CUSTOMER Q&A: MSB Technology

Our GROB teams check in with our customers periodically, and we love featuring businesses willing to talk about their experience with their GROB machining centers. It's great information for us as a brand, but it's also essential commentary for our customers, prospects, and industry peers. Manufacturing is an industry predicated on innovation, and we always strive to be at its forefront here at GROB Systems, Inc.

Today, we wanted to feature a Q&A with MSB Technology Corp .

General Questions

Why did you choose GROB?

We chose the GROB G350 because it hit the sweet spot in 3 critical areas. Automation done right, 5-axis with precision, and a horizontal spindle with real power behind it. The core of our production is large aluminum unibodies with massive amounts of material removal.?We needed a machine that could handle that removal and then come in and provide beautiful finishes we could use without the need for post-process sanding.?The Grob has done just that, and we couldn't be happier with the results.

What, if anything, stood out to you in your interactions with GROB as you moved through the machine buying and implementation processes?

The thoughtful details that make GROB Automation actually work on a day-to-day basis.?Having a pallet pool for lights-out production only works as well as the systems that back it up.?The coolant and chip management of the compact work area really stood out as an effective solution to dealing with the massive amounts of chips we generate from our aluminum unibody products.?The conveyor can also accommodate a full-size chip dumpster which we fill multiple times a week.?Lastly, the 5-axis table allowed our pallet pool to be easily loaded by operators, and then positioned horizontally in the machine instead of the usual difficulty associated with standard horizontal mills.

How has automation helped your business? What part does your GROB machine (or machines) play in the automation process?

Shop area in California is not only limited but prohibitively?expensive to add more. Our pursuit of automation was initially?to boost production in the same shop space as our current machines.?Not only have we surpassed?those projections, but the ease of the pallet pool has changed our production workflows on many levels.?We gained better finishes, better products, and better working conditions for our staff.

Machine and Operations Questions

How well has your GROB machine maintained accuracy over time?

It has maintained?its accuracy beyond expectation.?Far exceeded our needs and requirements and has not required any tuning or managing to achieve?what we need.

Are you satisfied with machine rigidity? Why or why not?

Yes. The GROB is extremely rigid in every aspect of the machine.

Are you satisfied with machine accuracy? Why or why not?

Yes. A good example of this is when a tool is flagged as broken during lights-out production. We come back to the shop, put that pallet back in the machining center, and resume machining with no tolerance or blending issues on the parts. Sometimes this is days after the pallet was set aside and the machine is stable and accurate enough to pick up where it left off.

Has your GROB machine enabled you to reduce the number of setups required for your parts? Can you share any examples?

Yes. Some of our parts were run in as many as 5 operations on our old 5-axis and 3-axis machines. Now with the GROB, we have that 5 op part down to 2 ops. This makes life way easier for the operators as well as making a way nicer part.

Have you been able to reduce cycle times with your GROB machine? By how much?

Cycle times are definitely faster on our GROB. Especially in the example of our 5 op part that is now 2 ops on the GROB. That part is 20-30% faster now and requires way less operator handling time.

Have you been able to improve surface finishes with your GROB machine?

The surface finishes we are getting on the GROB are stunning! Between the rigidity of the machine and the intelligent features in the controller, our finishes are better than ever. The GROB is also accurate enough to blend features on parts way better than our other 5th-axis machine could. So we see way fewer machining lines on our finished parts.

How is your chip control on your GROB machine? How does it compare to other machines you have used or owned?

Chip control was a huge problem for us before getting a GROB. Our other 5th-axis machines were not able to be automated because the chip control was so bad. Now with the GROB, it can run for weeks on end without needing to address any chip buildups in the machining center.?

What are the biggest benefits you’ve seen with your GROB machine?

The spindle on time we can achieve with the GROB machine and GROB PSSR pallet pool is the biggest benefit. But we also have significantly fewer sanding and deburring operations now due to the improved surface finishes and excellent 5th-axis clearances of the GROB.

Support and Service Questions

What has been unique in the support GROB offers? Can you share or compare experiences with other machine manufacturers?

The direct support is awesome from GROB. When we've had questions or problems we get a response right away. I was shocked the first time I called the support number and got a friendly human on the phone that helped me answer my question immediately! GROB takes pride in their product and this shows through their support team.

Machine Life Questions

How would you describe the overall cost of ownership over time? Has it been better or worse than expected?

The cost of ownership of the GROB is not insignificant. It is a high-end machine with high-end components in it. However, we were able to increase our production without adding another facility or extra shifts. This makes the GROB the cheaper option. Also, the quality of life for the operators is vastly better with the GROB vs our cheaper 5th-axis machines.

If you'd like to learn more about MSB and its impressive business goals and focus on industry excellence with its GROB, check out their Machine Shop Update video.

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