General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

RCM Industries Inc., a Wheeling, Illinois-based manufacturer of die-cast aluminum components for industries such as automotive and consumer products, found itself in competition with low-wage suppliers in Mexico for a large outsourced project. "We had to look at how to drive cost out of the product without reducing the value that we provide our customers," said Mike Higgins, RCM Industries director of sales and marketing. "Without the cobots, we would not have had a shot at that work."

The UP! App, the digital platform that connects industrial manufacturers to people that can service and repair their machinery, has committed an initial gift of $3,000 to the Columbus State Community College Foundation to support the school's engineering, manufacturing and Engineering Technology Pathway programs. These degrees can help prepare students to join the industrial manufacturing workforce as service technicians with a two-year degree or transfer for further education.

In addition to their popular air bearing planar XY stages, a series of integrated XY stages with mechanical bearings is offered by global leader in precision motion systems, PI (Physik Instrumente). These integrated XY stages, engineered for higher loads, are available with 3-phase linear direct-drive motors for higher speed and ballscrews for higher push/pull forces, respectively.

Vision Engineering, a manufacturer of high-quality visual inspection and measurement technologies, announces that it has sold over 20,000 Mantis microscope products in the last five years.

Bihler 4Slide-NC Technology advances the goal of an injury-free, OSHA-complaint, manufacturing facility. Job safety is among the most critical factors in protecting the most valuable asset of a manufacturing company - its employees. A safe working environment promotes a positive and productive culture, all the while enhancing company morale and building employee retention. Studies of manufacturing safety have shown that a safe work environment can boost productivity levels by as much as 83%.

Simufact, part of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division and a global operating software company providing process simulation solutions and services to manufacturing industries, announced a dedicated simulation solution to help manufacturers improve quality for Direct Energy Deposition (DED) metal additive manufacturing processes.

Simufact, part of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division and a global operating software company providing process simulation solutions and services to manufacturing industries, announced Simufact Additive 2020. This powerful solution for the optimization of metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes now provides cost estimation of the build process, and improves interoperability with Materialize build preparation software and Renishaw printers to streamline manufacturing processes.

MSC Software Corp., part of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division and a global leader in computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation software and services, announced MSC Apex Generative Design, a new design optimization solution that improves quality through automation of design processes with embedded manufacturing knowledge.

The introduction of IVEC's Ultra on-demand ventilation system is in direct response to the industry's growing focus on energy savings. The new, high-efficiency air quality control system not only significantly reduces energy costs but also improves air filtration, extends filter life and reduces equipment maintenance requirements, effectively improving air quality at a lower total cost of ownership.

The Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Production Software Business has hired four new team members in support of its metalcutting software, including EDGECAM, SURFCAM and WORKNC. Customer Service Representatives Kristi Adeleke and Anita Pilarski, Applications Engineer Mike Rowe, and Account Manager Michael Skerjance will provide support and facilitate services for new and existing metalcutting customers.

Ultimaker a leader in desktop 3D printing, today released its first 3D Printing Sentiment Index. Independent research conducted by Savanta, an international research firm, details a comprehensive view of the current and future potential for 3D printing in 12 countries, while covering the widest range of verticals and professions, including education. The quantified index reveals the U.S., U.K. and Germany have the highest expectations for implementing additive manufacturing and capitalizing on its opportunities.

No. 1049 is a 1050° F (566° C), cabinet oven with two drawers from Grieve, currently used for annealing or normalizing processes at the customer's facility. Workspace dimensions of this oven measure 39" wide x 102" deep x 51" high, with two drawers rated 250 lbs. loading with 36" wide x 78" deep x 15" high loading area. 800,000 Btu/hour installed in a modulating natural gas burner, while a 10,000-cfm, 7.5-hp recirculating blower provides horizontal airflow to the workload.