Vista Software Introduced -- Posted by FultonTool on Wednesday, January 12 2005
Fulton Tool has purchased and installed a new software system named Vista by Epicor. The system allows manufacturers to take control of quoting, scheduling, estimating, job costing and financial. This gives the user the control needed for maximum productivity. With Vista, you can tour the shop, see potential problems and easily make the necessary adjustments.

ISO 9001 Certification -- Posted by FultonTool on Wednesday, January 12 2005
In 2003, Fulton Tool began the ISO 9001 certification process. The process was interrupted by the catastrophic fire that struck our original facility in May 2003. Now that we have settled into our new facility, we have reinstated the process of securing ISO 9001 certification and registration. Our goal is to complete all required training and have ISO Registrar begin the certification process in September 2006.

High Tech Drilling -- Posted by FultonTool on Wednesday, January 12 2005
High speed spindles coupled with high pressure, through the spindle coolant, allow us to approach drilling aggressively, with confidence. Just about any hole depth can be accomplished because the coolant is constantly being delivered to the tip of the drill. Tool geometry and high pressure coolant eliminate the stringy chips that would normally be created.

As an example, we are currently drilling a 1.25" hole 1.5" deep in C1018 steel, running at 300 SFM at .016" IPR. Under previous cutting conditions, with external coolant, we ran the same job at 90 SFM at .012" IPR.

Another job, with dramatic improvements, was a cast iron application. We previously ran 12 inches per minute drilling a .50" hole 1.25" deep. With external coolant, we had to "peck" to achieve full depth. We now run the same job at 35 inches per minute without pecking.

Real "HIGH SPEED" Machining -- Posted by FultonTool on Wednesday, January 12 2005
Since moving to our new facility, we have made tremendous improvements in high speed machining. New machines, with high speed spindles and through spindle coolant coupled with new tool technology has allowed us to achieve cutting rates that would have been impossible 5 years ago. The following is a couple examples of cutting parameters currently employed in difficult to machine material.

304 Stainless Steel - Using an Iscar 2" high speed feed mill we achieved 176 inches per minute running 500 surface feet per minute, at a .060" depth of cut, with a chip load of .040" inch per tooth.

A36 Structural Steel - Using a Kennametal New Generation 2" cutter we achieved 320 inches per minute running 500 surface feet per minute, at a .400" depth of cut, with a chip load of .0085 inch per tooth.