History

Today, Huffman Corporation sells to the Flight and Industrial Gas Turbine, Medical, and Materials Processing markets worldwide. Headquartered in Clover, South Carolina (just outside Charlotte, North Carolina), Huffman is an ISO 9001:2000 and CE-approved supplier.

The 2000s

In 2010, Huffman unveiled their new Multi-Axis Laser Powder Fusion Welding System, the HC-245ACC, with an Argon Chamber. The HC-245ACC delivers exceptional technical and commercial results. The benefits of laser powder fusion welding are further enhanced with the addition of a fully enclosed atmospheric chamber for welding in an inert gas environment. The system is designed for welding oxygen sensitive or reactive materials like Titanium.

Huffman also released AutoCLAD v3.0 software enhanced with embedded scripting language, allowing users to open and process multiple parameter files, execute programs, display bitmaps and messages, synchronize with program execution and create geometry from scratch on the fly. Most of the commands are similar to ones that are currently used from menus and toolbars, so the language context should look fairly familiar to users already acquainted with AutoClad.

In 2009, Huffman unveiled their new Multi-Axis Grinding Center, the HS-225GC, with a 12-Pocket Automatic Tool Changer (ATC). The ATC enables flexible solutions for a wide variety of complex parts requiring multiple wheel packs or multiple machining processes including grinding, milling, drilling and probing. The machine addresses the trend toward multi-tasking production environments, enabling customers to further combine machining operations into a single machine cycle.

Huffman also announced their 6-pocket ATC retrofit opportunity for their HS-225S grinding machines.

In 2007, Huffman introduced a new multi-axis superabrasive grinding center, the HS-195GC, which builds on its heritage of precision, reliability, versatility amd productivity with the addition of an Automatic Tool Changer (ATC). This new machine addresses the trend toward multi-tasking production environments, enabling customers to further combine machining operations into a single machine cycle.

Huffman also introduced an IPG Laser fiber welding system which has manufacturing advantages over other laser systems, including 50% less laser power requirements, longer nozzle life, no energy loss through mirrors, no laser gas, no diode or beam alignment, no vacuum pumps or blowers, and reduces reflected light and overall maintenance while providing a fiber delivery up to 200 meters.

In addition to the new machines of 2007, Huffman also developed a software package to enhance the HS-155S and the HS-225S machines, called Radial Surface Grinding Software. This software creates a machine ready program that can be used to grind a radial or linear surface on an engine component fixtured in the X-Y plane, giving the engineers and operators more flexibility and better productivity for increased production results.

In 2005, Huffman introduced new grinding wheel and coolant technology that significantly increased material removal rates. Also, Huffman was awarded a patent on Abrasive Waterjet Stripping of coatings.

In 2004, Huffman introduced to the Medical Implant market the HS-154R-M Grinder with milling capabilities. In the same year, Huffman introduced an enhanced HS-154R-4X4 Knee Grinder, doubling productivity over earlier machines.

In 2003, Huffman enhanced the WJ-156 Waterjet to include a Vision System and Cam Script software that enables "available labor" to safely operate a 6-axis CNC machine tool.

In 2002, a partnership was formed with Laserdyne Prima to use the basic Huffman 205 Series motion system as the foundation for the Laserdyne Prima 450 model laser driller.

In 2001, to help customers develop new processes with much higher productivity, Huffman Technologies, L.L.C. was formed. Huffman Technologies does turnkey processes for grinding and laser applications, which may include gaining part qualification and initial production runs.

In 2000, to address the Industrial Gas Turbine market, Huffman introduced 21 and 22 series larger envelope grinders. For manufacturing gas turbine compressor rings, Huffman introduced the model WJ-156 Waterjet.

The 90s

In 1998, Huffman introduced the HS-205 Multi-Axis Superabrasive grinding machine. Designed for reliability, high precision and productivity, the HS-205R offers narrow width multi-axis, superabrasive technology in a smaller footprint (34 square feet) for single part production lines, improving space utilization and facilitating lean lines. In 1999, a laser powder fusion and a laser driller were added to this 205 platform.

In 1994, Huffman introduced its Graphical User Interface (GUI) application software, now called MAVIS, that enables operators to increase productivity while reducing training time. A few years later, Huffman created its Open Architecture Control (OAC) that truly allows for open integration among software, hardware platforms and machines. Huffman also offers CAD/CAM, vision, virtual simulation and remote diagnostic software in conjunction with industry partners for enhanced operation and improved productivity.

In 1991, Huffman began producing a five-axis precision CNC Laser Powder Fusion Welding System that deposits successive layers of metal onto the surfaces of complex components, with a minimum of heat transfer in a reverse machining process, ideal for turbine engine component repair.

In 1990, Huffman designed a five-axis precision CNC Abrasive Waterjet Machining System that used highly pressurized water containing abrasive particles to safely drill or cut composites, metals, superalloys and ceramics without fixturing, heat-affected zones, burrs or hazardous waste — a "green" machine.

The 80s

In 1983, Huffman expanded its product offering with laser drilling and cutting machines. Higher gas turbine operating temperatures pushed materials beyond their capabilities, creating a need to cool turbine components efficiently and cost-effectively. Huffman responded by modifying and adapting its five-axis CNC motion and control system to drill cooling holes in the turbine components with a laser.

The Beginning

Founded by Stanley E. Huffman in 1961 as a machine tool distribution company, Huffman began manufacturing machine tools in 1969. In 1973, Stan Huffman dramatically changed the machine tool industry when he integrated a numerical control with a tool and cutter grinding machine. In 1977, Huffman was the first company to patent an eight-axis CNC grinding machine with flood coolant, wheel wear compensation and off-line programming capability. This innovation dramatically increased productivity on grinding machines for sharpening tools in the Gas Turbine industry. Huffman used superabrasive grinding wheels for greater material removal rates, longer wheel life and the elimination of dressing.