Screw Machine
Walker Products operates a fully furnished Screw Machine Facility in Fruita, Colorado, and has been a prominent player in the screw machine industry since 1968. Our 12,000 square foot facility boasts state-of-the-art milling, drilling, threading, and assembly capabilities. We are equipped with an array of single and multi-spindle automatic machines, including automated Acme Gridley, Brown & Sharpe, Citizen, Davenport, Tsugami Swiss, and more, capable of handling close tolerance and precision projects. Our services cater to various industries such as automotive, electronics, computer, safety, and air control.
Walker Products offers Swiss Machining capabilities to our customers. Swiss Machining is a highly specialized and precise manufacturing process that is ideal for producing small, intricate parts with tight tolerances. It involves the use of a sliding headstock lathe that allows for precise and efficient machining of small parts. At Walker Products, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality parts using the latest technology and techniques, including Swiss Machining.
We use a variety of materials, including steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, brass, stainless steel, and plastic, to produce high-quality products that are competitively priced. Our expert screw machining technology and experience are applied to every job, ensuring quality and accuracy. At Walker Products, we are committed to providing our customers with reliable quality parts that meet their exact requirements. Our ISO 9001/ IATF16949 certification, along with our utilization of Statistical Process Control, CPK Capability Studies, Process Control Plans, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, Process Flow Charts, Initial Sample Inspection Reports, and Production Part Approval Processes, ensures that we maintain the precision tolerances required by our customers.
Walker Products’ screw machine manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce a wide range of precision components for various industries. Here are some examples of products we can produce using our screw machines:
- Fittings and connectors for hydraulic and pneumatic systems
- Couplings for industrial machinery and equipment
- Fasteners, including bolts, screws, and studs
- Bushings and spacers for bearings and other applications
- Shafts and pins for automotive, aerospace, and other industries
- Electrical contacts for electronic devices and equipment
- Precision parts for firearms and ammunition
- Components for medical devices and instruments
- Valves and valve stems for plumbing and HVAC systems
- Parts for the aerospace and defense industries
Our screw machine manufacturing capabilities include the ability to work with a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and more. We can produce components in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet our customers’ specific requirements, and our quality control processes ensure that each product meets the highest standards for accuracy and consistency.
We also offer custom screw manufacturing and packaging options tailored to meet our clients’ specific needs. Our fully equipped, quality inspection lab guarantees that we maintain strict quality standards. We have a wide range of secondary machining equipment, including automatic chuckers, end stamping machines, high-speed drill presses, horizontal mills, lathes, punch presses, roller burnishing machines, rotary drill tables, tapping machines, threading machines with index tables, and vertical mills, to further support our primary machining capabilities.
At Walker Products, we also have a variety of support equipment, such as air collets and indexers, auto bar loaders, band saws, cam cutters, carbide grinders, drill grinders, hydraulic presses, relief grinders, roll stamping machines, surface grinders, tapping heads, tool & cutter grinders, and vibratory finishing equipment.
Our inspection equipment includes digital SPC stations on the production floor, gauge pins, metric thread & ring gauges, microscopes, optical comparators, profilometers, snap gauges, standard thread & ring gauges, and surface plates. With our extensive range of equipment and tools, we are capable of producing the highest quality products, regardless of project size or complexity.
Here is a list of the equipment available at Walker Products:
AUTOMATIC MACHINES
Acme Gridley is a brand name that refers to a line of multi-spindle automatic screw machines produced by the Acme Manufacturing Company. The Acme Gridley machines are known for their precision, versatility, and high-speed production capabilities.
The Acme Gridley machines are designed to produce large quantities of precision metal components quickly and efficiently. They are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, where precision and speed are critical.
Acme Gridley machines are available in a variety of models, including single-spindle, multi-spindle, and chucking machines. Each model is designed to meet specific production requirements and can be customized to meet the needs of individual clients.
Brown & Sharpe is a brand name that refers to a line of precision measuring instruments and machine tools. The Brown & Sharpe name has become synonymous with high-quality, precision-made equipment and tools, and the brand is highly respected in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
Brown & Sharpe machines are known for their precision and accuracy, and they are designed to produce high-quality components with tight tolerances. They are commonly used in industries where precision is critical, such as in the manufacture of medical devices and aerospace components.
Multi-spindle Davenports refer to a line of automatic screw machines that are designed to produce high volumes of precision metal components quickly and efficiently. The Davenport machine is known for its ability to perform multiple operations simultaneously, which results in faster production times and increased efficiency.
