Precision Machining

Western Massachusetts is home to 230 precision machining companies with more than 7,700 employees. These companies perform high mix, low volume, highly engineered precision machining of components and assemblies for major commercial manufacturers, aircraft engine builders and military equipment contractors across the globe.

This cluster's presence in the Hartford-Springfield Knowledge Corridor has resulted in new orders flowing down the supply chain from large aviation companies such as Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand and Sikorsky. The region's precision machining companies have adopted new technologies to increase productivity and competitiveness as suppliers. These businesses also have the available infrastructure, equipment, and employee skills sets needed to commercialize projects now being designed and developed for markets such as alternative energy, bio-technology, clean technology and medical devices.

The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (WMNTMA) and its more than 60 member-companies are committed to developing new technology, providing applications engineering support, implementing sustainable workforce development strategies, enhancing employee skills and developing business partnerships.

A dense concentration of companies, industry networks and academic support programs enhance the precision machining environment in Western Massachusetts in which manufacturers are united in working for innovation, new technologies and partnerships.

Precision Manufacturing Companies

Advance Mtg. Co., Inc. is a 48 year old registered AS9100/ISO9001-2000 company with over 200 employees. They are leaders in precision machining specializing in highly critical, close tolerance work for aerospace, defense, and power generation industries. In-house special processes include make to print assemblies, navy certified welding and stress relieving, as well as level II MPI, FPI & LPI services.

Advance Welding offers the highest quality in welding, brazing, and fabricating services to the medical, military and defense, aerospace and power generation industries. Advance Welding is accredited with merit to the requirements of Nadcap for Fusion Welding, Resistance Welding (Spot) and Brazing (Torch and Induction), and their quality system is approved to AS9100 and ISO9001. Their metal joining expertise includes many types of welding (GTAW, GMAW, Micro-Welding, Resistance welding), and brazing on common and specialty metals.

A.J. Precision is a high precision machine shop serving the aerospace, defense, and commercial industries. They provide CNC Turning, as well as some CNC Milling, and can accommodate both small lots and larger production runs. They are very familiar in working with some of today's more challenging alloys.

Ben Franklin Design and Manufacturing, Inc. is a full-service precision manufacturing company doing work in aerospace, nuclear, power generation, defense, gun, and commercial industries. They have been doing machined parts and assemblies for 35 years.

B & E Group, LLC manufactures complex precision machined parts, components, and assemblies in support of the airframe, turbine engine, fuel system, accessory component, missile defense, space exploration, and military programs. B & E also develops, repairs, and conducts testing for airline engine fuel controls and pumps.

Boulevard Machine & Gear is a high-precision, AS9100 and ISO9001 certified, machine and gear shop, serving aerospace and commercial industries. They provide CNC Lathe and Milling along with traditional manual machining and gear/spline cutting. Additional capabilities include grinding, rack cutting, honing, broaching, stamping, and assembly.

Central Mass. Machine, Inc. is an ISO9001-2000 machine shop that specializes in the precision machining of large parts for the defense, power generation, aircraft, nuclear, photovoltaic, medical device, and commercial machinery industries. Central Mass. lifts up to 30,000 lbs., and has CNC full 5-axis milling, VTL's, Lathes, and Planers in very large capacities.

C & G Machine Tool Company is a high-precision machine shop serving the commercial and defense industries. They provide turning (CNC, manual, and live tooling), milling (CNC, manual, vertical, and horizontal), and assembly, as well as complete project management. Their Quality Control conforms with Mil-Std-45208 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1. Major customers include Emhart Glass, Millitech, Cooper/Crouse-Hinds, A.W. Chesterton, and Teledyne Continental Motors. C & G is proficient and tooled for both small and large lot sizes including providing for any necessary outside services.

EBTEC Corporation founded on the near-limitless potential of Electron Beam Welding, EBTEC has more than 45 years of experience executing precision high energy beam processes, including Electron Beam Welding, Laser Welding, Laser Cutting, Laser Drilling, EDM, Vacuum Heat Treating, and Abrasive Waterjet Cutting, as well as traditional fabrication solutions for our clients' specific challenges. Utilizing the most advanced technologies and processes, we provide cost-effective services to some of the largest companies in the Power Generation, Medical, Aerospace, Defense, and Industrial industries.

