Industry Trends & Analysis

Machine tool builder Mazak Corp. has invited manufacturers to its "Discover More With Mazak" event July 29 and 30 at the company's Southwest Technology Center in Houston. The company will demonstrate its latest multitasking, 5-axis, milling and turning processes on Mazak machines. Applications engineers will also be available to discuss new ways attendees can streamline their operations.

Despite setbacks and challenges, the orthopedic implant market is set to grow.

The amount of advanced CNC equipment in Micron Product's orthopedic machining work cell has doubled in the past 5 years, while the number of programmer/machinists has remained about the same due to the use of more efficient, advanced CAM technology.

Manufacturers nationwide are struggling to find skilled labor, and several community colleges and technical centers around the country have stepped in to fill the void, including a technical training center in Phoenix that offers CNC and manual machining programs. The Maricopa Skill Center offers two machining certificates: CNC machining and manual machining.

Machine tool builder SMTCL-Americas, City of Industry, Calif., has entered in to a partnership with the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The written agreement provides a commitment from SMTCL to provide equipment to create a machine lab for engineering students to manufacture components for class projects and international competitions.