Industry News

[Waterbury, CT – April 29, 2020] Design Engineer Glen Dobbs has talent, curiosity, resourcefulness and – perhaps the most important attribute of all – a big heart. He is president and CEO of LoganTech, a manufacturer of several lines of communications devices for nonverbal and visually impaired individuals. In his spare time, he’s been crystallizing the idea of establishing a separate nonprofit entity called Human Solutions Tech LLC to broaden the scope of the work to include other devices to fill unmet, specific needs. Two months ago, he thought that the COVID-19 crisis would halt the work he’d been putting in to the new organization, but the crisis didn’t. It accelerated that work.

Whether driven by the reduction of in-shop personnel due to layoffs or to maintain social distancing guidelines into the future, many machine shops likely will be reevaluating ways to eliminate labor-intensive manual operations if they can be automated instead.

As we enter a month of navigating business in the midst of this pandemic, we know that there is anxiety about the future. In uncertain times, it is more important than ever that we share experiences and learn from one another. That is Zoller Inc.’s primary objective now: to deliver resources that allow us to provide support and insight that will enable your business to emerge more efficient, productive and profitable.

Due to the current crisis, the existence of many CNC companies is at stake. The COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the vulnerability of complex global manufacturing supply chains. To make matters worse, the CNC industry relies heavily on on-time deliveries. Delivery delays of just one day can create gaps in the entire supply chain, which can lead to exploding costs, enormous sales losses or even a complete standstill.

We Are Proud to Announce that KItagawa NorthTech has Acquired Tecnaras' Principle Product Lines Through Strategic Acquisition

Elk Grove Village, Il. - Crafts Technology Inc., specialists in designing and producing components from superhard materials for industrial equipment, is supporting the fight against COVID-19 by rush producing CraftAlloy tungsten-carbide core pin tooling to be used in the injection molding machines that manufacture vials for COVID-19 testing.

Selmsdorf, Germany, April 2020 – FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving (Alltec GmbH) offers support for manufacturers that need to cope with special requirements in the coronavirus crisis. The company, which specializes in industrial part marking and engraving with laser technology, provides flexible investment models for quick, easy deployment of additional marking systems.

Hoffman Estates, IL – BIG KAISER Precision Tooling has hired Kevin Spring for the position of Sales Engineer.

Mundelein. The Rollomatic Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Kane as COO for both entities, Rollomatic Inc and Strausak Inc.

Elk Grove Village, IL – Niigata Machine Techno USA, Inc. continues to solidify its dealer network with the appointment of Realm Machine Co. as its exclusive distributor of machine tools in New England.

Whether producing turbochargers, steering knuckles or cylinder blocks, customers can mill cast and steel parts considerably more cost-effectively with the radial insert milling program from Mapal Inc. than with previously available solutions. Since the product launch in 2018, there have been a large number of measurable successes resulting from the use of the tools in the series.

LK Metrology Inc. has undertaken a targeted CMM assistance program for medical equipment manufacturers that is fully functional and ready to support and enhance their manufacturing capabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Dayton, OH – Custom tooling requests are not unusual at Monaghan Tooling Group, and each gets special attention. They are all important. However, when it’s a life-or-death situation, you tend to pull out all the stops.

In an effort to support the global need for medical ventilators, Minnesota-based Tolomatic Inc. has dedicated a team of engineers to the development of highly efficient emergency ventilator concept systems using electric linear actuators. The proposed technologies are the first step in creating innovative emergency ventilators for patients around the world.

Liberty Molds Inc. recently answered the call to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 2, the company received a request from Ford Motor Co. to help manufacture components for critically important respirators. Liberty Molds acted quickly and contacted its local Hurco Cos. Inc. representative to expedite the order.

Exact Metrology Inc., a comprehensive metrology services provider, shares safety tips for metrology workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These tips are courtesy of Jason Kleinhenz, marketing and training manager.

NEEDHAM, MA – Open Mind Technologies USA Inc., a developer of CAD/CAM software solutions worldwide, has announced that Ramco Machine LLC (Rowley, MA) is helping to impact the future of space exploration by using hyperMILL CAM software and five-axis machining to make parts for an advanced NASA satellite mission.

Bloomfield, CT – Dapra Corp., an American manufacturer of indexable carbide milling tools and inserts, is pleased to announce an initiative to support U.S. shops that are pivoting their manufacturing processes to supply the medical industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus shutdown is an extreme situation for the entire economy and is hitting the CNC industry hard. Although there is huge uncertainty, we can be sure of one thing: Falling into a state of shock is the most dangerous reaction to this acute situation and is therefore not an option. Instead, the best way to counteract the problem is with a mix of flexibility, optimism and solidarity.

Marking a component, even with something as fundamental as a serial number, is a basic and necessary part of manufacturing. Product marking has recently become more important for reasons of traceability, ensuring that components in the field can be replaced quickly and easily.