Alan Richter

News • May 5, 2017 • Alan Richter

Demystifying IIoT at Mazak technology and education event

Florence, Ky.-headquartered Mazak Corp. hosted its Midwest Technology + Education Event May 2-4 at the machine tool builder's Midwest Technology Center, Schaumburg, Ill. The event featured a broad range of Mazak machines on display, exhibits and demonstrations presented by Mazak Value Inspired Partners and six daily seminars.

Articles • May 3, 2017 • Alan Richter

Productive Times: Bonded by light

END USER: Urschel Laboratories Inc., (219) 464-4811, www.urschel.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Blue Photon Technology & Workholding Systems LLC, (855) 777-2040, www.bluephotongrip.com. CHALLENGE: Hold a near-net-shape casting for machining on five sides. SOLUTION: A system that uses grippers, adhesive and UV light to hold workpieces.n

News • May 3, 2017 • Alan Richter

Rockford Systems launches “Selfie for Safety” campaign

Recognizing that the future of American manufacturing lies with today's youth, Rockford Systems LLC launched its "Selfie for Safety" campaign to help raise student awareness of the importance of machine safeguarding and to help fund the upgrading of safety equipment in the machine shops of several high schools in Rockford, Ill., where the company's headquarters is located.

Articles • April 26, 2017 • Alan Richter

Micromachining: The art and science of micro-moldmaking

Three primary elements play a heightened role when machining molds for plastic injection molding of microparts compared to moldmaking for the macro realm: part size, feature size and dimensional tolerances.

News • April 14, 2017 • Alan Richter

Colson Group invests in machining, reshores manufacturing

Colson Group USA, a manufacturer of casters, wheels and other mobility products, continues to make significant investments to its production and distribution operations while reshoring manufacturing.

News • April 7, 2017 • Alan Richter

Sandvik Coromant hosts Global Press Preview Event

In the machine shop of the future, a digital thread will weave through the pre-, in- and post-machining processes. Prior to machining, those processes include design, process and operations planning, and production logistics. After machining, part verification and outbound logistics enter the picture.

Articles • April 5, 2017 • Alan Richter

Productive Times: Brushing away chamfering

END USER: Zodiac Engineering, www.zodiaceng.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Brush Research Manufacturing Co. Inc., (323) 261-2193, www.brushresearch.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce programming and cycle time, and eliminate the need to regrind or replace chamfering tools when deburring part edges. SOLUTION: Apply in-line abrasive nylon disc brushes.

Articles • March 28, 2017 • Alan Richter

MTU America: Machining parts for large diesel engines

Shop Profile: MTU America machines parts for large diesel engines while helping fill the skills gap.

News • March 24, 2017 • Alan Richter

On Robot introduces grippers for cobots

On Robot ApS, a Danish manufacturer of grippers for collaborative robots (cobots) that was founded in 2014, is introducing its technology to the North American market and has appointed Gary Eliasson as its general manager for North America. He will be based in Charlotte, N.C. "My goal is to set up a North American distribution channel," he said.

Articles • March 23, 2017 • Alan Richter

Workforce: Finders Keepers

Commit to a German-style, dual-training apprenticeship program so your shop can produce its own skilled workers, suggests the director of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest Inc.

Articles • March 15, 2017 • Alan Richter

Productive Times: Capacity relief

END USER: Greenlee Textron Inc., (815) 784-5127, www.greenlee.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Keyence Corp. of America, (888) 539-3623, www.keyence.com. CHALLENGE: Relieve capacity constraints on conventional coordinate measuring machines. SOLUTION: A portable 3D measurement system.

News • March 10, 2017 • Alan Richter

Global machine tool business set to gain momentum

Economic pundits anticipate global machine tool consumption will increase 2.1 percent in 2017, reaching a market value of $73.6 billion, according to the German Machine Tool Builders' Association, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The group released the machine tool business data at a March 9 press conference in Chicago for the EMO trade show, which takes place Sept. 18 through Sept. 23 in Hanover, Germany.