American Broach and Machine Company of Ypsilanti, Michigan (575 South Mansfield Street) has been awarded a MEGA (Michigan Economic Growth Authority) Michigan Tax Credit per the Investor's Business Daily. While a company that produces and sells broaching equipment may not sound exactly like "high tech", it is according to the purview of MEGA. (Another qualifying reason for the award is the expenditure of 25% operating expenses on company research and development.) ABM does plan to spend about $25 million on R & D, however. But the area (especially Ann Arbor) is considered a location for companies participating in advanced technology. See some of the YouTube video links below to decide if ABM is truly an advanced manufacturer.
The tax credit is just over a half million dollars and will help in the expansion of ABM and the addition of much-needed Michigan jobs. ABM was established in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1919 - per the request of the original Henry Ford! The company recently relocated (2008) to Ypsilanti and is led by Ken Nemec (President). It is always refreshing to find a long-term manufacturer - especially one involved in machine tools - still operating and viable in southeastern Michigan. However, in his 2008 letter to the city of Ypsilanti, Mr. Nemec revealed that 2/3 of their business is now outside of the USA.
The ABM website explains broaching as "a machining method that in which a series of cutting teeth remove a portion of stock as the cutting tool (broach) moves past or through the work piece." The broach cutting process is capable of first providing a rough cut finish to the part and then providing a much smoother final finish to the part - all in one machine. The further development and refining of this technology was reported in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Gear Technology. The Table Top TT 6-36 Broaching machine appears to be the near-ultimate advance in this technology.
To see a larger-scale broaching machine finishing spur gears in action, link to the YouTube video here (the video has no commentary and is about 3 minutes long.) To see a vertical table machine broaching splines, link to the YouTube video here (this video has no audio and is about a half minute long.) Not only does ABM make and sell complete machines, they also service machines and parts, offer tool management programs, and supply individual replacement cutting parts. For more information you may contact Mike Casto of ABM.
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