Industry News

Machine tool builder Mazak Corp, Florence, Ky., will host a "Discover More With Mazak" technology and education event at its Southwest Technology Center in Houston, Texas, July 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Intended for all manufacturing industry segments, the event will showcase the latest metalworking tools, technologies and techniques for enhancing productivity and versatility on the shop floor, according to the company.

Nearly two dozen robots competed head-to-head on a course designed to replicate rescue efforts amid disaster conditions during the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Robotics Challenge held June 5 and 6 in Pomona, Calif. At stake: $3.5 million in prize money.

Machine tool supplier Methods Machine Tool, Inc., Sudbury, Mass., has expanded its Southern California operation, increasing the number of sales/application engineering and service personnel by eight and offering a full range of machine tool solutions from all of Methods' partner brands. In addition, Robert Serrano has been added to the leadership team as sales manager, bringing 25 years of machine tool experience to the position.

Jack Beckman and Spencer Massey of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series will be joined by key members of Don Schumacher Racing on June 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open house at Sandvik Coromant headquarters in Fair Lawn, N.J. Beckman and Massey, who will drive DSR's Sandvik Coromant Top Fuel Dragster that weekend in the NHRA Summernationals at Englishtown, N.J., will be joined by DSR Senior Vice President Mike Lewis and Crew Chief John Medlen to highlight Sandvik Coromant's role in DSR technology and machining of key parts.

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), a standards and certification body, and the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), which provides scholarships to schools for students entering technical training programs, are partnering to provide scholarship funds directly to select SkillsUSA students.

Ceratizit SA has acquired German solid carbide toolmaker Klenk GmbH & Co. KG, augmenting the Ceratizit Group's product portfolio with custom solutions for solid-carbide round tools, according to the company. With the addition of Klenk, the Ceratizit Group aims to further strengthen its position in the solid-carbide tool market, according to Thierry Wolter of the Ceratizit Group's executive board. "It is our aim to be perceived as a global premium player for all cutting tools," he said.