FAQs - BMS Bomas Machine Specialties, Inc.

FAQs

Here are various Frequently Asked Questions from our customers that can provide helpful information to you. If you have a general or specific question of your own, call 617-628-3831 or email Joe Annese [email protected] or Mark Annese at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

Click on a question to reveal the answer.

Table of Contents

Chevron Notch

What are your machining tolerances for chevron notched test specimens?

We follow the ASTM C1421 standard.

Can you machine chevron notch flexure specimens out of fully-stabilized zirconia?

Yes, we can do that.

I am preparing technical ceramics (carbides) for characterization of fracture toughness according to ASTM C1421. Is Bomas able to cut and machine to the coupon dimensions needed for the test, followed by the Chevron‐notched creation, assuming a block of 50x50x20mm of ceramic is provided?

Yes. Our services commonly include several machining requirements on the same specimen.

MOR Bars

Can you machine MOR Bars from Quartz?

Yes. Bomas can use almost any material you provide, including fused quartz.

Can you machine MOR Flexure test bars (3mm x 4mm x 50mm) from five 4″x 0.25″ siliconized silicon carbide disks?

Absolutely. The Bomas name has become synonymous with MOR Bars. After machining over 2,000,000 of them for customers worldwide, we can produce MOR Bars from many shapes and sizes.

I have 3 sets of hot pressed boron carbide plates that I need machined in 3 different sizes. Can you accommodate?

Absolutely. Let’s talk.

I have coarse grain SiC pieces from which I would like to cut C‐sized bars. Any concerns?

No concerns.

I have thirty‐six A size bars that need to be ground to the exact A size dimensions (2×1.5x25xmm) including chamfering and surface finishing. Can you do that?

Yes, we regularly provide such services.

I have 12 ceramic specimens that roughly have the dimensions of B size bars (according to the ASTM C1161 ‐ 18 standard, 3x4x45 mm). I need to have these cut in as many A size bars as possible (2×1.5×25 mm) including chamfering and surface finishing for 4‐point bend test.

We can do that for you.

I would like a quote to machine twenty ‘B’ sized bars of alumina ceramic material? Can you do that?

Absolutely. The Bomas name has become synonymous with MOR Bars. After machining over 2,000,000 of them for customers worldwide, we can produce just about anything you need. FYI ‐ there are 3 standard sizes: A, B, and C. A size are tiny and rare. B size are the most common.

Tolerances

What are your machining tolerances for chevron notched test specimens?

We follow the ASTM C1421 standard.

What is the maximum and minimum range of your surface grinding capability?

Bomas can provide surface grinding up to 16″ x 24″ on any material we work with. We have taken tiny pieces and machined down to a thickness of 0.2 mm. Our grinding capabilities include NC Slicing, Gang Wheel Slicing, Centerless Grinding, ID & OD Grinding, Contour Grinding, Diamond Core Drilling, and Large Diameter Slicing.

Can you machine A, B, and C specimens from oversized bars, and how much stock do you require?

We work with oversized bars all the time. We require 1 mm over size on all dimensions.

Are you capable to machine test coupons from a 13″ x 13″ x 0.1″ flat panel of C/SiC CMC material?

Yes, as well as other many other shapes and sizes.

Materials

Fused Quartz seems to be a specialty material. Can you work with it?

Yes, a Bomas advantage is the wide variety of materials we can successfully work with. That includes Boron Carbide, Macor, Glass, Mullite, Zorconia, and Industrial Grown Sapphire to name a few. While most materials are provided to us, we can special order materials to meet your needs.

Can you machine chevron notch flexure specimens out of fully-stabilized zirconia?

Yes, we can do that.

I am looking to obtain CVD SiC and/or Hexoloy SiC. Can you supply and machine?

Yes, we can supply and machine to your specifications.

Do you machine Tungsten Carbide material?

Yes we do, and we welcome a discussion on all the materials we work with.

Do you source the materials, or would they need to be provided?

While most customers provide their own materials, we can source most materials.

General

Do you machine fixtures for various testing applications?

As Mark Annese proudly states, “Personally, I enjoy machining test fixtures because they require so many of our precision skills.”

Is Bomas ITAR Registered?

Yes. Bomas is actively registered under the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR).

Can you machine A, B, and C specimens from oversized bars, and how much stock do you require?

We work with oversized bars all the time. We require 1 mm over size on all dimensions.

I am interested in SiC/SiC diamond‐grinding. How will you clean? Chemically, or by heat?

Our cleaning process is a combination of chemical and heat.

We need some SiC coupons for compressive tests. Can you help us?

In most cases, yes. To be sure, we would need to see a blueprint then we can discuss your specific requirements.

I am aware that you are capable of grinding hard ceramics, but are you also equipped to cut them?

Yes. Grinding, slicing, notching, slotting and drilling are services we provide all the time.

Do you have a minimum order quantity?

There is no minimum requirement. We produce prototype and production quantities.

