September 2013 - TCI Precision Metals today announced an agreement with Fastenal to distribute TCI Precision Machine-Ready Blanks through its more than 2,600 stores, printed catalog and online sales.

“Machine shops and other custom precision manufacturing companies realize cost-saving benefits from using custom Machine-Ready Blanks, especially in terms of decreased cycle times and increased productivity and now Fastenal makes buying them easier than ever, said John Belzer, President of TCI Precision Metals. “Fastenal has a large customer base that has come to rely on quick access to OEM, MRO and manufacturing parts and supplies. Customers can order and receive precision ground Machine-Ready Blanks the very next day.”

Machine-Ready Blanks are available through Fastenal in 6061 aluminum, 304 stainless and 316 stainless. They are ready to be placed directly onto the customer’s machining centers, eliminating time-consuming prep work. Machine-Ready Blanks are ground and milled to tolerances of +/- .002” all-around with consistent flatness, squareness and parallelism. Actual productivity gains vary depending on job specifications, but many customers gain as much as 25% increase in productivity using Machine-Ready Blanks, without adding equipment or people.