THE RAW MATERIAL

Only with exceptional raw material can you manufacture an exceptional product. For this reason, at FERG we invest a good part of our resources and energies in guaranteeing the best raw materials in the world. In fact, FERG was the national company pioneering the setting up, at the beginning of the seventies, of a unique standard of control in steel reception. After much laborious work on materials research, FERG patented a series of parameters and characteristics for high-speed steel, to which every particle of steel entering our factories must conform. Only the best steelworks comply with this standard, and supply their steels to FERG, and this is the first guarantee of the end quality of our products.

MECHANIZATION

This is the first process in the production cycle to which the raw steel is subject. Its aim is to give the metal bars a size and shape, which fit them for later processes. The manufacture of the taps begins with CNC lathes, followed by the milling of the operational part of the taps. Once this phase has been completed, the resulting components are ready for the next process, that of thermal treatment.

HEAT TREATMENT

This is, undoubtedly one of the most important phases in the production cycle, since it gives the meta] the physical properties essential for its efficiency. Until recently (the start of this decade) heat treatment was carried out by submitting the high-speed steel to high temperatures in pot furnaces -an extremely delicate operation- requiring a profound knowledge of the material and the type of mechanical force to be applied to the component.

Nowadays, a technology based on vacuum furnaces has taken over from that of the pot furnaces, with great advances in the precision, consistency and efficiency of the whole process. FERG was also a pioneer in the incorporation of this modem technology in its plants. Heat treatment also acts to dissolve some of the carbons contained in high speed steel. This gives it unique properties of tenacity, resistance to wear and heat-resistance, and perfectly adapts it to the specific function, which the component will perform, thus guaranteeing optimum results.

GRINDING

This is the operation, which gives each component its shape. Prior to this phase, the size-grading is tested, and also the concentricity of the components is guaranteed by the use of induction straightening machines. Then high technology cylindrical grinding carry out the actual rectification itself, and they are then moved on to the thread-etching process. The precision of the thread grinding and relieving of the conical entry-piece of FERG taps is fully guaranteed. The control and precision required by all these mechanical operations is guaranteed both by the technical mastery and experience of our staff, and by the technological equipment used, the most advanced and sophisticated on the world market.

THE QUALITY CONTROL

This constant monitoring and checking, among which figure some tests carried out using a metalographic microscope, has a double purpose: firstly, fit tests the proper application and control of the heat treatment operations; secondly, fit guarantees that the quality reached after this process has not suffered any change or deterioration during rectification.

The rigour, exactness and perfectionism with which the Production Departments of FERG carry out their duties is best seen in the checking processes, which use a system of comparison applied to the whole of the production of the taps at thread grinding stage.

In the changing world we live in, with its ever more rapid and frequent scientific and technological advances, keeping in the front line of innovation is a basic requirement for any industry wanting to be a market leader. Right from the start, and throughout the company's development, FERG has laid great emphasis on the dedication of significant human, technical and economic resources to this work. Our technicians continue to carry out studies and projects which result in significant innovations and improvements in the manufacture and end quality of our products. These improvements affect all the phases of the production cycle, from the control of the raw material to finishing and marking, and all the stages in between; and in logistical aspects, the rationalisation of processes, energy efficiency and respect for the environment.

After the last manufacturing phase, the tools are ready for marking, storing and despatch. The process of marking, which in its day was almost a craftsman job, is today carried out using the most advanced laser-beam technology.' This process, apart from making the operation much quicker, means a much clearer and cleaner presentation of the technical references of each product, with a resulting ease in identification and use. Once marked, FERG tools are carefully protected and stored, to await their despatch to the market.