As part of our continuing investment in lean manufacturing we have installed the renowned AutoCrib Tool Dispensing System to work in conjunction with our manned tool, fixture, and gauge cribs. Each unit provides secure access to over 2,000 different SKUs in less than 10 seconds – with 100% accountability. The touch screen interface allows our people to search for tools they need by item code, description or class.

Flexible Manufacturing System

Tooling management is one of the most essential aspects of an effective flexible manufacturing system (FMS). Implementation of an effective tooling management system reduces tool cost and inventory, decreases machine downtime, and improves the quality of the parts being produced.

Proper tooling management is important because machine downtime often results from tooling-related problems. The costs for perishable and durable tooling in an FMS may be greater than labor and raw material combined. Losses due to operator error, damaged tools, overstocking and under-stocking of tooling, lost or misplaced tools, underused inserts, and poor quality parts is avoided through the use of our AutoCrib Tool Dispensing System.