Our controls come with a built in standard shape library that is far superior to anything else available on the market today. Programming the shape is incredibly easy, and you are graphically prompted during all phases of geometry creation. Need to flip, rotate, nest, or chain cut a part? It's a simple process and built into the control. You don't need to memorize dozens of keystrokes, since all the keys are context sensitive, and labeled as to their specific functions. If programming in G code makes you happy, this control will make you ecstatic. Using the built in shape wizard you can draw or modify your part in G code, whilst simultaneously seeing exactly what the effect will be in the onscreen preview. We simply can't say enough good things about this control. You really need to come see one for yourself in action, or call us for a demo.

Using the built in programing functions is enough for many of our customers. If you need to create really complex geometry, or nest multiple parts for different orders quickly you will be blown away with SigmaNEST part development and nesting software. After conducting extensive research (including being a distributor for many competing products), we choose SigmaNEST exclusively as our one stop solution for optimized automation.

By combining some older technology, with modern electronics we also offer a solution designed primarily for the boat building industry. Most Aluminum boat manufactures use physical patterns to manually layout the cut lines on aluminum sheet, then they transfer layout lines for bending, forming, and the final fitup. In the past, it has been difficult to accurately mechanize the process due to the limitations of physically measuring off the large scale parts accurately. At IES we pride ourselves on providing Innovative Economical Solutions. In this case, we use well proven tracing eye technology to physically track the edge of the actual aluminum templates. Our Computer control easily monitors the position of the gantry at all times, and records the path generated to within 0.001". Using the reverse post feature built into SigmaNEST we can then process the resulting code and generate the physical geometry which can then be entered into any CAD program, modified as required and then used to automatically and efficiently process the parts in the future.

SigmaNEST is far and away the best product available for efficient geometry creation, nesting, and post processing. With the appropriate module, you can do easily do multi torch nesting, nest around remnants, save remnants, keep track of all your in process parts, track your plate inventory and utilize a host of other features. One of the things we like most about this product is that they make it easy to set up a custom post processor to give you complete control of every feature of your machine. If keeping track of the time and cost to produce your parts is important, SigmaNEST makes it easy to cost your individual and nested parts to the penny and the second if you so choose.

Thermal machining is great for steel products, but doesn't work quite so well on wood, plastic, foam, or similar type products. Most of our gantries can be delivered with a dry, clamp down or vacuum style hold down system. Using the same control and SigmaNEST software, you can easily do 2 1/2 axis machining. Any of our machines can be upgraded to perform full simultaneous 3 axis contouring, but it requires a more specialized post processor to generate the code the machine requires to interpolate the motion to generate the part.

Automatic tool changing can be integrated to most of our routers making it easy to swap between different tools and enabling you to use your time doing other things than baby sitting a machine to change tools. On our larger gantry machines we also offer a spindle capable of simultaneous movement in the A, B, and Z axis to allow very easy 5 sided machining of fairly large parts.

Our experience with multi axis technology also enables us to bring complete plate processing to one machine, which can be built to your specific requirements. This enables you to get exactly what you need, without paying for fluff that you don't want. Our heavy duty Plasma or Oxyfuel machines can be equipped with Plasma Marking systems that enable you to quickly, efficiently, and accurately mark your plate for bend lines, layout marks, drill locations, etc. Powerfull direct or gear driven spindles can be added to allow drilling, counterboring, and tapping of the plate. Tool changers can be integrated into the spindle as well for greater versatility. Add a multi axis head to your torch holder, and you can then even do full 5 axis contouring to create parts that require virtually no additional processing before being integrated into your production components. Combine all the above features with automatic torch positioning, full or partial torch retraction between cuts, and high speed height control incorporating a very responsive collision detector, and most of these machines are quite capable of fully automatic operation requiring little or no operator attention.

Programing multi axis parts is a bit more complicated, but we have teamed up with Mastercam to bring you Mastercam X, the best multi axis tool path generation product on the market.

Powerful milling for 2- through 5-axis jobs	Fast, flexible CNC turning	2-axis and 4- axis wire EDM programming	Quick and easy routing	Turn flat line art into artistic 3D work	Streamlined part modeling

Mastercam allows easy 2 or 3D part programing, tool path creation, and part verification. With Mastercam, you can generate the most efficient tool path to quickly and accurately remove material to develop the finished shape desired. We love the ability that Mastercam gives its users to modify the code generated by the post processor easily, which allows you to get maximum productivity from your tools. If you have a shop that uses a wide array of CNC milling, drilling, burning, turning, or multi axis machines, this may be the only software that you need. In fact if you currently are using a different product to program your 3 or more axis machining centers, you really need to compare the time required to program your part and generate the toolpath; then compare your toolpath with one generated by Mastercam and you will be blown away. The enhancement to productivity is incredible. For those companies competing against foreign manufacturers, this is welcome news, especially if you are forced to compete in this market with an unfair playing field. Of course if you need the ability to rapidly and automatically nest multiple parts, and manage your inventory on burned plate products SigmaNEST is where you want to be. The great thing is that both of these programs work very well with each other, and transfer data back and forth readily. We recommend both application programs highly and use both of them, every day. They are simply the best in the business.

