southernviewmedia, Author at B&S Machine Shop

What is Keyway Cutting?

Posted on June 17, 2019August 12, 2019 by southernviewmedia

What is Keyway Cutting?

Today, most modern machines are comprised of rotating gears and pulleys. Whether it’s a car or a vacuum cleaner, most have rotating parts with a shaft fixed to a gear. Keyway cutting helps bond a gear or pulley to a shaft. Keep reading for more about the different ways to use the keyway-cutting method.

What is a Keyway?

When a gear, or something similar, needs to fit onto a rod or shaft and transfer force, in the form of rotation, a key helps accomplish this. A notch called a keyway is cut on the inside of the gear along with another notch cut, longways, into the shaft. Then and a piece, usually metal, called a key is inserted into the shaft keyway. The gear can then be fitted onto the shaft and the keyway on the gear will fit over the key, inserted in the shaft. This causes the shaft and gear to become locked together when rotating, thus transferring rotational force between the shaft and gear.

Tapered and Straight Bores

A pulley or gear can fit onto a shaft via a straight bore or a tapered bore. The engineer designing the machine will decide which is best for the application. The straight bore has a hole in the center of the gear or pulley that is the same diameter on both the front and back. The hole goes straight through. The tapered bore has a hole through the gear or pulley that has a different diameter on the front than the back; thus tapering inward or outward.

Cutting Parallel to a Tapered Bore

It is worth noting that a degree of difficulty lies in fitting a tapered bore with a keyway. Cutting parallel to the tapered bore is a task for the most trained professionals. When considering machining services, make sure the machine shop you choose has experience performing this service. This part of the build can make or break your project.

Other Keys Available

Many other types of keys are also used. The most simple type of key is called a square. It is a square-shaped rod of varying length. A flat key is a shorter version of the square. A dowel is a round, rod-like key. Similar to the square is a taper key, except it is tapered on one end. A feather key is much like the square as well, but it is rounded on each end. A gib-head key is a bit more complex, because it has a head on the larger of the two ends that prevents it from being inserted all the way. Lastly, the woodruff key has become more popular recently. It resembles a thick coin that has been cut in half.

If you need more assistance with keyway cutting, call us today at B & S Machine Shop. We have the professionals ready to handle any project.

The B & S manufacturing team is prepared to handle any of your parts and service requirements! Please review our extensive machinery inventory, which is housed in our 12,000-sq. ft building and supported by a staff that shares the same values to satisfy customer needs and requirements.

Give us a call at 251-928-5291 or visit bsmachineshop.com and allow us the opportunity to serve your Manufacturing and Machine Shop needs.

Benefits of Using a Local Machine Shop

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by southernviewmedia

Benefits of Using a Local Machine Shop

The advantages and capabilities of using a local machine shop for your project are that they are more readily available than regular machine shops. From custom parts to high-quality material, a local shop pays close attention to details that matter in production and that pertain to your industry. You also want to make sure you are investing as well as getting the best quote.

More Service Options

Rather you want to buy new or simply repair worn parts, a local machine shop offers fully equipped CNC turning, threading complex parts and shapes and even reverse engineering services. General machines shops are limited in offering these services or does not offer them at all, especially, when it comes to cutting stubborn pieces such as keys or splines.

Manufacturing Industrial Parts

Typical items are manufactured in power and chemical plants and include unique fabricated brackets for special projects plus special attention to detail with high rotating RPM. Marine industrial manufacturing includes replacement propeller shafts and repairing worn/corroded parts. Steel parts include Bearing Houses, Axels, Seal Glands, to name a few. Aviation manufacturing has Test Fixtures and design for Roll-Over stands for Thrust Reversers- true craftsmanship and the use of hydraulic dollies for aircraft replacement.

Larger Stocked Inventory

A large amount of inventory is stocked with material such as Machine Stock and Support Tooling in order to fulfill customers’ needs and orders. It is delivered as soon as possible for your convenience with care and safety. Plus, local machine shops have more capacity for last minute requests. You can check out a list of inventory items on our website for more information.

Better Price, Better Quality

The custom prototype pieces you are looking for are made in-house and can only be found at a local machine shop. Other general shops do not always train staff properly or have the correct machinery to do tedious work. Here at B & S Machine shop, we make sure we use the correct tools to get the part that you want as well as deliver it in a timely manner to meet your needs.

The B & S manufacturing team is prepared to handle any of your parts and service requirements! Please review our extensive machinery inventory, which is housed in our 12,000 Square Foot building and supported by a staff that shares the same values to satisfy customer needs and requirements. Give us a call at 251-928-5291 or visit bsmachineshop.com and allow us the opportunity to serve your Manufacturing and Machine Shop needs.

The Importance of Testing Pneumatic and Hydraulic Valves

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by southernviewmedia

The Importance of Testing Pneumatic and Hydraulic Valves

Hydraulic and pneumatic valve systems are used worldwide in various industries. The importance of testing pneumatic and hydraulic valves cannot be understated. Maintaining adequate function and safety is the key to not only get the job done but to ensure users and end-users stay safe. The testing of pneumatic and hydraulic valves needs to be left to the professionals. There are very strict guidelines around proper testing which should be followed whether the testing is legally bound or simply to ensure your tools are safe. Let’s cover the importance of testing pneumatic and hydraulic valves.

Pneumatic Valves

Pneumatic valves use compressed air for power. Pneumatic valves are most commonly used in construction, buildings, factories, mills and in technology. Pneumatic valves are also used in medicine. If you have been to the dentist for dental work, you have likely been the recipient of pneumatic valve power in the dentist’s drill. Likewise, a routine bank stop at the drive-thru is a lesson in the power of pneumatic valves as you send your deposit up the teller tube. With this, it is easy to see the importance of testing pneumatic valves. So many industries run on this type of power. To keep these tasks running smoothly and efficiently, proper and timely testing is critical.

