KMT Precision Grinding
Service News Letter August 2008
Welcome to KMT Precision Grinding’s Global Service Organization
In our last issue, we described how KMT Precision Grinding has expanded globally to offer service, parts, and sales support through “local organizations”. This quarter, we talk more about how our global resources are working together to deliver solutions to customer challenges, worldwide.
KMT Production Machinery India (PMI) Supplies Remanufactured Grinder
KMT Precision Grinding’s international customer needed to duplicate a grinding process at its partner’s facility in India. A Cincinnati Milacron 340-20 offered the most straightforward solution, but rebuild candidates were in scarce supply in India. However, KMT had a 340-20 “carcass” in its USA inventory that would make an ideal fit. A multi-phase proposal was made and accepted by the customer:
Working closely together, the KMT Precision Grinding teams in the USA and India determined that the most expedient method of serving our customer was to mechanically remanufacture and upgrade the machine in the USA, and then transfer it to India for application of controls, final testing, and installation.
Phase I, completed in the USA, included a full mechanical rebuild, including spindles, slides, dressers, hydraulic system, electrical enclosure, and finish painting. In the meantime, the team in India had prepared for Phase II, consisting of electrical engineering and assembly, controls development and, eventually, final testing, training, and installation support.
In this process, our customer is saving several months in the rebuild cycle, and is able to witness final testing of the machine locally, working closely with the same people who will install, demonstrate, and support it In the future. While the best solution is always a local one, the diversity of resources within KMT Precision Grinding made it all possible.
Global Delivery of High-Performance Grinders, Parts, and Service.
In expanding its operation in Asia, a USA customer has ordered new Lidköping grinders for their high-performance production capabilities, but also for the benefit of having support in an area of the world where skills and availability of technical resources are limited.
KMT Precision Grinding's customer recognizes that, in order to maintain continuous production, spare parts and local service are critical to success. While the engineering and production teams at Lidköping worked to build and test the grinders, the service teams in the USA, Sweden, and China worked closely with the customer to develop an effective support package, consisting of spare parts and contract services. The spare proposal was designed to deliver an effective, yet affordable and practical spares package that would support the machines in Asia, while not breaking the bank.
For field support, the KMT service manager in China has visited with the customer, and learned more about the capabilities of their maintenance staff. This resulted in the development of a separate proposal for post-shipment support, including provision of scheduled maintenance.
The customer recognizes that their investment in the machinery is only part of the equation. Post-shipment support and uptime is the key to optimizing their return on investment. The service teams at KMT Precision Grinding work closely together, recognizing that productivity extends well beyond the delivery of new machines.
A Quick Delivery Made Possible
The KMT Precision Grinding team at Lidköping had a customer in Mexico with a problem. The customer could not wait for new machines to be built and tested because they needed production immediately.
In examining all of the resources, the sales engineer in Lidköping zeroed in on a Model 3B through-feed centerless grinder that was in KMT inventory in the USA. This particular machine was a good fit, and could be put into service very quickly. And, its proximity to the client in the Americas made it better for our customer.
With agreement from the customer, the teams in Lidköping and the USA went to work. The machine was pulled from inventory, cleaned, and inspected. New critical components, such as ball screws, were ordered, and shipped from Sweden to the USA. Then teams from Lidköping and Cincinnati built up the machine to “as new” alignment standards. While far from a factory remanufacture, the “partial” rebuild delivered new-machine performance, with delivery to the customer in less than 12 weeks. Creativity, technical skills, and teamwork between KMT Precision Grinding locations combined to provide our customer the production they badly needed in minimal time.
Call Upon Us Anytime
These are just a few of the examples of how the global structure of KMT Precision Grinding works for the benefit of its customers. Our service team welcomes the opportunity to better understand your needs and challenges. As always, we invite you to contact any one of us at our global locations. Our web site, www.kmtgrinding.com, provides contact information for your specific product need.
