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Live Tooling Makes the Difference



(l-r) Frankie Martin and Susie Martin, owners of Alpha Machine & Fabrication, Inc., and Jim McDaniel of McDaniel Machinery are shown with a Samsung SL45MC/2200BB 3-axis CNC turning lathe with live tooling. Partially machined raw material is displayed on a wood pallet on the bottom left.

(l-r) Susie Martin and Frankie Martin, owners of Alpha Machine & Fabrication, Inc., are shown with a Samsung SL65/3200. The machine is holding a blank gear shaft.

Alpha Machine & Fabrication, Inc. recently purchased its third Samsung machine, the MCV1060 machining center.

Frankie and Susie Martin own Alpha Machine & Fabrication, Inc., a shop in Bessemer, AL. When the business recently needed to increase its productivity, the Martins found themselves at a crossroads. "We had the choice to retrofit our existing lathe or purchase new equipment," said Susie Martin.

"After careful analysis of all our options, we purchased from McDaniel Machinery - a distributor in Pelham, AL - a Samsung SL45MC/2200BB 3-axis CNC turning lathe with live tooling," said Martin. "This investment has proved to be the correct decision. Live tooling enables us to cut keys and drill holes without having to move to a mill. This cuts cost for set-up times and increases our productivity."

The SL45MC/2200BB has the following features:

  • 24" chuck
  • Maximum swing of 30.5"
  • Maximum turning length of 88.8"
  • Bar capacity of 6.5"
  • 12-station heavy-duty turret
  • 1,200 RPM spindle speed
  • 50 HP spindle motor.

"The SL45MC/2200BB has been working perfectly, improving quality, cutting cost incurred by long job set-up times and increasing productivity. The alloy and stainless steels machined in the shop have not presented any problems for the new equipment," said Martin. McDaniel Machinery provided the equipment as well as options for financing.

Later, Alpha Machine purchased a Samsung SL65/3200 that has the following features:

  • 24" chuck
  • Maximum swing of 40.6"
  • Maximum turning length of 126"
  • Bar capacity of 5.5"
  • 12-station heavy-duty turret
  • 1,200 RPM spindle speed
  • 60 HP spindle motor.

"This purchase has definitely proved to be a win-win for Alpha Machine," said Martin. "The bulk of our parts are manufactured for the coal, steel and battery industry. Our customers depend on our company to provide precision parts. The dimensions required have proven to be easier to achieve and the overall appearance of the product has been dramatically improved."

Alpha Machine offers CNC capabilities of lathe work up to 120" long swinging 27" over the carriage with live tooling as well as CNC mill work up to 72" x 100". "We can handle anything up to 25,000 lbs.," said Martin.

The company, founded in May 1991, currently has 12 employees and recently moved to a 45,000 square foot facility. "This move opened the door to increase our machining capabilities as well as our fabrication shop. Our number-one goal will always be customer satisfaction," said Martin.

For more information contact:

Alpha Machine & Fabrication, Inc.

2201 8th Avenue North

Bessemer, AL 35020

205-426-1467

alphamachine@bellsouth.net

Jim McDaniel

McDaniel Machinery

187 Cahaba Valley Parkway

Pelham, AL 35124

205-403-9900

jim@mcdanielmachinery.com

www.mcdanielmachinery.com

Samsung Machine Tools America

a Division of Dynamic Intl.

N25W23287 Paul Road

Pewaukee, WI 53072

262-521-1100

www.samsungmachinetools.com

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