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Feature Articles...........................1,10
When you’re looking for a solution in precision cutting tools for your precision lathe and milling machines, look no further than SCT, Scientific Cutting Tools! SCT’s American made tools can be purchased off the shelf from their vast inventory or for those special designs their engineering team can create a wealth of solutions.
Located in the heart of Southern California, in Simi Valley, SCT has a long history of over 59 years, 3 generations of cutting tool expertise, with the commitment of helping all customers to be successful! The ‘family/team’ at SCT creates solutions for thread mills, single point tools, indexable tools, port tools, and specialty tools, from the highest grade carbide, made on the most precise automated machines, with the finest finishes, all performed in their 50,000+ sq. ft. facility.
In 1963, Stanley Christopher started SCT in a garage shop. He had some great ideas on making better, higher quality tools that his previous employer did not want to pursue. So Stanley struck out on his own to make his dream come true.
SCT is a private family business. Dale Christopher and his sister, Jan Kaye, took over the business about 25 years ago when their father Stan made the decision to retire at 65. Jan runs the office and customer service end of the business with the help of her son Brandon who is slated to take over her position when she retires. Jonathan, Dale’s son, will take over engineering and manufacturing management when his father Dale decides to move on. Dale said, “Jonathan Jonathan said, “We are a tight knit family business. In an era where big holding companies are buying up companies our size, we feel we are approachable and that when customers call they will get a real person. We maintain a family culture with our employees, we have very little turn over, and we are told SCT is a great place to work. The average tenure here is 20 years plus with some of our longtime employees at over 40 years.” Jonathan continues, “There’s a loyalty from our employees with low turnover, but there is also a loyalty to our employees as well. In a downturn we try our best to not lay off our employees. We may have to cut hours, but our goal is to not let anyone go.”
SCT came to realize back many years ago the importance of automation and started utilizing robots, first with pick and place operations and eventually graduating to more sophisticated multi-axis robotics functioning at a much higher level, affording SCT repeatable high precision tools at a faster rate of production.
Cutting tools are made with very high precision CNC 5-axis grinding machines and SCT has utilized some of the best in class machines to grow their business. As they came up with better ways and new ideas to make their tools, their machines needed to keep up with SCT tool’s engineering knowledge. About 6 years ago Martyn Bramhall of Bramac Machinery invited Dale and Jonathan to an open house to look at some great new linear-motor machines verses the ball screw machines they were currently using. The SCT team was taken by the fast, precise linear motor CNC grinding machines made by ANCA.
Martyn Bramhall with Bramac Machinery, Dale and Jonathan, Jerry Perkins with ANCA
Brandon Kaye and Jonathan Christopher
Jonathan says, “the ANCA machines were faster, producing better finishes, at a price we felt was right. We became very impressed with the customer service ANCA provided with down time kept to a minimum and quick response times with local service techs. We also found value in ANCA’s server system that allows us to maintain control of our grinding processes across multiple machines. ANCA was also willing to write custom software for our applications.”
Dale says, “One of the reasons we purchase ANCA machines is that in the past we had too many controls. Having four different types of controls can open us up to mistakes or errors and in our precision manufacturing business we have to eliminate every possible avenue for errors. Our goal is to have one control, so when we pass on the work to the next generation it is simpler. One of the things we see as the greatest challenge going forward is training new competent people to run the machines. So, when we simplify our processes we have found we have less problems.”
What does SCT do better than their competition? Jonathan says, “I think when you get into some complex tool types like thread milling, we have some unique engineering. We know the limitations and capabilities of thread milling and we know how to make things work in challenging situations, like when you look at double start threads or complex medical threads. We design and make them so they do not deform and gauge correctly after you cut it.”
SCT’s business philosophy is they want to be efficient enough at making and selling their tools so that the business is profitable, while giving good value to the customers so they make money at making their product, thus establishing a win-win relationship. Along with this win-win mantra is solid advice to customers that comes from SCT’s family run business. If the customer needs a tool to run a smaller quantity, they will not advise you to buy something more expensive than needed and thus save you money on a small run. Dale says, “If a company doesn’t continually improve, it dies. We want to pass this on to the next generation, so controlled growth is very important because it reflects the health of the company.”
SCT strives to focus on standardization; moving to one control in their shop with standardization of one machine tool builder, continue with designing new tools depending on where the industry is going and help make their customers successful. SCT continues to grow their company with improved automation and newer state of the art technology and grow their company through continuous improvement.
The inspection process starts at the machine tool with every employee trained to inspect and correct the tools in the setup and grinding processes. Tools are then inspected again in the quality control department for dimensional accuracy and every tool is checked for chips and/or cracks in the carbide. This is done using video camera systems, optical comparators and microscopes. This rigorous process ensures that their customers will get the same high quality, geometrically perfect tool every time.
Scientific Cutting Tools, Inc. was established as an innovative tool business based upon the simple marketing concept of providing customers with superior products, competitive prices and uncompromising service.
