Case Study: How HAIMER Helps Next Intent Build for Space Travel

The moment you call Next Intent or land on their website, you’re greeted with their tagline: “We Build Really Cool Stuff!” Considering they manufacture for aerospace and space travel — even building all the wheels on the 2003 Mars Exploration Rovers — HAIMER is inclined to agree. What they manufacture is so exact that few others will even attempt the work.

HAIMER is proud to play a supporting role in helping Next Intent build really cool stuff with the utmost precision. They sat down with Rodney Babcock, President and CEO of Next Intent, to discuss his go-to HAIMER products and what his team thinks of them.

HAIMER: What type of products does Next Intent manufacture?

Rodney Babcock: We build aerospace components and work with a range of clients, including the NASA jet propulsion lab. We built the Mars Rover wheels in 2003 and have been on other NASA projects since.

HAIMER: Which of our products do you use?

Rodney Babcock: When we brought in our 5-axis machine, we knew it was a good time to bring in the HAIMER Shrink Fit. The quality of the toolholders is just exceptional. The concentricity of the tool is extraordinarily accurate, and it allows us to make more difficult parts. It’s been fantastic.

HAIMER: Is the difference noticeable?

Rodney Babcock: We always buy high-quality holders, yet we can still see the Shrink Fit difference. In all, we have a couple dozen different size Shrink Fit holders, and in comparing them with standard holders, there is an immediate jump in the quality of surface finish by eliminating runout.

Shrink Fit helps us push the envelope of what even our programming system will do. We’re pushing boundaries of what’s possible, holding less than half a thousandth of an inch, so it’s important that we don’t compromise surface finish and concentricity for our complex parts. 

This makes it easier on my team. My job at the moment is eliminating variables for the machinist. Having extended reach and concentricity and balance all in one holder makes their jobs easier. The Shrink Fit reduces or eliminates those three variables with one holder.

HAIMER: How has the support been?

Rodney Babcock: The West Coast reps were great, and the full training they gave our guys was excellent. There wasn’t a ton of follow-up because the training was right on target.

We haven’t needed any after-sales service, which speaks to the quality of the Shrink Fit machine itself.

HAIMER: What did your team think of it?

Rodney Babcock: When I first presented the Shrink Fit solution to my guys, they weren’t necessarily against it, but they didn’t think it’d make much of a difference. But whatever reservations they had were eliminated quickly when they saw it firsthand.  When my shop guys first use HAIMER, they always say “Oh wow. That’s really cool.” It wins them over instantly.

HAIMER: Rodney, thank you for your time and your kind words! 

Rodney Babcock: My pleasure. I’m a big fan of HAIMER. I love the motto “Quality Wins.” You say that and then you back it up. The Shrink Fit has been a great product. 

Previously Featured on HAIMER's blog.

Go to HAIMER's landing page on MSCDirect.com to view their complete line of Shrink Fit toolholders as well as collet chucks, shrink fit machines, carbide end mills and more.