Customer Expectations

Who oversees Quality Control?

Every aspect of your project is either performed by Joe or Mark Annese or directly supervised by them. That’s unusual in this industry, but at Bomas that’s the way it’s been since 1959. When you communicate with Bomas, you talk to one of us, and we are accountable in every step of the process. Nothing gets lost in translation, and everything is done to your standards and requirements.

Do you provide consulting on machining specifics?

Consulting and troubleshooting are services that customers value in a Bomas partnership. Many times we work directly from your explicit plans, but often we are called upon for input as to which machining process (or material in some cases) is best suited for a particular outcome. We encourage that consultation and will send a part to you prior to final machining for your test and approval. We also provide digital photography by email so you can follow quality control progress at various stages of production.

Can you work within a budget?

Engineers, buyers and purchasing agents value our constant attempt to save them money. Bomas has an enviable reputation for repeat business because customers trust our performance and our pricing.

Do you offer rush work?

“How soon can you do this?” is one of the most asked questions we get and our approach to guaranteed delivery is always included in our answer. We respect you. We respect the integrity of your project. And we respect your deadlines. Short answer: Yes, we do rush work!

I would like to send you four different ZTA ceramic materials for machining. Each one will need to be machined into 10 b‐bars. How quickly can you turn them around?

We enjoy getting this type of question because Bomas is known for understanding and meeting customer deadlines. We categorize our turn‐around as Normal and Rush and Expedited when needed. Just tell us what you require and THAT will become the turn‐around time for your project.

ASTM

What are your machining tolerances for chevron notched test specimens?

We follow the ASTM C1421 standard.

I am preparing technical ceramics (carbides) for characterization of fracture toughness according to ASTM C1421. Is Bomas able to cut and machine to the coupon dimensions needed for the test, followed by the Chevron‐notched creation, assuming a block of 50x50x20mm of ceramic is provided?

Yes. Our services commonly include several machining requirements on the same specimen.

For flexure test b‐bars, ASTM C1161 requires 10 specimens to obtain an accurate mean. How many specimens do you usually suggest to guarantee success?

For the most reliable sampling we recommend 12-15.

What standard do you typically follow or recommend for machining?

In general, we follow ASTM C1161 standard. For machining chevron notch bars, we follow ASTM C1421 standard. We always match the process to your requirements.

Industries

Is Bomas ITAR Registered?

Yes. Bomas is actively registered under the U.S. Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR).

What if I am in an industry not listed on your website?

Thank you for that question because we service all industries, including yours!

Does Bomas provide machining services specifically for research universities?

Yes. We have excellent and ongoing relationships with research universities.

Sample Questions from Customers

Can you machine chevron notch flexure specimens out of fully-stabilized zirconia?

Yes, we can do that.

I am preparing technical ceramics (carbides) for characterization of fracture toughness according to ASTM C1421. Is Bomas able to cut and machine to the coupon dimensions needed for the test, followed by the Chevron‐notched creation, assuming a block of 50x50x20mm of ceramic is provided?

Yes. Our services commonly include several machining requirements on the same specimen.

I have 3 sets of hot pressed boron carbide plates that I need machined in 3 different sizes. Can you accommodate?

Absolutely.Let’s talk

We need to get a 6in x 6in plate of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite machined into 68 TGA coupons. What’s the next step?

Contact Joe or Mark Annese for a quote.

I am looking to obtain CVD SiC and/or Hexoloy SiC. Can you supply and machine?

Yes, we can supply and machine to your specifications.

I have coarse grain SiC pieces from which I would like to cut C‐sized bars. Any concerns?

No concerns.

I have thirty‐six A size bars that need to be ground to the exact A size dimensions (2×1.5x25xmm) including chamfering and surface finishing. Can you do that?

Yes, we regularly provide such services.

I have 12 ceramic specimens that roughly have the dimensions of B size bars (according to the ASTM C1161 ‐ 18 standard, 3x4x45 mm). I need to have these cut in as many A size bars as possible (2×1.5×25 mm) including chamfering and surface finishing for 4‐point bend test.

We can do that for you.

Are you capable to machine test coupons from a 13″ x 13″ x 0.1″ flat panel of C/SiC CMC material?

Yes, as well as other many other shapes and sizes.

I would like a quote to machine twenty ‘B’ sized bars of alumina ceramic material? Can you do that?

Absolutely. The Bomas name has become synonymous with MOR Bars. After machining over 2,000,000 of them for customers worldwide, we can produce just about anything you need. FYI ‐ there are 3 standard sizes: A, B, and C. A size are tiny and rare. B size are the most common.

Can you perform perimeter-grinding of flat or round ‘dogbone’ tensile coupons?

Yes we can, and we are always available to discuss the complete range of our grinding capabilities.

I am interested in SiC bend fixture for testing ceramic samples in 3 and 4‐point bending at high temperatures? Can you help?

Yes we can help, and we would be happy to discuss all your unique requirements.

If you didn’t find your answer, please contact us.