Industry News

News • December 7, 2016 • Alan Richter

Toolmakers tout nonround coolant orifices

A circular shape provides multiple benefits in the machining world. For example, round inserts are stronger than inserts with any other shape. However, when it comes to coolant channels in cutting tools and toolholders, channels that don't have circular cross sections can enhance operations.

News • December 7, 2016 • Kip Hanson

Entrepreneurs crowdfund machine launches

Have a great idea for a machine tool but lack the cash to fund its commercialization? Crowdfund it! That's what Matthew Hertel did when he leveraged a Kickstarter campaign to raise more than $355,000 for the development and creation of his Pocket NC 5-axis milling machine. And then there's the WAZER, the world's first desktop waterjet cutter, which runs $4,499 on Kickstarter, and is expected to be affordable to hobbyists and small businesses.

News • December 2, 2016 • Dennis Spaeth

Quaker acquires metalworking fluids specialist Lubricor

The Quaker Chemical Corp., Conshohocken, Penn., acquired Lubricor Inc., a Canadian metalworking fluids manufacturer, in a deal announced Dec. 1. Lubricor, which manufactures and markets value-added metalworking products such as synthetic and semi-synthetic coolants, hydroforming fluid, and stamping products, sells directly to primarily Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive suppliers in North American, according to a Quaker news release.

News • November 30, 2016 • Dennis Spaeth

AMT Selected as National Partner to Grow Apprenticeships in Manufacturing

A partnership between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, McLean, Va., and the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) is expected to increase access to apprenticeships and assist employers in developing new programs that reach diverse talent pools, according an AMT news release issued Nov. 15.

News • November 30, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

Carrier, in Deal with Trump, Will Keep Some Jobs in Indiana

The Associated Press is reporting that air-conditioner manufacturer Carrier Corp. has reached a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in Indiana. Last February the company had said it would close the Indianapolis plant, lay off its 1,400 workers there and relocate the work to Mexico.

News • November 29, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

Performance Micro Tool is in the Chips

The Janesville, Wis., micromanufacturer Performance Micro Tool is part of a Janesville Gazette feature on local companies increasing their use of automation. The article notes that a recent source of revenue for the company is a tool contract with a company that makes the tiny housings in credit cards that hold those now-ubiquitous micro chips.

News • November 28, 2016

Carr Lane Manufacturing names new operations chief

Carr Lane Manufacturing CEO Nance Frost recently announced the promotion of Colin W. Frost to Chief Operating Officer of the company, which is headquartered in St. Louis. Known primarily for jig & fixture components, Carr Lane Manufacturing offers more than 100,000 products, including quick-change tooling plates and accessories, hoist rings, toggle clamps, handles, knobs, ball and spring plungers, threaded inserts, clamp straps, drill bushings, alignment pins, fixture bases, and power workholding devices.

News • November 23, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

NIST: Fortify Manufacturing, Save $100 Billion, by Closing Tech Gaps

To spur significant innovation and growth in advanced manufacturing, as well as save over $100 billion annually, U.S. industry must rectify currently unmet needs for measurement science and "proof-of-concept" demonstrations of emerging technologies. This is the overall conclusion reached by economic studies funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of four advanced manufacturing areas used to create everything from automobile composites to zero-noise headsets.

News • November 23, 2016 • Steven L. Blue

Opinion: ‘Smart Manufacturing? Dumb Idea’

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."

News • November 18, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

Kyocera Has New Metalworking Tech at JIMTOF 2016

Kyocera Group is exhibiting a range of newly developed metalworking tools at the Japan trade show JIMTOF 2016. These will include the new CA3 Series CVD coated carbide indexable cutting tool inserts for cast iron machining; the Magic Drill DRA, a high-performance modular drill; and the MFH Micro, a tiny-caliber high-feed cutting tool.

News • November 18, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

High-Tech High School

The Skills Gap dilemma in manufacturing shows little sign of abating amidst Baby-Boomer retirements. One possible solution: Bringing back the once-popular high-school shop class--but with a high-tech slant to interest and prepare a new generation for modern manufacturing. The Tampa Bay Times reports on a Florida high school that is doing just that.

News • November 18, 2016 • Michael C. Anderson

Are ‘Made in USA’ iPhones Coming?

Could it really happen? An unnamed source tells Nikkei Asian Review that iPhone maker Apple has asked two Taiwan-based iPhone assemblers, Foxconn and Pegatron, to examine the feasability of manufacturing the devices in the U.S.