1. What is your role/title at the plant?
A: Manager of Prototype tooling.
2. How long have you been in this role (or at this plant)?
A: Over 15 Years
3. What part of the manufacturing process are you most closely involved with?
A: Prototype welding fixtures, Prototype tooling to stamp out parts.
4. What specific project, process, product, or improvement should this blog focus on?
A: I would have to say about the newest ‘Aerospace and Prototype project’ since this is the first time TDM is actually working on a project for aerospace.
Additionally, there has been a new YCM vertical mill that has been added to the fixture department to improve throughput.
This supports the company with increased efficiency, reducing defect or downtime, supporting safety or compliance.
With this new Equipment, technology, or methods, we support customers with production goals.
5. Why is this work important to the plant or business?
A: It gives TDM the opportunity to aerospace future jobs.
6. What skills or knowledge are especially important for this work?
A: Stainless steel stamping, tighter tolerances,
7. What makes this work challenging?
A: Stamping stainless steel is more challenging than stamping mild steel or aluminum.
8. Who else do you work closely with on this, such as departments/teams?
A: Design group, Foundry, Mills, Fixtures Inspection.
9. How do different teams collaborate to make this successful?
A: By giving input ideas and methods to manufacture the part.
10. If you had to explain why this work matters to someone outside the plant, what would you say?
A: I would say how TDM has the capability to do aerospace prototype parts.
In prototyping, we aren’t just building parts; we’re building the confidence that a design actually works.