© Peddinghaus Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is Peddinghaus Public Information.

Customer Case Study

1|Page

Norco Manufacturing:Advantage 2 Delivers... Show Floor to Shop Floor!

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFrom Show Floor to Shop Floor the Advantage 2 Continues to Deliver!If you visited the NASCC last year in Orlando, Florida you received a front row seat to the unveiling of the Advantage 2 Drill Line – a machine that is breaking sales records around the globe. Fabricators took notice of its rapid drilling speeds, powerful build, and superior technology on the show floor.

“But what happens to machines after they leave the NASCC?”“Do they really perform as displayed in a REAL PRODUCTION environment?”

To prove that the technology in the Peddinghaus booth isn’t “all show” the editorial staff at the Steel Fabricators’ Review paid a visit to the user of the very first Advantage 2 drill line – Norco Manufacturing in Franksville, Wisconsin. We asked the experts and found out if seeing truly is believing at the NASCC.

Can you tell the SFR a bit more about how the products Norco manufactures - Why is a machine like this necessary for your operations?Dave Eberle, President: Norco Manufacturing provides universal overhead doors that are

CUSTOMER NAME: Norco Manufacturing

INDUSTRY: Universal Overhead Doors installed on military bases, airports, commercial buildings, and speciality applications that require complex door mechanisms

LOCATION: Franksville, Wisconsin, USA

MACHINES: 643 Anglemaster, BDL-760 saw/drill and the Advantage 2

CHALLENGE: Increase productivity

SOLUTION: Purchased the Advantage 2 Drill Line with automatic tool changer

Art Rodriguez, Production Manager at Norco Manufacturing with his latest machine tool addition, the Advantage 2

© Peddinghaus Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is Peddinghaus Public Information.

Customer Case Study

2|Page

installed on military bases, airports, commercial buildings, and of course specialty applications that require complex door mechanisms. We ship around the globe to locations that include not only the USA, but Africa, UAE, Philippines, Egypt, Hong Kong, and even Antarctica. All parts are made and manufactured by Norco in our Wisconsin facilities so we can control costs, delivery, and quality in every aspect of operations. We do not outsource any of our fabrication work and pride ourselves in that respect. The Peddinghaus drill lines we employ are a critical part of our production when it comes to the structural sections for our door structures.

Is this your first Peddinghaus machine? What other equipment do you have in your shop?Art Rodriguez, Production Manager: We have several Peddinghaus machines including a 643 Anglemaster, and BDL-760 saw/drill in addition to the new Advantage 2. Outside these machines we employ all types of other equipment from mills to machining centers to band saws to painting booths. We definitely keep our eyes on the machinery market and always have a need for technology.

If you had to compare your old drill to your Advantage 2 what would you say are the main differences?:Art Rodriguez, Production Manager: The new machine is like night and day compared to the old one. It’s faster, stronger, and more efficient. I have to say even though it is much more modern, and complex at first glance, the technology actually makes it easier to operate, and faster to learn. Our operator picked it up in no time!

When it comes to the tool changer I would say it makes the machine much safer to operate. People aren’t required to enter the machine for every different hole size in a program like our older 3 spindle drill. At Norco many of our beams have up to 4 different hole sizes in addition to scribe marking – so this is a big advancement for us.

How was the change from High Speed Steel tooling to Carbide Inserts?:Even though we run both types on the new machine, the carbide allows us to use much more aggressive feeds and speeds for really fast drill times – there is no comparison in speed between he two. The carbide tooling maintains amazing tool life, commonly 1100-1200 holes per insert without replacing. On top of this we are able to simply swap out the insert and eliminate the sharpening you would have with twist

The Peddinghaus bay of Norco Manufacturing’s facility houses 2 saws, 2 drills, and an Anglemaster all in one compact space.

MQL lubrication on the Advantage 2 leaves parts practically dry without the need to clean after drilling.

On toed in or toed out flanges the Advantage 2 measuring system maintains superior accuracy on all profiles

© Peddinghaus Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is Peddinghaus Public Information.

Customer Case Study

3|Page

drills. Since the machine can run both we use the twist drills in special applications such as when a really long tool is needed and one in carbide isn’t available.

So it sounds like these things have made life easier for production – anything else?Art Rodriguez, Production Manager:We love the MQL lubrication system; we like it so much are looking to upgrade the old drill to use the same technology. It requires much less cleanup, with no compromise in tool life. Instead of a flood of coolant mixture (water and chemical) it applies a small amount of lubricant to the cutting surface of the tool. This really eliminates a lot of the cleanup required with the old way of doing things.

How is the accuracy of the machine? Does the roller wheel cause you any concerns?Art Rodriguez, Production Manager: No concerns at all. The measurement has been fantastic and the machine has been well within spec for all parts thus far– within less than 1/32” in everything I have seen. The new roller wheel system has been superb in adjusting for toed in or toed out flanges. Since we run a lot of small materials, they have a tendency to get damaged in transport – a smart measurement system is key to our success.

How do you feel this machine will impact the future of your company?Dave Eberle, President: The Advantage 2 has definitely made us more competitive with the way it helps us maximize our operations, and improve our versatility project to project. In the future as Norco continues to grow, it will become a critical tool for us to tackle new markets and diversify our business.

Superior clamping on the Advantage 2 Drill Line allows for up to 1200 holes per carbide insert - cutting costs and increasing profitability.

The AFPS-643 Anglemaster has been a powerful workhorse for Norco.

Norco Manufacturing’s machine operators learned the new machine with little issue due to its modern, and intuitive technology.

© Peddinghaus Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is Peddinghaus Public Information.

Customer Case Study

4|Page

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about Peddinghaus Corporation visit:www.peddinghaus.com

PRODUCT LIST: ▪ Beam Drill Lines ▪ Anglemasters ▪ Plate Processing ▪ Coping Machines ▪ Thermal Cutting ▪ Automated Layout Marking ▪ Structural Band Saws ▪ Ironworkers ▪ Material Handling

Peddinghaus Corp Bradley, IL