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  1. With CNC or Screw machining, experience is paramount

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    Gent Machine is fortunate to have several Master Level Davenport screw machinists and CNC machinists. Dave recently shared his experience as a 40-year veteran of the industry. His machining journey started after he decided to answer an advertisement in a machine shop in Cleveland that read, Machinist Wanted – Will Train.  Dave’s favorite part of machining is starting and finishing a set up and having it run well. For those new to machining, setting up a new job is quite a process and a very valuable skill. First, a machinist has to tear down the last job. This means removing all the tools, tool holders, cams, collets and pushers, as well as the gears. Once the machine is bare, the machinist is ready to install what is required for the new part being produced, adding new tools, tool holders, cams, collets and pushers, and new gears. The machinist determines all the parts needed by looking at the set-up sheet or layout provided. This requires knowing how to read print specs, how a particular machine runs, and understanding tool wear.

    Running screw machines can be frustrating when it comes to getting a job to run correctly. Of particular angst can be both internal and external threads that have extremely close tolerances.Dave possesses key attributes to deal with the frustrations required for a successful set-up including:

    • Patience
    • The ability to realize the everyone has issues with machines at times with a focus on the big picture.
    • Solid basic math skills
    • Top notch trouble shooting. Understanding what is not causing a problem is as important as understanding what could be causing a problem. This understanding saves time and creates focus on the issue.
    • Reading blueprints
    • Knowing how to use gauges, such as micrometers, digital dial indicators, and plug gauges

    Gent Machine’s customers benefit from Dave’s valuable input on jobs. Dave knows it is not his input alone that makes the Davenports hum. He appreciates how everyone in his department helps to train each other. There are many skilled individuals willing to slowly bring new machinists along in their new roles. Working on a screw machine can be truly monotonous at first, but like any new skill, repetition is how a person slowly evolves into a master.

    Dave was one of only a few screw machinists who helped with the set-up and running of ventilator parts at the beginning of Covid. He said wearing a mask has been awful, especially with the summer’s hot temperatures. Overall, he said it can be loud and oily, but good music, the ability to make a good living, the love of working with his hands, and the ability to make a machine hum bring him to Gent every day.

  2. High volume CNC milling a priority

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    CNC milling is now a priority at Gent Machine. With the purchase of our first CNC mill, a Hwacheon Vesta 660, we have added to our capabilities and now we look to grow this department. We target high volume CNC milling because, as a business, we are setup to process high volumes. Milled parts would be no exception.

    Although it’s easy to look for new work for this machine, programming and setting it up is a different story. We have lived in a world of machining only turned parts for 94 years. Machining is machining so milling metal should not be too much of a learning curve but we still lack the expertise of quoting, fixture design and process development. To fill this void we hired an expert. Richard Shafer started on January 18th as a manufacturing engineer. He has experience with many CNC milling applications and will be able to help us with our Eurotech mill/turn and help improve many of our processes. He is proficient with CAD/CAM software which he uses to draw fixtures, assembly concepts and will use to program future parts. We will lean on him to generate accurate quotes and design a process that will help us be successful in this new industry. Welcome Rik!

  3. Whistling about our CNC Machining Tradition

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    Whistling about our CNC Machining Tradition

    Gent Machine is long steeped in CNC machining tradition. Not only is it in our blood, passed down from one generation to the next, but often within our employee’s families. Looking down the hallways of our office, pride is evident in the long line of images starting with the company’s start in 1880 in Rockford, Illinois. The company then moved on to Richmond Heights in 1927 and South Euclid in 1941. The pristine black and white photographs are hung with absolute precision, emphasizing the precision in every part and every detail the company endeavors to embark upon. The row of pictures ends with the latest acquisition and current home located on Kirby Avenue in Cleveland OH. Gent strives every day to continue the tradition and magic of all things machining within its sphere.

    While the davenport, acmes, and swiss cnc machines toil hard daily, there is one special piece of equipment that specifically performs to mark the special occasions in the shop – a Union Pacific Rotary Snow Plow Brass Lunkenheimer Steam Locomotive Whistle. The brass whistle shines with pride and signifies to all that a special event has occurred when its roar is heard. We celebrate daily occasion’s such as a new job coming on line, as when we were honored to machine ventilator parts and do our part in the fight against Covid-19. We celebrate passing our IATF 16949:2016 audit. We celebrate the service of our employees. This past week, Herb Young pulled the cord and the whistle blew in honor of his distinguished 45 years of service to the company. Thank you for your service to Gent Machine and to your country, Herb. We are honored by your integrity and that you chose to spend your career with us.

