow Dickson Company from tearing down our old plastics building in less than a week. The final wall came down, marking the end of an era and the start of phase 2 construction with Washington Patriot Construction.

Construction began early December with site grading in preparation for footing and stem wall excavation, and footing forms installation.

Upcoming construction activities include concrete footing placement with 100+ yards of concrete being poured starting Dec. 13^th, stem wall form and rebar installation, underground plumbing and electrical installation, and slab on grade in early January.

Substantial completion of the Tool Gauge expansion project is scheduled for May 11, 2020 with an open house scheduled in June.

When completed, Phase 2 of the expansion project will include an industry leading paint line, QA lab, training and lunchroom area, employee lockers and restrooms, offices and facility lobby. Other important expansion details include:

• •An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• •Expansion of our plastics press size range
• •Broadened secondary operations, improving flow and ergonomic assembly
• •Installation of a state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• •New research and development center
• •Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)
• •An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC machines and equipment within our metals division

If you’ve been keeping up with our social media outlets and blog posts, you may have noticed we’ve already started taking action on expanding our plastic presses and evaluating new technology for the factory floor.

We’ve received one of our five new plastic injection molders, a bright green Engel 1250 equipped with a Viper 50 robot. Once up and running, this machine will be molding interior parts for Boeing’s 777x and 737 aircrafts. In the next coming week, we will be receiving four additional Engel 85-340 ton molders for the plastics factory floor.

Management and engineering teams have also evaluated new types cobots for the plastics division, including an autonomous mobile robot (amr) from Mobile Industrial Robots (Mir). Olympus Controls visited Tool Gauge in late November to demonstrate their MiR500, which is a prime candidate to autonomously transport material and finished goods from various departments in the new facility. Both teams will continue to evaluate MiR as they review proof of concepts and ROI before purchasing a model. Click here for more information on our automation strategy with MiR robots.

We invite you to follow along with the last leg of our expansion journey by watching our 24 hour Workzone Cam and on our social media handles.

The post Facility Expansion Update – Winter 2019 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

What has been your favorite course so far with AJAC?
We don’t really have courses other than stem 3, but my favorite part about that class is working on the lathe. I have a lathe at home and having that knowledge of knowing the basics really comes in handy in class. It makes me feel good knowing that I have knowledge on a machine that helps me be more efficient.

Have you been applying what you’ve learned in AJAC classes to work at Tool Gauge?
I apply a lot of the basics that I’ve learned in class at work, such as measuring with precision tools and deciphering of drawings. What I haven’t applied at work is using manual machines. I’ve used manual machines a few times but I’d rather learn on CNC machines at school.

You’re the first automation apprentice at Tool Gauge, what are you most looking forward to learning and working with?
I would like to learn how to setup and program the robotic arm on the lathes. Its complexity and usefulness are something that will ecentually be used more in the future. I’d like to get a head start and know how to use and monitor one.

How has your apprenticeship been so far through AJAC and at Tool Gauge?
My time in the AJAC program has been great. Fortunately, I like a physical job versus being on a computer all day. I’d recommend the program to other if they’re willing to work hard and be consistent.

Tool Gauge has been good so far. It’s a physical job which I like, but in a relaxed environment. I’ve learned a lot so far: the importance of being on time, every person in this organization is a vital part in the grand scheme of things, and vital machine information both in running and maintaining.

What are some of your goals/plans after your complete this apprenticeship?
My goals after completing the apprenticeship now are open ended, I don’t really have a concrete goal or idea of what I want to do. But working in cnc has expanded my knowledge of what I like in the job and what I don’t.

The post Meet Tool Gauge Apprentice, Gavin Robinson appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • Roof flashings and gutters
• • Injection molder rack rough-in
• • Exterior Paint
• • Dock leveler install
• • Storefront installation
• • Bridge crane installation
• • Equipment relocation and startup
• • Asphalt prep and pave for employee and customer parking
• • Irrigation installation systems
• • Site furnishings installation

 


Projected finish date of Phase 1 construction for early September with Phase 2 right around the corner. Phase 2 of the expansion project includes demolition of our current plastics facility to build out our paint room, QA lab, training and lunchroom, employee lockers and restrooms, offices and facility entrance/lobby.

Construction is estimated to be completed late 2019 and will feature a customer lobby with the history of Tool Gauge in a storyboard format, two conference rooms, six offices, 14 work spaces, employee locker area, lunchroom and training area. Other important expansion details include:
 

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once the expansion project is completed, we expect to create over 100 new jobs spanning over the next five years within the Tacoma-Pierce County region. The grant from Governor Inslee’s Strategic Reserve Fund will assist in the training of new employees and advance the skills of 50 incumbent employees. Employee opportunities are on our career page and will include full-time, apprenticeship and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly and engineering areas.

To follow the Tool Gauge expansion project progress, visit out live WorkZone Cam or on our social media channels.

The post Facility Expansion Update – Summer 2019 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

AIX is an annual event showcasing cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment, connectivity, passenger experience, and passenger services and will draw more than 16,000 industry attendees from 103 countries, 1,000 airline buyers representing 268 carriers, and featuring more than 550 exhibitors. Senior buyers, CEOs, fleet managers and other decision makers will be onsite to inform attendees about the latest aerospace products and services, from cockpit doors, galleys and lighting to fasteners, overhead storage, and seating.

If you’re attending the expo, please stop by and visit the Tool Gauge booth to discuss your plastic and metal assembly needs. To schedule an appointment in advance, please email Jim Lee, General Manager, or call +1.253.473.2740.

We look forward to speaking with you!