Davenport machines are commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical devices, where precision and speed are critical. They are designed to produce high-quality components with tight tolerances, and they can be customized to meet the needs of individual clients.
Tornos Bechler is a brand name that refers to a line of Swiss-type automatic lathes produced by the Tornos Group. The Tornos Bechler machines are known for their precision, versatility, and high-speed production capabilities.
Tornos Bechler machines are designed to produce small, high-precision components with complex geometries, making them ideal for industries such as medical devices, watchmaking, and automotive. The machines are capable of producing components with tight tolerances and complex shapes in a single operation, which results in faster production times and increased efficiency.
CNC MACHINES
Citizen CNC Type VII refers to a line of Swiss-type automatic lathes produced by Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd. The Citizen CNC Type VII machines are known for their high-speed production capabilities, precision, and versatility.
Citizen CNC Type VII machines are designed to produce complex components with tight tolerances in a single operation, making them ideal for industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and electronics. The machines are equipped with advanced software and technology, allowing for fast and accurate production of complex geometries.
A CNC chucker is a type of lathe machine that is equipped with computer numerical control (CNC) technology. CNC chuckers are designed to produce precision components with high accuracy and repeatability, making them ideal for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
CNC chuckers use a chucking mechanism to hold the workpiece securely in place, while the cutting tool is programmed to move in a specific pattern to remove material from the workpiece. The CNC technology allows for precise control of the cutting tool, enabling the production of complex geometries and intricate shapes with tight tolerances.
A Haas CNC milling machine is a type of computer numerical control (CNC) machine that is used for milling and drilling operations. Haas CNC milling machines are known for their high-speed performance, precision, and versatility, making them ideal for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.
Haas CNC milling machines use advanced software and technology to precisely control the cutting tool, allowing for the production of complex geometries and intricate shapes with tight tolerances. The machines can also perform a variety of operations, including drilling, tapping, and contouring.
Swiss Machining, also known as Swiss screw machining or Swiss turning, refers to a type of high-precision machining used to produce very small parts with tight tolerances. The name “Swiss” comes from the origin of this technique, which was first developed in Switzerland for producing precise watch parts.
Swiss Machining is distinguished by its use of a sliding headstock that holds the workpiece in place while a cutting tool moves along a guide bushing to shape the part. This allows for extremely precise and efficient machining of parts with diameters as small as a few millimeters.
In addition to the physical machines used for Swiss Machining, the term also refers to a practice or approach to machining very small parts with high precision. This involves the use of specialized cutting tools and techniques, as well as a focus on quality control and process optimization to achieve consistent and accurate results.
Overall, Swiss Machining is a highly specialized and precise form of manufacturing that is ideal for producing small, complex parts with tight tolerances, such as those used in the medical, aerospace, and electronics industries.
Tsugami Swiss CNC is a high-precision Swiss-style lathe that is used in Swiss machining processes. It is known for its reliability, accuracy, and high-speed production capabilities, making it a popular choice for manufacturing precision parts, particularly in the medical, aerospace, and defense industries.
The Tsugami Swiss CNC lathe is designed to work with small parts, typically less than 32mm in diameter, and is equipped with a guide bushing to support and guide the material being machined. This allows for the production of long, slender parts with high accuracy and repeatability.
The machine is also equipped with multiple axes of motion and can perform various operations simultaneously, such as drilling, tapping, milling, and turning, further increasing its efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the Tsugami Swiss CNC can be programmed to automate the machining process, reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing throughput.
Overall, the Tsugami Swiss CNC lathe is a versatile and powerful tool in Swiss machining, offering high precision, reliability, and productivity to manufacturers across a range of industries.
SECONDARY MACHINING EQUIPMENT
An automatic chucker is a type of lathe machine that is used to produce precision components with high accuracy and repeatability. Automatic chuckers are equipped with an automatic loading and unloading mechanism, which allows for efficient production of large quantities of parts.
Automatic chuckers use a chucking mechanism to hold the workpiece securely in place, while the cutting tool is programmed to move in a specific pattern to remove material from the workpiece. The machines are typically equipped with multiple cutting tools, which allows for the production of complex geometries and intricate shapes with tight tolerances.
An end stamping machine is a type of machine that is used for stamping or embossing marks or designs onto the ends of metal tubes, pipes, or other cylindrical objects. These marks can be used for identification or branding purposes.
End stamping machines work by using a die that is mounted on the machine to create an impression on the end of the metal tube or pipe. The machine is designed to apply high levels of force to the die, creating a clear and consistent mark on the metal surface.
High-speed drill presses are used in manufacturing for drilling holes in metal and other materials at a high rate of speed. These machines are equipped with powerful motors and advanced drill bits that allow for precision drilling and cutting.
