Manual, paper-driven programming slows changeovers and increases risk.
For a defense-focused supplier, that friction can impact delivery confidence and quoting accuracy.
This Mastercam case study explores how a precision shop moved from handwritten code and cobbled fixtures to a model-centric, verified programming workflow that scales better as volumes shift and part families evolve.
Client Snapshot
Stainless Fittings Group is a precision machine shop in Travelers Rest, South Carolina.
The team manufactures stainless components, including military antenna parts supplied through an automotive prime to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The operation runs multiple mills and lathes, where efficient programming and setups materially affect throughput.
The Challenge
In 2015, programming relied on 2D paper drawings and customer notes.
That meant deciphering intent, manually re-entering data, and relying on improvised fixtures, which made repeatability difficult.
Lathes lacked live tooling, so operations bounced between turning and milling, increasing handling and setup time.
The shop needed a common model-based source of truth, plus a way to simulate operations virtually before cutting material.
The Solution
The team standardised programming on Mastercam, introducing a digital workflow around customer solid models and verified toolpaths.
Mastercam Mill became the central programming environment to create, verify, and optimise strategies per part, machine, and tool.
Verify and Backplot enabled full virtual run-throughs to catch collisions, tune parameters, and remove unnecessary setups.
With Dynamic Motion toolpaths and smarter fourth-axis fixturing, programmers could cut more in fewer operations and balance work between mills and lathes for faster overall cycles.
Tools applied
- Mastercam Mill for programming, verification, and post processing.
- Verify and Backplot to validate operations and reduce trial-and-error on the machine.
- Dynamic Motion to simplify fixturing, extend tool life, and shorten cycle times.
Results
By combining Dynamic Motion with fourth-axis workholding, output on a representative part family increased from about 50 parts per day to more than 125.
Virtual verification helped eliminate multiple setups, improve part quality, and shorten cycles, while switching to insert-type cutters further improved tool life.
The upgraded capability also became a commercial lever, enabling bids on more complex parts for the same defense supply chain.
“I started here in 2015, but it was like stepping into the ‘80s. Everything was programmed by hand from paper drawings.”
Greg Williams, CNC Supervisor, Stainless Fittings Group
Why It Matters
Many small and mid-sized manufacturers face legacy programming habits, non-uniform machines, and pressure to raise parts-per-day without adding headcount.
A model-based, verified CAM workflow with Dynamic toolpaths offers a low-risk route to faster cycles and longer tool life.
For solution details, visit our Mastercam Mill-Turn page.
The Bottom Line
A paper-to-digital shift in programming can unlock significant operational headroom.
Stainless Fittings Group implemented Mastercam to align teams on solid models, verify toolpaths off the machine, and apply Dynamic strategies that scale across part families.
The outcome was higher daily output, better tool life, and stronger confidence taking on complex work.
Interested in similar gains? Book a Mastercam Mill demo or contact the sales team to discuss scope, machines, and rollout options.
Content adapted from the original case study published by Mastercam.
