For a busy aircraft components manufacturer milling and turning short runs of precision parts, shorter cycle times and quicker tool changes mean greater profitability.

      Crissair, Inc. in Palmdale, Calif., turned to tool supplier Sandvik Coromant to help cut milling time on one alloy steel hydraulic body 63 percent. The success led to a broader Productivity Improvement Program that identified $87,000 in potential annual savings, and ultimately to a huge $600,000 payoff by introducing a quick-change modular tooling system. Crissair has produced precision fluid control components for civil and military aircraft since 1954.

            General Manager, John Semione explains, “We have manufactured our products for nearly every airframe manufacturer and major subcontractor in the industry. Crissair prides itself in its flexibility to design custom valves to meet specific customer requirements. Because we have design, manufacturing and test capabilities within our facility, we can create and quickly deliver various types of valves to meet any particular customer application.” Components are machined from 17-4, 15-5, and other alloy steels, 300 Series stainless, Inconel, titanium, and aluminum. The company has developed more than 10,000 proprietary designs for its customer base, of which, 3,500 are still active. Semione continues, “Since most items are produced in short runs of 15 to 30 pieces, short cycle times and fast changeovers from one part to another are essential to profitability"

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