Industry News

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

To enable junior and senior high school students to follow a specific direction in the manufacturing industry, their education must be diverse. Ensuring such diversity is the goal of the Machine Technology Program at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Brecksville, Ohio, according to Rich Parrott, machine technology instructor. 

In an effort to expand its reach within the aerospace industry, OSG USA Inc. has purchased Amamco Tool & Supply Co. Inc., an ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C registered company that makes high-quality, custom, carbide tools for manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries, according to an OSG USA news release issued today.

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.

Hexagon AB, a global provider of information technologies for driving productivity and quality across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications, today announced the acquisition of AICON 3D Systems, a leading provider of optical and portable non-contact 3D measuring systems for industrial manufacturing.

Effective May 2, Kyocera Corp. will acquire 100 percent ownership of the SGS Tool Co., to expand the Japanese company's current North American cutting tool business by 2.5 times by March 31, 2019, according to Kyocera President Goro Yamaguchi, who announced the deal in a company news release issued March 30. By incorporating SGS Tool, which is based in Munroe Falls, Ohio, Kyocera plans to create a business structure capable of providing total solutions and strengthen its business globally as a comprehensive cutting tool manufacturer, according to the Kyocera news release. SGS Tool will be renamed Kyocera SGS Precision Tools Inc.

In a move aimed at providing improved sales and service support as well as new and innovative products, NTC Laser will join Komatsu America Industries LLC as of April 1, sources at both companies reported in a joint news release issued today. NTC Laser and Komatsu are subsidiaries of Komatsu America LLC, headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Penn., recently appointed John Oakes as the company's new sales representative for the Northeast U.S. region, according to a Feb. 17 news release. Oakes will focus on vacuum furnace sales in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Able Machine Tool Sales Inc., Agawam, Mass., is the New England distributor for Dayton, Ohio-based Advanced Industrial Measurement Systems’ (AIMS) Revolution Series coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), according to a recent Able news release. Designed and engineered with Renishaw 5-axis measurement technology, AIMS introduced its new CMM product line in 2015. 

BIG KAISER Precision Tooling, Hoffman Estates, Ill., recently welcomed Pierre Bruyere to the company's Rep network for select provinces in Eastern Canada. He has been tasked with managing distributor relationships and sales efforts with customers in Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.