June Industry Watch: Business

LSA LASER (PLYMOUTH, MN) . . .
installed a Class 100,000 clean room in the expansion of its medical device manufacturing facilities. The new clean room setup includes a CO2 laser system with up to five more systems planned for precision processing silicone, TPE, Teflon and other polymers, in addition to a wide range of medical-grade metal materials.

"Growing demand for precision laser processed medical components and assemblies is the reason for this continuing expansion," reported Tom Noll, LSA president. "Our unique facilities and processes, together with our partner relationships with customers, drive this growth. By teaming with customer development engineers during the product development process, we work through design iterations utilizing our laser machines and engineers to refine a design and an appropriate manufacturing process. Our new clean room facility enables us to expand these customer partnerships."

LSA Laser is a contract manufacturer of medical device components and assemblies with ISO 13485:2003 certification and more than 12 years experience supplying the medical device industry. The company recently moved into new 26,000 sq ft manufacturing and office facilities. It utilizes 26 laser welding and cutting systems with up to six-axis motion control and computer aided manufacturing capabilities. LSA performs laser cutting, laser welding, laser ablation and laser marking for medical devices used in defibrillation leads, stents, catheters, surgical instruments, dental instruments, orthopedics, hearing devices, neuro applications and others. www.lsalaser.com

AIRXCHANGE (ROCKLAND, MA) . . .
launched a new website to show visitors how its energy recovery ventilation (ERV) technology can reduce the cost of conditioning outdoor air by recycling up to 80 percent of the heating and cooling energy from exhaust air. A full line of ERV wheels (also known as heat wheels and enthalpy wheels) are sold through HVAC equipment OEMs in integrated packaged systems, as accessories for packaged units, or as air handler options.

The site includes a free "AIRX® Estimator" that can quickly estimate potential energy and environmental savings from using an ERV wheel. Also available on the site are three free, downloadable AIRX software packages for modeling and evaluating the performance of the ERV wheels. To reduce the concentrations of indoor air contaminants (carbon monoxide, allergens, VOCs, radon, bacteria, molds, and viruses) in office buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, and other facilities, the ASHRAE 62-2007 ventilation standard requires the continuous exchange of indoor air with fresh outdoor air. The energy cost related to conditioning this outside air can be staggering.

ERV wheels dramatically reduce this cost by capturing heating or cooling energy from exhaust air and returning it to intake air, thereby reducing the load on the HVAC system by as much as 80 percent. This reduction in load not only translates into significant ongoing cost savings, but also allows the downsizing of HVAC equipment, thereby reducing first cost and providing an immediate return on investment. Environmental benefits include CO2 reduction through reduced building energy usage. www.airxchange.com

MC MACHINERY SYSTEMS CANADA, INC.
(WOOD DALE, IL) . . .
announced that Advanced Fabricating Machinery (AFM) will represent Mitsubishi's laser, waterjet and press brakes in Ontario, Quebec and all of eastern Canada. "We are excited to partner with Bob Watson, president of AFM, and his organization. The market knowledge and experience that Bob and his staff bring will help support our sales efforts in Canada," said Bill Isaac, VP of Sales and Marketing for MC Machinery Systems. "Customers will continue to benefit from the support of our sales and technical staff at the MC Machinery Systems Canada Technical centre."

The Mitsubishi Tech Centre in Richmond Hill, ON, showcases equipment from the full Mitsubishi product lineup. Chris Linton, regional manager for fabrication division of MC Machinery Systems Canada, will work closely with AFM. www.mitsubishi-world.com

BIG KAISER (HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL) . . .
welcomed customers and partners to its new headquarters grand opening in April. The two-day event showcased the new 33,000 sq ft facility in Hoffman Estates that has a 5,000 sq ft product showroom, high-tech training and presentation room, and an in-house repair center. "Our new headquarters will strengthen the level of engineering and product support we can offer our customers and partners," said BIG Kaiser president Chris Kaiser. "We are now more equipped to support our ongoing commitment to our customers, partners, and the industry as a whole."

