Michael DeBonny This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Job Shop Technology Online

   www.jobshoptechnology.com/feat - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/8/2002   Last Visited: 9/8/2002

   "We are unique because we have the technology and skilled staff that can fabricate parts with these expensive refractory metals, and especially to be able to deep draw them," remarks Mike DeBonny, president of Metal Technology. "Our fabrication and machining equipment is not unusual, but the way we fabricate these metals is what sets us apart from others. Very few companies in North America are willing to take on these metals because of their extremely high cost. But this doesn't scare us. We can also manufacture these parts cost effectively because we have an extensive inventory of tooling in stock for the part sizes and shapes most asked for."
   
   Capital Outlay is Significant
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   "When a client wants us to make five or more of these crucibles, we don't want to make a mistake during production, especially since we only get about $200 per pound for scrap," DeBonny explains. "Fortunately, we haven't lost even one part for many years. This is why most stamping or machining companies are scared away from this type of work."
   
   Tantalum, a unique chemical element with an extremely high melting point of 5,424ºF, is inert to most organic compounds. It has very high corrosion resistance, comparable to that of glass, and is one of the highest temperature-resistant metals available, right behind tungsten. Tantalum melts at a much higher temperature than titanium, and very few acids-except for hydrofluoric acid-can eat through it.
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   "Companies that try to use standard punch press tooling and standard stamping methods will have problems with these exotics," DeBonny affirms. "That's why we consider our tooling proprietary, because very few companies know how to make tooling for exotics. We probably have several million dollars worth of tooling in our warehouse inventory, so when a job comes in we can usually find tooling that will fit the job and just pull it off our shelves. And with very little modification, if any, we can produce a part."
   
   Metal Technology also machines these unusual metals, using CNC and manual machining equipment. Bits and punches need to be specially made because the soft, heavy metals are very abrasive and can wear down tooling very quickly.
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   "The price that we quoted them was considerably lower than the way they were doing it," said DeBonny. "They wanted to know that the part would work first before we went into production, so we first spent $40,000 on tooling for prototypes on speculation that we could do the actual parts for them. We were able to deep draw the part very economically for them. Our parts ended up being less expensive, stronger, and eliminated the secondary grinding operation."
   
   By using deep drawing to form the part, the job shop was able to use 40% less metal, so they've saved the customer about $160 on metal alone, per unit. "For about 300 parts per month, their maximum order, we're probably saving them about $200 to $300 per part on manufacturing and material costs," DeBonny insists. "At peak production, therefore, we're saving them anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000 per month. In one year, that would be $720,000 to $1,080,000."

2. 2. Columbia-Willamette Chapter Web Site

   www.acg.org/portland - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/13/2000   Last Visited: 8/13/2000

   Michael DeBonny Metal Technology, Inc