Machines/Accessories/Controls

EMAG LLC, a Farmington Hills, Mich.-based machine tool supplier, has launched an apprentice training program to encourage continuing growth in Michigan's mechatronics manufacturing industry and ensure an advanced workforce to close the sector's skills gap. Developed in conjunction with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland Community College and Henry Ford Community College, the program offers high-school graduates a career in machine mechatronics, a discipline incorporating electrical, electronic and mechanical studies, providing all graduates an advanced associate's degree.

Students in the University of Washington's mechanical engineering program successfully petitioned the Dean of Engineering for a new furnace at the school's Engineering Instructional Shop as a replacement for an antiquated, unreliable, smaller unit. The new furnace, a model HL7-P36 from Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., with a work chamber of 18"x24"x36", will allow students to heat treat more parts in-house.

Machine tool manufacturer SMTCL-Americas will hold a "March Machine Madness" open house event on March 20, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its  City of Industry, Calif. technical center at 17038 E. Gale Ave. Various experts will host seminars on robotics and automation, 5-axis machining, titanium machining, new developments in CAD software and innovations in tooling.

Absolute Machine Tools Inc. is hosting a "Discovery Day" at its new Midwest Technical Center in Elgin, Ill., on April 9 from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm. New machine tool technologies from Nexturn, Precihole, Accutex EDM, Tongtai, Johnford and Fanuc Automation, among others, will be introduced. A complimentary lunch will be served courtesy of Elgin's Portillo's Hot Dogs Inc.

CNC machine tool manufacturer Rollomatic Inc., Mundelein, Ill., is exhibiting several new products during the GrindTec show in Augsburg, Germany, to be held March 19-22, 2014. One product on display is the GrindSmart 6-axis CNC grinder that is furnished with a traveling work head that can produce drills with a flute length up to 12". In addition, other solid-carbide drills and high-performance endmills can be manufactured. Features include a camera to locate coolant holes and a 6-station wheel and nozzle changer. 

The new Metal Loss Monitor (MLM) from Erie, Pa.-based separation technology provider Eriez enables operators to determine the quantities of valuable metals that are passing through their scrap yards unrecovered. It accomplishes this by continually scanning the residue stream for metal that has escaped the process, according to the company.

Seco Tools, Troy, Mich., was recognized for participating in the John Deere Cost Reduction Opportunities Process (JD CROP), part of Deere & Company's Achieving Excellence program. The toolmaker received the honor for the quality of its cost-reduction ideas and for demonstrating its commitment to continuous improvement, according to Seco.

Sharpening diamond-tipped and solid carbide rotary tools will be the focal point of Vollmer's display at Stand 1017 at the GrindTec 2014 international grinding technology trade fair, to be held March 19 to 22 in Augsburg, Germany. The grinding and erosion machine company will demo its new VGrind 160 grinding center, the company's first for processing carbide rotary tools.

In April 2014, igus Inc., East Providence, R.I., will hold its  biannual vector awards ceremony. The vector awards aim to recognize the most creative applications of the igus Energy Chain Systems. Participants can apply online to present their idea to the panel of judges, with the first, second and third prizes being awarded at the Hannover Trade Fair in Germany. 

Absolute Machine Tools Inc., Lorain, Ohio, has launched a new version of its website. The site provides descriptions, specifications and application information for the company's offerings of turning, milling, deep hole and gun barrel drilling machines and EDMs from OEMs including AccuteX, You Ji, Johnford, Tongtai, Nexturn, and Precihole.