Industry News

June U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $186.57 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR) collaboration, was down 2.8% from May’s $191.93 million and up 6.0% when compared with the total of $175.97 million reported for June 2016. With a year-to-date total of $1.095 billion, 2017 is up 5.8% when compared with 2016.

As a precision sheet metal machining technology, photo etching achieves exacting tolerances, is highly repeatable and in many instances is the only technology that can cost-effectively manufacture precision metal components with the accuracy necessary in demanding and often safety critical applications. Once design engineers select photo etching as their preferred metalworking process, it is important that they fully appreciate not just its versatility, but also the specific aspects of the technology that can affect—and in many instances enhance—product design. This article analyzes the key considerations that design engineers must appreciate to get the most from photo etching and benchmarks the process against other metal machining technologies.

LNS America Inc., Cincinnati, appointed Bob Bodde regional sales manager for Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Pressure and flow are two common terms when it comes to air compressor systems, but the relationship between the two is often misunderstood. Choosing the wrong compressor for your facility can lead to the inability to produce products or wasted energy that increases costs. In this article, we’ll get back to the basics of compressed air and examine the relationship between pressure and flow.

Carlo Lonardi, president and CEO of Kito Americas Inc., Manheim, Pa., and executive officer of Kito Corp., Yamanashi, Japan, announced the promotions of key personnel as the company continues to build <img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." />its Kito Americas corporate structure.<img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." />

"Adoption of production-monitoring software is growing as manufacturers search for new ways to optimize machine efficiency and maximize shop productivity," writes Makino Inc. "From large manufacturing plants to small job shops, these software technologies are enabling manufacturers to accomplish more with less." A white paper from Makino provides a detailed overview of the capabilities of prominent production-monitoring software, including both common and advanced features. A free login is required to download the paper.

From the Napa Valley Register: “I ended up taking Machine Tool Technology by accident – I didn’t know what it was. When the professor started by talking about the danger of getting scalped by machines, I thought ‘What am I getting myself into?’ But once we got started working I fell in love with the trade and knew what I wanted to do with my life.”

Fast growth in South Carolina’s automotive industry is a driving force behind a new Clemson University program that gives workers an opportunity to stay on the job while learning the skills they need to advance their careers and earn higher pay. Students will have a chance to work in state-of-the art laboratories, participate in large design projects with auto industry clients and learn from top Clemson faculty members.

"When preparing a used machine for auction, there is always important information you should include," writes digital marketplace Machine Tool Bids. "By informing potential buyers about your machine, you will help make the sales process go more smoothly." Machine Tool Bids lists a number of things a seller should provide: machine hours; materials worked; current photos and videos; included options or accessories; machine specifications; and the seller's ability to load the machine.

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July, and the overall economy grew for the 98th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. At 56.3 percent, the July PMI shows a decrease of 1.5 percentage points from the June reading of 57.8 percent.

Jasper, Ind.-based NAP Gladu, a Techniks Industries, Indianapolis, company, has acquired Ace Saw and Supply Co., Los Alamitos, Calif.

Growth in China's manufacturing sector slowed marginally in July, reinforcing expectations that the world's second-largest economy will cool in coming months as borrowing costs rise and regulators clamp down on riskier types of financing. The official Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 51.4 in July, down from the previous month's 51.7 but still well above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast that the reading would come in at 51.6, little changed from June.

Padded reamers are utilized throughout the manufacturing industry to generate the final hole geometry and meet demanding surface finish tolerances. Some examples of padded reamer applications are automatic transmission valve channels, engine valve guides and engine crankbore/cambores. Because the reaming process is one of the
last manufacturing steps prior to assembly, it is extremely important to optimize the process to reduce costly scrap.

GF Machining Solutions LLC, Lincolnshire, Ill., has named Ellison Technologies Inc., Los Angeles, as its distributor to serve customers in two regions in the upper Midwest.

Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Primetals Technology USA manufacturing support manager Jim Laliberte have co-authored a plea to Massachusetts manufacturers to hire at least one high school student for a paid STEM internship. "Companies with a STEM intern program can nurture a strong pipeline of skilled talent, one that can fill critical job openings," they write in the Worchester Telegram. At Primetals, student interns learn how to operate CNC machines and are taught safety protocols and quality standards. "We need more companies to join us," they write.

Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa., named Ezio Viti as the sales director at Eriez-Australia, Epping, Australia.

Doerken Corp. USA, Grass Lake, Mich., an operating unit of Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, Herdecke, Germany, has appointed Kent Anderson as president.

Doug Yates was having trouble finding folks to run his CNC machines, so he called his buddy John Dodson at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C. Dodson had an answer for Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines in Mooresville, but it would cost him. The idea is to train students on how to run the complex metalworking machines, not only for making NASCAR engines and race cars but for medical, energy and aerospace applications.

"Without irony, Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday outlined its recommendations to improve the U.S. manufacturing sector," writes Steve Goldstein for MarketWatch. "Wal-Mart could arguably be said to be a contributor to the demise of U.S. manufacturing, with its rapacious sourcing of consumer goods from China as it became the nation's dominant retailer. A 2015 estimate from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, said Wal-Mart's trade deficit with China had displaced more than 400,000 U.S. jobs."

Everyone’s talking about it – the fourth industrial revolution. Rollomatic S.A., based in Le Landeron, Switzerland, is one of the companies setting a course for an interconnected future for machinery. After all, although precision is still a top priority for Rollomatic customers, aspects such as monitoring of machinery and production processes from anywhere in the world are growing more important by the day.