Industry News

Imagine a machining process that removes material five times faster than milling and 10 times faster than sinker EDMing, machines Inconel and hardened steel with ease, holds tolerances to ±0.0006" and utilizes the same tool to process thousands of parts with virtually no tool wear. Machine builder EMAG LLC USA, Farmington Hills, Mich., calls this process pulsed electrochemical machining (PECM). A subset of electrochemical machining, PECM is far more accurate than the decades-old ECM and has matured into a viable alternative to more-traditional machining processes over the past few years, according to the company. 

The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation published a report in January about megatrends that are reshaping manufacturing. Titled “Manufacturing Megatrends: The Impact of Megatrends on U.S. Manufacturers,” the report was authored by MAPI Director of Councils and Business Research Jenn Callaway, and is based on surveys conducted with manufacturing executives. 

Has the reshoring train left the station or not? According to the second annual U.S. Reshoring Index from global management consultants A.T. Kearney, the answer is a resounding “no.” In 2015, the index, at -115, indicates that reshoring of manufacturing activities to the U.S. has not kept up with offshoring. The index measured -30 in 2014. A positive number indicates net reshoring, while a negative value indicates net offshoring.

Forklifts—the workhorses of the plant floor—are more valuable than ever at ITAMCO (Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Cos.). The Plymouth, Ind.-based manufacturer of gears and other precision components connected its forklifts to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which integrates machine tools and other manufacturing equipment with networked sensors and software. 

Röhm Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., a subsidiary of Röhm GmbH, recently opened a new office in Monterrey, Mexico, in an effort to expand the company's sales, service and support capabilities to meet increasing demand for high-quality clamping and gripping technology throughout Mexico and Central America, the company reported in a Feb. 22 news release.

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.

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.

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.

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.