For over 50 years, Thomas Engineering Company has specialized in precision metal stamping, providing custom stamped products to companies across the country. Maintaining excellence over the years has taken dedication to growing as a company and developing new design and manufacturing processes as the advancement of metal stamping technology continues. TEC’s abilities as a company are supported on three pillars: people, production, and technology. These pillars are fundamental to the Thomas Engineering Company’s standards for high quality precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

The combination of each pillar upholds our standards as they work together to create finalized precision stamped parts and deliver them to our valued customers.

People: From engineers and machine specialists to accountants and representatives, TEC production is made possible by the hard working people on our staff. Our experienced engineers supply innovative part design, die design, and the effective use of software, which leads to the quality touch that marks TEC products. Our proficient machine technicians and floor operators keep equipment and production lines running smoothly to get orders to our customers on time, and our customer service department and representatives across the country top off the well-oiled machine that is the pillar of TEC people.

Design & Production: Without a quality product, however, even the best people in the world cannot make a good company. TEC engineers have established innovative approaches to part design with advanced CAD/CAM imaging software and rapid prototyping abilities. With customer-engineer communication throughout the design process, the finished drafts and prototypes of any given part will fit the exact specifications needed. Our production process completes this pillar when paired with design, and with state-of-the-art rapid stamping and thin stamping abilities, our production process is just as particular as our design. To accomplish the excellence we reach in the design and production process, we also rely on the third pillar: technology.

Equipment & Software: The technology that makes up our designing software and precision stamping equipment completes the trio of pillars intrinsic to TEC. From progressive high-speed dies to CAD/CAM imaging, we work with nothing but the best. Not only does our production technology allow us to perform rapid and thin precision stamping, but it also gives our engineers and technicians the abilities to complete valued-added services such as in-die spot welding, plating, and finishing, deburring, and more. Our packaging equipment also provides options for tape and reel packaging and other methods of specialty packaging for unique parts.

With these three pillars; people, production, and technology, TEC’s standards for high-quality precision stamping are met year after year. For more information about Thomas Engineering Company and precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, contact us at (763) 533-1501 today.

Metal stamping has played a significant role in manufacturing industries for hundreds of years, from technological advancements to wars and beyond. Each decade in the history of metal stamping has its own notable advancements in stamping technology, in the last decade of the 1800’s, the first records of a progressive die were published. The development of progressive dies is fundamental to the high-quality precision stamping performed at Thomas Engineering Company, and at TEC, we place great importance on honoring the history of metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

The first mention of a progressive die came in 1896 in The Press Working of Metals by Oberlin Smith with methods described as “successive gang cutting.” The actual description of what is considered a progressive die came a year later in Dies and Die Making by J.L. Lewis.

During the early 1900s, progressive dies were increasingly used to produce quickly and in high quantities. Automotive companies used early progressive dies to produce a large number of parts, including electric engine components similar to the electronic components TEC produces today. In 1955, a chapter in the Die Design Handbook produced by the American Society of Tool Manufacturing detailed progressive dies of the era.

With the rebirth of the economy after WWII, manufacturing demands rose and production time needed to be shortened significantly to supply industries with enough parts to meet the increase in demand. During this time, the progressive die became crucial to metal stamping companies across the U.S.

In 1953, Ed Stouten and his partner launched Capitol Engineering Company, a novel company specializing in die design. Stouten created the first strip stamping methods, using scrap material connecting parts to carry the strip through a progressive die. The success of his methods gave rise to a new generation of progressive stamping dies.  Stouten spread his knowledge of progressive dies and strip stamping throughout the 50 years in seminar after seminar.

Today, even some of our most advanced progressive stamping dies use the technology developed by Stouten and his engineers. Budding engineers are routinely educated in Stouten’s designs and seminar materials, and his work is continually published in all types of metal stamping literature.

Without the development of the progressive stamping die and Stouten’s contributions, the precision stamped parts TEC specializes in would not be possible. For more information about how the history of metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, has formed the precision metal stamping services Thomas Engineering Company provides, contact us at (763) 533-1501 today.