Horizontal mills are machine tools used in manufacturing to cut, shape, and drill metal and other materials. These mills feature a horizontal spindle that operates parallel to the ground and is used to hold the cutting tools.
Vertical mills are machine tools used in manufacturing to cut, shape, and drill metal and other materials. These mills feature a vertical spindle that operates perpendicular to the ground and is used to hold the cutting tools.
Lathes are machine tools used in manufacturing to cut, shape, and drill metal and other materials. These machines work by rotating the workpiece on an axis while a cutting tool moves along the length of the material to remove material and shape it into the desired form.
A 20-ton punch press is a type of machine tool used in manufacturing to punch holes or shapes into metal and other materials using a die and a punching tool. This type of punch press is typically smaller in size and is ideal for lower volume production runs or smaller components.
A roller burnishing machine is a type of machine tool used in manufacturing to smooth and finish metal surfaces to achieve a high-quality finish. This process works by using a series of rollers that are pressed against the metal surface to compress and refine the material, creating a smooth and polished finish.
A rotary drill table is a machine tool used in manufacturing to drill holes or create cylindrical shapes in metal and other materials. This type of machine allows for precise drilling and shaping of materials by rotating the workpiece on an axis while a drill bit moves along the length of the material to remove material and shape it into the desired form.
A tapping machine is a type of machine tool used in manufacturing to create threads in metal and other materials. This machine uses a tapping tool to cut threads into the material while it is held in place by a clamp or fixture.
A threading machine with an index table is a type of machine tool used in manufacturing to create threads in metal and other materials. This machine uses a threading tool to cut threads into the material while it is held in place by a clamp or fixture. The index table allows for precise positioning of the material to ensure accuracy and consistency in thread cutting.
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Air collets and indexers are types of tool holding systems used in manufacturing to hold cutting tools and workpieces in place during machining operations. Air collets use compressed air to clamp and release the tool or workpiece, while indexers allow for precise positioning of the material for accurate machining.
Auto bar loaders are machines used in manufacturing to automatically load bar stock material into a lathe or other machine tool for machining operations. These machines are designed to increase efficiency and reduce the need for manual labor in the machining process.
Band saws are machine tools used in manufacturing to cut metal and other materials into specific shapes and sizes. These saws consist of a long, continuous band of teethed metal that rotates around two wheels, which allows for precise and accurate cutting of materials.
Cam cutters are machine tools used in manufacturing to cut precise profiles and shapes into metal and other materials. These machines use a cam, a rotating or sliding piece of machinery, to guide the cutting tool through the material and create the desired shape or profile.
Carbide grinders are machine tools used in manufacturing to sharpen and shape cutting tools made from carbide, a hard and durable material commonly used in machining operations. These grinders use a grinding wheel to remove material from the carbide tool and create the desired shape or edge.
Drill grinders are machine tools used in manufacturing to sharpen and shape drill bits, which are used to create holes in metal and other materials. These grinders use a grinding wheel to remove material from the drill bit and create the desired shape or edge.
A hydraulic press is a machine tool used in manufacturing to apply high pressure to materials for various purposes such as forming, bending, and pressing. These machines use hydraulic cylinders to generate a large amount of force that is then applied to the material.
A relief grinder is a machine tool used in manufacturing to sharpen and shape cutting tools with complex geometries and profiles, such as milling cutters and drills. These grinders use a grinding wheel to remove material from the cutting tool and create the desired shape and edge.
A roll stamping machine is a machine tool used in manufacturing to create raised or indented patterns on metal and other materials. These machines use a set of rotating dies or wheels to imprint the desired pattern onto the material.
Surface grinders are machine tools used in manufacturing to smooth and flatten the surfaces of metal and other materials. These grinders use a rotating grinding wheel to remove material from the surface of the workpiece, creating a smooth and even finish.
Tapping heads are machine tools used in manufacturing to create threaded holes in metal and other materials. These tools use a set of jaws to hold the tap, which is then rotated and driven into the workpiece to create the threads.
A tool & cutter grinder is a machine tool used in manufacturing to sharpen and shape various cutting tools, including milling cutters, drills, and lathe tools. These grinders use a rotating grinding wheel to remove material from the cutting tool and create the desired shape and edge.
Vibratory finishing equipment is used in manufacturing to finish and polish metal and other materials. These machines use a vibratory motion, along with abrasive media and liquid compounds, to remove burrs and create a smooth and polished surface on the workpiece.