Tooling and workholding demonstrations were set up and running on three machining centers located in the showroom. These include a Toyoda Machinery FH400J HMC, a Mori Seiki DuraVertical 5080 VMC, and a Chiron FZ 12KS 5-Axis VMC. These machines remain in the showroom for new product testing, customer demos and training. Multiple configurations of the Speroni Magis and Esperia Tool Presetters further complement the features of the showroom.

Technical seminars were scheduled every hour throughout the event. Presenters included BIG Kaiser engineers and product specialists, a round table discussion with end users, DMG/Mori Seiki USA VP of Engineering Greg Hyatt, Mazak Machining Center Product Group Manager Mike Kerscher, and metalworking industry forecaster Steve Kline from Gardner Publications. bigkaiser.com

EXSYS TOOL, INC. (SAN ANTONIO, FL) . . .
signed an exclusive distributor agreement with Conzella Precision Tools (Albstadt, Germany), a leading manufacturer of high quality live centers for lathe machines. Exsys Tool's territories include the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. "Their commitment to manufacturing superior tools that meet each customer's specific needs mirrors our own, and we are honored to have the opportunity to expand their reach into the three largest countries in North America, as well as Australia," said Stewart Bachmann, president of Exsys Tool.

Exsys Tool builds high precision rotary and fixed tool holder solutions for CNC turning centers. Each toolholder is designed specifically for unique brands such as Mazak, Doosan, Haas, Hardinge, Okuma and many others. exsys-tool.com

HASTINGS MANUFACTURING
(ST. LOUIS, MO) . . .
launched a new hot stamping and heat transfer press website with expanded product examples and updated industry information. New web pages contain hot stamping and heat transfer press models with application specific examples, along with a product photo gallery and service and refurbishing information. Additional content includes information on hot stamping dies and silicone products and a hot stamping accessories page. Hastings Manufacturing, a division of Beckwood Press Company (St. Louis, MO), designs and engineers standard and custom automated equipment for hot stamping and heat transfer systems. www.hastingsmfg.net

BECKWOOD PRESS COMPANY
(ST. LOUIS, MO) . . .
updated its hydraulic press website homepage to include customer testimonials, new hydraulic press product examples and links to the company's social media, including their new hydraulic press informational blog. Other new features include updated information on hydraulic presses and benchtop press videos, preventative maintenance updates, YouTube video and ways to connect with the company through Twitter and Facebook. Beckwood Press manufactures hydraulic press and automated systems. www.beckwoodpress.com

igus® (EAST PROVIDENCE, RI) . . .
announced the results of its worldwide cable carrier competition at this year's Hanover show. Winners were awarded their prizes during a reception at the igus booth. Two years ago there were 80 entries for the first Vector Awards, which was open only to European entrants. This year more than 110 entries were submitted from across the world, from China, India, Korea, and Singapore, the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Europe.

The gold award and ?5,000 prize money went to Czech power supplier CEZ Group for the longest travel in the world ever accomplished with a plastic cable carrier: 2,018 ft in a lignite-fired power plant in Tu?imice. A heavy-duty 5050 RHD roller cable carrier system from igus is installed on the conveyer unit of this lignite excavator, which operates in extremely demanding conditions. The jury awarded the silver Vector Award to the National Mineral Development Corp. Ltd. (NMDC; Hyderabad, India) for using a 61 ft long plastic cable carrier system with a rearward bending radius on a bucket-wheel reclaimer in a steel mine. The reclaimer rotates by ±180 deg while operating in a difficult-to-access area. The loads the cable carrier must withstand are enormous: the cables alone weigh over 36 lb per ft.

The bronze Vector Award and ?1,000 prize money went to Rene Petsch, a design engineer from Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH for a traveling column milling machine that underwent advanced development to be more accurate, adaptable and economical than its predecessor. The rigid machine bed made from composite mineral and the symmetrical traveling column were ensured improved precision. The Y and Z-axes of the machine use a single System E4.1 cable carrier from igus for higher lateral stability that is necessary due to the high lateral acceleration through the X-axis of 26 feet per second². The cable carrier was attached in an upright position with the run bent in at one side.

