Industry News

In America’s factories, jobs are inevitably disappearing. But despite the political rhetoric, the problem is not mainly globalization. Manufacturing jobs are on the decline in factories around the world.

General Motors officials are expected to make a "positive plant manufacturing announcement" at the Bay City Powertrain factory this week.

MachiningCloud GmbH, a product content provider for cutting tools, CNC machines and workholding, today announced partnerships with Mitsubishi Materials and Destiny Tool to make product data from both companies available through its web-based platform, according to an announcement from MachiningCloud issued today.

David A. Dornfeld, mechanical engineering professor, founding faculty director of the Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation and a leader at the College of Engineering, died of a heart attack on March 27. He was 66. Dornfeld was a renowned manufacturing expert, widely admired as a teacher and well-regarded as a thoughtful leader.

Ceramics Expo takes place April 26-28, 2016, in Cleveland and is dedicated to providing a marketplace for all raw materials, equipment, machinery and technology used within the ceramic manufacturing supply chain. Ceramics Expo is attended by technical leaders, production directors, engineers, project leaders, buyers and senior executives interested in exploring the latest ceramic manufacturing innovations.

Allied Machine & Engineering Corp., which manufactures holemaking and finishing products for the industrial tool and machining sector, this year celebrates its 75-year history with an eye on the future.

German toolholder maker Haimer GmbH recently agreed to license its Haimer Safe-Lock System to the Melin Tool Co., a cutting tool manufacturer based in Cleveland. Melin Tool will offer its endmills to the U.S. market with the Haimer Safe-Lock System, according to a recent Melin Tool news release.

Cline Tool, Newton, Iowa, recently added two new sales positions. Jeff Prothero has been named the regional manager and project engineer for Cline Tool's Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois branch. The company also appointed Brian Krebs as field application engineer at its Houston branch.

The Gleason Corp., Rochester, N.Y., recently donated $300,000 to establish two doctoral fellowships that will be incorporated into the engineering program at the Kate Gleason College of Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

Mahr Federal, Providence, R.I., will feature the MarShaft SCOPE 250 plus and MarCator Wireless Digital Indicators at Mfg4 2016, which is set for May 3-5 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Conn. Look for Mahr Federal at booth No. 1605.

Jet Edge Inc., a manufacturer of ultra-high pressure waterjet technology based in St. Michael, Minn., in February launched an aftermarket waterjet parts division, Choice Waterjet Parts Inc. Choice Waterjet Parts supplies ultra-high pressure (UHP) waterjet components for major brands of waterjet cutting systems, including Flow, Omax, KMT, Bystronic and WSI. Genuine Jet Edge parts will continue to be supplied exclusively by Jet Edge, according to a recent company news release.

Mastercam 2017 is now in public beta, which means the next version of the software is available for testing by “currently maintained” Mastercam customers, according to a recent news release from CNC Software. “Shops all over the world, from small job shops to Fortune 100, get a chance to test Mastercam 2017 before it is released, and provide valuable feedback that helps shape the final product,” the company announced. “Participants in the Public Beta get an early look at the new streamlined workflow and optimized interface that Mastercam 2017 delivers, along with dozens of powerful new tools for simple to complex jobs.”

Gilman Precision, Grafton, Wis., recently launched a web-based product configuration tool Intended to improve the process of viewing and adjusting product specifications. The Gilman 3D Linear Products CAD Configurator will serve engineers and other prospects by allowing them to select, view and insert Gilman 3D CAD models and 2D drawings directly into their own CAD systems, according to the company. 

An item in the April 1 issue of The Kiplinger Letter suggested that a tough business climate for makers of various products will spur mergers and acquistions among companies looking "to consolidate forces to keep going." And judging from the spate of mergers and acquisitions announced since the beginning of this year, it would appear the prediction was no April Fool's Day joke.

Vero Software recently promoted Lee Richards to oversee the technical teams for the company's Edgecam and Surfcam brands, according to a news release from the England-based company. Richards' appointment as technical manager of the Americas reportedly positions the software company to extend and improve its services for a growing customer base.

Emuge Corp., West Boylston, Mass., recently named Dan Doiron its new milling products manager, which puts Doiron in charge of endmills, toolholders, technical and CAD/CAM program support for milling products, according to a recent company news release.

Vero Software today appointed  Jessica Woodall as the England-based company's sales director for Latin America, according to a company news release. Woodall, who has worked in the CNC industry for 22 years, has served as the Alphacam director of sales and services in the Americas for the past 16 years. During that time, the company noted, Woodall helped to build a strong and talented team.

One constant fear in regard to automation is that it will make human workers obsolete. Citing a 2013 University of Oxford study, University of Cincinnati Assistant Professor of Economics Michael Jones wrote that almost half of those employed in the U.S. are at risk of being replaced by automation over the next 10 to 20 years, with transportation, logistics and administration as the most vulnerable occupations.

The addition of over 15,000 sq. ft. was designed to increase assembly capabilities and provide additional space for newly acquired capital equipment

Virtually every established manufacturer has experienced at least one major setback during its history. For Taurus Tool & Engineering, it was losing its main tool grinding area and CNC machines to a fire in June 2014, after a 37-year run at its previous facility in Schaumburg, Ill. No injuries were reported, thankfully, and the cause of the fire is unknown.