Back in 2005 we received our ISO 9001:2000 certification. At the time we had no idea how important it would turn out to be for our business. John Prosock Machine took this step forward to ensure that our CNC mill and lathe work would continue to be competitive and of the highest quality. This was a milestone for our company that has pushed us forward. Owner John Prosock had always pursued a high commitment to CNC machining quality, but knew this certification would be necessary to broaden Prosock Machine’s ability to attract new business as demands for CNC mill and lathe work increase. Customers realize that an ISO certificate does not guarantee that the machine shop is holding these high standards. But our customers now have a sense of confidence that a process is in place that is consistent and has the outside accountability of ISO. There is a lot of record keeping necessary to comply with ISO standards, which has necessitated greater care from our top management right down to the mill and lathe operators. Our CNC machine operators found that once they got into the rhythm of the process and record keeping the added work was minimal but their ability to achieve and hold higher standards for their metal machining has increased. These standards have raised the bar for them and they have step up to the plate.
Prosock Machine chose the ISO 9000 since it specifically relates to the use of quality management and the quality assurance standards necessary for the highest quality CNC machining. Tiffany Rafferty is our quality assurance rep and does a great job keeping records and making sure we comply with all ISO standards. Our commitment to quality CNC machining gives as a “what ever it takes” mentality as we seek to please our customers. We are proud to be part of the many companies that carry an ISO certification.
It seems that everyone is lining up to chant some sort of environmental mantra these days. This chorus of chatter ranges from international governments to every crack and crevasse in the private sector. Is the sky falling? Have we over reacted? Are there sensible ways to “go green?”
Often manufacturing sits in the crosshairs of some of the gravest concerns, and in many cases its well deserved. As owners and managers of CNC mill and lathe shops we have to ask the question, “what is our responsibility?” How can we take care of the planet and still turn a profit machining parts. Should we allow our concern over our carbon footprint to step on our ability to make a profit? At our core we want to machine quality parts and take full advantage of our mill and lathe technology, but I believe all of us want to do our part in setting up more sustainable practices for our day to day precision machining.
It seems that there is a positive pier pressure taking hold in most neighborhoods. A growing number of consumers are recycling and taking measures to move toward renewable energy sources. But since consumer recycling addresses only 1%-2% of the solution, business have to understand that we carry the burden for environmental care. We have to hold the business neighborhood to a greater accountability. Maybe machine shops will become the poster child for 21st century global environmental responsibility.
I read a recent post by Dan Goldsmith and he makes the following suggestions:
- On CNC machines with that are electrically controlled with advanced drives, change the parameters in the spindle drives so that they ramp up a little more gradually, saving energy and money.
- Use energy-efficient T-8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts to light your shop instead of the old-fashioned T-12 lamps (the bigger ones) that waste energy and money. “Every [lost] kilowatt hour translates directly into dollars of lost profit.”
- Recycle waste coolant and oil from CNC mill and lathe machines with companies that specialize in field. “I just spoke to a rep a couple of weeks ago about filtering our press oil into burnable fuel oil for our boilers to heat our plant.” Dan also suggests considering bio-degradable coolants.
- “Also what about all that scrap metal? Is it being properly recycled? This is a good area to consider renegotiating for best price.” Scrap companies are always looking for another machine shop to work with.
- Recycle used carbide.
- Run more work during second or third shifts on off-peak energy hours.
“Going green” can be about profit and global responsibility. Let’s choose both.
From time to time on our blog we are going to spotlight some of the team members of John Prosock Machine. As a precision machine shop that provides quality CNC milling and lathe machining, we know that we are only as good as the people that make up our team. Our team philosophy sits at the core of our ability to achieve on time delivery combined with tight tolerance quality from the first machined work piece to the last.
Tiffany Rafferty somewhat stumbled into the machine shop business back in 2000 through her cousin, Amanda, who also works at John Prosock machine. Tiffany started out in the machine shop where she learned to operate CNC milling machines and CNC lathes. Tiffany was a quick study and rapidly moved from not just operating precision machines but programming some of our vertical and horizontal turning centers.
Tiffany also had a knack for administrative tasks and the eye for detail necessary in the tight tolerance world of machining. Within a couple years, she had transitioned from the machine shop floor into the office environment. She now processes quotes for machined parts and serves as our Management Representative for our ISO 9001:2000. She was instrumental in the certification process and now works daily in making sure our precision machining meets these international codes.
Tiffany recently said, “With this job it always keeps you busy. There is never a dull moment. I like working with the ISO part of job because it helps me stay organized and think or new ideas for the organization of our machine shop.” Tiffany recently conducted our regularly scheduled ISO meeting where she reviewed practices in both our milling and lathe departments with all of our staff.
What does Tiff do in her spare time? “I have 2 boys so spare time right now is not an option, but I do like to read and go running – not away from the kids. Most of all I like to spend time with my family.”
Owner John Prosock believes that Tiffany has been a strategic part of the growth of his machine shop. Her precision skills help us make precision machined parts every day.
