Haas Automation tools up for Mini Mill success

From its introduction in 2000, the Mini Mill has enjoyed success with both smaller shops and large shops, says Haas Automation, Inc.(Oxnard, CA). By October 2000, 120 Mini Mills were rolling off a production line that was specifically dedicated to producing them.

The Mini Mill, which sports a 16- × 12- × 10-in. travel (XYZ) on a compact footprint of 6.5- × 6.5-ft, has broad appeal. For smaller shops, or those just starting out, the Mini Mill is said to be "an affordable first step into CNC." For large shops, and those firmly established in the industry, the Mini Mill is well suited for performing second operations, or for machining smaller jobs that would otherwise tie up a bigger machine.

Demand for the Mini Mill has been excellent and anticipated, says Bob Murray, Haas operations manager.

"We anticipated the demand and established a separate production line exclusively for the Mini Mill," says Murray. That line features an automated flexible manufacturing system FMS setup to machine the castings, a robotic welding system to build the machine pedestals, a dedicated area for assembly, and a staff of specialized employees whose only job is to produce the Mini Mills.

Haas is currently is in the process of expanding its manufacturing facility by nearly 200,000-ft²—the second such addition since moving to Oxnard in 1997, bringing total manufacturing to 800,000- ft². The expansion, which is slated to be completed by the spring of 2001, will increase Haas' manufacturing capacity to more than 1,000 CNC machines per month. Small machine capacity for the Mini Mills is expected to climb to 200 a month.

Haas Automation, Inc., 2800 Sturgis Road, Oxnard, CA 93030 USA. Tel: 800-331-6746 or 805-278-1800. Fax: 805-278-2255.

Edited by Jim Lorincz
Managing Editor
JLorincz@vertical.net