Efficiency and precision are essential for our customers. That’s why over the years, we’ve invested heavily in lights-out machining to maximize productivity and deliver consistent quality to our customers. With cutting-edge CNC technology and automated equipment, we’re able to run production around the clock without compromising accuracy.
Why Lights-Out Production Matters
Lights-out machining refers to fully automated production that can run unattended, often overnight or on weekends. This process allows machines to continue cutting, milling, and turning parts without requiring operator supervision.
By utilizing lights-out machining, manufacturers like GPR Company can:
- Run extended schedules beyond traditional working hours
- Increase throughput for both low and high-volume orders
- Maintain quality and repeatability through precise automation
- Reduce labor costs by minimizing downtime
GPR’s Lights-Out Machining Capabilities
To strengthen our value as an American contract manufacturer, we have equipped our shop with a wide range of automated machining centers designed for lights-out operations. Our lineup includes:
- Three horizontal machining centers:
- One three-spindle, 400-millimeter cell with 16 tables
- One two-spindle, 500-millimeter cell with 16 tables
- One 600-millimeter cell with 24 tables, including a 5-axis machining center
- Two 1250-millimeter horizontal machining centers, each with two pallets for lights-out production
- Three gantry loader-fed mill-turn machines
- Robotically fed lathe cells, capable of handling a variety of part sizes
In total, 14 of 23 spindles at GPR are dedicated to lights-out efficiency! This capability allows us to automate both milling and turning processes, ensuring that nearly any part size can be run overnight without interruption.
How Customers Benefit from Lights-Out Automation
Lights-out manufacturing isn’t just a technical achievement; it delivers real value to our customers across various industries, including:
Faster turnaround times
With the ability to run parts overnight, we dramatically shorten lead times. Whether you need precision CNC machining for small runs or production manufacturing services for large orders, our automation keeps your projects moving without delay.
Consistent, high-quality parts
Our investment in Mazak machines ensures the accuracy and repeatability customers expect. In fact, the second vertical Mazak machine we ever purchased still repeats with one-thousandth of an inch, decades later. That level of precision is critical for industries that require complex assemblies and high-precision machining solutions.
GPR’s 40-year relationship with Mazak means our machines are backed by unmatched service and support. From legacy repairs to state-of-the-art upgrades, Mazak ensures our equipment performs at its peak. That long-term investment pays dividends in the form of consistent, repeatable, and reliable production.
Cost savings
Because multi-pallet machines continue cutting while parts are inspected, there’s no wasted spindle time. This reduces overall operating costs, and those savings are then passed directly to our customers.
Lights-Out Machining Is the Future of Our Industry
By investing in advanced lights-out machining, GPR Company is redefining what efficiency and precision represent to our customers. From vacuum chambers to semiconductor equipment to industrial assemblies, our commitment to automation ensures that we meet the most demanding challenges with efficiency and quality.
Partner with GPR Company to leverage our advanced, lights-out capabilities.