Machine shop services

Machine shop services

We are equipped with conventional machines, knee mills, and machine centers to provide services you need. Services range from one prototype part to long term production

Read More

Ames Portable Hardness Testers

Ames Portable Hardness Testers

We provide calibration and repair services for your Ames Portable Hardness Testers, just send your tester in and we will let you know the cost!

Electro Arc Metal Disintegrators

Electro Arc Metal Disintegrators

Build a metal disintegrator to suit your needs, we offer over 40 custom options for you to choose from!

How Covid Changed Stillion Industries

4 CommentsStillion Industries, , , ,

https://youtu.be/PsykXjx33PM 2020 was a difficult year for most businesses, especially in manufacturing.  Covid-19 has changed everything from how we communicate to how we work and live. Now two years later, we are still experiencing difficulty with supply chain issues and the economy has created the necessity to raise our prices. We are so appreciative of, all of our staff, community support and the ability to continue offering products and services.  We also appreciate all of you and your patience during our downtime and with delays in fulfilling orders. While we did fall behind in production during the Covid-19 shut down we have found a new normal in meeting the needs of our customers.  The challenges we endured inspired improvements to our processes to minimize problems in the future. Another setback we experienced was problems with our websites for both Electro Arc and Ames Testers. Since then we have improved our websites and social media presence to provide you with updates and inside looks at the company and our products. We have also expanded our online shopping options to allow you to purchase accessory items for Electro Arc accessories in addition to the Ames products that have been available to purchase online for some time. Improvements to the websites include a live chat, more resources for machine owners, and a 75-year retrospect of Electro Arc’s history. You may have also noticed our new machine builder which helps you determine which metal disintegrator can best meet your needs, allowing you to compare the 40+ custom metal disintegrator options that we offer and the advantages of those machines on Electro Arc sites. Try the New Machine Builder to Choose the Right Metal Disintegrator for your Application! Check out our Social media profiles and please follow us! Facebook Youtube Pinterest Linkedin Instagram Tiktok As you may know, the Electro Arc and Ames product lines joined our company in mid-2019.  We have since made improvements to the product lines due to the lack of availability of necessary components, obsolescence and to assist in efficiency.  We look forward to continuing to offer the reliable products associated with these brand names and producing these products in Michigan is our pride.  Stillion Industries has been offering Michigan based machine services for 50 years now, and Electro Arc products have been made in Michigan for 75 years.

Maintain the Highest Quality with Metal Disintegrators in Space Applications

2 CommentsElectro Arc, , , , ,

When it comes to Aerospace accuracy is essential.  You can count on our metal disintegrators to deliver accuracy in your industrial applications with aerospace production. Aerospace organizations may conduct research, design, manufacture, operate, or maintain aircraft and spacecraft.  The Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are the largest consumers of aerospace products in the United States.  Due to strict guidelines, parts and repairs must be certified for use.  Electro Arc has experience with government contracts and all of our products meet the highest guidelines. Bolts and nuts may fail in aerospace applications due to a variety of factors. Higher-strength bolts which are harder, tend to be more susceptible to failure. Fatigue, fractures, and cracks can lead to bolt failure causing bolts to break. Vibration fatigue, corrosion, and fretting wear can result from temperature swings and load transmissions in the normal operation of aircraft and aerospace vehicles. As a time-sensitive and in-demand industry, there is no question why companies in these industries would want an Electro Arc metal disintegrator to assist with the replacement and repairs of broken bolt issues. If you are Manufacturing parts and equipment in the aerospace industry, you are producing massive vessels. When it comes to building space vehicles, airplanes, guided missiles,  propulsion units, and aircraft engines precision, quality, and consistency are required. Maintain the highest quality level by removing broken drills, taps, and rivets from production parts such as engines, wings, and landing gear with ease and speed. Electro Arc Metal Disintegrators will assist you in generating less scrap and sticking to your stringent timelines.  You will find Electro Arc metal disintegrators essential in maintaining your production equipment and aircraft by removing broken rivets and distorted or frozen bolts in minutes. You will probably prefer our Electro Arc model 2-S portable metal disintegrator for use in aerospace applications. Equipped with the mini-magnetic fixture it is perfect for use in hard-to-reach places. When you need maximum portable power, our newest model the Bolt Eater perfect for general purposes. Use this heavy-duty metal disintegrator to remove broken large drills, bolts, taps, and more on your production parts and prototypes. Electro Arc Manufacturing has a history of working with NASA, North West Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Boeing.

