The Technic Valley, Part 1
¬
900 Precision shops with 2-14 axis turn/mills located
in an area 1/10th the size of Rhode Island!
¬ Min. wage = 3x higher than ours
¬ Homes = 4-6x more expensive than ours
¬ Cost of living = 3x higher
¬ Compete worldwide: Technology, Methods, Training
In the 18th century the people living in the
lush beauty of Arve Valley, in the European Alps had but one way to make a
living – farming. One man would change it all – Claude Fallaloud. Claude,
returning to his native country after years in the German machining industry,
went to doing the only thing he knew – machining. He built an amazingly
successful machining empire, showing the farmers how they could create a flood
of income by changing their economy and uniting their efforts as a region.
Claude single handedly organized the small farming community of Arve Valley into a tightly knit group of precision parts manufacturers. By the close of the 19th century there were hundreds of competitors working together to be more efficient, highly profitable and a growing force to be reckoned with worldwide. Claude transformed the valley of farmers into the world’s highest density of precision machine shops, i.e., 19,000 employees, 900 shops, and all in a 24 square mile area and annually producing $3 billion in precision parts. The “clustering” effect of having so many like businesses in one location has actually lowered the cost and increased the profitability of everyone in the cluster. Despite the fact that the Alps region is a “high cost” location (3-4x higher than the U.S.), the companies in the cluster continue to prosper. Due to their efficiency, this machining empire has become the world’s vanguard of machining, and has become known as the Technic Valley of Europe. The world leader in advanced technology and methods ….over 800 Eurotech machines!
What to Learn from the TECHNIC VALLEY: In a recent trip we were able to meet with some of the leaders of the Technic Valley and see their valley of advanced technology and methods. Their high density of precision shops was truly amazing. They generously shared with us some of their tips, i.e., the tips that help them stay efficient, competitive, and profitable -- the recognized vanguards of machining.
We look forward to sharing these tips with you now and throughout future newsletters, helping you realize the competitive edge that the Technic Valley has.
 |
Tip #1 = Double Cone Collets
The double
cone collet provides far more gripping by clamping on both ends
of the bar instead of one. This stabilization gives:
¬ Less vibrations
¬ Better parts finish
¬ Improved tool life
Almost all 800 Eurotech machines in the Technic Valley utilize the double cone collets.
* Eurotech now stocks double cone collets in 64th sizes.
-Joe Selway & Jeff Walz
See Technic Valley Part 2 for the next machining secret.