Just about every gear head has a soft spot for the mechanical, seeing things working in motion is satisfying on some sort of primal level. Like humans can still stare into a camp fire, us automotive enthusiasts have a passion for the dynamic ballet of the mechanical.

Manufacturing can deliver the same sort of intrigue, as we all want to know how things are made and where they come from. This mechanical hypnosis reveals something in us, something that points to our shifting cultural focus; from survival to advancement.

But enough philosophy, today, Fragola is one of the manufacturers of AN fittings and plumbing solutions. If you race a car or build engines, chances are you have a ton of fittings you rely on. Since 1999 Fragola has been innovating to keep the good ‘ole AN fitting relevant with modern fuels, fluids and demands. Priding themselves in being a American-made manufacturer, Fragola is run by three generations of family.

The CNC lather bar-feeder.

In this quick video we get a glimpse through the variety of steps integral to the manufacturing process. If you’re like us, you can get lost in watching a machine churn out parts with precision. Starting with raw bar stock, we see the rotary bar feeder of a CNC lathe deliver the metal to cutting tools. Fittings that need a smooth radius bend are swept through dies on a mandrel bender.

A quick shot back to the lathe shows us the ‘part-off’ pass by which each individual part is separated from the raw bar stock. To establish a uniform satin finish, some parts are run through a tumbler with grey ceramic tumble media. These little triangular stones abraid the surface for an even appearance.

Milling operations are required to machine certain features of parts, a CNC mill is seen buzzing through material while it is dowsed in coolant. Finally we see an vital part of the manufacturing process, the pipe-threads so universally found are rolled into the parts.

For more information on Fragola’s offering check out their website or give them a call.