Hydraulic Valves

By contrast with pneumatic valves, hydraulic valve systems use a type of fluid for power instead of air for the source of power. Types of fluid used in hydraulic valves include oil, mixtures of oil and in some tools, water. Like pneumatic valve systems, hydraulic power is also used in many different industries. Some places you will find hydraulic valves is in your car’s braking system and in construction equipment such as bulldozers or excavating equipment. You can also look for hydraulic power in lifting equipment such as powered wheelchairs and some boat lifts. Tasks that require very heavy lifting or excavating often run on hydraulic power.

Both hydraulic valves and pneumatic valves have their advantages in the chosen industry and job at hand. From lighter tasks such as the dentist’s chair to bulldozing a large piece of land, the choice of which power source to choose lies in the job. However, either of these systems can malfunction when not tested professionally on a regular basis. Risks of danger to the user, recipient or parcel of land are real. Lack of efficiency to get the job completed on time is a real risk, too. With the competitive marketplace of all industries, being able to deliver safe and timely work is key to keeping business running. Therefore, it is best not to risk these important items by neglecting testing or testing yourself.

B&S Machine Shop is a family-owned business with expertise including proper testing of pneumatic and hydraulic valves. Give us a call at 251-928-5291 or visit bsmachineshop.com and allow us the opportunity to serve your Manufacturing and Machine Shop needs.

6 Things To Consider When Choosing The Right Machine Shop

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by southernviewmedia

6 Things To Consider When Choosing The Right Machine Shop

When you are searching for a machine shop, you should be sure to do thorough research in order to determine what shop is best for your project. Ordering parts can be an extremely complex process and many consumers run into issues that are avoidable when proper research is done. At B&S Machine Shop we have compiled a list of six things that should be considered when choosing the right machine shop. Keep reading as we dive deeper into detail and help assist you in this decision.

Be Specific with Tolerances

Always be sure to be specific regarding tolerances. This is one of the most important steps to ensure that the part you are having made is going to work in the way you need it to. The term tolerance is a way of specifying the range of measurement for the part needed. If you are doing a project that requires precision and exactness, having specific tolerance plays a large role and is important to ensure proper functioning. In addition, tolerances can affect the final cost of production significantly.

Surface Roughness

Surface roughness is used in regards to the height of the peaks and valleys of the surface at a microscopic level. If you are wanting to keep your cost to a minimum, use the highest number that you are able to accept.

Choose Proper Material

Choosing material can’t be that hard, right? This process seems like it would be the easiest, but there are some things that can be considered in order to reduce your production cost. For example, many people think that ordering steel parts is cheaper than aluminum due to the fact that steel costs less. However, aluminum is easier to machine and results in less wear on tools because it is about four times less dense than steel.

Be Flexible

Keep in mind that when you are ordering a certain material, the shop may not have it in stock at the time. If you are able to and the part is flexible, consider using a different material. For example, if you are looking for Aluminum 6061 but can use Aluminum 5052, let the shop know.

Know the Process

Those who are new to custom part design should always consider the manufacturing process in order to have an idea of accurate production costs.

Never Assume

Just like with anything else in life, there is always the chance that things may not go as you have planned. Be sure that you have specified everything that you need and leave no room for interpretation.

B&S Machine Shops’ manufacturing team is prepared to handle any of your parts manufacturing and service requirement needs within our capability and limits! Give us a call at 251-928-5291 and allow us the opportunity to serve your manufacturing/machine shop needs.

Different Types of Welding

Posted on June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 by southernviewmedia

Different Types of Welding

When it comes to machine shop services, welding is a commonly needed service. It requires precision and a keen eye in order to produce a finished piece. While we may think of the type of welding seen in movies and television shows, there are many different types of welding used in the industry.

Arc Welding

One of the most popular kinds of welding is Arc Welding. It is the first type of welding most professionals learn and with good reason; it is among the most versatile. It produces a bright light and makes a “welding” noise. It is used in a variety of industries. Arc welding involves the use of a stick, also called the electrode, that melts when exposed to the arc and acts as a filler for the two metals being welded together.

MIG Welding

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding is a type of welding that relies on a gas to protect the weld area from the atmosphere during the process. The weld can be corrupted by moisture and oxygen in the environment; requiring work to be done indoors. Welders using this type of welding process can work at a faster pace, thus making it a great choice when a job requires extensive welding.

TIG Welding

TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas and this type of welding requires a non-consumable tungsten electrode to deliver a current to the welding arc. This process also uses a gas for shielding the weld area much like MIG welding. Whereas MIG uses a continuous feed of wire, TIG uses long welding rods that are fed into the weld area (if you are using a filler). This type of welding is used on thin pieces of metal whereas MIG would be used on thicker metal pieces.

Flux-Cored Welding

The big difference here is that the welding rod, or electrode, is a tube filled with a material called flux. A benefit of Flux-Cored Welding is that it can be used without a shielding gas. Combine this with the continuous feed of the welding rod and you have a very quick form of welding. In addition, the filler will be less brittle than in MIG and TIG welding. This type is also mainly used on thick metal pieces.

Plasma Welding

Plasma welding is similar to TIG welding in that the electrode, or stick, is not melted by the arc. In this type of welding, there are at least two separate gases being used: one is shielding gas and the other is the plasma gas. The plasma gas shoots out of a nozzle and is aimed at the weld area. Either a separate filler is used for filling gaps or the two metals are fused from melting together. Also like TIG, this is mainly used on thin metals.

Many of the products in use today exist because of the materials and expertise of an experienced welder. No matter the size of the project, the experts at B&S Machine Shop have you covered. For any questions regarding the services we offer, call us at 251-928-5291.