Vote for Stillion Industries in the 2022 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan Contest

UPDATED: 10/10//22As a special treat for our 75th Anniversary, we were included in the round one voting for the 2022 Coolest Thing Made in Michigan contest. We are so grateful to all of you that voted for us because we made it to round 2!  Our Metal Disintegrators are among the 10 coolest things made in Michigan. We didn’t make it into the top 3 for the contest this year, but we will try again next year. We were nominated in 2020 but didn’t make it to the second round. We were recently accepted as a member of Proud to Manufacture in Michigan, which is a wonderful campaign designed to support manufacturing in Michigan.   It is really cool to see Michigan returning to its reputation for manufacturing and to be part of that movement. Shop local and Made in the USA were a big deal in the history of this country.  After Covid, supporting local businesses seems to be more important to customers once again.  Electro Arc metal disintegrating machines have always been Made in Michigan.  As Electro Arc celebrates our 75th anniversary, alongside Stillion Industries’ 50th anniversary, we have learned more about the history of Electro Arc and the evolution of these metal disintegrating machines.  This product line has expanded from 3 to over 40 different models and the acquisition of competing companies proves these machines are high quality and high value. The community is such a big part of support, without other local businesses, our staff, and our customers, success would not be possible.  Thanks to those of you who voted for Stillion Industries in this year’s Coolest thing Made in Michigan contest. Round one of the contest ended October 7, 2022.  While we made it into the Top 10 Coolest things Made in Michigan, we’ll have to try again for the top 3 spot. Why are Electro Arc Metal disintegrators the Coolest Thing Made in Michigan? The EDM technology that makes metal disintegration machining (MDM) possible was created in part by the founder of Electro Arc.  EDM has evolved to the point that most people are familiar with the concept, but it was a very new technology in 1947 when we started to sell these machines. You may not know that Metal disintegration machines are tools that remove broken bolts, taps, screws, drills, and other fasteners fast!  You can disintegrate out this broken tooling in minutes while preserving the thread and saving your part – not to mention money! These machines are portable and require no training to use.  We make a model for every application including DC machines like our Bolt Eater which can remove 2” and larger bolts. These machines can disintegrate at any angle and come with a variety of options, allowing you to customize your machine. The US Navy has been a long-time user of our metal disintegrating machines on their submarines.

Using a Metal Disintegrator for Off Road Applications

Heavy-duty equipment and machinery is classified as “off-road”, these massive vehicles are necessary for development, as a key component of infrastructure, things must be moved and lifted quickly and accurately.  Excavation for development or discovery sends us miles into the earth to discover and build. Innovation is upon us and we rely on off-road machinery like dump trucks, excavators, and cranes to take us there. When using off-road equipment in construction, mining, agriculture, and marine fields you need high-quality, long-lasting, and powerful tools to keep your machines running.  Tabletop Metal Disintegrators are great for Large Parts: You can use our large tabletop metal disintegrators to remove broken taps and drills in engine blocks, heads, and power trains. Besides broken tooling, broken 10MM (3/8″) exhaust manifold studs are disintegrated and the old threads are cleaned in three and a half minutes. You will want to use our largest tabletop metal disintegrators for jobs like these. The model H-K6VQT (referred to as the “Tap Zapper” in the past) features our IQ head which can handle small and up to 2 inch/50 mm diameter in one pass.  Standard with a 30-inch workspace you can request a custom tabletop. The model HK-10QT also features the IQ head and comes with a 20 KVA power supply for extra power.  The huge table is 46 by 25 inches and has a capacity of 8000 pounds with customizable table options as well. The Auto-Feed feature allows for hands-free operation and minimal electrode consumption for long-lasting use. and the ultimate 10SG are often used Our Portable metal disintegrator unit line includes 2SQT which can be used to remove large and small broken taps and bolts in hard-to-reach places. Perfect for extremely large castings like the arms of bulldozers or radiator housings on the D10. Electro Arc Metal Disintegrators are a tool for you to reduce waste. Remove broken taps and drills in minutes with little effort while leaving the original hole and threads intact. The Electro Arc process: Use our durable Metal disintegrators to remove broken rear wheel studs from large dump trucks quickly. Save customers thousands of dollars in just a few minutes with the Electro Arc process.  Clients like Bobcat, Komatsu, Volvo, Caterpillar and John Deere have experienced the benefits of our metal disintegrators for off-road applications

Maintain the Highest Quality with Metal Disintegrators in Space Applications

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 one-time conversion for your disintegrating head

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

Why you need a metal disintegrator in Manufacturing

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

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: