Photo Information

Ricardo Torres, acting supervisor for the Cost Work Center 741 Machine Shop at Maintenance Center Barstow aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., demonstrates how to use the new Kardex Remstar vertical storage carousel inside of the Machine Shop March 7. The storage device will enable workers to more quickly and efficently store and find the parts they need to complete projects in the shop.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dominic Smarra

Barstow machine shop increases efficiency with new equipment

15 Apr 2011 | Lance Cpl. Dominic Smarra Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

The Cost Work Center 741 machine shop here aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow has been recently moved and is now receiving and installing new equipment to help the organization and efficiency within their shop.

Construction of the 23,000 square foot building began June 2010, completed December 2010 and cost $5,775,000.

The idea for the structure was developed during the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment. Its intent was to increase the capacity inside of Building 573 to meet future workload requirements. The single-story prefabricated steel structure is indented to minimize energy consumption, conserve resources and minimize adverse effects to the environment.

In addition to their new location, the machine shop has also received new equipment to help with organization, speed and efficiency. One of the newest pieces of equipment is the Kardex Remstar vertical storage carousel. The unit contains two compartments of 50 trays each, with each tray capable of carrying up to 600 pounds. The storage device will give the workers the ability to easily keep track of and store almost any equipment or parts that they have.

“We used to use cabinets for storage in our old shop location,” said Ricardo Torres, acting supervisor for the CWC-741, Machine Shop. “The (cabinets) were spread out over the shop and things that were put into them would get moved sometimes so this new machine will easily help organize all of our things much better. It will help our shop save more time, which will lead to better efficiency and the ability to cut costs,” explained Torres.

The machine shop is frequently tasked with creating parts that MCB needs to complete its projects. The shop has been installing new equipment to help machine the parts faster. The equipment cuts down the time it takes to fabricate a part from the older machines, and it significantly decreases the time it would take to do the work by hand.

“We make a lot of the parts that are used inside the maintenance center,” said Hayde Jones, Computer Numerical Control Programmer, CWC-741, Machine Shop. “The new machines make the production move a lot faster and smoother. It takes some time to set up for a new part, but on the larger scale, it is very fast and efficient and we can make almost anything,” he explained.
“After the machine is set up, almost anyone can come in and run it to machine the parts.”

The new machines are not only more efficient, they are also more user-friendly and safe, explained Torres. The workers receive training through the manufacturing company of the machines they are working with, though very little instruction is required.

 “We usually have a lot of things that need to be done here,” said Torres. “These new machines will not only allow us to focus on our priority projects but also more on the other work that needs to be done. It will allow for a more productive and safer workplace,” he concluded.