Annual Discover More With Mazak events scheduled

Companies in the Midwest and Northeast can attend Discover More With Mazak technology and education events.

The first will be at Mazak’s Midwest Technology Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, April 19-21, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The technology and education event will explore how today’s advanced metalworking technologies and data-driven production strategies contribute to productivity gains and improved quality management. https://goo.gl/0moqmK

From models with simple milling and turning capabilities to advanced manufacturing cell solutions, real-world part cutting demonstrations will occur on 25 of Mazak’s tools, many of which will feature the latest ancillary equipment from its Value Inspired Partners.

Mazak application engineers will also be available during the demonstrations to discuss how to solve production challenges. Attendees are encouraged to bring their toughest projects for help in developing optimized machining strategies.

The second event will be at Mazak’s Northeast Technology Center in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, May 3-4, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event will feature the largest presentation of Mazak CNC machine tools in the region, as well as other innovations for enhancing productivity and versatility on the shop floor. A special day for students will be held on Thursday, May 5. https://goo.gl/P0TqWG

Several Value Inspired Partners will also be on hand to discuss how tooling, fixturing, CAD/CAM, and other peripheral equipment can create total manufacturing solutions. Those attending the event will see Mazak’s Smooth Technology, a process-performance platform that combines the company’s Mazatrol Smooth CNCs with advanced machine design and engineering resources to create ease of use and productivity. www.mazakusa.com

Holt named president of the Americas at Sandvik Coromant

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, Sean Holt was appointed president of the Americas market area. An experienced executive in the manufacturing industry, Holt was a key member of the Americas management team as the vice president of engineering and is now part of the global sales management team reporting to Eduardo Martin, global vice president of sales, whom he succeeds as the head of the Americas organization.

“Sean brings in-depth knowledge to all facets of our industry,” Martin says. “From business development and sales to engineering and R&D, I believe that his experience and skillset will be significant in delivering high-value solutions to our customers.”

“Sandvik Coromant is in a good place with a strong market position and we will continue to build on that. Drawing inspiration from the talented people throughout the company and our network of partners, we will focus on our customers’ needs and ensure that we consistently exceed their expectations,” Holt states. www.sandvik.coromant.com

H&I Mfg. acquired by Spectronics

Bohemia, New York-based H&I Mfg. Inc. has been acquired by Spectronics Corp. H&I became a new division of Spectronics, and its machinery and personnel were moved into the parent company’s 100,000ft2 manufacturing facility in Westbury, New York. Kristian Immoor, the former president and owner of H&I, is now the advanced manufacturing foreman of the new division.

H&I’s machinery, plus the planned acquisition of additional machinery, will boost Spectronics’ R&D efforts while streamlining the output, quality, and dependability of existing products. With Spectronics’ ISO 9001:2008 quality management certification and AS9100 aerospace certification, which H&I did not have, the company will further develop services. www.spectroline.com; www.himanufacturing.com

Encouraging news for manufacturing

Despite market volatility, economic indications from the Credit Managers’ Index (CMI) from the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) are pointing in a positive direction.

A combined reading of 53.5 for January 2016, up from December’s 52.8, “puts the numbers back to what they were in October of last year,” according to NACM Economist Chris Kuehl, Ph.D.

“In general, the CMI report [for manufacturing] is more upbeat than the case in the recent past,” Kuehl says. However, regarding a two-point drop in the rejections of credit applications, “there are companies that are in trouble right now and seek someone to throw them a lifeline by offering credit when that would likely be a bad idea.”

The combined CMI score for manufacturing has improved from 51.6 to 52.5, higher than at any time since last October. The data for the favorable factors showed a jump from 54.1 to 56.2, comparative to levels of last October. The combined index for the unfavorable factors remained unchanged, just as the overall CMI unfavorable index. The reading has remained at 49.9. www.nacm.org

Gosiger, Schütte partner

In an arrangement that supports the sales efforts of Schütte USA, Gosiger High Volume now offers the Schütte line of multi-spindle machines, including 6- and 8-spindle models.

According to Gosiger High Volume President, Mark Walker, “As we continue to support the Euroturn with service and parts, we are excited to offer the innovative quality products of Schütte as a way for our customers to upgrade to the latest technology. These products, along with BTB rotary transfer machines and iFP vacuum solvent parts washing systems, enable us to recommend the most appropriate technology to our customers.” www.gosiger.com; www.schutteusa.com

rConnect Central Communications platform

Officials from GF Machining Solutions have introduced rConnect, a central communications platform for the company’s milling, EDM, and laser texturing machines. Advancing the Industry 4.0 vision of the smart factory of the future, the first phase of rConnect is Live Remote Assistance (LRA), allowing customer-authorized remote assistance by connecting machines to GF Machining Solutions’ local diagnostics center and plants in real time.

Through LRA, unexpected machine downtime is minimized, and downtime is reduced when an issue does occur. LRA allows a manufacturer to interact directly with GF Machining Solutions via audio, video, chat, whiteboard, file transfer, screen sharing, and system access.

rConnect and LRA are powered by an instant virtual private network that allows highly secure access to the machine and is certified with TÜViT Trusted Product Certificate. rConnect and LRA result from GF Machining Solutions Industry 4.0 partnerships with European research institutes. www.gfms.com/us

Delcam’s PartMaker hosts user group tour

A series of user group meetings will be hosted around the country to launch PartMaker 2016. Each event will focus on the more than 50 new features and enhancements.

PartMaker product specialists will be on hand to answer any technical questions. They will also discuss the future of PartMaker’s development efforts and listen to delegates’ input to incorporate into future versions.

Visit http://goo.gl/KOzKMH for the full agenda, details, and location for each event. www.partmaker.com