Industry News for 05/2014

In 2003, Kevin Burkett was offered $30,000 for his 1978 Travis Bean "Wedge" guitar and realized it was too valuable to perform with. Most guitarists would make do with using a similar, less-valuable model, but Travis Beans have a distinguishing characteristic that makes them hard to replace — they're made of metal.

Toolmaker OSG Tap & Die, Glendale Heights, Ill., has announced its "Train the Nation 10 City Tour," a traveling seminar on high-speed machining for the die mold industry.

Kennametal Inc. completed the relocation of Kennametal Extrude Hone GmbH to its new location in Holzgünz, Germany, after a year of planning and construction. The new building combines several previously separate production and administrative sites in one new building, which is based on "green" design principles. The inauguration and a Technology Days event took place May 6-8 and an employee family day was held May 10. During Technology Days, Guest speakers from industry and academia universities provided insights into market developments and new technologies while Kennametal experts answered questions on metal cutting and other topics.

Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc. hosted a tour of its Hutchinson, Minn., facility on April 22, 2014, that included representatives from LifeScience Alley (LSA), a trade association with 680 members from U.S. life sciences industry, and the Hutchinson (Minn.) Economic Development Association (EDA). The event at MITGI was part of a larger tour of Minnesota by the LSA and EDA in an effort to cultivate relationships and connect industry partners in the state. 

Steel strapping is effective for bundling materials, but poses a number of problems for a machine shop. Its sharp edges make it something of a workplace hazard, while its long, ungainly shape makes storage and disposal difficult. It's also made of mid-carbon steel, so even though throwing the strapping in the dumpster is the easiest way to handle it, possible profits from recycling are dumped as well.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories, will hold a Grand Opening of their new, expanded Technology Center in Anaheim, Calif. on June 25th and 26th, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Manufacturing professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend. The new 11,400 square foot Methods facility supports operations in Southern California, replacing the previous center in Buena Park, Calif.