b'Productive TimesTHREAD MILLING LOGISTICALLYL ocated in Riverside, California, Blacoh Fluid Controloptimum selection of off-the-shelf threading tools en-Inc. manufactures pulsation dampeners, inlet sta- compassing all the sizes we need would result in the bilizers, back pressure valves and other products de- greatest economic benefit in terms of tool cost, as well signed to move flow and reduce pulsation and shock inas simplifying the supply chain and avoiding the high fluid systems. Because the products are tailored to in- cost of special tooling, McComb said. It has also dividual needs, part runs are typically short and work- aided us in identifying the best tools for the job.piece materials vary widely. Thread milling and turning have always been Car-We thread materials from 10/32" to 2.5" (7.94 mmmexs greatest area of specialization, said Leonard to 63.5 mm) in diameter, said Engineering ManagerAhumada, applications engineer at Carmex Precision David McComb. Materials range from metals, includ- Tools. And as a result, we offer an extensive choice ing stainless, Hastelloy, alloy 20 (a high-nickel-contentof tools extending from our Tiny Tool and Swiss tool material) and others, to PVC, CPVC, PTFE and the verylines, which are solid-carbide tools for working in small expensive PVDF plastics. diameters, as well as larger indexable thread mills and A key product line for the company is calibration col- specialty inserts for turning that are designed accord-umns, which have an end cap that is 177.8 mm (7") in di- ing to part print specifications. We worked with David ameter and require 12 threads per inch. to assist him in developing a matrix of 24 standardized The column houses a transparent tube and accom- tools in the machining center that accomplish all his panying label imprinted with precise gradations to monitor the correct amount of fluoride, sodium hypo-chlorite or other chemical used in water or wastewater treatment, McComb said.In selecting a tool supplier, he sought a manufacturer with a wide selection of off-the-shelf threading tools in a variety of sizes and configurations, which brought him to Hartford, Wisconsin-based Carmex Precision Tools LLC.I reasoned that a logistical approach involving the Shown are examples of parts that Blacoh Blacoh Fluid ControlFluid Control threads with thread mills from Carmex PrecisionBlacoh Fluid ControlTools. Some parts require multiple thread configurations while both inner- and outer-diameter threading are necessary for key hard-to-machine parts.42OCTOBER 2022 ProTimes.indd 42 9/20/22 4:26 PM'