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The Berco cam grinder was
conceived by Harvey J. Crane, Jr. in 1972.
The President of Peterson Machine Tool, Inc., Shawnee Mission Kansas, Mr. D.
R. "Pete" Peterson and Harvey Crane traveled to Copparo Italy with my
blueprints and specifications for redesigning the Berco RTM 180/B crankshaft
regrinder into a cam grinder.
Due to very slow promised delivery on this new machine, I ordered a RTM
180/B crankshaft grinder on August 29, 1972 (Peterson P.O. 12999) with a
special grinding wheel spindle height increase of 5.250". This machine was
ordered without the normal headstock, tailstock, workheads and other
equipment necessary to regrind crankshafts. It was ordered with a special
automatic infeed to size and a automatic hydraulic wheel dresser.
Before I could complete a rocker table attachment to convert this machine
into a cam grinder, Berco completed the first cam grinder.
On July 16, 1975, I issued a purchase order for the first Berco Cam Grinding
machine for $22,320 delivered to a USA port of entry. This machine arrived
in Miami, Florida on August 28th. The machine was finally delivered to me on
September 4th. Many problems were found!
My Chief Engineer, Mr. Buck Redding sent me a memo dated September 25, 1975,
outlining the problems with the machine (serial number 101-B). These
problems were eventually all solved to my satisfaction and more Berco cam
grinders were ordered.
To my knowledge over 365 RAC-1500 grinders and 330 RAC-2130 (120" center to
center capacity) have been manufactured as of February 1994. Who would have
dreamed 20 years ago that 695 Berco Cam Grinders would be sold! I have never
received 10 cents of royalties. |
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We are sad to report the death of my good friend
Mr. Sam Brown on Thursday the ninth of March, 2006. He was born in June of
1925.
Sam and I, along with my wife Maxine, made several trips to Copparo Italy.
We were reviewing the progress of Berco's manufacturing of a new cam grinder
being built to my specifications. I ordered 10 machines and Sam's firm
ordered 10 more. The first RAC-1500 cam grinder was shipped to me in August
of 1975. This machine was serial number 101-B.
In September 1996, Sam retired from Peterson Machine Tool Company, the
exclusive US sales agent for the Berco Cam Grinder.
Sam and his wife Elinor moved to Panama City Beach, Florida at that time.
Sam's son Chip was the Sales Manager for Peterson Machine Tool until
Peterson was moved to Council Grove, Kansas in January of 2006.
Chip informed me of Sam's death. We will truly miss Sam in our lives.
Sam was cremated and services were held March 13th. His graveside services
were held on Thursday March 16, 2006. Sam was 80 years old.
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