"Best thing about Drake is their willingness to listen,
to become our partner."

Boston Gear recently ordered a Drake GS:I two-axis CNC Internal Grinder to finish the inside diameter on worm shafts used in the company's gearboxes. "We grind bores" is how Woody Prouty characterizes the operation, and why he especially appreciated Drake's need-based approach.

The K.I.S.S. concept
"Drake partners with you to keep the solution simple" Prouty reports, "to put the precision where it's needed, and to keep you from buying what you don't need. They focus on solving your process problem, not on putting unnecessary bells and whistles on a machine."

Small lot flexibility
The Louisburg plant's bore work ranges from ten to 200 pieces per order. They work with 8620L that's been heat treated to approximately 60 Rockwell, grinding bore diameters that range from .312" to 1.375", with a 1:1 bore/stroke ratio. With the new Drake GS:I grinder, they are looking at reducing set-up time by up to 75%. While they are using vitrified aluminum oxide initially, they plan to move up to seeded gel and then to CBN eventually. The machine's variable speed range of 20,000 to 75,000 RPM allows it to be used with all the modern abrasives.

The added value of accuracy
The new Drake consistently holds much closer tolerances than the machines formerly used to grind the family of worm shafts. This improved accuracy has produced a welcome bonus for Boston Gear. "Our number one objective is to provide products that meet or exceed the expectations of our customers," Woody Prouty reports. "Our Drake grinders are a key factor in achieving this goal."

Their second Drake
Boston Gear first experienced Drake's way of working toward the customer's goals when they acquired a Drake CNC Thread Grinder. Within a day-and-a-half, it was producing. Within a week, it was producing 30% faster than the two machines it replaced, combined.