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Hoefner Corporation was founded in 1946 under the name of Hoefner Tool & Machine Co.
The first three years of operation were spent in designing and manufacturing special
machinery and tooling for the automotive industry. In 1949 the field of precision aircraft
components was entered when we produced precision parts for Douglas Aircraft and North
American Aviation. In 1951 the Anaheim Division of Northrop Aircraft selected us as one of
their preferred vendors for precision machining.
In 1954 we incorporated, changing the name to Hoefner Corporation. We entered the field
of missile valving at this time and were successful in establishing ourselves as a reliable
supplier to Rocketdyne and Aerojet. We have since manufactured over 200 various types of
valves used on the Redstone, Jupiter, Atlas, Thor, RS-27, Delta, Apollo and Saturn missiles.
Among these units were various sizes of propellant and oxidizer valves, piston and
diaphragm pressure regulators, pressure relief valves, oxidizer tank vent valves, propellant
poppet valves, single and double stage loader valves, oxidizer regulating valves and many
others.
Since 1966 we have manufactured over 8,000 hydraulic gland assemblies and valves for
Douglas Aircraft Company, Bendix, and Menasco on the DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, MD-11, MD-80
and military aircraft programs. We are currently producing a complex hydraulic control valve
for a reeling machine for an airborne dipping sonar system for
L-3 Communications, Ocean Systems Division. We are also producing various components
for Boeing for the Space Shuttle Main Engine and the International Space Station as well as
the Atlas, Delta and RS-68 engines. Among these components are solenoid valves,
pneumatic control valves, injector assemblies and many other precision components and
assemblies.
We established numerical control machining capability in 1976. We have continually
increased the size of the N/C department as well as the range of parts we produce in the
department. In 1981 we established in house computer assist N/C programming capability.
In 1988 we upgraded the N/C programming system to a 32-bit Micro Vax II, utilizing the NCL
interactive graphics software for full 5 axis surfacing capability. This system also gave us the
capability of receiving data files of part geometry direct from our customers through an IGES
converter. In 1996 we upgraded the NCL system to a Silicone Graphics workstation and
added solid modeling and in process N/C verification capability.
In 1982 we began development of an in house computer integrated manufacturing system.
Production planning, inspection planning, job routing, scheduling, material requirements,
work center loading, certification documentation, estimating, and all financial and job cost
functions were integrated into the system. This system was replaced with VISUAL
MANUFACTURING in 1999. This new order driven enterprise resource planning software
package gives us the capability of scheduling the required combination of men and
machines in a finite load schedule for accurate control of delivery commitments.
In 1988 we added a computer controlled coordinate measuring machine equipped with a
motorized probing system and a measuring range of 45 x 32 x 22 inches. This addition was
made to support shorter delivery capability on complex parts while maintaining our high
standard of quality. The CMM was upgraded in 1998 to a Brown and Sharp with a larger
measuring angle of 35 x 59 x 33 and includes scanning capability.
In 1988 we also added a 6 axis horizontal machining center. This addition gives us full 5 axis
simultaneous machining capability. The machine is also equipped with a
U-center for N/C control of boring heads. The U-center and the 120 position automatic tool
changer allows us to greatly reduce or eliminate secondary machining operations on
complex parts. This enables us to reduce the lead-time on complex parts and makes smaller
runs more economical. In 1998 a second six-axis machine was brought on line with the
additional capability of 185 tools and high pressure through the spindle coolant. We also
added a four-axis vertical machining center in 1997.
In 1999 we added a seven-axis, duel spindle mill-turn center with bar feed, probing and high
pressure through the tool coolant capability. This addition allows us to complete complex
turning oriented parts in a single cycle.
In 1992 we trained all employees in the methods of TQM and SPC. We installed a Mitutoyo
software system on shop workstations to implement SPC control at the machines. The
system was upgraded in 1999 to a windows based system. We also interfaced a Wickman
Tool Management System and advanced optical pre-setter equipped with Heidenhiam scales
and a 50 X video camera to pick up offsets. The systems then allows the operator the ability
to view drawings of each tool he will be setting. This system will then take the offset and
download it to the machine. This system allows us to reduce set-up time at the N/C
machining centers for better machine utilization and shorter cycle times.
Our continuing success is due in large part to our demonstrated quality performance. Our
quality system complies with the requirements of AS9100 Rev. A / ISO9001-2000. Each job
begins with a detailed manufacturing outline. A quality acceptance procedure is then
prepared for each item in coordination with the manufacturing outline. All of our personnel
take pride in maintaining our quality reputation.
We presently employ about thirty people organized into the following departments:
Conventional machining, N/C machining, assembly and test, toolmaking, inspection,
planning, purchasing, estimating, production control, and administrative. All departments are
staffed with experienced personnel using the most modern of equipment and techniques.
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