NewsVirtek – Health Fair – Trumpf TC5000 – Operator Certification Our Mention in a Recent Press ReleaseAugust 2010 Fighting for American Jobs- Why Spending More Makes SenseTrumpf TC5000April 2008 New in 2008, our Trumpf TC5000 punch doubled our CNC punching capacity and expanded our fabrication capabilities; coupled with our Trumpf 500, Sound has the capacity to exceed our customers’ needs. Not only does the TC5000 provide unimaginable speed and accuracy, the CNC sheet metal punch also had the added capabilities of small press brake tooling, beading, deburring, and tapping. The ability to run lights out increases our capacity and allows us to meet our customers increasing needs. With Trumpf only 45 minutes away, we have all their training and technical support at our door step. We invest in the latest technology to ensure we maintain a competitive edge on cost, quality, and lead-time. Trumpf True-Bend Press BrakeKeeping up with the speed of the Trumpf TC5000 is a challenge! To support the increase in our punching capacity in April 2008, we purchased a Trumpf Tru-Bend. The addition of the new press brake to our existing collection of seven other press brakes provided enhanced capacity and flexibility. This acquisition of the Tru-Bend is another example of our commitment to maintaining current technology. Health FairMarch 2008 Sound Manufacturing held its first employee Health Fair in March 2008. Morin and Associates and Voluntary Health Solutions sponsored the event. We are not only committed to our customers, but also to the success and health of our team-members. The health fair event was hosted onsite providing access to a vast array of health care professionals. A large variety of participants were present at the health fair to provide information and services to all Sound team-members including our health and dental providers, an identity theft prevention expert, and a dietitian. In addition to information, the following services were provided: a nurse conducted glucose and cholesterol screening, Chiropractor, Dr Connaughty of Old Saybrook, provided evaluations and adjustments along with chair massages, stress tests and nutritional snacks and recipes were also provided. Sound team members were also offered free trial memberships and discounts at a local gym. The health fair provided many opportunities for all of us to ask questions, learn new information, receive health screenings, and experience chiropractic care. We are looking forward to making this an annual event. Thank you to all participants for making this event such a success. VirtekAugust 2007 Sound Manufacturing is committed to meeting our customers’ quality specifications. To support our commitment to quality and enhance the speed and accuracy of the inspection process, we purchased a Virtek Quality Inspection Table. The Virtek is capable of a complete inspection of all part attributes (i.e., whole position and size, outside contours, etc.) on the x and y axes of flat piece parts. The Virtek outlines any non-conformance in red for easy detection by the inspector. The Virtek also affords quality inspectors full inspection reports that travel with the work order throughout the fabrication process. Another benefit of the Virtek is its capability of reverse engineering flat piece parts, calculating detailed drawings within minutes. These drawings can be used to program and fabricate the same part without the expense of engineering from the start. The drawings can also be used to lessen additional engineering costs, by providing a basic drawing to which changes can be made. Operator CertificationOur management team is dedicated to our employees’ success. We ensure their success through a comprehensive employee development program. To provide the best learning experience possible, we worked with David King, an expert in the field of blueprint reading and metrology. David King is highly sought after nationally by some of the biggest names in manufacturing. We were fortunate to have David living locally, which enabled us to develop a true partnership with him instead of a short-term workshop. Not only did we teach blueprint reading and metrology, but we went a step further and developed an Operator Certification Program to meet our specific needs. An Operator Certification Program (OCP) is not just another “training” program. OCP is a program that empowers employees with the responsibility and ownership of their own work. The program certifies operators in inspecting and making accept/reject decisions of their own work. OPC is designed to improve productivity and quality while reducing costs at the same time. Participants were introduced to the principles, expectations, and procedures of the Operator Certification Program. Operators took part in two comprehensive training programs. The first program, a 20-hour Blueprint and Metrology class and the second program was a 12-hour operator certification class. Each class was held in 3-hour sessions over an extended time period. An audit system further enhanced on the job operator development and monitoring of progress. As with all employee development programs, the Operator Certification Program is a work in progress. We focus on continuous improvement and developing ever-increasing skill levels. Thank you to David King for his ongoing support and investment in our success. We also wish him the best of luck in his quest for the Modified Tractor Pulling Championship with his “Mr. No Respect” team. You can visit David at www.mrnorespect.com.
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