Industry News

Threading and grooving toolmaker Tool-Flo Manufacturing, Houston, has added polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tools to its product line. The ultrahard materials allow for longer tool life when cutting abrasive materials such as graphite, hard rubber, plastics, carbon, fiberglass components, ceramics, wood, copper, bronze, brass and aluminum alloys, and permit higher removal rates and faster cycle times. 

Third Wave Systems, a Minneapolis-based provider of machining modeling technology, has been awarded a $3 million contract by the U.S.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The contract, one of the largest funded projects in Third Wave's 20-year history, is to expand its metalcutting simulation solutions to composite materials used on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Okuma America Corp.'s Technology Showcase event, held December 10-12, 2013 in Charlotte, N.C., was the company's largest to date, both in attendance and the number of CNC machines shown, according to the company. Held annually, the event is designed to give attendees the opportunity to see and gain hands-on experience with Okuma's latest technology and discuss their individual needs with a variety of industry experts. 

Parlec Inc., a Fairport, N.Y.-based provider of toolholding and presetting solutions, launched a new Web platform to showcase its re-engineered precision modular boring system. "We wanted to bring our new product offering to life," said Dave Hartman, product manager of tooling systems. "By using a combination of 3-D animations and video footage, we're able to provide clear demonstrations and evidence of the types of benefits Parlec boring systems can bring manufacturing operations." 

MSC Industrial Supply Co., the Melville, N.Y.-based distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) solutions, has increased its selection of Kennametal cutting tools to 54,000 total items. MSC customers gain access to almost all of Kennametal's metalworking products, including milling, turning, holemaking, threading and tooling system products. 

MSC Industrial Supply Co. has added more than 3,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and facility safety products to its safety portfolio. The goal is to make it easier for safety professionals to find, buy and correctly use the highest quality safety solutions from one supplier. With more than 500 brands represented, MSC customers have access to thousands of safety products. In addition, MSC offers specialized support and certified safety training. The company's safety technical team is available to answer questions and offer product recommendations based on each customer's specific criteria.  

Custom Window Systems Inc. (CWS), an Ocala, Fla.-based manufacturer of window and door products, has added a Lucifer RD7-KHE18 "Red Devil" bench model furnace to its  tool room. 

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn.-based producer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announced the 2014 Mastercam Innovator of the Future (IOF) national competition, designed to challenge students and young adults in the manufacturing world.

TechFab, Montreal-East, Quebec, has joined the KOMET SERVICE network as a licensed partner for the refurbishment, regrinding and manufacture of solid-carbide tools, with a Grand Opening scheduled for December 5, 2013. 

Gleason Corp., Rochester, N.Y., announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire IMS KOEPFER Cutting Tools GmbH from Eisenbach, Germany's IMS Gear GmbH and KOEPFER Verzahnungsmaschinen GmbH of Furtwangen. IMS KOEPFER Cutting Tools is a producer of gear-cutting tools and related products and services.

The MTConnect Institute and the OPC Foundation have announced the availability of the MTConnect-OPC UA (Unified Architecture) Companion specification release candidate (RC).

Michigan Manufacturing International (MMI), a supplier of mechanical assemblies and components, opened its  new headquarters in Stevensville, Md., on Thursday, Nov. 21. 

Liberty Hall Capital Partners, a New York, N.Y.-based private equity firm focused exclusively on the global aerospace and defense industry, announced the acquisition of Tulsa, Okla.'s Precise Machining & Manufacturing, a Tier II supplier of machined parts, kits and assemblies and processing services to the aerospace industry.

Machine tool manufacturer DMG MORI Manufacturing hosted its inaugural Manufacturing Days event, holding an open house at its Davis, Calif.,factory. The 4-day open house provided more than 1,300 attendees with a look into the 200,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility, as well as educational seminars and live cutting demos. 

Dörken MKS Systems, the German parent company of Dörken Corp. USA, welcomed 230 visitors from four continents and 25 countries to its Düsseldorf facility to learn about its latest coating developments. Visitors included representatives of the automotive industry, tier suppliers, licensed applicators and coating equipment manufacturers.

Toolmaker Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, Pa., and Osaka, Japan-based Sumitomo Electric signed a licensing agreement under which Sumitomo Electric will provide and support Kennametal's new KM4X spindle connection to its customers globally. Sumitomo Electric, a supplier of electric wire, optical fibers and cutting tools, has its U.S. headquarters in Torrance, Calif.

AFAB, a Lake Forest, Calif.-based manufacturer of machined parts and assemblies, is moving into the aerospace and automotive markets through acquisitions of new equipment,  hiring experienced personnel, and institutingnew systems, according to the company. 

United Grinding North America, Inc. welcomes manufacturers to its Fredericksburg, Va., facility on Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to experience the latest technology and trends in PCD tool manufacturing, featuring live demonstrations from its WALTER and EWAG brands.  

Jergens Inc., Cleveland, has been named the preferred Workholding solutions supplier for Penske Racing. Working with Penske Racing personnel, Jergens Workholding Solutions brings quick-change fixturing to the racing team's machine shop operations.

For the fifth consecutive season, igus is a sponsor for Botball, an educational robotics program produced by the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics. The Botball Educational Robotics Program provides STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills that are immediately applicable in college and demanding industries.