Precision Cryogenic Systems (PCS), a well-respected Indianapolis-based maker of (you guessed it) precision cryogenic systems, got its start when Blondie’s “Call Me” was dominating the 1980 music charts. But up until recently, the only machine tools on the floor were manual mills and lathes.
PCS was doing what many longstanding manufacturing companies do: farming out pretty much all machining work to local job shops. But that needed to change. “I knew we had to start bringing manufacturing in-house,” said Mike Larrison, President of PCS. “So I decided I was going to be a CNC machinist.”
Like his father before him, Mike was a welder and fabricator, not a machinist. With no formal training and little experience outside of manually machining small parts for his race cars, Mike partnered with Hurco and got started. Four years later, he now has four Hurco mills and nearly 100% of machining work at PCS is done in-house.
Mike’s dad got started as a welder in nuclear submarines, where he learned the trade and importance of a good weld. He later started working for another cryogenics company, where his welding skills were greatly appreciated. Helium is the smallest atom, and his welds needed to be perfect to hold those tiny atoms in.
In 1980, at the request of his customers, Mike’s dad left his previous company and started PCS. For nearly half a century, the company has grown to become a major international supplier of cryogenic systems for critical industries including medical, research, transportation and, most recently, quantum computing.
Mike started working in the shop on evenings and summers in high school, and eventually joined the company full-time. He currently serves as President of PCS but is still more comfortable out in the shop rather than behind a desk.
As the company continued to grow, Mike knew that they would need to do more of their own machining work. “I wanted to be a one-stop shop where we could control our own destiny,” he said.
The Hurco VMX42 was the first step towards that destiny.
Hurco’s legendary WinMax conversational control was an ideal choice for a shop like PCS. Its conversational structure helps onboard new machinists faster, and machinists can swap back and forth between conversational and NC any time.
“I was a welder - fabricator,” said Larrison. “I saw how simple Hurco’s conversational programming was, and I knew I could learn it.” So a few years ago, PCS invested in a VMX42 high-performance vertical machining center with a 50” x 20” table and 12,000 RPM spindle.
“I bought the machine, but didn’t know how to run it,” said Larrison. “But after a three-day course at Hurco headquarters in Indianapolis, I was comfortable making parts.” Mike admits to making a few rookie mistakes as he learned the control and capabilities of the machine, but has vastly improved his technical skills over the years.
“I had no formal education in machining, and now I run parts all day every day.”
In addition to support from Hurco, PCS’s Indiana-based distributor, Humston Machinery, also has their back. “Jim Shultz and his brother run a great business,” said Mike. “I lean on them a lot, and I couldn’t ask for a better company to work with than Humston.”
After seeing how easy the VMX42 was to use, PCS invested in a second Hurco within the year. Today, their Hurco fleet has expanded to include that original VMX42, a BX50 double-column bridge mill, a compact VM10 vertical machining center and a slightly larger high-performance VMX50 as well.
PCS’ four Hurco machines are running a wide range of parts for their cryogenic systems. “Mostly aluminum, some stainless,” Mike said. “Sizes range from 40” in diameter all the way down to ½”. Cycle times range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.”
The conversational control gives them the flexibility to make changes to parts on the fly. The 3D Import functionality allows PCS to quickly import customer files while simplifying programming, saving time, and preserving accuracy.
“We’ve machined parts and held three tenths accuracy with no issues,” said Tommy Carey, PCS’ Operations Leader. “And since all parts we machine go into something we assemble here, we know if it fits. We know if the part is good.”
PCS is adding additional square footage to their building to meet increasing demand for their products, and has plans to acquire two additional Hurco machines: a DCX22 large-format double column machining center as well as a turning center.
Why do they stick with Hurco? “I looked at conversational controls from other machine tool builders, but Hurco is steps ahead of them,” said Mike. “They can’t even compete.”
Additionally, Hurco and PCS share similar philosophies. “We stand behind what we do; we take pride in our work. Whenever there has been an issue with one of our machines, Hurco is always here right away. They make it right.”
Thanks to Hurco’s ease of use and the always-there support, it’s a guarantee that Mike’s personal philosophy of “I’ll never buy a piece of equipment for the company that I can’t run myself” never holds PCS back.
If you’re looking for a machine tool partner that allows you to make pristine parts whether you’re a novice or an expert, look into that famous Hurco versatility. You’ll be thankful you did.
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