 This month's featured machine of the month is Wolverine Machine's Wardjet RX-3013 water jet cutting table with four independent Z carriages. The four heads on our RX-3013 allow us to cut up to four 3' x 30' sheets simultaneously – allowing our customers to receive 4 times the product in the time it takes most companies to produce one. With a working envelope of 156"x 360"x10" the RX-3013 is one of the largest waterjet cutting tables in the Midwest and one of two waterjet cutting tables housed in our facility. This high precision unit has been designed to meet even the largest requirements while holding very tight tolerances. The RX-3013 offers exceptional accuracy of +/- .003", repeatability of +/- .001" and exhibits no "heat-affected zones".
The water jet cutting process utilizes a combination of water and abrasive forced through a cutting nozzle at up to 2200 mph and 60,000 psi. This powerful machine has the capability of cutting through any material, with the exception of tempered glass, diamonds and carbide, up to 12" thick. To see a side-by-side comparison of laser vs. waterjet cutting click here. Water jet cutting is an environmentally friendly way to create your parts but to make this machine even more "Green" we have installed a state-of-the-art water recycling system which filters and reuses all water that is used in the cutting process. Not only is this great for the environment, but also helps you by cutting the cost of production. Should you be interested in receiving a quote for this high-tech process, please contact us. 
Wolverine Machine operates four Saelio Mach3A horizontal mills within its 32,000 square foot facility. This horizontal machining center was created by combining design innovations from across the globe including Germany, South Korea, Japan and the United States. The Saeilo Mach3A has out-performed other vertical machining centers in productivity, cost efficiency and accuracy. The Mach3A is fast and efficient – the spindle motor can accelerate quickly, from 0 to 6000 rpm in only 2.5 seconds. The rapid feed rate on the X, Y and Z axis is 945 ipm (24m/min) with a positioning accuracy of 0.0002”. These two features help it complete its work cycle 20%-40% faster than other horizontal machining centers. Work pieces on the Mach3A can be mounted to dual four sided traveling columns also known as tombstones. The dual tombstones allow the machine operator to unload, inspect and reload one tombstone while the other tombstone remains inside the Saeilo Mach3A holding the work pieces being machined. Not only are the tombstones mounted on a pallet changer allowing one to be reloaded while the other is being machined, but all four sides of the tombstone can be utilized without the tombstone ever leaving the inside of the machine. The Mach3a is solid machine-built on a cast iron base with internal ribs strategically placed to enable close tolerance machining. The cast iron base reduces vibrations, thermal displacement and deflection – all things that add quality to the parts we produce and give our parts better surface finish and superior accuracy. In addition, it has a large, 500 lb work piece capacity and 10hp spindle motor, both exceptional features for a horizontal mill of such a compact size. The Saeilo Mach3A’s short cycle times, quick set up time, optimal ergonomics and close tolerance capability allows Wolverine Machine to give our customers a high quality part with a lower cost. Contact Wolverine Machine today to learn more about the capabilities of this machine. 
 Holly, MI --Wolverine Machine Products in Holly Michigan donated their time and money to help the University of Michigan develop a solar car. This solar car began a race on June 20th and came to a finish on June 26th where the University of Michigan's crossed the finish line in 1st place. The solar car named Infinium, crossed the finish line 2 hours 12 minutes and 9 seconds ahead of the second place team Minnesota. Over the course of 6 days, Infinium traveled 1,100 miles averaging 40 mph, which is amazing considering the number of stop lights on this route. The race crew only had 15 minutes on the side of the the road making a minor electrical repair. To bring back a championship the team had to run a flawless race.
Wolverine Machine: Quality Magazine's Top 100 for the 2nd Consecutive Year Holly, MI, May 21, 2010 -- Wolverine Machine has landed on the Quality Magazine: Quality Leadership Top 100 list for the second consecutive year. Over 800 manufacturers participate in this list.
Manufacturers are surveyed on criteria such as scrap and rework as a percentage of sales, warranty costs as a percentage of sales, rejected parts per million shipped and contribution of quality to profitability and shareholder value.
