Automotive

FANUC America has marked the 35th anniversary of manufacturing its line of painting robots at the company's Rochester Hills, Mich., headquarters. In 1982, FANUC America produced its first NC Painter, a hydraulic paint robot using key components from parent company FANUC Corp. in Japan.

MTU America, Graniteville, S.C., which machines parts for large diesel engines, shares a glimpse into the shop's machining operations and lean manufacturing initiatives in this brief shop profile video report filmed by Cutting Tool Engineering Editor Alan Richter.

Although toolholders are known to be critical components in the precision machining process, the unique details that differentiate a "standard" toolholder from one that is designed for more precise, high speed work can be subtle. Like the parts they are used to create, precision toolholders are machined to exacting tolerances to create the optimum fit within the spindle, concentricity and balance.

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.

Todd Cox, field sales engineer with Allied Machine & Engineering Corp., discusses the changes in the holemaking technologies for the automotive industry during this 8-minute video podcast.

In a guest editorial, CEO and author Steven L. Blue argues that "Smart manufacturing should start with people, not machines" and that companies should "start by building a workforce that is engaged, enlightened, and empowered. A workforce that trusts in its leadership."

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.

Camfil Air Pollution Control, Jonesboro, Ark., appointed John Poehler director of reseller/rep sales. As part of its reorganization, the manufacturer of dust, mist and fume collection equipment named Matt Caulfield director of mining/pharma and Kevin Tucker automotive market manager.

Los Angeles Times reports: Factories south of the border are fueled by American goods and services—creating a silver lining for at least some workers in the U.S.

Farmington Hills, Mich.-based EMAG LLC held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony June 8 to celebrate the opening of its new laser welding laboratory. The facility features equipment and a staff of experts to enable automotive supply-chain companies to better fabricate differential gears, camshafts and other components using laser welding technology.

EWI, a non-profit organization dedicated to innovating and implementing advanced manufacturing technologies for industry, soon will add an Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) system to its R&D toolbox. Chicago-based Sciaky Inc. announced the sale of its EBAM system in a news release issued July 20.

Abtex Corp., Dresden, N.Y., recently hired Christian Donovan as Operations Manager in response to "dramatic growth in all lines of business," according to an April 29 company news release.