Industry News for all/

Methods Machine Tools Inc., a Sudbury, Mass.-based supplier of machine tools, automation and accessories, sponsored a senior year "capstone" project for several fifth-year electromechanical engineering students from Boston's Wentworth Institute of Technology. The project involved researching and designing a new type of infeed system for potential use in future Methods automated cell projects. The students presented different designs to Methods and a winner was chosen at Wentworth Dec. 15. The students are currently working on building the capstone project this semester and plan to have the prototype completed by April. 

Weiler Corp., Cresco, Pa., a provider of surface conditioning products, donated $10,000 to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, along with $4,500 in Weiler products to help with the group's 2-week Build-A-Thon program in eastern New Orleans. "We were honored to have participated," said President and CEO Chris Weiler. "The Weiler team welcomed the opportunity to support the work of an organization that will restore the promise of New Orleans' future, and the future of its residents." 

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., is hosting the Golden Corridor Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) Open House on April 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. An event directed toward area students and parents, it will explain what advanced manufacturing means in today's economy. The agenda includes presentations, technology demonstrations and opportunities to talk to college representatives and professionals in the field. 

Tooling manufacturer BENZ Inc., Charlotte, N.C., will hold a national sales meeting and dealer training for its metalworking and composites products April 7-8 in Las Vegas. The meeting will be led by John Roasa, national sales manager of the BENZ Metal Division. Informational sessions will be held throughout the event with topics including marketing efforts, use of social media platforms, upcoming trade shows, catalogs and order forms, new products, product updates and price lists, as well as "What's Hot" in 2015, according to the company. The sales meeting also offers several tooling-specific hands-on training sessions.

Haas Automation Inc.'s recent HaasTec open house attracted nearly 3,300 attendees to the company's headquarters and manufacturing facility in Oxnard, Calif., according to the company. The 4-day event drew visitors from 48 countries, including China, India, Korea, Latin America, the Middle East and many European countries, as well as more than 330 students from regional high schools, colleges and universities.

Machine tool builder Okuma America Inc., Charlotte, N.C., has joined forces with 5ME LLC, Warren, Mich., to demonstrate the advantages of cryogenic machining, including faster processing, longer tool life, increased part quality and lower environmental impact, according to the companies. The strategic partnership will establish two cryo demonstration facilities—one at 5ME's Technical Center in Warren, and the other at Okuma's Aerospace Center of Excellence in Charlotte—where manufacturers can test various machining processes using 5ME's cryogenic machining technology. Both facilities will have Okuma machines equipped with cryogenic systems that use vacuum jacketed feed lines to deliver small flow rates of liquid nitrogen through the tool directly to the cutting edge. 

Toolmaker Dormer Pramet's new line of indexable tooling, including internal and external turning, milling cutters and indexable drills with carbide inserts, becomes available to North American customers April 1 following the publication of a new catalog featuring the Pramet- tool line, consisting of turning, milling and drilling inserts and holders.

Minnesota Business Magazine announced the companies has selected for this year's 100 Best Companies to Work for Award. Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding, Inc., Hutchinson, Minn., a first-time applicant and recipient, has been recognized as "the best that McLeod County has to offer" for work environment, employee benefits and culture, according to the company. 

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), the manufacturing industry's standards and certification body, and the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF), which provides scholarships for students entering technical training programs, will partner for the second year to help schools prepare more students for success in precision manufacturing careers.  

Harvey Tool announced the release of its 30th Anniversary Spring 2015 Catalog. The Rowley, Mass.-based toolmaker will introduce over 1,100 new tools, including eight new products in its variable helix, plastic cutting, undercutting, chamfering and thread milling lines. In addition, new sizes and coating options have been added to over 40 different products, according to the company. 

Toolmaker OSG USA, INC., Glendale Heights, Ill, has introduced the OSG PHOENIX® Vol.4 catalog in print and digital versions. The catalog is over 150 pages and features new products and expansions to existing lines of indexable milling and drilling products. Notable additions to the milling lineup includes 45° face milling cutters, screw fit endmills and replaceable head endmills. Indexable drills and replaceable head drills have been added to the drilling offering.  

CNC machining and manufacturing services provider Paramount Precision Products, Oak Park, Mich., has acquired the CNC machining company Numerical Productions Inc., Indianapolis. Paramount, a minority-owned supplier intends to expand its machining services to manufacturing companies throughout the Midwest.  

The partners responsible for producing Manufacturing Day at the national level have refreshed its website, MFGDAY.com. The upgraded site offers more resources for sponsors, companies, supporters and volunteers which, according to the group, make it easier to participate in this year's annual celebration of manufacturing, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2. 

Hand scraping mating surfaces on CNC machine tools helps maintain high levels of machining accuracy and reduces wear and tear, resulting in a long, stable and productive life for the machine, as detailed in a new white paper from machine tool builder Okuma America Inc., Charlotte, N.C. 

Absolute Machine Tools, Lorain, Ohio, now offers a full line of EDM consumable products and services through its AccuteX EDM business unit, based in Mason, Ohio. AccuteX EDM now offers not only consumables for its line of EDMs, but also for most other OEMs, such as Mitsubishi, Sodick, FANUC and others. 

Industrial distributor Fastenal, Winona, Minn., has partnered with The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN) to provide maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) supplies to government entities nationwide. TCPN's lead government agency, Region 4 Education Service Center, uses a competitive solicitation process consistent with applicable procurement laws and regulations.  

Titan Tool Supply, Buffalo, N.Y., offers a range of deburring and microfinishing tools, including grinding and bottoming pins, grinding wheels, polishing products, miniature diamond files, Swiss needle files, diamond needle files, scrapers and blades and Uni-Vise blade and file handles. 

Among the 85 respondents to Cutting Tool Engineering magazine's Salary Survey Addendum, the annual average salary for manual machinists stands at $39,340, which represents an average hourly wage of $18.91. Combining the survey addendum results with CTE's 2014 Salary & Benefits Survey, which is based on data collected last fall from 215 respondents, the annual average salary for manual machinists is $39,202, which is about $18.85 an hour. 

Toolmaker NAP GLADU has expanded its diamond cutting tool servicing capabilities with the installation of additional equipment at its Statesville, N.C., service center, serving North Carolina and surrounding states. "This expansion improves our ability to provide our customers fast, high-quality sharpening and repair service on their diamond cutting tools," said Glenn McClain, service center manager, east. "Adding equipment and investing in jobs at our Statesville center reinforces our commitment to fast turnaround times and the local community." 

A new corporate website has launched following the merger of Dormer and Pramet, along with updates to its social media accounts and several new interactive apps. The website, www.dormerpramet.com, brings both previous company sites together into one location to feature all relevant information on Dormer's rotary program and Pramet's indexable tooling ranges. The new site is available to view in 15 languages.