Engineering

Our engineering department consists of:

Seven CAD workstations
- Four with CAM capabilities

Everything is designed in 3D solids, giving us many capabilities, including:

The ability to determine accurate tool weight
The ability to balance the tools before manufacturing
The ability to design and manufacture with virtually no limitations

When fixturing is designed in 3D solids, we are able to assure no interference between the fixture and the tooling. This is a valuable time save for the customer, assuring that little or no changes will need to be made to the fixture during first time run-off.

The software we utilize is Unigraphics NX4, which we update on a regular basis to keep up with the latest technology. We are able to transfer files to DXF and IGES format, so that the drawing files may be sent electronically if necessary.

Our engineers have a strong manufacturing background, which is essential in design. Because of this, when designing, they are aware of how it will need to be machined. Therefore, nothing is designed that cannot be machined. In addition, our database of components has been built up over the last fifteen years, so we are able to input almost any hardware that is required.

The design and manufacturing departments work together closely to insure the final product is to specification. They are aided by Unigraphics, which drives the processes from design, to programming, to machining, to inspection programming. With this, we are able to machine exactly to the CAD drawing.

At ETW, we do not "cut corners" in our design or manufacturing; we believe in doing it right the first time. This belief has lead to our success in the special tool design industry