Industry News

News • October 15, 2018

Drier is better …

While this statement may not applicable across the board with machine tool applications, it certainly rings true when used in context with air supply to machine tool spindles. More often than not we have found that poor quality air supply to spindles is a significant factor in premature machine tool spindle failures. Whether it be a dirty (particulate contaminant) in the air supply or more predominantly moisture contaminated air supply. This is a recipe for disaster.

News • October 12, 2018 • Alan Richter

The various stages of automation collaboration

There are no collaborative robots, only robots with collaborative applications. That's according to Simon Whitton, regional division manager of North America for KUKA Robotics Corp., Shelby Township, Michigan.

News • October 10, 2018

Pamela Sims promoted at Motion Industries Inc.

Birmingham, AL – Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts and a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, announced the promotion of Pamela Sims to Vice President of Marketing, effective September 1, 2018.

News • October 10, 2018

CNC Software Inc. appoints Mike Nicholson

Tolland, CT – CNC Software, Inc., the developers of Mastercam, announced that Mike Nicholson has been hired as the European Territory Manager to further develop the company's European distribution channel.

News • October 10, 2018 • Kip Hanson

The longest flight

The International Manufacturing Technology Show was great. It was fun to actually meet some of the people I've worked with over the past couple of years, plus there were the new machine tools, Industry 4.0 and industrial-internet-of-things technology, software systems, cutting tools, robots, metrology equipment and 3D printers. My dogs were killing me every night, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. And Chicago—what a cool town. As the saying goes, I wouldn't want to live there, but it's a nice place to visit.

News • October 10, 2018

Is automation really to blame for lost manufacturing jobs?

Although automation is occurring in manufacturing, as it is in other sectors of the economy, the evidence does not support the idea that automation was the main cause of the sudden decline in manufacturing employment after 2000. It's difficult to precisely pin down what was to blame, but a large body of research suggests that economists and pundits are wrong to so quickly dismiss trade and to blame machines.

News • October 5, 2018

Texas ranked No. 2 on list of top states for aerospace manufacturing

Texas could be in line to land thousands of additional aerospace-related manufacturing and engineering jobs if companies in the fast-growing sector heed a new ranking of the most competitive places for them to operate. The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers lists Texas behind only Washington state as the top location in the United States for "aerospace manufacturing attractiveness."

News • October 5, 2018 • Alan Richter

Happy Manufacturing Day!

In preparation for this year's celebration of Manufacturing Day on Oct. 5, I read the book "Finding America's Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting" by Terry M. Iverson, president of machine tool distributor and rebuilder Iverson & Co., Des Plaines, Illinois. The word "champion" in the title connects with the organization Iverson started called CHAMPION Now! CHAMPION is an acronym for Change How American (or Advanced) Manufacturing's Perceived In Our Nation.

News • October 4, 2018

FABTECH tracking the rising trend of women in manufacturing

The metal fabrication and manufacturing industry has adjusted in recent years to meet the demands of an evolving global economy, impacted by social, political, economic and technological advancements that effect all aspects of the industry. In changing times and in a historically male-dominated industry, manufacturing has seen a steady rise in women playing key roles in the industry, shaping the next generation of manufacturing to be more gender diverse, innovative, and rewarding for those who pursue a career path in this compelling field.

News • October 3, 2018

Will a robot take my manufacturing job? Yes, no and maybe

Robots and the programming they rely on have certainly made huge leaps in recent years. But manufacturers have little use for jumping or cuddling machines. They need performers that can do specific production jobs. Do robots fit the bill? Will they replace all our manufacturing employees?

News • October 1, 2018

Harvey Performance Co. LLC partners with Autodesk Inc.

ROWLEY, MA (August 29, 2018) – Harvey Performance Company is proud to announce, effective immediately, the entire end mill tool libraries for both Harvey Tool and Helical Solutions, representing more than 14,000 SKU's, are available to upload into Autodesk's Fusion 360 CAM Software.

News • October 1, 2018

Gear Motions Inc. promotes one, hires one

Syracuse, NY – Gear Motions announces long-time employee Dan Bartelli has been promoted to Director of Operations of Nixon Gear, and Anna Pastore has been hired to the position of Corporate Controller.