Industry News for 06/2019

The ability to “see through” a solid object was once thought to be a tool of the future, or a power belonging to Superman–but the technology is here today, and more widespread and accessible than you may have thought. Until recently, the technology of CT imaging was only available for use in medical settings. Over the last several years, it has found a new home in the world of manufacturing, and is opening up myriad opportunities never before available.

High-speed machining — in excess of 20,000 rpm — often is used in aerospace when machining exotic alloys and hard metals, such as titanium. At these speeds, precise, secure seating of tapered toolholders in the spindle becomes even more critical. Failing to pay attention to this single detail can lead to decreased productivity, less precise machining, reduced tool life and damaged workpieces.

All machining operations have inherent variation caused by machine positioning errors, material variances, fixturing, tooling load and thermal changes. Many companies employ metrology at the end of machining to ensure that good parts go out the door, but it does little to improve manufacturing efficiency. Applying metrology before and during machining processes keeps operations in tight control, significantly improving process yield and final part quality at a much lower cost of production.

McPond, a peer-to-peer platform based in Chicago, lets manufacturers list their idle machines for rent.

In terms of market value, the global precision stainless steel market is projected to expand at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period, owing to various factors, regarding which, study offers thorough insights and forecasts in this report. The global precision stainless steel market has been segmented on the basis of thickness and end-use industry. The global precision stainless steel market is expected to expand 1.5x in terms of market volume by the end of 2029.

Wohlers Report 2019, an annual report on the additive manufacturing (AM) industry, includes detailed input from 127 providers of AM services worldwide. Companies with both metal and polymer AM services reported that more than 26% of a part's cost is from post-processing, as shown in the accompanying chart.

Let’s look back. Could it be that the world’s first presentation of a dia-compact monoblock milling cutter for aluminium machining at FAMETA in 1980 already laid the foundation for large-scale use within the automobile industry in the 80s? Actually yes, if the aforementioned “stumbling blocks” were not there.

Dressing/conditioning diamond and CBN Borazon grinding wheels, resin- and metal-bond only, is one of the most overlooked processes. And most dressing is done insufficiently.

SyncFab, a Manufacturing Blockchain solution for parts suppliers and buyers, has announced a strategic partnership with the National Tooling and Machining Assocation. The new relationship will grant access to SyncFab’s advanced manufacturing blockchain platform for over 1,300 NTMA members across the U.S.

When metalworking fluids are used during machining processes, they generate airborne mists that facility operators must carefully control. If left unchecked, these mists can create a dangerous work environment and cause serious health problems for workers. The best engineering control to keep your shop safe and your business in regulatory compliance is a high-efficiency mist collection system designed for your specific application.

Almost everyone has become accustomed to smart phones, smart televisions, and even the concept of smart cars. And technology has advanced far enough that people understand generally what expectations of functionality are associated with the use of the word “smart” in front of a word. But outside of the consumer product sphere, the companies that produce those goods, and all the “non-smart” goods as well, are beginning to benefit from the same technologies.

Mitsubishi Electric, DMG Mori and Yaskawa Electric are among 100 major Japanese manufacturers set to share production data with each other to improve efficiency, using blockchain technology to ensure their information remains secure.

The federal agencies funding 14 institutes created to jump-start the manufacturing industry have no set criteria to measure progress, according to a government report. The departments of Commerce, Defense and Energy need a way to gauge whether they’re meeting the goals of the 2014 law that formed this nationwide network of manufacturing hubs, the Government Accountability Office announced.

NUM AG is helping Taiwanese machine tool company Chien Wei Precise Technology Co. Ltd. develop CNC grinding machines for manufacturing specialized gears used in robotics applications. Based on NUM’s Flexium+ 68 CNC platform, Chien Wei’s machines are designed to speed the production of both involute and cycloidal profile precision gears.

The American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative, in collaboration with the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Century Foundation, is a new national organization building on the foundation of the 24-region Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative, helping regional communities across the U.S. devise and implement sustainable economic development plans that lead to good-paying jobs in thriving manufacturing sectors.

Most manufacturers have invested in some type of technology to run their businesses, whether it's new equipment, robotics, software or business intelligence tools. Each year, Plex Systems Inc. conducts a survey that gathers insights on how manufacturers use technology to solve day-to-day challenges, as well as major industry challenges. The fourth annual State of Manufacturing Technology Report reveals that manufacturers investing in technologies that enable a connected environment are more resilient and optimistic about the challenges ahead.

The struggle among manufacturers to fill open jobs is likely to continue because of the shrinking labor pool and growing need for workers with high-tech skills. Those are conclusions in a report from the National Association of Manufacturers, a trade group for manufacturers, including thousands of small businesses. In a survey in March, manufacturers said their inability to attract and retain talent was their biggest concern as it was for the previous two-and-a-half years. A quarter of those surveyed said they’ve had to turn down business opportunities because they didn’t have the staffers needed to fulfill contracts.

A New Haven, Connecticut-based worker training organization is getting $3.45 million in state funding to expand a program to grow the workforce in the manufacturing sector. Funds will be used to build upon a program launched in February at Gateway Community College that took 19 unemployed and underemployed workers and provided them with an intensive five-week training course. “Every single one of them had a job before they graduated,” said William Villano, president and CEO of Workforce Alliance. “This (is) a good program for people that want to change careers or high school graduates who aren’t going to college.”

Global demand for toolholders, specifically arising from the automotive and defense and aerospace industries, will witness a relatively steady growth through 2028, as predicted by Future Market Insights (FMI) in its recently released market intelligence report. While the demand for toolholders will be largely driven by emerging economies, in particular the manufacturing sector, China is likely to make substantial investments in high-performance cutting tools, considering the robust manufacturing and industrial output in the region.

A new market study, titled, "Diamond Tools Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013–2017 and Forecast 2018–2028," studies the global diamond tools market and offers deep-dive analysis for the next 10 years. The report on the global diamond tools market estimates the key macroeconomic and forecast factors that are projected to drive the growth of the diamond tools market.