Original Date: 07/21/2003
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility’s Standardized Tool Program greatly reduced the number of carbide insert tools, procurement costs, and labor by decreasing machine operators’ time spent searching through numerous tooling that previously existed.

Throughout the years, Electric Boat Corporation, Quonset Point Facility (EBQP) had accumulated numerous carbide insert cutters from many different tooling venders. Although many of these cutters could be used for the same application, they required different carbide inserts, shims, locking pins, seat and screws. To reduce the inventory of dissimilar hardware and carbide inserts, EBQP implemented a Standardized Tool Program. A cross- functional Tooling Team was established, comprised of personnel from industrial engineering, supervision, machinists, methods, Numerical Control (NC) Programming, suppliers, and stockroom.

The Tooling Team chose Kennametal as its prime tooling vender. Kennametal was well established in the U.S, and its top-notch threading and grooming systems were already in use. The company offered a number of proven and versatile grades, and its drilling system is known to be the best in the industry. Kennametal’s track record of technical support was outstanding, and the company offered a flexible and lucrative cutter exchange program, giving free cutters if enough inserts were purchased. Prior to doing business with Kennametal, EBQP had 677 different types of inserts in inventory for the various types of cutters used. Since implementing its Standardized Tool Program and selecting Kennametal as its prime tooling vendor, EBQP has realized a 49% reduction in different types of inserts and a 64% reduction in carbide insert drills.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.