Custom Precision Machining for Print Finishing Equipment
In-house CNC machining, blade sharpening, and discontinued-part fabrication for print finishing equipment.
Mid-State Litho operates a fully equipped, in-house precision machine shop in Grand Blanc, Michigan — the only print finishing equipment dealer in the Great Lakes region with dedicated machining capabilities. Our machinists work directly alongside our factory-trained service technicians, so every part we make is built with deep knowledge of the equipment it goes into — faster turnaround and tighter tolerances than outsourcing to a general shop.
Equipment we service
- Horizon — VAC components, bearing supports, bin extenders, collator parts, bookletmaker wear items.
- Hunkeler — scrap blade sharpening (HKU 700, 2020, 2000), custom paper-path components.
- Challenge — paper cutter parts, blade holders, clamp components, custom fixtures.
- MBM Triumph — cutter components, folder wear parts, drill bits and bushings.
- Formax — inserter modifications, feeder adjustments, custom sensor mounts.
We also reverse-engineer and machine replacement parts for discontinued models when the OEM part is no longer available.
Our machining services
Hunkeler blade sharpening
Precision regrinding of HKU 700, 2020 & 2000 cutting units — typically 4–5 sharpenings per blade before replacement.
Horizon VAC-1000 kit
Custom-machined sensor mounts and floor plates for the VAC-1000 envelope-handling system.
SPF bearing support kit
Custom bearing cradles that extend the service life of Horizon SPF bookletmakers.
Custom parts fabrication
CNC machining of one-off and short-run parts for any print finishing equipment brand.
Bin extenders
Machined bin extensions for the Horizon VAC series to increase capacity up to 24 inches.
Smart conveyor systems
Custom automated material-handling solutions designed for print finishing workflows.
Why choose our machine shop
- Dealer expertise, not just machining — our machinists understand the equipment, so every part fits its workflow.
- In-house = faster turnaround — steps from our service department; we diagnose, design, and deliver in days, not weeks.
- 40+ years of equipment knowledge — servicing and modifying finishing equipment since 1984.
- Factory-trained technicians — certifications from Horizon, Challenge, and others mean the specs are exact.
- Discontinued-part solutions — we reverse-engineer and machine parts for unsupported models to keep your investment running.
Frequently asked questions
What precision machining services do you offer?
Custom parts fabrication, blade sharpening (Hunkeler cutting units), equipment modifications, bearing support kits, bin extenders, smart conveyor systems, and reverse-engineering of discontinued parts — from our in-house shop in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Can you machine parts for discontinued equipment?
Yes. When OEM parts are no longer available, our machinists reverse-engineer the original component and manufacture a precision replacement — we've done it for discontinued Horizon, Challenge, MBM, and other models still in production.
How are you different from a general machine shop?
Our machinists work alongside factory-trained finishing technicians, so tolerances, materials, and workflow impact are all considered — faster turnaround and better-fitting parts.
How much is Hunkeler blade sharpening?
$3,000 per cutting unit (HKU 700 small and HKU 2020/2000 large). Each blade can typically be sharpened 4–5 times — far more cost-effective than buying new.
Do you serve equipment not bought from MSL?
Absolutely — our shop serves any print finishing operation regardless of where the equipment was purchased: Horizon, Challenge, Hunkeler, MBM, Formax, and more.
Need a custom or discontinued part?
Tell us the model and the problem — we'll diagnose, design, and machine it.