Stillion Industries Welcomes New Machines to the Family

Stillion Industries, , , , ,

Stillion Industries made a major change on March 25th, 2022 when we sold our Mac turn and replaced it with a Space turn.  This smaller machine is more versatile for our needs and freed up a large amount of much-needed area on the floor for new machines to come to our shop.  Now in May, we are excited to announce 3 new machines that have joined the Stillion Industries arsenal!  The Devlieg Spiralmatic Jigmil 4B-72 Boring Mill now stands tall in our shop ready to take on any job we can hoist onto it!  The Monarch Model 612 lathe which has the capacity for pieces 128 inches long and a 31 inch swing.  One of our Employees who came to us from Pinnacle Engineering when they closed, shared his history with these machines including running a 2 ½ ton roller on this machine!  We’ve also added to our Bridgeport collection the Series 1. It took us about 3 weeks, but we have 2 of these machines up and running now.  The Boring Mill was used just today to do final work on one of our Electro Arc table tops.  In the future, we will be able to do all of the work our table tops need! These new machines provide a larger capacity for big jobs. We are also now able to do jobs in-house that we would have outsourced in the past including work on cast iron table tops for our Electro Arc metal disintegrators.

Stillion Industries one-time conversion for your disintegrating head

3 CommentsElectro Arc, Stillion Industries, , ,

Did you know that Stillion Industries purchased Electro Arc in 2019?  As you can imagine, with any new company purchasing another company there are a lot of new things to do and know.  The name Electro Arc is known worldwide as the world’s best metal disintegrator manufacturer.  This is because of the sturdy design long-lasting nature of this machine.  As with any good thing, we have made necessary improvements to the Electro Arc product line since we have taken over as the manufacturer.  We have created new boards for our Auto-Feed feature and we have been researching to design our own pump to replace the pump we use in the machine since this machine has been hard to find since we took over. Due to supply chain issues, we replaced a connector used in the vibration of your Arc-er disintegrating head.  This new part can be easily replaced and we provide detailed instructions to walk you through the process of upgrading your machine.  The new part number is A6113, for connector assembly, panel mount, Arc-er or Servo head vibration.  We will detail these instructions for you below, please read and understand them before you attempt any changes.  Do not make an attempt to make this modification if you are unclear or do not understand the instructions.  Consult with a licensed electrician if needed. 15 Steps to Install the New Pigtail Adapter For Your Disintegrating Head: Step 1 Turn off your machine. Step 2 Disconnect power from the machine (refer to your company’s procedure for lock out tag out if needed.) Step 3 Locate the ROUND 2 PIN connector on the back of your machine.  Note: your machine may have more or less connection points than the picture below.  There should only be a single two-pin connector. Step 4 Remove the Allen drive button head screws on the outer edges of the back panel of the machine.   Step 5 Locate the two wires on the back side of the existing panel mount connector.  Note: wire colors may vary based on the age of your machine. Step 6 Cut each wire roughly 2″ away from the existing connector. Step 7 Unscrew the nut and lock washer from the back panel to remove your old connector. Step 8 Insert the new connector into the existing hole and mark the 4 mounting holes. Step 9 Drill 4 places with a 9/64″ (3.6mm) drill bit.  A center punch may help keep the drill bit on location. Step 10 Install the 4 screws from the front face of the back panel and place a washer, then lock the washer and nut over the screw.  DO NOT overtighten, this will crack the plastic on the new connector. Step 11 Strip back the wires from the hardness inside the machine cabinet. Step 12 Connect the wires from the connector to the wires from the harness.  Polarity or color coordination does not matter for this.  A number of methods can be used so long as both wires are properly insulated from each other and from the machine cabinet. Step 13 Reinstall the back panel of your machine using the button head screws.  Use caution to ensure no wires are pinched during reinstallation. Step 14 Connect the vibration cord end from the Arc-er Head to the new panel mount connector. Step 15 Reconnect power to the machine.  Consult your company’s lock out tag out procedure if needed. If you have any questions about the installation of this new pigtail assembly, please contact Cody for Technical support on Electro Arc’s main line, his extension is 105, or email crobbins@electroarc.com

