Industry News

An online San Francisco Chronicle report posted Feb. 18—"Hacker ethos comes to the factory floor"—suggests that large and small manufacturers alike "are beginning to think and operate like software companies." And, just for the record, that's a good thing, say the authors: Mark Muro, a senior fellow and the policy director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, and Kelly Kline, the economic development director and chief innovation officer of the city of Fremont, Calif.

NTB Interstate University of Technology Buchs, an institute that specializes in engineering informatics, recently announced a new website, gtc-tools.com, which provides information to the public on the Generic Tool Catalog (GTC) cutting tool data exchange format, according to a joint news release issued Feb. 9. The GTC data exchange format was developed through collaboration among machining hardware and software leaders Siemens PLM Software, Sandvik Coromant, Iscar and Kennametal.

Single Source Technologies (SST), a North American distributor of machinery brands based in Auburn Hills, Mich., recently announced the acquistion of Automation Solutions Inc. (ASI), effective as of Jan. 18, according to a Feb. 9 SST news release.

Solar Atmospheres, Hermitage, Penn., recently announced a collaboration with Pressure Technology Inc. (PTI) that will offer an added-value service to PTI's HIP (Hot Isostatic Press) Facility in Concord, Ohio, according to a Feb. 15 news release. The collaboration is the result of an escalation of components being printed via additive manufacturing as well as the increased production of engine blade manufacturing to support newer more efficient aircraft, according to Solar Atmospheres. Such market forces means that hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) is in more demand for the densification of many materials.

MBFZ toolcraft GmbH, Georgensgmünd, Germany, recently announced that it has secured extra site space for future expansion at its Handelsstraße site, according to a Feb. 8 company news release. Toolcraft, which has manufactured precision parts made from metal and plastic for 27 years, said its expansion plans are the result of steadily increasing demand.

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), Chicago, announced Feb. 10 that it has issued $15 million in national contract research awards that include funding to test and aid compliance with the nation’s cybersecurity standards for digital manufacturing, according to a news release from the group. The money will be distributed among six new projects with 27 DMDII partners in 17 states.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Coherent Inc., which began as a laundry room startup in Palo Alto, Calif. Now widely considered a world leader in laser technology headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Coherent invites those attending the upcoming Photonics West Exhibition to help celebrate this milestone at a champagne reception from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Coherent booth, No. 1101.

PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., Auburn, Mass., a leader and solution provider in motion control and positioning components and systems, this week announced the promotion of James Deichmann to director of sales for the U.S. Western region. His experience gained in 15 years with PI USA will be beneficial in leading, managing and training the company's West Coast sales engineering organization with the goal to grow the company and further develop customer relationships.

GF Machining Solutions, Meyrin, Switzerland, announced in January that Antonio Faccio replaced Bernhard Kasper as head of the European market region, according to a Feb. 1 company news release. Kasper, who held the position for more than 15 years, will retire this summer. Faccio, the former head of GF Machining Solutions Italy, holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has an excellent expertise in computer numerical control.

Cleaning Technologies Group LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, this week announced the promotion of Greg Allen to the position of innovation engineer, according to a Feb. 2 company news release. In his new role, Allen will lead Ransohoff Innovation efforts as well as coordinate R&D.

Houghton International Inc., Valley Forge, Va., recently announced the appointment of Kevin Smith to the positions of senior vice president of Houghton International and president of the company's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and global automotive and aerospace markets. Effective Feb. 1, Smith is based in the company's Manchester, U.K. office, and reports to Houghton International CEO Mike Shannon. Smith will assume responsibility for the general management of Houghton's EMEA region and the global leadership of Houghton specialty product lines for the major transportation industry segments, including automotive and aerospace. He also becomes a member of Houghton's executive committee.

What started out as a little tool and die shop 50 years ago has evolved into an industry powerhouse in the design and building of low profile conveyor platforms, and Dorner Mfg. Corp. is still going strong, the company reported in a Feb. 1 news release recounting the company's history. To commemorate its 50th year in business, Dorner will hold an open house and other celebratory events in June.

Matrix Design LLC, South Elgin, Ill., opened a new sales office in Indianapolis, which will be lead by Tim Fenner, who recently joined Matrix as a sales specialist. Matrix Design develops, builds and installs robotic automation systems worldwide. The Indianapolis office gives the company a more focused presence to better serve industries in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and surrounding regions.

The Sandvik Coromant Co., Fair Lawn, N.J., named Sean Holt as the company's new president of the Americas market area, according to a Jan. 28 news release. With the promotion, which took effect Jan. 1, Holt is now part of the company's global sales management team. An experienced executive in the manufacturing industry, Holt was a key member of the Americas management team as the vice president of engineering. He joined Sandvik Coromant in 2000 as a sales engineer in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Since then, he has held several positions, including application development specialist and aerospace manager for the Americas market area before taking on the vice president of engineering position in 2014.

Hwacheon Machinery America, Lincolnshire, Ill., recently appointed two new sales directors: Bob Pellegrini for the Eastern half of the United States, and Dan Pierce for the Western half, according to a Jan. 26 company news release. The two,  who were promoted from regional sales manager positions held at the company since 2012, will be in charge of sales and dealer support.

BENZ Inc., Charlotte, N.C., today announced it will be holding a Heavy Metal Sale to commemorate the company’s upcoming expansion and relocation from Charlotte to Hickory, N.C. During the promotional period through Feb. 19, BENZ will offer 25 percent off select live tools, Solidifx Modular Quick Change Systems and angle heads.

The Heidenhain Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., recently announced the new hire of David Doyle as vice president of sales and marketing in North America, according to a Jan. 26 news release from the company. With more than 25 years of management experience, Doyle joins the Heidenhain family to assume the day-to-day responsibilities of the sales and marketing departments.

CARVEsmart, a division of Bellatex Industries and maker of the original quick-change vise jaw system featuring dovetailed jaw technology, announced a deal giving the Orange Vise Co. an exclusive opportunity to offer CARVEsmart patented features in the Orange Vise Integrated Jaw System (IJS). With CARVEsmart dovetail and clamp features machined directly into the Orange IJS vise, there is no need for master jaws, which is said to save 1.5" of opening, according to a CARVEsmart news release issued Feb. 2.

With the acquisition of Prometec GmbH, Aachen, Germany, Sandvik Coromant "strengthens its offering in digital manufacturing," according to a Sandvik news release issued Feb. 1. A supplier of advanced solutions for monitoring and controlling of machining processes in production machines, Prometec will be integrated with  Sandvik Coromant, a product area within Sandvik Machining Solutions.

Laser Mechanisms Inc., Novi, Mich., announced Monday that it has acquired Livonia, Mich.-based Visotek, a provider of Smart Laser Tools™ that are said to simplify the use of lasers in any environment. The acquisition is expected to complement Laser Mechanisms' core business of providing industry-leading laser beam delivery solutions.