When Tim Drinkwater received the first notifications on his phone that his machine shop won a DN Solutions SVM vertical machining center from the Kennametal booth during IMTS 2024, he thought it was a scam.
“I hadn’t been paying attention to my phone during the show,” Tim explained. “Then, I noticed Ashley from Kennametal reached out on LinkedIn. I was like, ‘oh, that’s cool,’ and she asked if I would accept it. Then she asked if I could be in the booth at 12:30 for the live giveaway. It was 12:23. I showed my wife, Amanda, the text and she said ‘go!’ And that’s how it went.”
Now, the shiny new SVM 4100 VMC is in operation at Accurate Machine Products’ (AMP) new shop floor in Janesville, Wisconsin. The precision CNC machine job shop has been working locally with DN Solutions distributor, Ellison Technologies Wisconsin, to set up the machine. Tim, owner of AMP, is impressed with the standard options on the machine that would be expensive options on other machine tools.
With AMP’s 2022 investment in a new facility with room for expansion, Tim envisions purchasing more capital equipment from DN Solutions that will enable the shop to add to its capabilities.
Humble Beginnings
Like a band that works hard to eventually reach fame, Tim began AMP in his garage in 2007, gradually growing the business to create the successful shop it is today. For years after he dedicated himself full time to his machine shop endeavor, he owned a 2,000-square-foot facility that housed four machines. Then in 2013, the shop moved into an 8,000-square-foot building with nine machines.
Ellison Technologies became a vendor for AMP around 2017-2018 when Tim worked with Alex Knoebel, President of Ellison Wisconsin, on a project from another machine tool company. “They’ve been great,” Tim says. “I’ve always thought highly of them. I no longer do business with some distributors, but I enjoy working with Ellison.”
Today, AMP has five 3-axis mills, three turning centers, two mill-turns and the new DN Solutions SVM machining center.
Tim projects the shop will grow by 40% in 2025. “I want to grow my shop, but still have that family atmosphere,” he explains.
Evolution of a Machine Tool
Although AMP owns only one DN Solutions machine, Tim is no stranger to the brand. Around 2006 when working for another machine shop, he was introduced to a Daewoo PUMA 300 CNC lathe.
Since working with that machine on a specific job from years ago, Tim has experienced how much DN Solutions has expanded its products.
“DN has gone beyond commodity machines,” he says. “With the PUMA TT (twin spindle, twin turret with Y-axis turning center) and more five-axis offerings, they are not a basic machine builder anymore. They offer higher-level machines.”
He points out some examples, including DN Solutions’ new control that’s consistent on all machines and the fact that the DN Solutions did not convert to a full overlay system. “That commonality of the interface is huge,” Tim adds, mentioning that other machine tool builders do not offer that benefit.
Regarding AMP’s new SVM 4100 vertical machining center, Tim describes it as a solid machine that is well thought out, with “cushy” standard options. “All the extras the machine comes with are pretty remarkable,” he says.
Besides being excited about the footwell on the tank, he explains that the stock chip conveyor is large, and he is impressed with the built-in skimmer system. “I keep waiting to take a picture of the coolant tank, and there’s still no oil skim after two months of running it,” he says.
Tim is also struck by the BIG-PLUS spindle as well as the FANUC HMI (human machine interface) with touchscreen. He adds that integration with its Autodesk Fusion 360 CAD software has been seamless. “It was plug-and-play, and we’re making programs with full simulation,” he explains.
The SVM is equipped with tooling from Kennametal that does not require a subscription that many other cutting tool companies require, according to Tim. “We definitely want to use more Kennametal tooling,” he says. “They have a good product, and their outside sales rep has great knowledge and is very helpful.”
Obligation to Future Generations
On top of the dedication to his business, Tim recently has pivoted his focus to recruitment and advocacy on behalf of the manufacturing industry. As a result of his involvement with sitting on the advisory board for his local technical college, he believes it is up to employers to help students and potential employees learn about what a manufacturing career path looks like.
“The more time I spend on that side, the more I realize in some ways it is the employers who are falling short.” In other words, machine shop owners/presidents/managers can be to blame for not educating the community about these jobs.
He suggests that employers participate in school career fairs and join associations that promote vocational training. Tim, who is very active on LinkedIn with over 7,000 followers, found an organization that he enjoys working with called Craftsman with Character. Its mission: to build an industrial workforce of young people who live and work with purpose and character. It provides a structured model and curriculum that enables schools and businesses to deliver job shadowing experiences, character-building education and mentoring within their community.
Tim’s experience as a facilitator at a local high school has led him to consider creating an apprenticeship program at AMP. A group of students took a tour of his facility where he showed them how to use the CAM program to put their name on a keychain using the new SVM.
Ready for your next feature-rich machine? Go DN.
The benefits AMP has enjoyed with its new SVM are yours for the taking as well. To get the conversation started that eventually leads to your ideal machine, talk to your local DN Solutions America distributor.