INSPECTION EQUIPMENT
A digital SPC (Statistical Process Control) station is a computerized system used in manufacturing to monitor and control various aspects of the production process, such as machine performance, part quality, and overall efficiency. These stations use specialized software to collect and analyze data from sensors and other monitoring devices on the production floor.
At Walker Products, we have a digital SPC station on our production floor to ensure that our manufacturing processes are operating within specified parameters and to quickly identify any potential issues or quality control problems. This helps us maintain consistent and high-quality production standards for our customers.
Gauge pins, also known as go/no-go gauges or plug gauges, are precision tools used in manufacturing to check the size and tolerance of holes and bores in metal and other materials. These gauges come in a set of pins of various sizes, each with a go end that should fit snugly into the hole, and a no-go end that should not fit at all.
At Walker Products, we use gauge pins as part of our quality control process to ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances. By using these precise measuring tools, we can ensure that our parts fit and function correctly in their intended applications.
Standard and metric thread and ring gauges are precision tools used in manufacturing to check the size and tolerance of threaded holes and bolts. Thread gauges come in the form of a plug or ring gauge and have a specific number of threads per inch (TPI) or millimeter (mm) to match the corresponding bolt or hole.
At Walker Products, we use standard and metric thread and ring gauges as part of our quality control process to ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances. By using these precise measuring tools, we can ensure that our threaded parts fit and function correctly in their intended applications, reducing the risk of failure and improving customer satisfaction.
Microscopes are essential tools in manufacturing used for examining and analyzing the structure and characteristics of small parts and components. At Walker Products, we use microscopes as part of our quality control process to inspect the surface finish, dimensions, and other properties of our parts at high magnification.
By using microscopes, we can identify and correct any defects or imperfections that might affect the performance or durability of our products. Microscopes also allow us to verify that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances, ensuring consistent quality and customer satisfaction. Overall, microscopes are an essential tool for ensuring the quality and reliability of our products.
Optical comparators are precision measurement tools used in manufacturing to inspect and compare the dimensions and features of parts and components against a known standard. At Walker Products, we use optical comparators as part of our quality control process to ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances.
Optical comparators use a magnifying lens and a light source to project the image of the part onto a screen, allowing us to measure and compare the dimensions and features of the part with a high degree of accuracy. By using optical comparators, we can quickly identify any deviations from the required specifications and take corrective action to ensure that our products meet the necessary standards.
Overall, optical comparators are an essential tool for ensuring the quality and consistency of our products and for providing our customers with the assurance that they are receiving high-quality, precision-engineered parts and components.
Profilometers are precision measurement instruments used in manufacturing to measure the surface roughness of parts and components. At Walker Products, we use profilometers as part of our quality control process to ensure that our products meet the required surface finish specifications.
Profilometers work by using a stylus or a laser to scan the surface of the part, measuring the vertical displacement of the stylus or laser as it travels along the surface. This data is then used to calculate the surface roughness parameters, such as Ra (arithmetical mean roughness) or Rz (average maximum height of the roughness profile).
By using profilometers, we can ensure that the surface finish of our products meets the required specifications and tolerances. This is particularly important for components that require a specific level of surface finish for proper functionality or for aesthetic reasons. With our in-house profilometry capabilities, we can quickly and accurately measure the surface roughness of our products and take corrective action if necessary to ensure that they meet the necessary standards.
Snap gauges are precision measuring tools used to inspect the dimensions of parts and components. At Walker Products, we use snap gauges as part of our quality control process to ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances.
Snap gauges are designed to quickly and accurately measure the outside diameter of a part or component. They consist of a fixed anvil and a movable spindle that is adjusted to the required dimension by turning a knob or handle. The part being measured is inserted between the anvil and the spindle, and the spindle is then moved against the part until it makes contact, providing a precise measurement of the part’s diameter.
Snap gauges are commonly used in the manufacturing of parts and components that require a precise outside diameter, such as shafts, pins, and other cylindrical parts. By using snap gauges, we can ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances, and that they will function properly when assembled into the final product.
Surface plates are large, flat plates made of granite or other high-quality materials used in precision manufacturing for measuring and inspecting parts and components. At Walker Products, we use surface plates to ensure that our products meet the required specifications and tolerances.
Surface plates are typically used in conjunction with height gauges, dial indicators, and other measuring tools to check the flatness, straightness, and overall accuracy of parts and components. They are also used to support large parts during inspection or assembly.
To ensure the accuracy of surface plates, they must be periodically calibrated using a precision instrument such as a laser interferometer. This process ensures that the surface plate is flat and level to within a very high degree of precision, which is necessary to accurately measure the dimensions of parts and components.