For decades, Craftech Industries has quietly enjoyed success, and now it’s expanding. Read Full Article Here

CRAFTECH Industries Inc. has recently acquired two sliding headstock machines, an MLK 32D Hybrid Swiss from Maier Machines, and a Tsugami 206 lathe from Tsugami Corporation. Sliding headstock machines, also known as “Swiss-Type” Machines, are a type of lathe / machine tool that can cut long, thin parts with virtually zero deflection. Originally developed in Switzerland in the 1940′s for the production of miniature watch pieces, what have become CNC sliding headstock machines are now the lathes par excellence in the production of small, complex pieces that demand precision and exact cutting.

Unlike conventional machine tools, which have fixed headstocks, the headstock of sliding machine tools move. The bar stock is passed through a guide bushing as well as the usual collet; this both moves the stock along the machine’s Z-axis, reducing measurement deviation, as well as supporting the stock exceptionally close to the cutting area and reducing deflection to essentially nothing. Because of this set up, complex and heavy cuts can be made on small bar stocks with no aberrations in measurements. This makes the sliding headstock machine ideal for manufacturing products with small diameters and long threads. Additionally, sliding headstock machines can perform multiple actions that ordinarily would require several operations, such as milling, drilling, reaming, and sawing work. This precludes the need for other equipment and means entire pieces can be produced on a single machine. Sliding headstock machines can therefore run for hours without the need to interrupt production. Since the need for mid-work regripping is vastly reduced, cutting accuracy subsequently increases.

AS the demand for precision devices of all kinds grows ever larger, the parts and tooling (including threaded fasteners) needed to manufacture these items have grown steadily smaller. As anyone working in the area of technology knows, some parts are now so small that they cannot be seen without magnification. While most CNC machining outfits are now touting their ability to produce parts so small that they must be measured in microns or nanometers, Craftech® Industries Inc. has been quietly producing tiny parts for more than thirty-five years. With the purchase of Swiss-type mill-turn centers, Craftech has begun an acquisition program with the goal of increasing the ease of producing large quantities of very small parts and fasteners, such as 0-80 and 1.4 mm screws. As we grow more familiar with the new machines’ capabilities, it will become possible for us to produce even smaller threaded fasteners, such as 00s.

While some materials, even with the most up-to-date equipment, are not dimensionally stable enough to withstand machining to very tight tolerances, many of the materials used today can, with reasonable care, be turned to very tight tolerances. Some of these materials include: PEEK®, Glass-filled Nylon, CPVC, Vespel, Ultrem 2400, Torlon, and G-10, to name only a few. Parts can be manufactured according to ANSI, DIN, UNC, UNJ, ISO, NPT, straight NPT, ACME, stub ACME, and JIS standards, among others. In addition to standard product lines, Craftech can also produce custom parts to our customers’ specifications. We also provide packaging and assembly services.

Craftech Industries, a high performance plastic fasteners and components manufacturer, recognizes solar power and photovoltaic related equipment as the newest market seeking Craftech’s standard and custom plastic parts.

Hudson, NY

 

Craftech is now supplying both standard and custom plastic parts to design engineers facing tough engineering problems related to wafer processing, the manufacture of solar cells and modules, and photovoltaic systems. Those company’s include many major oem’s and advanced manufacturers in the solar and semiconductor industries.

Having served the semiconductor industry for over 25 years, Craftech has easily moved into supplying plastic components to the solar and photovoltaic markets due to the same or similar design solutions required in both industries. Plastic material solutions include corrosion resistance, lightweight, acid and chemical resistance, high temperature and low temperature ranges as well as high strength.

Materials specified by customers include PEEK, glass-filled PEEK, PVDF, PTFE, PFA, Ultem 1000/2300, PET-P, PPS and phenolics G7/G10. Parts ordered include metric and standard screws, spacers and custom machined and fabricated components.

Craftech supplies complete quality control and material documentation as well as non-disclosure agreements. Many engineers and designers within the solar and photovoltaic industries are seeking manufacturers with proven experience to produce their plastic fasteners and components.

About Craftech Industries

Craftech has been manufacturing plastic fastener and components for over 40 years. The company produces precision CNC machined, screw machined and injection molded plastic parts in a huge selection of plastic materials. Both standard and custom components are produced at their Hudson, NY plant. Parts are shipped worldwide. For more information about Craftech Industries, please call our sales department.
Craftech has been manufacturing plastic fastener and components for over 40 years. The company produces precision CNC machined, screw machined and injection molded plastic parts in a huge selection of plastic materials. Both standard and custom components are produced at their Hudson, NY plant. Parts are shipped worldwide. For more information about Craftech Industries, please call our sales department.

LILA Van Nostrand has been promoted to Shipping Department Manager. Born and raised in Hudson, New York, Mrs. Van Nostrand had plenty of experience in the shipping industry prior to joining our Hudson offices, having worked for many years in the shipping department of a local jewelry boutique. She joined Craftech in November of 1999 to work as a shipping clerk. After eight years, Lila transferred to the Accounts Receivable office, where, as she says, her “detail-oriented” approach served her well, and caught the attention of management, who moved her back to shipping in October 2010, now as manager.

As manager, Mrs. Van Nostrand oversees both domestic and international shipping, to places as far-flung as Continental Europe, China, the Pacific Rim, and South America, to name only a few. On any given day, between thirty to forty packages, containing anything from company-produced set screws and washers to third-party products distributed through Craftech, will pass under her scrutiny. Married and with two children, Mrs. Van Nostrand says she has adjusted well to her managerial duties, and says she very much enjoys the fresh challenges and learning experiences of her new position. She also says she is thankful to work with a company that rewards hard work with new opportunities, and looks forward to growing and learning from her new position. Craftech Industries is very pleased to have Mrs. Van Nostrand on board.