Aerospace

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., in March announced a partnership with a leading independent machine tools and allied equipment supplier to help strengthen the supplier's commitment to offering a "total customer solution." Engineering Technology Group (ETG), which employs 100 people at its headquarters in the West Midlands, signed a deal with CNC Software to sell Mastercam and Cimco software across the United Kingdom, providing manufacturers with access to the latest CAM and CNC technology.

Funke will oversee a team of engineers to deliver complete component tooling solutions to Seco customers. He plans to further build and strengthen relationships with customers and other industry partners to deliver excellence in products and services.

Radius Engineering Inc.was recognized with the 2017 Excellence in Composites Manufacturing Award (small-company category) for supplying net-shape manufacturing technology and equipment contributing to improvements in design, quality and reduced manufacturing costs for numerous manufacturing companies throughout the aerospace composites industry. Company co-founder Dimitrije Milovich received a separate award, honoring his 40-plus years of leadership and innovation.

Georgia will see an influx of more than 500 new aerospace manufacturing jobs at Columbus-based Pratt & Whitney, which reportedly will invest $386 million into expansion.

To maintain and grow its production levels on its newest jet engines, engine components and aircraft systems, GE Aviation investments reached $4.3 billion in its U.S. operations during 2011–2016, with another $1.1 billion invested in its international sites, the company reports. That U.S. amount includes $214 million to establish five new plants here.

Paris-headquartered simulation software developer SPRING Technologies announced the nomination of CEO Gilles Battier as a new member of the GIFAS AERO-PME Committee. GIFAS is an economic interest group that spearheads France's aerospace industry ecosystem.

After being packed into 11 crates and travelling from Neuhausen, Germany to Baltimore by boat, and onto its final destination by truck back in December, a 20-foot-long, 135,000 lb. industrial machine from Zimmermann was moved into place over the course of several hours at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology.

ONA Electroerosion S.A., Durango, Spain, named Marius Petean as key account manager for the aerospace, energy and defense markets at ONA EDM USA Inc., Macomb, Mich.

Although the James Webb Space Telescope isn't scheduled to be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana until October 2018, NASA announced that the 18th and final primary mirror segment was recently installed on what will be the biggest and most powerful space telescope.

Reuters reports that America's manufacturers are urging President-elect Donald Trump to back off from his most threatening trade rhetoric and pursue a more nuanced approach to trade with China and Mexico, avoiding unilateral tariff actions and focusing on negotiations.

Especially within the aerospace, energy and mechanical engineering sector, production managers have to bridge the gap between economic efficiency and high process reliability when working with materials that are difficult to machine. Fortunately, there is peace of mind in knowing that the machine technology innovations continue to develop to meet the ongoing demands of manufacturing.

Helical Solutions LLC recently announced a top-tier finish in the 2015 Boeing Industry Challenge II, which is an invitational tournament meant to test the world's strongest and highest-performing milling tools in aerospace titanium.