The Vector competition was run in conjunction with the German Central Association for Electrical Engineering and Industry (ZVEI), the tooling laboratory (WZL) of the RWTH Aachen and TÜV Rhineland. The Vector Award is under the patronage of the Industrial Automation sector of the Hanover show. www.igus.com

MILLER ELECTRIC MFG. CO. (APPLETON, WI) . . .
teamed with famed jet car driver Elaine Larsen and her crew chief/husband Chris Larsen to build and race the Miller Jet Dragster, a custom-built vehicle that reaches speeds approaching 300 mph. The manufacturer launched the Jet Dragster with a mission to promote welding and welding education at all levels of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) competition. Worthy Motorsports fabricated the 4130 chrome-moly frame and welded it using Syncrowave® TIG welders.

Custom designed by Larsen Motorsports and piloted by Elaine, the Jet Dragster will make exhibition runs at 11 regional NHRA track events and appearances at four national events. Miller representatives and the traveling "Road Show" ? a semi-trailer filled with new welding products ? and the Larsens will appear at all the scheduled track events for the Jet Dragster. The Miller Jet Dragster features a General Electric Model J-85 engine that generates 2,500 hp and an LMS custom-designed afterburner that adds another 2,500 hp. Together, they produce 4,500 lb of thrust, propel the vehicle from 0 to 100 mph in 1.3 seconds and complete a 1/4-mile run in five seconds.

The Jet Dragster is part of a green fuel technology research project in which Larsen Motorsports participates. Running different blends of biomass-based fuels, they hope to openly share the technology and its results with the rest of the automotive and aerospace communities (Elaine also drives a jet car for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, one of the world's leading aeronautic institutions). The goal is to learn about and develop cleaner fuels while maintaining the performance output.

The Jet Dragster uses biofuel partially refined from algae, corn and soybeans. The formula is a Jet-A blend for optimum performance. The cost per gallon is approximately $3.00 to $5.00. Early testing indicates the power output is as good or better running this fuel mixture over the standard fuel for which the engine was originally designed. An event schedule is available on the company's website. www.MillerWelds.com

MISUMI USA, INC. (SCHAUMBURG, IL) . . .
moved into a new corporate headquarters facility at 1717 Penny Lane, Suite 200 in Schaumburg. Built to accommodate the entire Factory Automation and Die, Mold and Press Divisions, the new facility provides more office spaces for Corporate Management, Marketing/Sales, Inside Sales, Engineering/Technical Support, Accounting, IT, Operations, and Customer Service departments.

The larger space ? which allows for further expansion ? enables the company to aggressively pursue additional opportunities in North American manufacturing, machine building, assembly and automation markets. Misumi USA was established in 1988 as a subsidiary of Misumi Corporation, a part of the Misumi Group and a leading supplier of fixed and configurable leader pins, single-axis actuators, linear shafts, slotted keys, aluminum extrusions, parting locks, linear guides and XY stages for factory automation, plastic mold and press die industries. www.misumiusa.com

SPARTANICS (ROLLING MEADOWS, IL) . . .
announced that manufacturing engineers seeking to use rapidly advancing laser die cutting technology for finishing stations in assembly operations can now determine if the materials they use can be handled by modern laser die cutting technology by sending samples for engineering studies and analyses to the new Laser Cutting Applications Laboratory for Materials Research.

Spartanics laser die cutting applications engineers have extensively tested laser die cutters with varying laser strengths and software configurations with a wide range of materials, including plastic films, polyesters, polycarbonates, foams, textiles, paper, adhesive tapes, non-wovens, wood, laminates, pressure-sensitive substrates, magnetic materials, polypropylene, polymides, abrasives, rubber, among others. Formalization of this Applications Laboratory signals the company's intent to systematize this growing knowledgebase for cross-industry access.

The Laser Die Cutting Applications Laboratory for Materials Research provides no-cost detailed engineering analyses of maximum material thicknesses that can be handled with these different substrates, including brand name materials, correlated to laser power and other variables. Director of engineering Paul Dirienzo explains that the formalization of this lab is a natural outgrowth of the ongoing R&D investments the company has made in advancing laser die cutting technology.

