A Peek Inside Our Shop: Installing Our New CNC Mill
There’s a certain kind of buzz that shows up in the shop whenever something new is being built, tested, or installed. People walk by a little more often just to check on progress. Tool carts get shuffled around to make space. Someone always watches from the corner with a coffee in hand.
That’s the energy in our shop this week as we install our new Haas VF4 CNC mill. This upgrade gives us a larger machining workspace, more flexibility during setups, and better support for the hands on engineering work we do every day.
Why This Upgrade Matters
The VF4 gives our team a bigger machining area and longer travel, which helps with:
Larger parts
More involved fixtures
Multi part setups
A larger machine lets us keep projects moving without stopping to redo crowded setups. It also supports faster iteration, smoother machining, and more attention to detail during production quality prototypes.
Bringing 4th Axis Capability Into the Shop
We’re adding a 4th axis, which allows the part to rotate while we cut it. This capability helps us:
Machine complex geometry
Reach multiple sides of a part in fewer setups
Improve accuracy and surface quality
Reduce manual flipping and re indicating
For our team, this means cleaner results and more confidence when a design includes round or angled features.
Upgrading Our Programming Tools
Along with the new machine, we’re improving our programming workflow by:
Updating our Mastercam setup
Adding AI assisted toolpath planning
Using more advanced simulation tools
These updates help us plan machining steps more efficiently and catch potential issues earlier in the process, which keeps our workflow predictable and smooth.
What This Means Moving Forward
The VF4 strengthens how we support customers by giving us more room to explore ideas, validate designs, and produce precise parts in house. It gives our team more flexibility and more control during the build stage, which helps us stay hands on through every step of a project.
We’ll share more once the machine is fully dialed in and running. For now, the shop is buzzing and we’re excited for what’s next!
