Machining

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), a standards and certification body, and the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), which provides scholarships to schools for students entering technical training programs, are partnering to provide scholarship funds directly to select SkillsUSA students. 

Machine tool builder Okuma America Corp. and machine tool distributor Morris South have partnered to host Southern Tech Fest, June 24—25, at Morris South's Tech Center and Okuma's Partners in THINC facility in Charlotte, N.C.

According to the Global Waterjet Machine Market 2015-2019 research report, enhanced R&D innovations are expected to reduce costs in the worldwide waterjet machine market, with customers other than traditional end users generating demand. 

United Grinding North America Inc. will highlight methods for improving tool performance using the latest advancements in grinding at a Tool Event on July 22-23 at the company's facility in Fredericksburg, Va. Attendees will also get a preview of a new two-in-one machine with a minimal footprint that provides eroding and grinding of PCD and carbide tools in one setup, according to the company. 

Machine tool builder GF Machining Solutions is planning a 3-day technology and education event called Solutions Days at its Competence Center in Lincolnshire, Ill. The event will feature advanced part-processing demonstrations and include a series of manufacturing-based workshops. According to Gisbert Ledvon, director of business development for GF Machining Solutions, the company intends for Solutions Days to be the year's foremost event for manufacturers that specialize in precision part production for industries that include aerospace, automotive, medical and moldmaking. 

CNC tool grinding machine builder Strausak AG, Lohn-Ammannsegg, Switzerland, opened a subsidiary in Mundelein, Ill., and incorporated in the state of Illinois on July 1. Hank Ecker, previously regional sales manager of Rollomatic Inc., is the new president of Strausak Inc.

Machine tool builder Mazak Corp., Florence, Ky., will host a "Discover More With Mazak" event for manufacturers at its Northeast Technology Center in Windsor Locks, Conn., May 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. A special student day will be held on May 14 for local educational institutions. The technology and education event will showcase new metalworking innovations and techniques for boosting productivity and profitability. 

Machine tool builder SMTCL-Americas, City Of Industry, Calif., has partnered with West Coast Customs by supplying a CNC machine tool to the Burbank, Calif., custom auto body shop. The VMC2100B vertical machining center will allow West Coast Customs to create customized wheels and body parts in-house. This partnership will also allow SMTCL customers to purchase the West Coast Custom Edition VMC2100B.

SMTCL- Americas, City of Industry, Calif., kicked off the beginning of spring with a sales training course and open house. Instructed by Chief Operations Officer Jerry McCarty, 18 individuals became certified on SMTCL machines. This creates a larger distributor network in California and other regions to better service potential customers, according to the company.  

Methods Machine Tools Inc., a Sudbury, Mass.-based supplier of machine tools, automation and accessories, sponsored a senior year "capstone" project for several fifth-year electromechanical engineering students from Boston's Wentworth Institute of Technology. The project involved researching and designing a new type of infeed system for potential use in future Methods automated cell projects. The students presented different designs to Methods and a winner was chosen at Wentworth Dec. 15. The students are currently working on building the capstone project this semester and plan to have the prototype completed by April.