Stillion Industries is Celebrating 50 years of Business

1 CommentStillion Industries, , , , , , ,

When you hear the name Stillion, the first thing that should come to mind is Stillion Industries.  A southeast Michigan machine shop that has been providing service in Washtenaw County for 50 years this year!  A family business, you can count on Stillion Industries to provide the highest quality machining work.  Chuck Stillion started this small business in Ann Arbor on Dino Drive.  The company was passed from father to son in 2006. Stillion Industries expanded its operations by purchasing Dexter Manufacturing in 2013.  Again in 2019 by purchasing Electro Arc, a metal disintegrator manufacturer also based in the Ann Arbor area.   Electro Arc was a client of Stillion Industries machine shop for years before the company went up for sale and Keith Stillion decided to purchase it.  With the acquisition, we gained both the Electro Arc metal disintegrator product line of over 40 bespoke machines as well as the Ames product line of fine precision hardness testing instruments now machined in-house. Electro Arc is also celebrating a big anniversary this year.  75 years of Michigan-based design and innovation which has become an asset to industries worldwide!  Under the Electro Arc name, Ames Portable Hardness testers have also been manufactured by Electro Arc since 1975.  These two tools are dependable not only in name but in reputation as well.   Like Stillion Industries’ machining work, Electro Arc machines are built to last.  This makes the two companies a perfect complement to each other.  We take pride in the new Electro Arc products we now produce and strive to make them better so you can count on these machines for years to come as large and small shops worldwide have in the past. To celebrate this special double anniversary, Stillion Industries had an oldest machine contest in an attempt to make connections with old Electro Arc machine owners who are still running metal disintegrators made by the company in the 60s and 70s!  While the design has changed very little, the look of these machines has changed over time, you may see them with different cabinets or colors like green and blue!   With proper maintenance, these machines can last a lifetime!  As an Electro Arc machine owner, you can count on us for your machine maintenance, repair, and upgrade needs.   Every machine we sell comes with a one-year warranty.  Another promotion we are offering to celebrate is the model 1 Ames Portable Hardness Tester in its old wooden case.  This limited edition product is only available while supplies last!  We continue to offer repair and calibration services for testers with a model number of 12000 or newer.

Why you need a metal disintegrator in Manufacturing

1 CommentElectro Arc, , , , , ,

General manufacturing covers all goods made in production for use or sale using labor and machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing.  This field including hand-crafted and high-tech production is most commonly associated with industrial design which consists of raw materials from the primary sector of the economy being transformed into finished goods. Manufacturing of industrial goods internationally is an aggressive market. The state of the financial market and availability and condition of raw materials dictate how the manufacturing industry will perform annually. Manufacturers who compete on a global scale must maintain optimal output while reducing any halt in their assembly in addition to meeting expectations for price and quality of goods. You can use Electro Arc Metal Disintegrators to repair and maintain your equipment and parts with minimal output of leftover material. Remove broken taps and drills quickly and efficiently, leaving the original hole and threads intact every time.  Use your Metal disintegrator in production maintenance, and repair your equipment by removing taps and drills in minutes. Electro Arc Portable AC model 2-S Metal Disintegrator: A variety of Electro Arc models may be suitable for your application in general manufacturing. Our model 2-SE tabletop metal disintegrator has a single-arm superstructure and a moderate 457 x 457MM (18″ x 18″) worktop. Just like our model 2-S with a small tabletop and cross-arm to provide you with a mobile work surface for small parts.   Standard with the Arc-er disintegrating head, you can upgrade to the IQ head on our model 2-SQT for larger range. Alternatively, you may prefer the fingertip controls and ease of head positioning which allows for quick setup with our Model 2-DVQT which features a vertical-plane double barrel superstructure for rigidity and an 813MM x 813MM (32″ x 32″) worktop. Portable models like the 2-S are attractive in many workplace conditions which have limited space.  You will find the portable models provide the customizable power and execution you need in a compact and portable unit. You can mount the head on your Bridgeport, drill press, lathe or even a mill in a flash. The Electro Arc Model 2-S can be used with a CNC machine, Bridgeport, directly on your workpiece, with a radial drill or lathe. Past clients of Electro Arc Manufacturing Company were Sandvik, a multinational engineering group. With operations in tooling systems including metal cutting, and Also providing technical solutions in mining and rock excavation.  Whemco, a worldwide supplier of heavy industrial components for power generation, mining, metals, and the shipbuilding industries. As well as the Timken Company, a global industrial leader in engineering bearings, and power transmission product brands.

