Industry News

Look for a special digital supplement to the August 2014 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering (CTE) magazine in your email inbox next month. The special digital edition, sponsored by Makino Inc., will feature the results of our biennial salary survey, a variety of video reports and a preview of IMTS 2014.

Machine tool builder Mazak Corp. has invited manufacturers to its "Discover More With Mazak" event July 29 and 30 at the company's Southwest Technology Center in Houston. The company will demonstrate its latest multitasking, 5-axis, milling and turning processes on Mazak machines. Applications engineers will also be available to discuss new ways attendees can streamline their operations. For example, performing multiple processes in a single setup helps minimize material handling and work-in-process. Furthermore, the company encourages attendees to present their part-production challenges so its engineers can offer solutions for overcoming such difficulties.

Manufacturers nationwide are struggling to find skilled labor, and several community colleges and technical centers around the country have stepped in to fill the void, including a technical training center in Phoenix that offers CNC and manual machining programs. The Maricopa Skill Center offers two machining certificates: CNC machining and manual machining. Students in the program attend class 6 hours a day, Monday through Thursday. The CNC machining program takes about a year to complete.

Toolmaker Seco Tools LLC, Troy, Mich., a technical and supplier sponsor of Andretti Autosport's Verizon IndyCar Series championship racing team, invited customers from across the Midwest to attend an Indy 500 practice day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The day included a meet and greet with IRL driver Marco Andretti, a tour of the Andretti Autosport garage, a catered lunch in the team's suite at the track and a visit to the pits to watch the Indy cars in action.