Recently, Plasman Windsor Tooling finished one of its biggest blocks to date that weighed 36,500 lbs when finish. It began as a 65,000 lb solid steel block and over 6-8 weeks the Tooling team collaborated to produce a world-class block to the customer’s specifications. The steel had 28,500 lbs of metal removed and 750 holes drilled, finished, and quality inspected to .05mm.
One of the biggest challenges in making a tool is the precision, ensuring that the tool is properly cut before it can be released to the next process with the right standards. “Over the years the machine technology has evolved to make cuts more precise and more time efficient,” said Dave Ives, CNC Afternoon Shift Leader, Windsor Tooling.
“Communication is key,” said Tom Upcott, Boring Mill Operator, Windsor Tooling. “From start to finish everyone needs to have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and work together to complete the tool accurately and to the standards of our customers.”
A tool of this caliber and size is a dedicated team effort that requires innovative solutions and a future-focused mind set. It is an all-hands-on-deck process that requires a depth of skill and knowledge that Windsor Tooling takes pride in with their long-standing history.
“Our CNC Department has been dedicated to evolving our process over the years, and it shows in a job like this,” said Tony Romanello, VP Tooling, Plasman. “This doesn’t happen without people being open to change and having the desire to improve and be proud of what they do and where they work.”
For over 45 years, Windsor Tooling (originally founded as Build-A-Mold in 1978) has seen itself evolve from a two-person mold shop to a 135,000 square foot plant with 90+ employees. Equipped with the latest technology for EDM and high-speed machining, they are capable of supplying a variety of products for the automotive industry through molding, tryouts, and customer support.
Machine tooling is the process of designing, cutting, shaping, and forming to create a geometrical shape on raw materials that will be used to produce parts and components.
Windsor Tooling has seen over 99 million pounds of steel make its way through the facility since 1978. Each tool starts off with a solid block of steel with their engineers and tradespeople working together to achieve the customer’s tool design efficiently.
Windsor Tooling’s work ethic and commitment with a collaborative approach by all project team members is part of what makes Plasman a global leader in automotive components.
About Plasman
Plasman is a leading global manufacturer in bumpers-fascias, grilles, exterior trim, and subsystem components. As One Driving Force™, our diverse team of talented employees in 11 countries is driven by a commitment to outperform in all areas from engineering design to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Plasman’s headquarters are in Oldcastle, Ontario. Further information about Plasman is available at plasman.com or follow us on LinkedIn.