If You Build It

Eifel’s new five-axis machine was a major investment, but the small shop expects it will lead to expanded business prospects.

Rick Hecker of Eifel Mold & Engineering talks in this video about his shop’s move to five-axis machining.

Today, the shop’s new five-axis machine simplifies mold milling through 3 2 machining. However, that’s not the ultimate goal. The further aim is that this machine will begin the shop’s diversification into complex machining applications well beyond mold making. The machine was bought on the expectation that this sort of work will come.

Another shop bought a large pallet cell based on the similar hope that work will fill it. The shop’s owner even calls this his “Field of Dreams” strategy. (If you build it, they will come.)

Have you ever followed such a strategy? Have you installed or committed to major new capacity with high confidence that you’ll find the work to fill it? E-mail me to describe this investment. (We might even help. We may describe your new capabilities in a future blog post.)