Quality On Time Machining Increases Productivity with Mastercam’s Multiaxis Capabilities
“The support is probably the biggest plus with MLC CAD Systems. The human touch they offer is something missing from most companies”
Introduction
Quality On Time Machining (QOTM) has been a family run business since 1996, focusing primarily on Aerospace machined parts. Being successful in meeting customer’s requirements is not the only goal of the Parker family; being able to make parts faster and more efficiently, has been the goal since day one.
Quality On Time Machining, Inc. (QOTM), located in Enumclaw, Washington, is a precision CNC machine shop founded in 1996. Specializing in aerospace machining, QOTM delivers high-quality components using advanced CNC centers, CMM inspection, and modern fixturing and tooling methods. Their core expertise include:
- Expert in tight-tolerance milling, turning, and inspection for aerospace components.
- Utilizes state-of-the-art CNC programming, tooling, and probing (e.g., Haas mills, Renishaw probes, Mitutoyo CMM) to maximize accuracy and throughput.
- Committed to six‑sigma standards, delivering dependable parts with efficient lead times and rigorous quality controls.
Quality On Time Machining primarily serves the aerospace and aviation sector, supplying precision-machined components that meet rigorous performance standards. They also support industrial and machinery manufacturing industries that require high-precision, reliable CNC parts with exceptional consistency
The Challenge
A customer of QOTM had a high‐volume part with a current 8.5 hour cycle time that required six machines to produce. With 27 different tool planes, hemstitching the part, then deburring, this process was no longer sustainable. They needed to find a way to meet the increasing demands of their new customers along with increasing the speed in which they produced their existing customer’s part.
The Solution
QOTM decided to invest in two new machines capable of handling the multiple toolpaths. To fulfill their software needs, QOTM sought out MLC CAD Systems to provide them with Mastercam Mill 3D and Mastercam Multiaxis. MLC CAD Systems was able to further help with creating a DMG Mori post for their new machines in addition to supplying the needed support and training to get up to speed with 5‐axis programming.
Implementation
MLC CAD Systems played a key role in helping Quality On Time Machining (QOTM) overcome a major production bottleneck and scale their operations to meet growing customer demand. Faced with a high-volume aerospace part that required six machines and 8.5 hours to produce, QOTM turned to MLC for both advanced software and expert support. MLC provided Mastercam Mill 3D and Multiaxis, developed a custom DMG Mori post processor, and delivered personalized training to help the team quickly adapt to 5-axis programming. This transition enabled QOTM to streamline toolpaths, eliminate manual processes like hemstitching, and complete parts more efficiently using fewer machines. The result was significant productivity gains, freed-up equipment capacity, and notable revenue growth. According to Co-Owner Mike Parker, “The support is probably the biggest plus with MLC CAD Systems. The human touch they offer is something missing from most companies.”
Results
The incorporation of the Multiaxis tool motion with their existing processes significantly improved efficiency. By using a 5‐axis work center, they were able to eliminate traditional stitching with ball end mills and substantially cover more areas in a much shorter time frame. After hiring a contract programmer, incorporating in‐house tooling design for part fixtures, and freeing up six other machines for new work, the company reported an increase in revenue growth for that year. “The support is probably the biggest plus with MLC CAD Systems. The human touch they offer is something missing from most companies”, says Mike Parker, QOTM’s Co‐Owner and Operations Manager.