Hayden Corporation provides a wide selection of thermal spray coating, hardfacing, and laser cladding services. Their machining capability enables them to prepare and finish grind most customer supplied parts requiring coating services. A full-service metallurgical laboratory, and an experienced engineering staff assures quality service, and on time delivery.

Hoppe Technologies, Inc. is engaged in supplying precision mechanical components, and assemblies to the major defense contractors, commercial manufacturers, and aircraft engine builders. The 70 year old company has 35 state-of-the-art CNC machines, most of which include complete automation for lights-out lean operation. Hoppe Tool is financially solid with no long term debt despite millions of dollars in recent capital reinvestment.

Mechanical Drive Components, Inc. is a production CNC machine shop featuring engineering and design services, CNC turning and machining capabilities with robotic automation, as well as finished part assembly. Added capability includes producing mechanical drive surfaces such as OD splines, turned polygons, and face gears.

Mitchell Machine builds special machinery and processing equipment, and specializes in precision sub-contract machining, fabrication, and assembly. CNC Machining capabilites range from milling and turning small, complex parts, to large base frames, fixtures, and fabricated structures. The in-house engineering group specializes in design of automated systems for assembly, machining, robotics, web converting equipment, and special process and test equipment.

O-A, Inc. is an AS9100 Registered manufacturer of precision machined components, and assemblies for a wide variety of aerospace applications. The company occupies a 37,000 sq. ft. facility that houses 21 pieces of CNC Machinery for 4-axis milling and turning, plus additional conventional machines for milling, turning, grinding, and flat lapping.

Peerless Precision, Inc. is a full service, one-stop high precision AS9100 and ISO9001 certified machine shop. Under one roof, the company provides grinding (JIG, ID, OD), assembly, lapping (round and flat), turning (CNC and manual), and milling (4 & 5-Axis CNC and manual), as well as complete project management. Although PPI primarily machines aluminum and steel, it also machines ferrous and non-ferrous metals, carbide, ceramic and engineered plastics.

Tell Tool, Inc. specializes in complex machining and assembly of aircraft engine and hydraulic components. They use state-of-the-art technology and machine Tools, 3-D modeling, and Quality Control to support the needs of the aerospace industry. Tell Tool's capabilities include highly engineered fuel control housing, actuator housings, and matched assemblies.

Thorn Industries is an ISO13485-2003 and ISO9001-2001 certified medical manufacturing company. Thorn specializes in medical implants, surgical instrumentation, and assemblies. Thorn is a lean manufacturer who utilizes the latest technology: 7-axis swiss, 5-axis mill, and wire with in-house laser marking, passivate, and heat treat. Thorn is committed to "Quality Products through Innovative Thinking."

Industry Resources

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is a resource for obtaining a manufacturing classification, regulations governing companies within the manufacturing industry and the tax credits and incentives available to this industry. This organization also maintains a searchable registry of all manufacturers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association is a formal alliance of more than 60 member companies, united to promote the precision machining industry, provide critical business intelligence to members. This group's main focuses are in public policy as well as the development of education, workforce, industry and membership.

Western Massachusetts public schools offer a Machine Tool Technology Program for high school students in five districts. Upon completion, the students have obtained the skills required to set-up and operate manual and CNC equipment, interpret engineering drawings, and perform quality inspection processes.
Westfield Public School District Technology Program
Holyoke Public School District Technology Program
Chicopee Public School District Technology Program
Northampton Public School District Technology Program
Franklin County Technical School
Pathfinder Regional Vocational
Asnuntuck, Holyoke Community College, and Springfield Technical Community Colleges offer Manufacturing Technology (Asnuntuck) and Mechanical Engineering Technology (STCC) Associate degree and Certificate programs that prepare students for a myriad of careers in precision manufacturing.