    Gent Machine understands that its long machining history is the foundation of its future. Years of experience have helped us hone in on what we specialize within the machining industry, turning bar stock ranges from 1/64” to 2” in diameter to meet our customer’s blue prints. As precision machinists, we do more that turn stock. We keep people safe in their automobiles, ensure our troops have precise equipment needed to defend our country, and provide solid jobs in the Cleveland community. All reasons to whistle, indeed.

  4. CNC and machining capabilities Video

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    As a member of Thomasnet, Gent Machine hired them to create a video highlighting our machining capabilities, including swiss CNC machines, screw machines and Hydromat machines. Starting with an upbeat drone shot of the building, the video shows the exterior and interior of the renovated manufacturing building.


    CNC and Machining Capabilities Video

    After the drone footage, the video moves inside and around the shop floor showing each of the departments: davenport, Acme, Swiss CNC, Hydromat, quality control (QC), secondary, assembly, shipping and chip processing. Many of the video shots show the machines in action and, even better, some of the employees in action. It captures parts falling down the chutes and conveyors, it shows QC inspectors checking parts, parts being assembled and many other things that highlight the operation.

    While the video plays, a written description of each process is also displayed so the viewer receives an account of what they’re viewing.

    The video has been published on the Thomasnet.com site and is ready to view by other Thomasnet visitors. In the meantime, we are also posting it as a virtual tour for all visitors.

    Enjoy and stay safe and healthy!

    Capabilities of Gent Machine – Video Tour

  5. Precision machining longevity leads to award

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    The Smart Buiness (https://www.sbnonline.com/) organization announced in August that Gent Machine Co. is a recipient of the 2020 Family Business Achievement Award! The achievement awards were given to successful family owned business that are growing for the next generation. As a 4th generation precision machining company, Gent Machine was excited to be listed among other well known Ohio businesses.

    Unfortunately, due to COVID, the award ceremony was moved to an online affair. Invites were sent out via Eventbrite.com and all were welcome to join. Below is the formal invitation that was sent out to all able to attend.

    Join us as we celebrate this accomplishment and network at the virtual 2020 Family Business Conference presented by @Cuyahoga Community College and hosted by @Smart Business Network! #FamilyBusiness #SBN #networking #virtualconference Register for free here.

  6. Capabilities increase with investment of Hwacheon Mill

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    Increasing capabilities with a capital investment (a Hwacheon Mill) during the middle of a pandemic may feel counter-intuitive to manufacturing owners. However, that is the decision made by Rich Gent and Adam Gent, owners of Gent Machine. They purchased a Hwacheon Vesta 660 high production Mill. While quoting a ventilator component, the owners agreed that the mill purchase would increase the success of the project, increase overall shop capabilities, serve customers to a higher and more complex level, and keep additional work in house for its Cleveland, Ohio work force.

    The Hwacheon was selected for its high precision machining, footprint and availability. The mill provides additional capabilities that complement a Swiss CNC shop since a lathe is generally only able to use round or hexagon shaped bars. In addition, most lathe tools remain stationary while the part moves around the tool. The mill provides increased capability as it is able to hold square and other shaped parts. A mill also has more than three axes, which is essential for the tool to move freely around parts. The ventilator component required additional axes to complete its production.  With its 26” x 16.95” working surface, the mill is appropriate for small parts such as ventilator components, valve handles and small dies.

    A huge advantage for the shop’s Cleveland, Ohio workforce was the addition of a third shift during the project. Four employees gained new skills working on the mill. Three of those employees had never worked on a mill before. Their eagerness and willingness to learn has contributed to an increase in the skill level of Gent’s employees. The shop has since hired an additional mill expert to complement its work force.

    Any capital investment is a thoughtful decision. Gent Machine took the opportunity presented in order to increase shop capabilities, increase employee skill levels, and further the company’s commitment to Total Customer Satisfaction.

  7. Automotive certification IATF 16949

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    Automotive Certification IATF 16949

    The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) changed the title of the automotive certification for TS 16949 to IATF 16949 two years ago. To be TS 16949 certified meant you could supply to the automotive industry. The certification is renewed every year as long as you pass an audit from a certified registrar that ensures your quality manual follows all of the IATF guidelines. With the change of the certification title, the IATF also tightened up on how certified facilities operate and process parts. The areas that we focused on during this change was our SWAT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) analysis, verification of material certificates by management, and document control. Document control has been a problem and because there are so many documents we feel it will continue to be a problem. During an audit this large there are just too many documents to go through to ensure all are in proper order.