The birth of Metal Disintegrators by Electro Arc

1 CommentElectro Arc, ,

As Stillion Industries and Electro Arc celebrate dual anniversaries, a lot of research has exposed historic information about our Electro Arc line of metal disintegrators and the company. An accidental discovery of carbide impregnation through EDM had been untapped in the metalworking industry despite the discovery in the 1940s because it was such a new process operator error was leading to problems. Electro Arc was one of the pioneering companies that changed the market by developing their line of Metal disintegrators.  Through the use of carbide impregnation, great success was found with use on hard metals such as drills, lathe turning tools, and taps. In July of 1971, Electro Arc’s carbide-impregnating machine was mentioned by the Machinery magazine discussing the promise of carbide impregnation.  The article mentions Spalding using the Electro Arc model F-5 machine to impregnate dies and punches extending the life of their tools considerably.  It also mentions a California manufacturer who recovered the cost of their machine in just two months by extending their drill life by 10 times. Electro Arc Carbide impregnation throwback (above) Since then Electro Arc discontinued machines like the F-5 in favor of the Metal disintegration line their reputation in the industry is long-lasting.  As the original maker of metal disintegrators, machines like the Electro Arc Model HK6VQT continue to offer the largest table model machine and heavy-duty superstructure available with heavy-duty power, and auto-feed for the fastest cutting disintegrator with increased machine operator productivity.  With innovation and efficiency, the line of metal disintegrators has grown to include over 40 models with an option to custom-build your machine and lots of accessory choices. Electro Arc Model HK 6VQT Metal Disintegrator This Electro Arc disintegrator will pierce any material that will conduct electricity and produce holes of any shape from .010 and larger.  The Electro Arc patented metal disintegrator design features maximum disintegrating power for the highest cutting speed.  No special skill is required to operate the metal disintegrators.  These built-to-last machines are still serving customers from over 50 years ago! See an Introduction to Electro Arc Portable Metal Disintegrators Below:

What are the Challenges of Manufacturing and Stocking your Own Parts?

3 CommentsStillion Industries, , ,

Stillion Industries has been machining parts in Southeast Michigan since 1972.  To meet increased demand from regular customers we have purchased new machines in the past few years.  These new machines have helped us increase our capabilities and efficiency.  Stillion Industries’ operations have moved a few times over the years.  Most recently, the expansion of our location occurred in 2014. Stillion Industries’ property consists of 5 buildings with one building dedicated to machining, one dedicated to building Electro Arc machines and testers, and another one dedicated to producing Molybdenum electrodes. We purchased Electro Arc in 2019, increasing our internal demand for machined parts.  Electro Arc used Stillion Industries as a vendor for years. So we are familiar with many of the new parts we make for the Electro Arc product lines. The metal disintegrator machines are composed of hundreds of parts. We now machine about 60% of the parts needed for those machines in-house. Our Ames testers are 97% machined in-house. We have been able to improve our manufacturing process for these parts over the past 3 years. As with any major change, the process of integrating Electro Arc operations into the existing Stillion Industries location was tricky. Electro Arc had been in business for 72 years when we acquired it. The number of items that needed to be integrated into our operations was significant. Integrating new staff and staff roles into the machine shop changed our operations completely. Going from offering services to offering products and services required new software, training, and coordination while maintaining existing operations. Three years later, we continue to improve our systems and manufacturing processes. A Look Inside Stillion Industries https://youtu.be/PsykXjx33PM Our main challenge in stocking our own parts has been balancing internal work with outside work. Supply chain issues have also created scheduling delays.  In many cases, we must wait for other jobs to finish in order to complete a job for our metal disintegrators or Ames testers.  Since each tool and machine is custom-made, our turnaround time can be delayed due to a lack of parts. Obviously, this is less than satisfactory for our customers who are also waiting for our products which require parts and products both from our own machine shop and outside sources. While we can stock our Ames hardness testers ahead of time, we have not been able to stock the metal disintegrators as a shelf-ready item to order.  The investment per machine is significant and since we offer over 40 different models, with  custom options for building power, we cannot pre-fabricate these machines.  Changes in the economy have affected our buyer behavior and we haven’t been able to anticipate the volume of new orders.  We have also explored offering refurbished metal disintegrators for sale.  This is advantageous for customers who would not normally be able to afford a new machine. We offer machine refurbishing services for machine owners as well.  Our first refurbished machine was in new condition and was sold with a 1-year warranty. Used machines found on the market through avenues like Ebay won’t offer this benefit.  Electro Arc had elected not to offer refurbished machines in the past.  Stillion Industries is exploring the possibility of offering refurbished metal disintegrators regularly. As an additional option, we are considering offering a buy-back program for owners of metal disintegrators who would otherwise sell their machines through third-party machine sellers.  This way, the machines can be factory certified and we can continue to offer used machines for sale. All Parts Manufactured by Stillion Industeries are Made in Michigan Shop Ames and Electro Arc Products online: All Ames Ames, Superficial Portable Rockwell Testers Ames Model 4-2S Portable Hardness Tester ☆☆☆☆☆$3,916.47Add to Cart Ames, Test Blocks Ames Superficial Brass Test Block ☆☆☆☆☆$188.38Add to Cart Ames, Standard Portable Rockwell Testers Model 8 Ames Portable Hardness Tester ☆☆☆☆☆Add to Cart Load More End of Content. All Electro Arc Collet, Electro Arc, Electro Arc Accessories Collet .118 ☆☆☆☆☆$58.56Add to Cart Electro Arc, Electro Arc Accessories, Molybdenum Electrode Molybdenum Electrode 0.375-S ☆☆☆☆☆Add to Cart Electro Arc, Electro Arc Accessories, Molybdenum Electrode Molybdenum Electrode 0.020 ☆☆☆☆☆Add to Cart Load More End of Content.