Over the past few years we have begun to integrate 6 axis robots for various cutting and welding needs. These amazing devices have become very affordable and there are few things applications that can't be automated with them. As a stand alone robot, they can easily hold a mechanized plasma, laser, water jet head, router, or milling spindle. They are fantastic when integrated into a production line to automate repetitive operations. We have even added versions of these robot arms to our overhead gantry style machines to allowed unparalleled reach and flexibility. All of these robots incorporate collision detectors, and safety interlocks to prevent injury to your plant personel and ensure compliance with the latest OSHA standards. Key points to consider are the flexibility of an industrial robot. Not only can you use a robot to cut, route, or mill your products, but if set up properly you can use a robot to load, unload, and transfer parts among various machines. If you are looking for a way to control your labor costs, or enhance productivity, you really need to consider adding some form of robotic automation. At IES we use our robots on a daily basis to not only cut and weld, but to load a variety of automated manufacturing machines. In fact our late shift runs entirely in the dark using robots to load slugs into various machines and remove finished parts. If you're getting frustrated with your employees not showing up for work, or perhaps not being as productive as you would like, consider the benefits of robotic automation. A robot is physically bolted to the floor, so it will be there when you need it. They don't call in sick, get tired, complain about the heat or cold, and they don't complain about repetitive tasks or heavy lifting. If you've never considered a robot, give us a call for a new or remanufactured solution. You might be surprised to learn how inexpensive it is to add a robot to your facility.

As Original Equipment Manufacturers, our technicians are experts at integrating a wide range of technologies into a single production capable piece of equipment. From the simplest hobbyist, using our smallest 2 axis machine on the dirt floor of their barn, to the manufacturers of some of the largest equipment in the world, our machines and services will provide you with an Innovative Economical Solution.

Do you have older metalworking equipment that is broken, or no longer fits your needs? IES will purchase outright, or upgrade your older but serviceable machines to the latest CNC controlled state of the art manufacturing devices. We are experts in retrofitting older cantilever or gantry style flame cutting machines to Edge controlled CNC machines, capable of performing as well as, or better than a brand new machine... For a fraction of the cost. We can equip most other types of lathes, mills, positioners, or pipe fabricating machines with Digital readouts, or CNC controllers as well. In addition, our staff can provide complete sales and support for the latest in productivity software to help you get the most production possible from your machines, at the minimum cost. Our Full Service Machine Shop has some impressive capabilities. Many customers have contacted us because their existing machines were broken or badly in need of parts, that were simply not available. Knowing that we produce most of the components used on our machines in house they figured that we could also help them out by creating the parts they needed. They were of course correct and were back up and running quickly.

I'm sure you're familiar with the trend in just in time manufacturing. It's great at helping you reduce your inventory levels and maximizing the potential from your investment dollars. It's terrible when you have a machine that is broken down and neither the distributor nor manufacturer has a part on the shelf. Sure, you can get the part you need in 6 to 8 weeks, but can you afford, or even survive the downtime? We manufacture most of the components for our machines in house, and many of them can be quickly adapted to service or upgrade your existing machine. If you've been frustrated by the lack of expertise to repair your machine, give us a call. Since we build our machines from scratch , we are very familiar with how each piece of technology works, and how to integrate them together to form a very complex piece of equipment. This knowledge makes it easy for us to accurately and efficiently diagnose the problem with your machine, and get it back up and running quickly. Our technicians are capable of component level troubleshooting and seek to determine why your machine failed or is operating intermittently We are typically able to diagnose the problem without wasting time or money by randomly purchasing and swapping in new parts, hoping to stumble on the solution like many of our competitors do. Often, the problem lies in a single chip or component that has become defective, and is easily replaced. It's far faster to repair the card or replace the component in many cases that wait until a replacement can be obtained from another manufacturer who practises the "just in time" philosophy. In fact, we have yet to find a machine that was broken that we were unable to get up and running in a timely and cost effective manner.

Need something custom built or manufactured, and can't justify buying your own machines yet? Let us know how we can help. While we specialize in Thermal Machining, for applications where our "hot melt milling" machines aren't enough, we can mill, drill, turn, or weld almost anything. If you can think of it, we can build it. From "one off" parts to production quantities, if it can be fabricated, we will do it. (If it's impossible, we can still do it - it will just take a little longer!) Broken machines, or equipment? Contact us! We can fix anything but the crack of dawn, or a broken heart! We can produce individual parts or complete assemblies from as little as a sketch on a napkin, up to a complete set of CAD or engineers drawings.

Everybody needs a little fun. Click on the picture to the left and see some of the activities our employees are involved in when they are not busy working.