SW North America, Inc., a manufacturer of precision metalworking production machines, has formed a strategic alliance with B/K Components, LLC, a CNC solutions company and an engineering consulting business specializing in several industries, including firearms manufacturing. The purpose of the alliance is to introduce gun manufacturers to the complementary strengths of both companies. This alliance will allow SW North America to participate in International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) sensitive projects.
SW North America is a supplier of multi-spindle machines to the automotive, industrial and aerospace and defense industry, and is expanding its presence in the firearms industry. B/K Components provides new machining processes, innovative tooling and fixturing for the manufacture of firearms and firearm components. "Combined, SW and B/K can supply gun manufacturers with a fully integrated turnkey system optimized to provide superior advances in high-tech, world-class component manufacturing," said a spokesperson.
As a first step in this alliance, SW North America has installed a BA 322 machining center at B/K Components' facility in Rockaway, NJ. Here, B/K customers and potential customers can develop processes and machine their firearm components to see firsthand the state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities.
The BA 322 is a compact, twin-spindle horizontal machining center (HMC) targeted for 4- or 5-axis machining of small- to medium-sized steel, cast iron and light metal workpieces. According to SW North America, it is ideal in the manufacturing of all main gun components, pistol frames, pistol slides and pistol barrels as well as rifle receivers. The double swivel table design allows these workpieces to be loaded and unloaded during the machining cycle.
BA 322 is equipped with two spindles, a specially developed twin swivel trunnion and twin or quadruple 5-axis modules to suit the actual machining requirement. Five-axis machining takes up about 50% of SW's applications because today's components are more complex and intricate in design.
Two firearm manufacturers have already placed orders to produce several different complex, small parts on the BA 322 and more are expected this summer and fall.
"We look forward to advancing this alliance to the next level by providing our current customers and potential customers with world class manufacturing solutions," said Jim Campbell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SW North America. "Our BA 322 will deliver the highest quality firearm components while reducing both part cycle time and cost."
Bill Krauss, President, B/K Components, added, "While SW provides the CNC machine, we will provide the workholding fixtures and the cutting tool packages, as well as the programming and engineering for the specific component to be machined. The cooperative actions of our two companies greatly exceed the impact of each working independently."
For more information contact:
SW North America, Inc.
40615 Koppernick Unit 2
Canton, MI 48187
248-622-9725
info@sw-machines.de
www.sw-machines.com
Bill Krauss, President
B/K Components, LLC
Cell: 973-615-9910
bkcomponents@yahoo.com
www.bkcomponents.net