Other factors that determine the results are based on the number of quality programs in place; registration to various standards; percentage of employees dedicated to quality procedures; average number of hours that employees receive quality training on a monthly basis; and the role quality professionals play in the acquisition of test, measurement and inspection tools, software and services.
Target costing has been used in Japan since the early 60s, but didn’t start gaining momentum in the US until the 90s. Around 90% of Japanese firms use this cost-saving strategy while only 50% of US firms are taking advantage of its benefits. Given that external purchases average approximately 60% of cost of sales for most manufacturers, it would seem that target costing should be given a great deal of attention by management. Target costing is the process of determining a target price for your suppliers in order to receive the most competitive quotes. Giving suppliers a target price ensures understanding of the processes used and saves valuable time and money for both parties. In using target costing, supplier relationships are greatly improved by providing an avenue for earlier supplier involvement, clarifying true cost goals, and supporting supplier alliances. By involving suppliers earlier in the process, all possible ideas for cost reduction can be considered, rather than later in the process when extensive resources have already been invested. This early involvement of suppliers is critical, given the rule of thumb that approximately 70% of the product’s cost is determined by decisions made during the design process. When using target costing, the entire supply chain is seen as an integrated whole. Each element refines its operations to reduce its own costs, and therefore, reduces the total overall cost of the final product. In addition, target costing assists in internal improvements by creating a benchmark for cost performance, supporting team involvement, and creating greater cost accountability internally and with suppliers. At Wolverine Machine, we strongly encourage our customers to provide target prices in order for us to be as beneficial as possible. By doing so, we are able to provide the most competitive quote while also assisting in cost-reduction strategies. Please visit our website to learn more about our customer-focused strategies.
A good salesperson can sell to anyone once, but it will be your approach to customer service that will keep them coming back. Improving customer service and working on customer engagement are business’ best defense against the increased competition that a recession causes. Our newsletter, The Cutting Edge is focused on customer service this month. Here is a sneak peek at the 7 tips for excellent customer service. 1. Most importantly, the quality of customer service cannot exceed the quality of those who provide it. Your machines or processes don’t give good customer service, your employees do. Hiring and retaining quality employees is the most essential key to making your customers happy. Realize that the way your people are treated dictates the way your customers will be treated. 2. Know your customers. Get to know their expectations so that you can assist them in meeting their needs. Understand what is important to them and continually ask if what you are doing is what your customer would appreciate. 3. Anticipate problems before they happen. In case something goes wrong, have a plan of action ready. Let your customers know what you plan to do if unforeseen circumstances arise so that they know they’re your top priority. 4. Be flexible. Show your customers that you are willing to put forth the extra effort to ensure they are satisfied. Go the extra mile whenever possible and you will certainly reap the benefits. Recently, one of our customers was given a strict deadline to finish a project that seemed impossible. Our newsletter explains how we were able to help. 5. Make sure that your customers know who you are. It is your job to educate your customers on how you can help them and what services or products are offered. Convey your strengths and how they set you apart from the competition. 6. Don’t let them get away. Communication is key to maintaining a lasting relationship so let your customers know that you haven’t forgotten about them. Show them how valuable they are by keeping in touch. 7. Make your customers a part of your service improvement. Actively seek feedback so that you can better understand what improvements your customers would like to see. Click here for a link to Wolverine Machine's customer satisfaction survey. The Cutting Edge is available on our website if you would like to learn more about customer service. This month's issue features expert advice on how to choose the right supplier, implementing a customer service philosophy, and a quiz to find out if you're a customer service master!
