These moly-cup seal assemblies, made in the quartz-to-metal manufacturing cell, are used in electro-optical applications.

Sheaves for wire manufacturing industries await inspection in the wire products manufacturing cell.

Bomco's joint effort with General Electric Co. to set up cell manufacturing five years ago proved to
be so successful for Varian Vacuum Products -- virtually 100 percent on time delivery of 11 different pump assemblies, some having as many as 25 parts -- that Bomco Plant Manager Joe Cordaro applied the same principles to other manufacturing areas.

The manufacture of quartz-to-metal seal assemblies, used in lasers, lamps and electro-optical applications, was one of the earliest cells to be developed. With all operations contained in one location, the refinement of key operations -- drawing, shear spinning, cleaning, etching, microscopic inspecting, scientific glass blowing, mass spectrometer testing and packaging -- enhances the material flow and permits continuous product improvement for these high precision products.

Bomco's 6000 sq. foot addition to its tool storage and manufacturing building presented two more opportunities for cell manufacturing. First, toolmaking was improved with sawing, horizontal and vertical machining, milling and assembly operations completed in the same area.

Second, the expanded manufacturing space permits the consolidation of wire products -- sheaves, guide rolls and spool caps for wire manufacturing industries -- into one manufacturing area. Now work flow is improved as hand spinning, CNC spinning, trimming and assembly operations are completed virtually without interruption.

Bomco's manufacturing engineers have also addressed the demanding challenges of the custom manufacturing of many dissimilar OEM parts. Most parts require the preparation of a metal blank, square, round, cone, band, circle-within-circle, etc. manufacturing cell for blank preparation now gains production efficiency by the close placement of incoming raw materials, shear cutting, plasma cutting, rolling, welding and deburring operations.

Another specialized area for the production of custom OEM parts is seal ring manufacturing. In this cell, the same equipment and operations cutting, rolling, welding, CNC spinning, hole punching, trimming and inspection consistently produce high quality parts in less time.

While it is difficult to use manufacturing cells for all aspects of production, Mark Standley, Vice President of Technical Sales, explains "we are always looking for ways to produce high quality products consistently while maintaining costs and improving delivery. Cell manufacturing is certainly helping in all these areas."

Bomco Engineers Promoted to Management Positions

Mr. N. K. "Pete" Banks, President of Bomco, Inc., has announced the promotion of two key employees. Mr. Paul H. Hubbard has been promoted to the position of Chief Manufacturing Engineer, and Mr. Michael A. McCarthy to the position of Vice President.

In his new position, Mr. Hubbard will be responsible for the development and implementation of customized tooling and forming processes. Hubbard will continue his effort to deliver more comprehensive process plans to the shop floor and foster an influence on continuous improvement. An employee since 1982, Hubbard has spent over half of his life immersed in the manufacturing environment and its intrinsic challenges.

He studied mechanical design principles at Wentworth Institute of Technology and has attended numerous professional course studies. Hubbard lives with his daughter in his native city of Gloucester and enjoys time spent with his family and friends.

In his new position, Mr. McCarthy will coordinate engineering, manufacturing, and production teams to ensure on-time, within budget production of existing and new products. He will continue to synchronize the needs of purchasing, contract administration, and engineering to facilitate BomcoÕs development of tooling and prompt delivery of products. An employee since 1985, McCarthy has held positions as manufacturing engineer, sales engineer, internal auditor for ISO 9002/AS 9000 registrations and team leader for several equipment purchases. McCarthy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. He lives with his family in Middletown, MA and enjoys family activities, golf, and all things mechanical.

In making the announcement, Pete Banks said, "We are very pleased to promote from within and to recognize Paul and Mike for their many contributions to our company and to our customers. Their understanding of our business and their continuity of service benefit both Bomco and its customers."