Industry News

Easy, accurate tracking of items through the manufacturing process is becoming more and more important in the quality-conscious 'Smart-Factory' era. RFID tagging has distinct advantages as a tracking method, but barcode scanning has its adherents too.

"Both are used to achieve a smooth surface and precision dimensions on metal parts," writes MC's Joshua Jablons. "Both are usually performed at the end of the manufacturing process to remove a very small amount of material or finesse the finish on a part. The difference between honing and lapping begins to be revealed if we look at where on a part each process is performed: While honing is used where parts need a precise inside diameter, lapping is performed on an outside flat surface. And when we look at what each process is, the distinctions between the two are plain to see."

In manufacturing, the nature of the work as well as the nature of the workers are changing: What’s a prospective employer to do? Some pre-Manufacturing Day discussion.

A new report from Kaspersky Lab found that in the first half of the year, the manufacturing industry was the most susceptible to cyberthreats – with the industrial control systems (ICS) computers of manufacturing companies accounting for almost one third of all attacks.

In the EU-funded project SelSus, Fraunhofer scientists are collaborating in a consortium with partners from research and industry to develop maintenance technology capable of forecasting machine downtimes in production before they occur. This allows plant managers to rectify faults before the machine breaks down. The system even corrects some defects automatically.

Precision Drive Systems LLC, Bessemer City, N.C., a global provider of high-speed precision spindle motors, support and repair, named Bob Barone vice president.

Fairmont Supply, Washington, Pa., which distributes industrial maintenance, repair and operation supplies in the United States, appointed Paul Fichiera CEO.

A new program at Focus: Hope is designed to get Detroit-area women into fields that have historically been dominated by men. The 13-week training class was made possible by a $370,000 donation by General Motors. The training program enables women to earn four certificates required in IT and manufacturing.

Gallup found in its 2017 "State of the American Workplace" report that 25% of manufacturing workers are engaged at work—eight percentage points lower than the national average of 33% employee engagement, the lowest in this metric. Why, and what can be done about it? Gallup consultants offer five suggestions.

Concurrent Technologies Corp. celebrated its 30th year with a luncheon Friday outside its main facility in Johnstown. The R&D company of about 550 employees works primarily with military contracts and advanced manufacturing techniques. Current projects include friction stir welding, which can strengthen joints in thicker metal, additive manufacturing for repairs of temperature-sensitive or hard-to-reach parts, and laundry and shower wastewater recycling for military outings.

Paul Polesnak has joined Franklin Bronze Precision Components LLC, Franklin, Pa., as quality assurance manager.

Jeff Stowe joined Unist Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., as territory manager.

Kosmo Machine Inc., a full service precision machine shop, will invest $1 million in new equipment to increase production capacity at its manufacturing operation in Henrico County, Virginia. The expansion is expected to create 36 new jobs. The ISO 9001:2015-certified company specializes in CNC milling and turning, EDM, and custom welding processes. The expansion is expected to create 36 new jobs.

The manufacturing industry has created nearly 500,000 new jobs in the last 6 years, but some places have experienced better job growth than others. Headlight Data has just released its annual rankings of the fastest-growing US counties in manufacturing. Recently released data show that manufacturing job creation in 2016 across counties in the US varied from a high of 3,600 in Jefferson County, KY to a loss of 19,000 jobs in Harris County, TX.

LNS America Inc., Cincinnati, appointed Bob Bodde regional sales manager for Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Carlo Lonardi, president and CEO of Kito Americas Inc., Manheim, Pa., and executive officer of Kito Corp., Yamanashi, Japan, announced the promotions of key personnel as the company continues to build <img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." />its Kito Americas corporate structure.<img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." /><img src="/sites/www.ctemag.com/files/people_and_companies/kito%20americas%20small.jpg" width="300" height="147" alt="Kito Americas Inc." title="Kito Americas Inc." />

"When preparing a used machine for auction, there is always important information you should include," writes digital marketplace Machine Tool Bids. "By informing potential buyers about your machine, you will help make the sales process go more smoothly." Machine Tool Bids lists a number of things a seller should provide: machine hours; materials worked; current photos and videos; included options or accessories; machine specifications; and the seller's ability to load the machine.

Massachusetts Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Primetals Technology USA manufacturing support manager Jim Laliberte have co-authored a plea to Massachusetts manufacturers to hire at least one high school student for a paid STEM internship. "Companies with a STEM intern program can nurture a strong pipeline of skilled talent, one that can fill critical job openings," they write in the Worchester Telegram. At Primetals, student interns learn how to operate CNC machines and are taught safety protocols and quality standards. "We need more companies to join us," they write.

Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa., named Ezio Viti as the sales director at Eriez-Australia, Epping, Australia.

Doerken Corp. USA, Grass Lake, Mich., an operating unit of Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG, Herdecke, Germany, has appointed Kent Anderson as president.