After the overwhelming response from the release of our water jet brochure, we have decided to create another brochure focused solely on the Miyano LZ-01R automated chucking lathe. Featuring self loading/unloading capabilities, which eliminates hand loading, the LZ-01R can process parts quickly. In addition, since the parts are robotically loaded, the accuracy and repeatability of the machine is far superior to any hand loaded lathe. Here at Wolverine Machine we use only the best machining technologies and equipment, including the Miyano LZ-01R, to provide you parts that are accurately and efficiently produced to save your organization time and money. To learn more about what the LZ-01R can do for you, please click the link below. Miyano LZ-01R Capabilities
Wolverine Machine houses two of the largest water jet cutting tables in the Midwest, capable of handling complex and intricate parts with tolerances of +/- .003” for virtually any material. These machines have allowed us to greatly expand our capabilities and services offered. The breadth and thickness of materials that can be cut using the water jet cutting process give it a distinct advantage over processes such as laser cutting and traditional machining. Companies from all industries are turning to water jet cutting for fine detail, clean edges, and less waste. When using water jet cutting, there is no distortion, fraying, cracking, splintering, or slag, and since no heat is involved, the material will not have any “heat affected zones” that can become very problematic. We also use part nesting before the cutting process which optimizes material, reduces scrap, and saves you money. On top of that, Wolverine Machine recycles 100% of the water and 100% of the abrasive used, which brings waste to virtually nonexistent. The applications for water jet cutting are innumerable, as well as the materials that can be used. Therefore, we have created a brochure solely focused on the benefits and abilities of our water jet cutting machines. It is loaded with information on how the process works and how it can save you a lot of time and money. If you would like to learn more about our water jet cutting machines, click on the link below to view our brand new brochure. Water Jet Cutting Capabilities
Wolverine Machine Products has launched a new e-newsletter, The Cutting Edge! The publication addresses issues such as safety, quality, employee relations, and many other factors needed for organizational success. Subscribers will also get current industry news, new product announcements, company-specific updates, and expert advice on best practices. The first issue, which released on March 4th, covers a variety of topics with emphasis on quality in manufacturing. There is information regarding cost versus price when outsourcing, 14 points for total quality management, and a section highlighting Wolverine Machine’s addition of a new Zeiss CMM. There is also an exercise for subscribers to get started on “thinking outside the box” when it comes to quality management. The Cutting Edge will be delivered free of charge to those who sign up from Wolverine Machine’s website. To view the debut issue, click here.
It has long been Wolverine Machine’s strategy to focus on high-quality, value-added processes in order to remain successful. For more than 7 years, Wolverine Machine has used Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMS) in addition to many other quality assurance measures. CMMs are highly accurate machines that inspect parts with tolerances of 9 microns (which is roughly 1/10th the diameter of the average human hair) and smaller. Wolverine Machine is proud to announce the addition of a new CMM, the Zeiss Contura G2 RDS, into its 32,000 square foot facility located in Holly, MI. This new Zeiss CMM will add to the company’s multitude of current quality assurance machines, expanding precision measurement capabilities and quality control/reliability. “The new high-tech features of the Contura G2 bring us the ability to capture substantial quantities of accurate measurement data in a shorter time while increasing our production, reliability, and quality,” says Steve Pyrc, Quality Manager at Wolverine Machine. The completely redesigned bridge-type CMM features a next generation scanning platform, perfectly suited to the measurement of complex features and parts. Contura G2 RDS is capable of reaching 20,376 positions in 2.5 degree increments using styli as small as .3mm in diameter. Wolverine Machine purchased many additional fixtures and accessories for the CMM including the ViScan optical probe, which now makes it possible to perform touch and optical measurements on one machine. The ViScan optical probe is an ideal tool for non-contact measurement and analysis of more difficult to check small parts and soft work pieces. “This is the most successful and sought after machine Carl Zeiss IMT has ever developed,” says Josef Schernthaner, Vice President of Operations at Zeiss. This new machine will certainly add to the satisfaction that Wolverine Machine’s customers have come to know and count on. If you would like more information on Wolverine Machine's quality assurance technology or to see how we can help with your next project, please visit us at www.wolverinemachine.com.
