Davenport
Machine, Inc.
A Brinkman International Group, Inc. Company
167
Ames Street
Rochester, NY 14611
phone: 800.344.5748
fax: 585.235.6568
A Brief History
Davenport Machine, Inc. Tool Company was founded in 1894 by Mr. William Simeon
Davenport in New Bedford, Mass. Initially producing clock pinion turning machines,
the company progressed into the manufacture of intricate multiple spindle
automatic bar machines. Mr. Davenport filed Davenport Machine as a corporation
in 1919. As the business grew, the company began searching for a more central
geographic location between the strong Midwestern and New England markets
of the time. Later that year, the company established its new headquarters
at its present location in Rochester, New York.
Although credited with many inventions, Mr. Davenport is
recognized mostly for the Model B Automatic Screw Machine that bears his
name. The machine today is the result of decades of mechanical evolution
from its patented design in 1902. In Mr. Davenport's own words, "The development
of a machine is a growth process. My first machine had about 350 parts.
Improvements and simplification added the other 1,500. A machine grows
out of a crude infancy like a boy into manhood."
Since 1919, Davenport Machine, Inc. has played a key role
in the US military. Granted AAA priority during wartime, Davenport's doors
were open day and night, 24 hours a day, supplying the nation's arsenals
with equipment to produce much-needed war materials. Both bullets and cartridge
shells were, and continue to be, produced on Davenport machines. High altitude
fuses used in anti-aircraft shells as well as anti-personnel bomb casings
also are manufactured on Davenport machines. During World War II employees
worked seven days a week in order to build the machines needed to support
the war effort. After each seven days' work, they were then given a day
off.
In 1925 a young mechanic named Earl Brinkman came to learn the Davenport from his job as a millwright for Lewis Machine, the Davenport dealer in Milwaukee. Fifty four years later he retired from Davenport having been President from 1966 to 1979. His many innovations, some patented, many not, drove the sales of the machine to a high of fifty per month when he retired. He was known throughout the screw machine industry as "Mr. Davenport" as his name became synonymous with the company and the machine. He designed the bent shank tapping attachment for Champion Spark Plug in Toledo during the depression. Mr. Davenport wouldn't let him build it initially, but when he returned from calling on Albert Champion with orders for two machines, Davenport relented. Radial in-feed thread rolling and the Rev-n-loc for hex broaching for set screws are just two of his many inventions.
The Model B is complemented by a complete line of more than fifty standard attachments and a wide selection of tool holders, all manufactured by Davenport. The test of time has proven the "Model B" to be the fastest, most versatile multiple-spindle automatic bar machine ever produced. Now, with the integration of Servo Technology, the machine is even faster.
In 1996 Davenport launched the Model B Servo, which uses state-of-the-art servo technology. It offers increased speed over the Model B with better accuracy, easier set up and more flexible operation. Servo threading and back tapping have now been added.
The year 2003 brought new ownership to Davenport Machine, Inc. Now part of Brinkman International Group, Inc. and under the direction of Bob Brinkman, Earl's son, the company continues to focus on the needs of the precision machined parts market.
From the beginning, Davenport invention revolutionized screw machine technology. The remarkable 5-spindle Model B became a legend. The respected Davenport name embraces an ever-growing spectrum of finely engineered products and Brinkman International is committed to the industry. Davenport innovation will continue to make history for another 100 years.
Davenport Machine, Inc. Tool Company
was founded in 1894 by Mr. William Simeon Davenport ...(more)
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