Engineering
Southern Machine and Fabrication Company provides complete
engineering services to support SMF's manufacturing operations
and local industry. The engineering group has engineers with
extensive experience in industry. In cooperation with quality
control, SMF engineers “reverse engineer” parts
to produce drawings and specifications so existing parts can
be properly reproduced. SMF's engineers are capable of providing
design and drafting services to turn a customer's ideas into
drawings and specifications that can be used to produce the
final product in our shops.
In addition to machining and fabrication, the SMF engineering
group visits customer's facilities and assist with problems
affecting day-to-day operations as well as plant expansions
and modifications. We provide technical expertise to remove
production bottlenecks, increase efficiencies and production
rates, update obsolete and under performing processes and
install new production lines. These plant support services
include engineering, design, cost estimating for budgeting
and project costs, procurement and expediting, and project
management. SMF has expertise regarding the full breadth of
mechanical and electrical applications including processing
equipment, fluid transfer, conveying systems, bulk storage
and distribution systems, etc.
Quality Control
SMF employs a full time quality control technician to insure
compliance with drawings and specifications for all parts
made by the machine shop and fabrication facility. The technician
uses a variety of precision measuring gauges, optical comparator
and other instruments to ensure dimensional accuracy. Micrometers
capable of measuring as large as 30" are available. A
coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is used to measure arcs
and other non-linear shapes to insure their accuracy. When
required, the quality control group obtains mill test reports
for raw materials, and can test some physical properties of
materials such as hardness. Other testing requirements such
as tensile testing to verify yield strength, finish verification,
and plating thickness are available form closely allied specialty
testing laboratories in the area. The quality control group
works closely with the engineering group to “reverse
engineer” parts so that accurate duplicates can be made
without an existing drawing or specification.
Capabilities & Equipment List
• Brown & Sharp Coordinate Measuring Machine. 24"
x 24" x 15" Upgraded in 1997 and certified by Brown
& Sharp
• Clark Hardness Tester
• J&L Optical Comparator
• Digital Calipers
• Digital Height Gauge
• Bore Gages |
