DoD aerospace componets?

[mold100]

Just curious as to how many in this Business and if you use any of the interenet bidding systems (for those who are aware of dibbs and srweb type ..mil sites) or if your in directly with one of the big boys? I am finally getting into it somewhat after trying like hell for the last year and a half and am curious about the industry. I was ripped off buying into one of those we'll get you registered scams (well kinda, I did get my CAGE out of it) but it is hard to get into componet manufacturing and would like to know (particullary small business) how long it took to become pretty established.

 

Corey teh get da foot in da door 1st and keep in there!!!!!!!

 

It seems Manufacturing is picking up all around any one still pretty slow

[Rekd™]

We're in with big boys doing microwave stuff. (some of the funnest parts I've done. ) I can't see any benefit yet to doing that on-line bidding. Mayhaps in the futre, who knows.

 

We also have an outside sales guy that has found a few small customers.

[mold100]

On line is nuts I believe they only put it on there cause they have to, they already know where its going, and no drawings for 95 % of the stuff.

But it is the only place I can start.Oh yea has any one been running a 50 taper haas or fadal?

[kamman25]

We are running a 50 taper haas here on a vf8.

[mold100]

Is it pretty rigid? I have some options to way and am looking into one.VF5.

[Andris Skulte]

Problem is that they shovel on so much BS, that once you get the contract, they add way too much paperwork that you'll be giving $10 with each part. That, and they get you to bid against others, where you want to get the job in the hopes of getting your foot in the door, with more lucrative jobs in the future, but it's more of the same. We bid on, and amazingly got a 75 different part number contract, only to have them add SPC to the parts, after the PO was accepted. Grrr... Besides, SPC on 6 part/lot orders is kinda silly, but that's what the specs call for. Make sure you read all the specs, that there isn't something weird buried in there that will make ya lose your shirt.

[kamman25]

its better than the 40 taper, we also went with the highspeed (10K) spindle. we cut fx2 die steel here and thats a test for any machine

[mold100]

Thats good news and is anyone using the part probing system if so how well does it work as compared to a cmm I could cleary not as accurate but?

[kamman25]

the probe works good for hole locations and edge positions, i used it on a haas toolroom mill, good for rough dim. +or-.0005

[mold100]

Bump-still curious I need lots of input

[kamman25]

are you going to use the probe for measuring or for part pick up?

[TheePres]

"input"??? on 50 taper, or DOD work??

I dabbled in the DOD a bit, we won jobs immediately, but its true reading thru all darn specs is so fustrating...need full time person for that...BTW gave it up quick.

[gcode]

DOD and 1st tier contractor work is a large part of the business where I work. Clerical staff and inspection people outnumber programmers and machininst 3 to 1. The volume of paperwork is mindnumbing.

[herbert west]

I agree the paperwork is overwhelming. My company had paperwork to keep track of the paperwork from the customer. Plus logging of phone calls and email to "offsite tooling liasons" and spot inspections and walk-abouts from the customer. I didn't get much programming done.