Today’s healthcare technology is so advanced that lives are saved every day with the standard equipment in hospitals across the country. Because many of the machines used to diagnose and treat patients rely on electricity to function, the electric components used to transfer power and information through this equipment is just as important as the machines themselves. Thomas Engineering Company is proud to supply high-quality electronic components made with precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, to the medical device technology industry.

From basic lighting to the ovens in the cafeteria, every U.S. hospital functions with the help of electricity and electronic technology. For operating rooms, examination rooms, and the ER, the technology needed is much more complex and demands equally-advanced connecting components. TEC supplies electronic components for state-of-the-art medical device technology.

Scanners and diagnostic devices including MRI scanners, CT scanners, and X-Ray equipment use precision stamped electronic components to complete the transfer of power and computer data. The function of these diagnostic machines relies on the quality and dependability of components like those TEC supplies to the medical device technology industry.

Common hospital equipment also frequently relies on electronic components to function. This can include equipment varying in uses such as electronically-adjustable hospital beds, quality lighting for operating rooms, HEPA-grade filtration system motors, defibrillators, heating pads, blood pressure readers, and much more.

Medical electronic equipment like the lincoln electric equipment also uses precision stamped electronic components to function. Most of the standard equipment for dentistry, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, osteopathy, dermatology, and essentially every other branch of medicine runs on electricity, and the industries that build the equipment for these fields demand a supply of high-quality stamped electronic components.

TEC engineers are experienced in designing and manufacturing the quality components the medical device technology industry needs. For more information about electronic components made with precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501.

Over the past 30 years, automotive companies have competed to rapidly increase the technological capabilities of their products. Specifically, the complexity of car engines and computers has exponentially grown since the 1990s. Even within the last 10 years, the demand for in-house satellite GPS systems, mounted sensors, Bluetooth stereo technology, and self-parking cars has significantly increased. These features alone are convenient add-ons and barely touch on the highly-advanced intelligence of today’s engines. The capabilities of the inner workings of today’s cars are so developed that equally-advanced electronic components must be used to assemble the final product. Thomas Engineering Company specializes in automotive components made with precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

Electronics run throughout today’s cars powering lighting systems, navigation systems, camera sensors, temperature adjustment, seats, bench covers and much more. In fact, engines alone demand a large percentage of the electrical power generated by a car. TEC electronic components serve to connect and direct electricity running through a car engine, completing the high functioning engine abilities of today’s automobile.

The engine control unit (ECU) in a vehicle works as the brain of the engine, controlling the complex working parts that come into play as the car is driven. TEC’s precision stamped components operate across the ECU and the connecting parts throughout the engine.

In standard gasoline engines, even parts that are considered basic necessities for a functional car are controlled to the point of complete accuracy through the ECU. This includes the cooling system, ignition, fuel injection rates, throttle control, and in some cases, lubrication systems. The ECU also allows for the function of more advanced engine technology, such as On-Board Diagnostics, to analyze and detect problems with an engine, or Lambda control, which determines the air-to-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine.

Diesel engines also use an ECU to control fuel injection rates, cooling systems, and throttle, but the electronic intelligence of today’s ECU computers, helped along by TEC precision stamped automotive components, are also capable of perfectly controlling much more advanced aspects of an engine, such as Turbochargers, regenerative catalytic converters, and emission control.

There are many more aspects of diesel and gasoline engines that a computer electronically controls, as well as numerous parts and features throughout the rest of the vehicle. Call us today at (763) 533-1501 to learn more about how Thomas Engineering Company makes electronics in cars possible with precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

Thomas Engineering Company will have two representatives (Engineer and Manufacturing Manager) at the MD&M West and Electronics West Event at the Anaheim Convention Center, from February 7-9, 2017.  Our booth will feature current information about TEC’s production of medical devices and electronic components as well as our thin stamping, in-die operations, and rapid prototyping abilities. You will learn why TEC is a respected leader in the precision metal stamping  industry in MN, across the U.S. and in countries aboard. TEC booth number is 3085, please stop by and learn about Thomas Engineering Company capabilities.

TEC has attended the MD&M West show for years to exhibit our own innovations and achievements in precision metal stamping. MD&M West is one of the best opportunities to learn about ground breaking designs in the Medical and Electronic Industry and what TEC can do for you.