    Gent Machine has been fortunate to hold this certification for almost a decade now. The original push to get certified was done in order to supply parts to a tier 2 supplier. We were initially certified as a satellite to that tier 2 supplier and then a couple years later we used the same consultant to develop our own quality manual. Once the quality manual was in place we just needed to make sure the procedures were executed. Since then we have followed through on the execution, some years better than others, but we have maintained our IATF 16949 certification.

    While applying for the certification for IATF, we also applied for the ISO 9001 certification. There is a lot of overlap between the two certifications but IATF takes the procedures further and requires more. However, if you pass the IATF audit, you will likely be awarded an ISO certificate as well.

  8. Hydromat impovements on the horizon

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    Our Hydromat machine (Legacy generation) is going through improvements and retrofitting. The improvements will allow us to boost production of an air bag part that has only been increasing in volume recently. The automotive part has increased from about 30,000 piece per year to 30,000 pieces per week over the last 6 months.

    We have been using our screw machines for the production of this part but it has put a lot of stress on this department. A screw machine alone cannot handle this steep of an increase in volume. The only way to increase cycle time, although only slightly, and improve efficiency is to switch to a rotary transfer process.

    After the improvements have been made, the machine will feature a vertical unit which will straddle mill a section of the part. The collets, bushing and ejectors will be changed. The machine has been thoroughly cleaned and units have been swapped around to accommodate the new process.

    Although the process is moving along well, things cannot never move fast enough in the manufacturing world. However, the switch will take a lot of pressure off of the screw machine department and improve our output.

  9. Younger generation propelling screw machines?

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    Younger Generation Propelling Screw Machines?

    Younger generation propelling screw machines

    Birthdays are celebrated every month at Gent Machine with a card and a birthday check. Everyone loves a birthday check but we’ve garnered some data through these celebrations. We’ve noticed the screw machines are no long for the older generation. Sure we have our old timers but they serve as our mentors to the younger generation.

    The age demographics of a machine shop in Cleveland, Ohio may or may not surprise you. There is a vision of the old guy back in the tool room with the ability to create any part for absolutely any need. Blindfolded. While we wish more young people considered a career in high precision machining, there is a competitive advantage having the expertise and problem-solving skills of experienced employees on our roster alongside our younger employees.

    In our multi-generational machining family, we cherish the years of experience our employees lend to our company and to our industry. Learning and wisdom develop through the generous teaching of others – and by making mistakes. Learning requires precious time and patience. Each machine and tool have their own idiosyncrasies. We are fortunate that our employees’ talents and experience further our mission. They use innovation and teamwork to find the right solutions to provide superior quality, machining expertise, and on time delivery.

    At Gent Machine, employees over the age of 55 make up 25.8% of our labor force, with those between the ages of 41-54 making up a whopping 48.4%. That means 74.2% of our Gent Machine family is over the age of 41. Our customers benefit from the high level of skill our team developed through the years. Our young and talented employees have access to a wealth of knowledge. Working and learning together, regardless of our calendar age, ensures our long-standing tradition of total customer satisfaction.

    Stay well.

  10. Aerospace industry slowdown not affecting contract manufacturers

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    Readers are abundant within our company. Now that COVID-19 has affected our lives, we’ve had to communicate even more with our employees. There are various tools to communicate during these challenging times, but we have been making good use of our bulletin boards. Sound old fashioned? Keep in mind that the majority of personnel in a machine shop do not have a personal computer at work. In fact, some choose not to have one, rather than it be about the money. Unlike the aerospace industry, we have not slowed down so the majority of our workforce has remained at work so we are happy to use non contact methods to communicate our messages.

    Here is a sampling of the information we are ensuring we communicate on our bulletin boards:

    1. Celebrations, such as birthdays and work anniversaries
    2. Handwashing information
    3. COVID-19 Best Practices Policy
    4. Coronavirus health updates
    5. Employee Rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
    6. Medical carrier updates
    7. Our core values
    8. Contests
    9. Ease at Work, which is our Employee Assistance Program
    10. Wellness Program
    11. Shift changes
    12. #inthistogether Ohio poster

    For the few employees that may not be back to the shop floor yet, we’re letting them know they are greatly missed. We expect this furlough to be temporary and hope that the slowdown the aerospace industry doesn’t come back to affect us (https://www.flightglobal.com/systems-and-interiors/slow-recovery-suppliers-to-be-hit-hard-aerospace-leaders-predict/137930.article). If it does then we will weather the storm just as we have in the past. We would reduce production but increase our cleaning efforts. A cleaner facility leads to improved efficiency.

    We look forward to communicating face to face again with our customers and our employees. Until then, we will wear our masks, continue to practice social distancing and use the abundance of tools we are so fortunate to have at our fingertips.

    Stay well!

    Aerospace Industry Slowdown not Affecting Contract Manufacturers