Insight

Kinefac^® Corporation, a US-based precision machine tool manufacturer that is recognised as a world leader in metal forming technology, is taking a strategic approach to investment, service, and growth of its product portfolio, in order to provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of its customers and markets.

Founded in 1962 by Howard A. Greis (1925 – 2011) – with the vision of advancing cylindrical die rolling technology – the company grew from manufacturing precision cylindrical die thread and form rolling machines to advanced CNC metal processing systems, catering to the global market. Thanks to evolving customer needs, coupled with strong technical leadership, Kinefac^® has also expanded its machinery product lines into other metal forming technologies, such as extrusion, radial forming, spring coiling, as well as centre-drive turning. 

Today, Kinefac^® manufactures a variety of metal processing machine tools, dies, and systems, including thread and form rolling machines, fillet and root rolling machinery, axial push/pull end-forming and extrusion machinery, radial forming and crimping machinery, centre-drive double-end turning machinery, deflection coiling machinery, as well as centrifugal chip spinning machinery. The company can also provide automation and handling solutions with integrated robots, vibratory bowls, conveyors, induction heating systems, as well as custom-built bar loaders and other associated handling.

“We do not just sell standard ‘off the shelf’ machine tools, we offer advanced manufacturing solutions that are specifically configured to meet customer needs,” explains David C. Willens, R&D director at Kinefac^®. “These machines make everything from high precision threaded fasteners and actuators for automotive and aerospace applications to micro-sized spring coils for medical devices that go into the human body. Integrated automation and smart feedback sensory features have also become common place in recent years to meet increasing demands for precision, repeatability and control.”

The KineForm division of Kinefac^® also manufactures precision cylindrical rolling dies for infeed, through feed, and incremental rolling – with standard and custom thread forms in a variety of high performance tool steels and treatments. The division can also provide die regrinding services with competitive lead times.

“As a business we are ISO 9001:2015 certified and ensure that we offer high accuracy machines, dies, and systems, that push the limits of precision in many different global industries,” states David. “In fact, our machine tools can be found on all continents of the globe, including Antarctica, in both large-scale and small-scale manufacturing environments.”

Working with customers

Kinefac^® is committed to further expanding its product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities to better serve its customers in the metal processing field. This is supported by listening to its customers and by ongoing research and development efforts aimed at introducing innovative solutions to address emerging market demands. “By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, and continuously enhancing our capabilities, we aim to reinforce our position as a leading equipment provider in the fastener manufacturing industry,” underlines David. “We believe innovation is key to the success of a technology driven business, as it helps promote sustainable growth and the opportunity to tackle evolving challenges.”

He adds: “At Kinefac^® we strive to achieve total excellence through reliable customer service, technical support and by understanding and meeting those customer needs in the most robust, economical and high-quality ways possible. For instance, through our Kinefac^® application engineering and technical support – for new and existing projects – customers are able to maximise value and build their technical knowledge of the process. Our trained service technicians not only diagnose and service the equipment, but also offer operator and maintenance training in parallel for efficient production.”

Through its commitment to service and high-quality solutions, Kinefac^® can support a wide range of markets, including automotive, aerospace, nuclear and power generation, as well as medical devices, to name just a few. “We see opportunities in a variety of markets and are always looking to see how we can develop what we can offer customers,” points out David. “For instance, the EV market is currently driving change toward lighter and hollow parts, which require precision forms such as splines, threads, worms and knurls. If you look at commercial planes, jet engines, and gas turbine systems, they are also using more and more precision threaded fasteners that are made of exotic alloys – with increased hardness and tensile strength. Medical procedures are also moving into areas of the human body that are requiring smaller and smaller components, such as precision micro-coils in catheter and guidewire assemblies. Components with tighter tolerances, higher strength, and even micro downsizing, pose a challenge for achieving higher accuracy and precision in production. These trends will force innovation and create new opportunities to apply it and that is where we see opportunities.”

Driving sustainability and investment

To add to its dedication to products and service, Kinefac^® is also well aware of its sustainability responsibilities. That is why its machine tools are offered with options that use environmentally friendly servo-electric actuation systems that only run on demand during each cycle and only use power as needed – helping to eliminate the use of hydraulic oils, constantly spinning motors, as well as sound levels that can have an impact over long periods of time.

To add to this, the types of metal forming processes that Kinefac^® machinery performs are a constant volume process and generally do not produce any material waste. This helps to eliminate the need for recycling and the additional costs associated with it. The company also offers a line of centrifugal equipment that enables customers that do produce chips or sludge, with cutting or grinding processes, to effectively separate coolant carry-off from the solids. This allows coolants and chips/sludge to be segregated and properly disposed of and/or reused after filtration, which means customers can take advantage of cost savings while reducing the environmental impact.

In order to continue meeting the needs of its customers Kinefac^® has also been making strategic investments within its employees – through continued education – as well as in its in-house rolling die manufacturing operations – with state of the art grinding equipment and climate control. “The need for driving innovation with technical skills and reaching the next levels of precision with high-efficiency are what influenced these investments,” reports David. “They will also guarantee that our customers receive robust technical solutions and high-quality tooling to further benefit their products. At Kinefac^® we anticipate sustained growth in the future – driven by advancements in technology and increasing demands for efficient, higher precision manufacturing processes. That is why we are strategically positioned to capitalise on these opportunities – by investing in cutting edge technology, enhancing our expertise, and by fostering partnerships that enable us to meet evolving market needs effectively. By staying at the forefront of innovation, and maintaining a customer-centric approach, we aim to leverage these trends to drive further success and growth in the metal forming sector.”