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Programming
Programming isn't just a step in the process. Granted, programming is required for the CNC equipment to perform the necessary tasks. So it takes a technical mind to go through the step-by-step motions to tell the machine what to do. But, at Midwest Precision, programming is so much more. Often times, customers will come in with plans already developed. Prints are in hand, waiting to be turned into computer programs. Other times, the details are sketchy. The customer knows what they want. But they're not sure how to turn that idea into a reality. That is where the true creative minds of the programmers come into play. In one instance, the programmers were able to utilize reverse engineering to turn a dream into a reality. Chris Hill is the director of the Sioux Falls Municipal Band and the principal clarinetist in the South Dakota Symphony. Having a quality instrument and mouthpiece are critical in the depth and clarity of the sound. So, when Chris dropped his expensive mouthpiece, he was left to find a suitable replacement. Mouthpieces today don't have the same type of sound that they did during the early and mid 20th century. To obtain an antique mouthpiece would cost as much as $2,500 in many auctions. Many clarinets are sold for just as much. Hill states that the mouthpiece is more important than the instrument itself. So does one sacrifice quality of sound for a lesser cost? Or does one spend the additional money for a better sounding mouthpiece that's worth as much as the clarinet itself? Chris was certain there had to be a better answer. He contacted Guy Chadash, one of the top clarinet makers in the world, and the only one in the United States. The issue, as they saw it, was that the current mouthpieces were were manufactured out of hot rubber and plastic that is molded. The classic Chedeville style mouthpieces of the 1930's were sculpted out of hard rubber, which allowed for more precision. The two came to Midwest Precision with a design and specifications. From there, the design engineers (programmers) were able to reverse engineer the mouthpieces and develop specific specifications for the mouthpieces. Then, programs were developed for the machines and equipment so that the hard plastic could be precisely milled to specification. Throughout the production process, the mouthpieces are checked and rechecked for accuracy in its baffle, bore, chamber, and window. Once the process is complete, the quality department performs a final check to ensure all pieces produced meet all specifications. These methods of production were ultimately utilized to ensure consistency in dimension and design. This approach to manufacturing these mouthpieces was required in order to replicate the Chedeville mouthpiece tonal characteristics of sound. And, while this was an unusual project for MPTD, it further illustrates their ability to take any idea, large or small, and develop amazing projects. |
Send mail to jpatrick@midwestprecision-sd.com with
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