MITTS & MERRILL Profile

In 1894 Mitts & Merrill, then located in Saginaw, Michigan developed the machine tool known as the Keyseater and Vertical cutting machine. The machine patented in 1897 was used to cut or clean-up internal keyways or splines in bores of gears, pulley, ship propellers, etc. In 1920 Mitts & Merrill developed the first automatic feed keyseater allowing the operator to do other tasks. In 1955 Mitts & Merrill designed the first hydraulic keyseater after extensive research and development. This machine with its better control cut a more precise keyway. In 1962 Mitts & Merrill designed the "B" line keyseater, the first with solid state electronics. These machines are capable of cutting a keyway up to 6" wide, 75" long in parts weight up to 100.000 pounds. In 1985 Mitts & Merrill introduced the redesigned "K-Series" Machines. These machines were all numeric controlled. In 1992 Mitts & Menill was purchased by Maschinenfabrik FRÖMAG and moved into a brand new facility in Harvard, IL.. Along with selling and servicing their own keyseater line, they also now sell and service the FRÖMAG line of keyseaters in North, Central and South America. In 1998 Mitts & Merrill purchased a job shop located in Tavares, Florida for custom machining. MM Tool & Die now manufactures most tooling and all cutters along with contract machining for other customers. In 2003 Mitts & Merrill is introducing the "L-Series" Electro-Mechanical Machines. These machines were developed using the extensive technology of the FRÖMAG Group that keeps the Mitts & Merrill Group a leader in precise keyway technology.