MD&M West is in its 32nd year. You have the opportunity to connect with over 20,000 engineers and executives, and big name companies like 3M. Medtronic’s, St. Jude Medical, to find solutions, deepen your knowledge and connect with Thomas Engineering Company, and others inside and outside your industry.

The event hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, February 7-8 from 10 am – 5 pm and Thursday, February 9 from 10am – 4pm. Registration starts at 8:30 am. Checkout more information about the event here.

Please contact us with any questions or inquiries about our precision metal stamping and rapid prototype capabilities at (763) 533-1501.

Precision metal stamping is a complex process with many advanced operations at each stage. Each part alone demands its own variations on the process, and to manufacture an original part means establishing an original variation of operations that creates a process virtually unique to the production of that part. As a custom precision metal stamper, Thomas Engineering Company has years of experience in creating new procedures that in turn create new parts. For all your custom stamping needs in Minneapolis, MN, you can count on TEC’s skilled engineers, state-of-the-art stamping equipment, and quality production assurance.

Some of the most crucial aspects of our abilities in custom stamping are our in-die techniques. These range from tooling, staking, tapping, and spot-welding, each of which is just as important as the next in its own right. In-die staking, for example, is necessary for permanently joining two components of a part with a hole-plug connection.

In-die staking—as opposed to a secondary staking procedure—provides a number of benefits for our custom stamping customers.

Accuracy is greatly improved with in-die techniques, including in-die staking. The high level of precision made possible by in-die staking eliminates any slippage in staked connections, deformation left by even minor misalignments during the staking process, and any other errors made by a less than perfect operation.

 Speed is also increased significantly with the abilities of in-die staking. Getting rid of the need for any secondary operations to fully complete staking components streamlines the multiple processes involved in stamping. Reducing the time needed to complete production on any given part also allows for the minimizing of energy and labor used in manufacturing.

Cost is, of course, the standing question. TEC custom stamping is so valued amongst our customers because we are consistently able to provide the same high-quality parts at a faster and cheaper rate than companies who do not use in-die operations. Thanks to procedures like in-die staking, TEC engineers and customers don’t have to sacrifice time and money for the quality of a part.

For more information about how our in-die operations add value to our parts and to learn about our custom stamping in Minneapolis, MN, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501.

Manufacturing industries across the U.S. provide the basic parts and materials for industries further along the supply chain, and despite the foundational qualities of the products that many manufacturing companies create, the design and production process is often just as complex and demands just as much research and attention as the process for products made by companies catering to the individual, public consumer. Thomas Engineering Company provides precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, and as such, falls in the industry between manufacturers providing raw materials and companies assembling parts or selling the final technology to the consumer.

Like most companies in the metal forming industry, we haven’t chosen an easy job. However, each day we strive to improve our designing and prototyping techniques, selected materials, and stamping operations. Some of the basic engineering and stamping functions we use to ensure quality are described with the following terms:

 Finite Element Analysis (FEA): In broad terms, FEA is a method of troubleshooting when it comes to part and prototype design by breaking down a complex equational analysis of part limitations into simpler and more applicable equations. This technique is commonly used in many fields of engineering and at several levels of manufacturing design. FEA allows for a better representation of geometry, material properties, localized effects, and a final solution.

 Lean Manufacturing: Just as it sounds, lean manufacturing aims to cut down on waste created during the production process. Today, lean manufacturing has become a highly-systematized methodology, beginning with the stability of production and ending with delivery and packaging costs. Waste related to excess burden, sporadic or disorganized workloads, and other man- or machine-related causes should be eliminated with a focus on lean manufacturing.

TEC uses the information gained from these systems and techniques, among many others, to produce the high quality, precision stamped parts our customers need. For more information about precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501.

Thomas Engineering Company, your high speed precision metal stamping company, has added to their extensive range of Presses with a recent purchase of a brand new 30 ton Yamada Dobby High Speed High Precision Press. We believe in utilizing leading precision metal stamping presses. Yamada Dobby High Precision Press Machines have been working with remarkable results in the production of minute parts of high precision since 1961.

