Medical design and manufacture weekend brief

Since October hasn't ended (not yet) we are still talking about events promoting manufacturing - such as MFG DAY - and supporting local universities that support and advance training for the industry. Beyond that, as we head into the weekend, leaves are changing colors, Halloween is fast-approaching, and here's your weekend recap of some industry chatter.

CNC Software Inc. hosted a Manufacturing Day event Oct. 4, 2019 hosting students interested in manufacturing and acting as a showcase for opportunities within the industry. Attendees at CNC Software’s Manufacturing Day event were shown how to start their careers in manufacturing. A panel with representatives from various departments within the company spoke to students about their jobs and backgrounds and answered questions. Students watched a Design then Cut demonstration that followed the process of designing a part within Mastercam all the way to cutting the part with a CNC machine. The students also had the opportunity to get a close-up look at the University of Connecticut’s Formula SAE car, an example of student-led design and engineering. In their downtime, the students ate pizza and had a chance to interact with each other and members of the SAE team to ask any questions about the program.

High-tech equipment from Autocam Medical installed in WMU AMP Lab
Autocam Medical, a contract manufacturer of precision surgical and medical components and devices, had three new pieces of their manufacturing equipment installed in Western Michigan University’s (WMU) regional state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory (AMP Lab).

© Autocam Medical | https://autocam-medical.com

The equipment is just one example of Autocam Medical’s commitment to creating a skilled workforce. They are also a key partner in the AMP program, which is focused on encouraging and facilitating the development of students pursuing careers in engineering and manufacturing. In addition, they participate in a CNC Machinist Apprentice program in which they send workers to college to receive training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining. Students that complete 728 hours of classroom instruction while maintaining a full work schedule receive their journeyman’s card in CNC Machining and 27 college credits towards an associate degree.

© Autcam Medical | https://autocam-medical.com

Now students in the program will have access to some specialized equipment. The AMP lab equipment, a DMG MORI DMU 50 CNC 5-axis mill, Citizen Cincom M32 Swiss lathe, and a 3D metal printer, will provide engineering students and current engineers and designers with an opportunity to experience the high-tech devices needed to develop and test new products and prototypes.

Appointments, promotions, expansions

CGTech welcomes Mark Forth
Mark Forth has been appointed global business development manager at CGTech. Forth has more than 25 years’ experience in the CAD/CAM industry, during which time he has held roles at Delcam and Autodesk within applications, sales, product management, marketing, and business development.

LNS appoints Josh Hudson
Josh Hudson has been appointed sales manager for LNS North America’s Southeast Region, serving customers in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

Drawing on more than 10 years of experience in manufacturing, Hudson will aid customers in optimizing CNC machine performance with LNS bar feeders, Turbo chip conveyors, ChipBLASTER coolant management systems, air filtration products, and work holding devices.

High QA establishes European Headquarters
High QA Inc., developer of Inspection Manager Quality Management Software, has established a headquarters operation in Sevenum, Netherlands. It will be headed by its European Sales Director, Hans Derks, a 30-plus year veteran of the manufacturing software industry. High QA Europe concentrates on providing quick, local response to customers and prospective customers across Europe, including installation, training, and support for High QA software and its growing selection of related software products.

Methods Machine Tools’ partnership with OKK Corp.
Methods Machine Tools Inc. is representing OKK Corp. in North America, effective Oct. 1, 2019. OKK machines have a rigid construction and versatile design, and offer more than 60 models of horizontal, vertical, and 5-axis machines. Methods is currently representing OKK in North America with the exception of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Virginia.