Industry News for all/

Use of 3-D printing for the production of parts for final products continues to follow a decade-long growth trend. According to Wohlers Report 2013, final-part production rose to 28.3 percent of the $2.2 billion spent last year on 3-D printing products and services worldwide. In 2003, it represented only 3.9 percent of revenues, as shown in the accompanying chart. 

MSC Industrial Supply Co., Melville, N.Y. expanded its Accupro line of metalworking products with the launch of new milling, threading and toolholding solutions. 

On Jan. 1, 2014, GF AgieCharmilles, Geneva, Switzerland, will become GF Machining Solutions, underscoring the fact that parent company Georg Fischer AG (GF) is a unified company with three divisions. Along with the name change, a new design style on the GF Machining Solutions Web site and sales literature will be gradually implemented, according to the company. GF AgieCharmille's U.S. operation is based in Lincolnshire, Ill. 

Precision components provider ARCH Global Precision, Livonia, Mich., has acquired two cutting tool manufacturers. ARCH purchased Flushing, Mich.-based Ultra-Dex Tooling Systems, including the Ultra-Dex USA branded product line and the Beamer Laser Marking Systems product line (collectively "Ultra-Dex") from Mark and Sharon Birchmeier. Ultra-Dex is a manufacturer of tooling systems, including indexable boring, milling and drilling systems, as well as tool holders, custom designed tooling and laser marking systems. 

Threading and grooving toolmaker Tool-Flo Manufacturing, Houston, has added polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tools to its product line. The ultrahard materials allow for longer tool life when cutting abrasive materials such as graphite, hard rubber, plastics, carbon, fiberglass components, ceramics, wood, copper, bronze, brass and aluminum alloys, and permit higher removal rates and faster cycle times. 

Deublin Company, a manufacturer of rotary unions based in Waukegan, Ill., launched its  new Web site at www.Deublin.com. The new site includes an e-commerce section where customers can select and purchase Deublin products. The site also includes detailed product specifications and application information.

Third Wave Systems, a Minneapolis-based provider of machining modeling technology, has been awarded a $3 million contract by the U.S.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The contract, one of the largest funded projects in Third Wave's 20-year history, is to expand its metalcutting simulation solutions to composite materials used on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Okuma America Corp.'s Technology Showcase event, held December 10-12, 2013 in Charlotte, N.C., was the company's largest to date, both in attendance and the number of CNC machines shown, according to the company. Held annually, the event is designed to give attendees the opportunity to see and gain hands-on experience with Okuma's latest technology and discuss their individual needs with a variety of industry experts. 

Parlec Inc., a Fairport, N.Y.-based provider of toolholding and presetting solutions, launched a new Web platform to showcase its re-engineered precision modular boring system. "We wanted to bring our new product offering to life," said Dave Hartman, product manager of tooling systems. "By using a combination of 3-D animations and video footage, we're able to provide clear demonstrations and evidence of the types of benefits Parlec boring systems can bring manufacturing operations." 

MSC Industrial Supply Co., the Melville, N.Y.-based distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) solutions, has increased its selection of Kennametal cutting tools to 54,000 total items. MSC customers gain access to almost all of Kennametal's metalworking products, including milling, turning, holemaking, threading and tooling system products. 

MSC Industrial Supply Co. has added more than 3,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and facility safety products to its safety portfolio. The goal is to make it easier for safety professionals to find, buy and correctly use the highest quality safety solutions from one supplier. With more than 500 brands represented, MSC customers have access to thousands of safety products. In addition, MSC offers specialized support and certified safety training. The company's safety technical team is available to answer questions and offer product recommendations based on each customer's specific criteria.  

Custom Window Systems Inc. (CWS), an Ocala, Fla.-based manufacturer of window and door products, has added a Lucifer RD7-KHE18 "Red Devil" bench model furnace to its  tool room. 

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn.-based producer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announced the 2014 Mastercam Innovator of the Future (IOF) national competition, designed to challenge students and young adults in the manufacturing world.

TechFab, Montreal-East, Quebec, has joined the KOMET SERVICE network as a licensed partner for the refurbishment, regrinding and manufacture of solid-carbide tools, with a Grand Opening scheduled for December 5, 2013. 

Gleason Corp., Rochester, N.Y., announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire IMS KOEPFER Cutting Tools GmbH from Eisenbach, Germany's IMS Gear GmbH and KOEPFER Verzahnungsmaschinen GmbH of Furtwangen. IMS KOEPFER Cutting Tools is a producer of gear-cutting tools and related products and services.

The MTConnect Institute and the OPC Foundation have announced the availability of the MTConnect-OPC UA (Unified Architecture) Companion specification release candidate (RC).

Michigan Manufacturing International (MMI), a supplier of mechanical assemblies and components, opened its  new headquarters in Stevensville, Md., on Thursday, Nov. 21. 

Liberty Hall Capital Partners, a New York, N.Y.-based private equity firm focused exclusively on the global aerospace and defense industry, announced the acquisition of Tulsa, Okla.'s Precise Machining & Manufacturing, a Tier II supplier of machined parts, kits and assemblies and processing services to the aerospace industry.

AFAB, a Lake Forest, Calif.-based manufacturer of machined parts and assemblies, is moving into the aerospace and automotive markets through acquisitions of new equipment,  hiring experienced personnel, and institutingnew systems, according to the company. 

Machine tool manufacturer DMG MORI Manufacturing hosted its inaugural Manufacturing Days event, holding an open house at its Davis, Calif.,factory. The 4-day open house provided more than 1,300 attendees with a look into the 200,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility, as well as educational seminars and live cutting demos.