Finding a Competitive Edge with the Precision Optical Locator

In 1982, Steve Van Dyke started making parts in the basement of his duplex apartment with a focus on delivering exceptional quality parts with excellent customer service. That business focus was a formula for success and what started out as a solo side job steadily grew into a thriving parts manufacturing company specializing in the production of unique, custom fixtures for the automotive and electronics industries.

After outgrowing several other locations, Tool Technologies by Van Dyke, LLC can now be found in a 16,000 square foot building in Marysville, OH. Steve brought on his brother, Howard Van Dyke, as Project Engineer and together they continue to deliver products that exceed customers’ expectations.

A key component that sets Tool Technologies apart from competitors is the ability to produce close-tolerance parts from virtually any material. Contributing to this competitive advantage are two abrasive waterjets, an OMAX 55100 and a MAXIEM 1530. With the waterjets, the Tool Technologies team is able to machine fixtures, jigs, mixer plates, bus bars, and other parts, all with stunning accuracy. Many of the tools manufactured on the waterjets are utilized as clamps or fixtures for other parts around the shop that require precise placement. Steve Van Dyke cleverly describes this process as, “Making a tool, to use the tool, to hold the tool, to make the tool.” This type of ingenuity has increased the shop’s overall productivity and allowed them to achieve greater precision from other machines in the shop.

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