The post See You Soon at AIX 2019 in Hamburg, Germany! appeared first on Tool Gauge.

Originally from Utah, Steven and his family moved to Sammamish, Wash., at a very young age. He attended Western Washington University, majoring in Manufacturing Engineering.

“I pretty much got hired as soon as I graduated at Tool Gauge,” said Steven. “This is my first career job. I’ve done internships at other plastics companies through summers in college, but this is my first real job.”

Starting his career in June of 2018, some of Steven’s daily tasks and projects as an ME includes supporting production and making sure it all runs smoothly.

“If there is a problem that arises that inhibits assembly or manufacturing of some item, we tackle that problem and see how to fix it,” says Steven. “Usually, it’s about designing fixtures. If we need to drill holes in something, we’ll have to design a fixture that goes into a drill press to get accurate hole placement every time.”

Some of Steven’s projects include decorative ceiling panels for the new Boeing 777x and decorative plastic pieces that are placed around the storage bins of airplanes. But his favorite project to date that he’s worked on are edge supports manufactured for Zodiac Aerospace.

“There is one long edge support part that can be cut down in to four other part numbers,” stated Steven. “That was fun for me because it was the first project that I tackled from start to finish, where I felt confident in how to approach the situation and was able to build my own fixture for production use that can accurately cut down those parts to length. We still use it and it was a really cool experience.”

Tool Gauge is in the midst of expanding their plastics division to an 80,000 sq. ft. facility. When asked about the expansion and what he hopes to work on in the new facility, he answered pretty quickly with robotics.

“We’re expected to get some assembly robots in,” says Steven. “I haven’t got to touch that [sprue pickers] yet but I’d really like to be involved with the new robots.”

As a new engineer himself, his main goals are keep improving and learning every day. For aspiring engineers, his main advice is to do things the correct way.

“Always do things the correct way, don’t take short cuts. You could risk creating bigger problems for yourself.”

The post Interview with Steven Ouzts, Manufacturing Engineer appeared first on Tool Gauge.

• • An additional 80,000 sq. ft. in our plastics division
• • Expansion of our plastics press size range
• • Broadening of our secondary operations to improve flow and ergonomic assembly
• • Installation of a new, state-of-the-art vertical paint system
• • An additional 2,000 sq. ft. for CNC equipment within our metals division
• • Implementation of multiple collaborative robots (cobots)

Once our new facility is complete, we expect to create between 100 and 150 new jobs over the next five years for the Tacoma-Pierce County region. We will grow from 135 employees currently to approximately 235 by 2024, adding full-time, apprenticeship, and internship positions in machining, molding, assembly, and engineering.

Just like many businesses going through such an extensive company expansion, we have learned a few lessons along the way, including:

• • We visited other local peer aerospace companies to verify best practices.
• • We found out that plans take longer than projected.
• • We learned to not delay – we need to hire now for the future.
• • We need to continuously think automation and LEAN practices.
• • We created new benefits package to attract new talent.
• • We implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring safety, quality, delivery, cost, and training – measure, report, share in Plastics and Metals Operations, Tool Maintenance, and Secondary Operations.
• • We immediately integrated change into our evolving culture.

Estimated expansion timeline

• • June 2019: Phase 1 of construction complete
• • Late 2019: Phase 2 of construction complete
• • Fall 2019: Inauguration of new manufacturing facility

Follow live expansion updates

We invite you to follow our construction progress on our live workzone cam at https://bit.ly/2NpvscM.

To discuss your plastic and metal assembly manufacturing needs, please email our General Manager Jim Lee.

The post Facility expansion update – Fall 2018 appeared first on Tool Gauge.

I just finished my third year of mechanical engineering at Principia College in Elsah, IL as part of a dual degree program with the University of North Dakota (ABET mechanical engineering degree).

What attracted you about interning at Tool Gauge this summer?

Before this summer, I did not have any insight on what it would be like to work in an aerospace supplier. For my final year at university, I am choosing between three concentrations within my mechanical major – manufacturing, design, and aviation. When I found out about Tool Gauge, it seemed like a good match where I could learn more about the manufacturing industry. Also, I had a connection to Tool Gauge who seemed to have a lot of positive things to say about the company, so I decided to apply and here I am for a solid 11-week summer internship!

Which Tool Gauge department are you assigned to and what kind of projects are you working on?

I have been assigned to the company’s Plastics Engineering Department. I will be working on 2D drawings creation in SolidWorks and ERM system set-ups while shadowing and assisting project management.

Where are you from originally and why did you choose to work so far away from home?

My whole family lives in Bangladesh, but I have been studying in the U.S. since high school. I used to live in Bellevue, WA with a host family for the past six years until recently when my host parents had to move to Italy. So the Pacific Northwest has become my home away from home for the summer. I will go back to IL in August for my last year of college.

What kind of job will you be seeking after you graduate?

I am hoping to work as a project manager or a mechanical engineer for an engineering firm. Law school is also on my radar where I hope to study patent and contract law.

Would you recommend an internship at Tool Gauge and why?

I would definitely recommend an internship at Tool Gauge because it is a safe environment for growth and learning. Everyone I have worked with so far, from project managers and process engineers to quality assurance and manufacturing staff, have been great mentors to me, willing to share their experiences and knowledge about the industry and answer my endless questions to help me understand how Tool Gauge parts and assemblies come together. I could not have asked for a better fit for my internship.

The post Interview with Namrata Roy, Engineering Intern at Tool Gauge appeared first on Tool Gauge.

The post Tool Gauge evaluates cobots appeared first on Tool Gauge.