Stillion Industries services Model F-5 Carbide Impregnators

Electro Arc, , , , ,

Die-hard Electro Arc fans remember the Model F-5 Carbide impregnator, like the Cherry Rivet Division which found the F-5 extended the life between sharpenings on their drills by a factor of ten as mentioned in The Machinery article “Carbide impregnation – stepchild process with tremendous potential” published July 1971.  Spaulding Fibre company was also quoted stating they were able to produce 2-4 times the parts between sharpenings when they used the Electro arc Model F-5 to impregnate their dies and punches.   A snippet from the original publication “Carbide Impregnation – The stepchild process with Tremendous Potential” In a separate article also published by Machinery, “Broaching encroaching on milling” Mercury Broach states they use the Electro Arc Carbide impregnator daily.  They were able to improve the life of their high-speed broach 2-4 times between sharpening and process materials normally considered marginal for high-speed steel broaches. In response to these publications, Electro Arc released two Engineering bulletins.  An Indiana company Speedgrip Chuck had determined that carbide impregnation improved the life of their collets and chucks substantially.  In response to the success they had achieved, they received increasing requests from their customers for carbide impregnation.  In turn, these customers became customers of Electro Arc, purchasing their own machines. Similarly, a company based in Utica NY Kelsey-Hayes a company manufacturing buckets or fins that fit jet engine turbines, which due to the inspection requirements for precise forging had to be remade on an average of 3 weeks.  When impregnating their blades they found the life was increased to an average of four months! The same principles that inspired the innovation offered by the Electro Arc carbide impregnator, lent themselves to each of Electro Arc’s metal disintegrating machines.  These long-lasting machines continue to improve the life of parts, reduce cost and increase efficiency for our customers.  When you have a large, heavy part the cost of replacing the entire piece like a wind turbine or jet engine is inconceivable!  Electro Arc’s Metal disintegrators are made in different powers, sizes and are fully customizable to match the needs of your operations! While Electro Arc is no longer producing new F-5 machines, Stillion Industries continues to offer repair service and refurbishing of all Electro Arc products including the carbide impregnator.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to our sales team regarding any needs you may have regarding your Electro Arc machine!  Thank you for being a loyal Electro Arc customer and supporting Stillion Industries as we carry on this legacy.

We’re celebrating dual anniversaries in 2022!

1 CommentStillion Industries, , , , ,

Stillion Industries is 50 this year, and Electro Arc is 75 years Stillion Industries Stillion Industries started as a partner business, and was taken over by Chuck Stillion in 1972, he ran the business on Dino Drive in Ann Arbor until his son purchased the business from him in 2006. Electro Arc Electro Arc was started in Detroit Michigan in 1947, it moved to Ann Arbor about a year later and stayed there until it was purchased by Keith Stillion in 2019.  Chelsea Standard Newspaper Mention In the community In August 1989, Stillion Industries is mentioned as one of the local companies that contributed to Chelsea Fire Department’s Ladder 1 contributors. Stillion Industries listed in 1991 Palmer mentions Stillion Industries as one of the qualifying companies for an employee discount Stillion Employee in Community Project: Employee Chuck Waterbury is mentioned helping with a local project in connection with Stillion Industries Michigan-based, Michigan-made: Both Stillion Industries and Electro Arc started as and continued to operate as Michigan businesses. Stillion Industries celebrates 50 years Continuing the same great local service in the community, Stillion Industries is 50 years old in 2022! Electro Arc celebrates 75 years 75 years of Michigan-made high-quality metal disintegrators is a huge milestone for Electro Arc and Stillion!