This is the second precision metal stamping press Thomas Engineering Company has purchased over the past year. The first  purchase in 2016 was a Bruderer Press (60 ton) and our newest Yamada Dobby Press (30 ton). As a result of this expansion, TEC has increased their capabilities to provide precision metal stamping products for a wider variety of industries. These are complemented with a comprehensive range of secondary processes including in die and off line tapping, in die spot welding, in die staking and mechanical assembly.

Thomas Engineering Company has supplied high reliability products for aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, medical, and telecommunications for more than five decades and has an extensive track record in providing precision metal stamping with the most demanding technical challenges.

What can we stamp for you? For more information please contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501 today.

The metal stamping industry has created thousands of parts for over a hundred years, but the concept of part design has rapidly changed since the late 1970s as the development of viable rapid prototyping techniques increased each decade. Today, rapid prototyping and computer-aided design plays a vital role in the creation of most new parts. Thomas Engineering Company continues to take full advantage of the many benefits this design process provides, and TEC engineers base the conception of almost all of our precision stamped metal parts on our capabilities with rapid prototyping in Minneapolis, MN.

Rapid prototyping provides the obvious benefits of saving time, materials, and cost in part design and manufacturing, but the process also offers some unexpected benefits when it comes to creating high quality designs, based on the user.

Speed is advantageous for TEC engineers and our customers alike, but the time-saving features rapid prototyping offers also open the door to creating user-based designs. The turnaround for creating designs is so fast that our customers are able to understand the process and see the creation of their part unfold in a succession that allows for better user-centered designs based on the following benefits of innovation, customer relations, and feedback.

Innovation is important for the invention of any new part designs, but to create optimal user-based parts, innovation is especially important for allowing our engineers to see the use of a part through the eyes of our customers. Rapid prototyping allows for the cultivation of innovation without the loss of time and materials spent on creating a prototype designed without the help of CAD/CAM software and additive manufacturing.

Feedback is also improved with the abilities of rapid prototyping. Because information is made so available between client and engineer during the design process thanks to rapid prototyping, our customers are aware of the progress of their part at each step. This feedback plays a great part in further improving user-based design and customer relations.

Relationships between customers and TEC engineers benefit from the incomparable abilities of rapid prototyping largely because of feedback. Not only does designing a part to exact customer specifications become more readily available through rapid prototyping, but the fast relay of information about any given design is also visually available with rapid prototyping software, improving both TEC’s customer service and our engineers’ abilities to design user-based parts.

For more information about user-based designs and rapid prototyping in Minneapolis, MN, contact Thomas Engineering Company at (763) 533-1501 today.

For over 50 years, Thomas Engineering Company has consistently produced quality parts and continued navigating new technology developed within the metal forming industry. Our engineers and technicians are highly experienced and capable professionals, and our equipment is state-of-the-art stamping machinery, but TEC has remained a leader in the precision stamping industry for other reasons as well. With organized method processing and management, TEC engineers are able to utilize highly-efficient decision making to produce quality parts with metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN.

On a daily basis, our engineers process three main inputs to determine the usable methods regarding the design and manufacturing of each part:

• Knowledge: First and foremost, TEC engineers make use of their own knowledge and understanding of the materials, operations, and designs they work with. Knowledge can also come from external sources and new information in the industry. Experience, education, training, and situational awareness are all parts of the knowledge TEC engineers hold. As a company, TEC has its own knowledge gathered from 54 years of precision stamping experience
• Data: Raw numbers, computational readings, statistics, prototypes, and more, fall into the category that is considered as data. This data is a compilation of all facts our engineers gather during the design and manufacturing process. This raw data is used as a base for the direction our engineers will take when producing any specific part. Prototypes, troubleshooting, and final parts rely on the day-to-day collection of data
• Information: When knowledge has been put to use and significant data gathered, TEC engineers can utilize this to create the input of information. At TEC, information is considered vital for understanding the method to the production of any part. By using the meaningful data and the knowledge our engineers possess, the processing of information allows for analysis, contextualizing, and organization.

Thomas Engineering Company has been an industry leader with precision metal stamping in Minneapolis, MN, for many decades because we’re able to use these three inputs for effective method management and decision making. For more information about our services, contact TEC at (763) 533-1501 today.