Custom Carbon & Graphite Machining

29 May

Welcome Alan Smith, Our New CAD/CAM Expert

Semco is always delighted to welcome new members to our graphite machining team. It is a special pleasure to introduce Alan Smith, our new process engineer with years of experience in computer-aided machining and mechanical design engineering. Alan comes to us with extensive CAD/CAM experience and training. Alan Smith and Family Alan is a family man with many interests. Before we get to the family side of Alan’s life (a big side), let’s discuss what Alan does in his free time. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities such as riding ATV’s, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, fishing, and boating. In addition...

15 May

Semco’s Graphite Treatment Services

Graphite is a versatile and tough material, but like other materials used in industry, it can degrade. Many treatments, including oxidation reduction reactions and PTFE coatings, can help protect the material from corrosion and degradation when it is exposed to extreme conditions, as it often is in manufacturing processes. (“But what is PTFE?” you ask. We’ll get to that.) In this post, we will examine and explain some of these treatment services for graphite material that Semco offers. You’ll have a better idea how best to protect your graphite components, whether it’s with oxidation reduction reactions, phenolic resin, or purification...

28 Apr

Machine Learning in CNC Machining

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been hot topics in the past few years. Recently, you’ve probably heard all about ChatGPT, and maybe you’re on the waitlist to try Google’s Bard. You may not have heard how deep learning in machine learning is being used in CNC machining. As we are in all aspects of graphite machining, Semco is ahead of the curve with machine learning and graphite production. Since 2018 Semco has been experimenting with forms of AI and machine learning, especially in applications relating to CNC machining. AI Defined So what exactly is AI? In simple terms, AI...

21 Mar

Computer Aided Design, or CAD

Computer-aided design, more commonly known as CAD, is the use of computers in the design process across a wide range of industries. CAD software is primarily used to create highly accurate models, but CAD covers all steps in the design process, from creation and modification to analysis and design. In our industry, CAD software is notably used to create precise drawings and models of objects and structures. CAD was developed as a more accurate, affordable way for designers, engineers, and manufacturers to design, visualize, and test models while minimizing the chance of mistakes. As CAD allows for easy modification, documentation,...

07 Feb

Graphite Heating Elements in Vacuum Furnaces

In our graphite machine shop, we have the three things necessary to produce graphite heating elements of any type or size: a variety of graphite blocks, machines optimized for machining graphite, and skilled and experienced graphite machinists. If your manufacturing facility produces sintered metals or brazes copper, or in any way employs high-temperature vacuum furnaces in your manufacturing process, you likely rely on graphite heating elements. There are many reasons that graphite is the preferred material for heating elements, several of which we discuss below. Why Graphite Heating Elements? Graphite is a desirable material in various thermal applications due to...