When many companies face a decision of whether or not to outsource certain productions, one of the biggest factors is price. Why pay a local company $5 for a part when the same part can be made in China for $2? Especially now through the economic downturn, more companies than ever are trying to save every penny possible to make it through to the other side. However, the realization is that the costs incurred in most outsourcing ventures overseas end up being much more than the company ever expected. Take for example Boeing, who decided to outsource the majority of components for its latest and greatest project, the 787 Dreamliner. The lighter and more fuel-efficient Dreamliner is Boeing’s first major new airplane in over a decade. The decision was made to rely on hundreds of foreign suppliers for the majority of the parts, which proved disastrous to production. Originally scheduled to start delivery in May 2008, Boeing now expects delivery in December 2010, over two years late. Not only that, but the project has ended up costing Boeing over $2.5 billion more than planned because of the inconsistencies of the suppliers. Boeing’s misfortunes highlight a very real issue that companies must face when it comes to the decision of whether or not to rely on foreign suppliers. While it can be a very profitable venture, the hidden costs are often not seen until it is too late. Shipping, training, logistics, legal counsel, project management, duties and taxes, and the cost of intellectual property and quality are just a few of the total cost factors that need to be examined very closely before a decision is made. Local suppliers offer a higher-quality advantage than most foreign manufacturers due to more experience and a superior standard for quality. At Wolverine Machine, we uphold our commitment to quality during every step of the process, guaranteeing absolute customer approval. Our customers do not need to worry about fluctuating production, late deliveries, inconsistent products, or increasing costs because we have been successful in ensuring satisfaction for over 86 years. If you would like to learn more about Wolverine Machine and how we can help with your next project, please visit www.wolverinemachine.com.
 The University of Michigan’s Solar Car Team is gearing up for this summer’s American Solar Challenge, a 7-day solar car race from Tulsa to Chicago to be held in late June this year. The U of M team has high hopes for this race as they are 5 time champions. U of M’s 2009 solar car, Infinium, placed 3rd out of 38 teams from around the world in the World Solar Challenge. The World Solar Challenge was held in Australia in October of 2009. Wolverine Machine is proud to say that we are silver sponsors of the U of M Solar Car Team, having fabricated crucial components for Infinium. Our superior water jet cutting capabilities allowed the team to create intricate parts, which were used to make their car more efficient. The waterjet cutting process was ideal for the parts that the U of M team required. All parts were cut from aluminum sheet stock to net shape or near net shape. Some parts required additional CNC milling work to be done. Because of Wolverine Machine’s extensive array of equipment, both the waterjet cutting and CNC milling could all be done under one roof. This allowed us to expedite the parts that the team needed and handle some last minute design changes. The high precision of the waterjet cutting machines at Wolverine Machine allowed us to cut the parts to the required tolerances with only minor CNC milling work required. The U of M Solar Car Team will be displaying Infinium at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, which is open to the public from January 16-24. We would like to encourage all of you to check it out, and see how Wolverine Machine’s parts were used to fabricate this top-quality solar car. While there, be sure to wish the team best of luck in their upcoming race, in which we are confident they will once again win! 
By: Amanda McDonough Manufacturing encompasses the essence of Michigan. It is in our state’s DNA. While the past speaks for itself, our future will solidify our superior position in the industry. Although manufacturing has recently gone through a tumultuous period in Michigan, industry leaders have rolled up their sleeves and diversified into promising industries which will revive Michigan’s economy. Here at Wolverine Machine Products we are excited to be part of this group. The last quarter has seen steady growth of manufacturing jobs largely due to the ever-growing presence of alternative energy technology companies in Michigan. From suppliers to contractors, many innovative companies are diversifying from auto parts to components of solar energy and wind turbines. We have taken advantage of this opportunity to aid Michigan in these rapidly growing industries, and partnered with a well-known company that produces solar-powered Stirling engines. Our incredibly knowledgeable staff at Wolverine Machine has worked tirelessly to create critical components of the Stirling engine, which last at least 25 years. This advanced solar-powered engine is capable of converting 24% of the sunlight hitting the dish into electricity – a better conversion rate than most PV solar panels have. By expanding into the alternative energy technology market, we have not only lent a hand to Michigan’s economy, but also positioned ourselves as a leading supplier. If you would like to learn more about Wolverine Machine’s unique precision machining capabilities, or to request a quote, please visit our website at www.wolverinemachine.com.
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