"The explosion in new materials with different properties — tensile strengths, toughness, resilience, etc. — has been especially pronounced in the last decade," says Dirienzo. "During this same time period, laser die cutting technology, largely due to more sophisticated software engineering, continues to evolve at such a rapid pace that the conclusions one might make today about whether a certain plastic, non-woven, or even nanomaterial can be adequately handled by digital die cutting is likely not going to be the same in just a few years. We will facilitate and publish the systematic study of match-up between laser die cutting and materials and partner with the major materials suppliers around the world to create a knowledge base that will become a standard reference across industries."

Spartanics integrates advanced software engineering with sophisticated handling systems to manufacture tool-free (laser-based), steel rule die, and male/female hard tool cutting systems, screen printing systems and other equipment for fabricating products made from flat stock materials. www.spartanics.com

ZONTEC SPC (CINCINNATI, OH) . . .
announced that its Synergy 3000? Version 3.0 Enterprise SPC Software achieved certified integration with SAP® Business Suite software. SAP certification signifies that this software has been developed and tested in accordance with strict guidelines for best-built applications that integrate with SAP. According to the SAP Integration and Certification Center, this software can successfully exchange critical data with instances of SAP ERP application Release 6.0 for real-time data collection, process monitoring, alarms, charting, lot traceability, analysis and reporting for all critical quality characteristics.

To achieve the certified status, Zontec designed a software interface to ensure compatibility with SAP Quality Planning, Quality Inspection, Quality Certification, Quality Notification and Quality Control components, among others. Zontec's solution enables manufacturers to improve quality, raise customer compliance and lower costs through timely detection, troubleshooting and resolution of quality issues.

"More of our customers are implementing SAP software to run their businesses," says Zontec president Warren Ha. "Integration with SAP is a key element of our strategic plan to align closely with preeminent and complementary software providers. Through this integration, we hope to make manufacturers much more competitive and profitable by allowing them to respond to process variation the precise moment it occurs." www.zontec-spc.com

MAG INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
(ERLANGER, KY) . . .
powered up on green energy by forming a new Renewable Energy Business unit to design/build automated manufacturing systems for solar panels and wind turbine components. The new business' operations are based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and Hebron and are headed by Dr. Siegfried Schmalzried in Europe/Asia and Joe Jones in the Americas.

According to Jones, the renewable energy business is off to a strong start. "In recent months, we have secured $30 million in contracts, which represents an approximate 30 percent share of our targeted market, putting us on track for our goal to produce 10 percent of MAG's annual revenue," he stated. The new Renewable Energy Business unit makes its debut at worldwide shows this year, including Solar Power International 2010 (Los Angeles), HUSUM WindEnergy 2010 (Husum, Germany), and Windpower 2010 (Dallas). www.mag-ias.com

PRIMA NORTH AMERICA, INC.
(CHICOPEE, MA) . . .
shipped its 1000th CP Series industrial CO2 laser. Terry L. VanderWert, president of PRIMA, said, "This is an important milestone for us. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser, it is worth noting that the roots of our CO2 laser can be traced to the early 1960s, shortly after the invention of the laser." www.prima-na.com

WILSON TOOL INTERNATIONAL
(WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN) . . .
opened a new office in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico as an ongoing commitment to the Latin American market, providing a full range of tooling solutions, sales and support to the growing customer base in the region. Jay Dienst, vice president of sales for North and Latin America, will oversee operations in Mexico. www.wilsontool.com

MACROAIR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) . . .

is partnering with 4Front Engineered Solutions (Carrollton, TX) to market HVLS fans under the Kelley and Serco brand names. 4Front Engineered Solutions manufactures safety, productivity, and environmental control products for warehousing, manufacturing, retail, and distribution center customers. Founded by Walter Boyd, the inventor of HVLS commercial fan technology, and a family-owned company since its inception in 1995, MacroAir combines technology with a unique application of the laws of physics to produce air-circulating fans for use in large industrial, commercial, and agricultural/farm buildings.
www.4frontes.com, www.macro-air.com

CONCAST METAL PRODUCTS CO. INC.
(MARS, PA) . . .
completed the recertification process with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a recognized independent third-party certifier and sustainability expert, to remain the only continuous cast metals manufacturer with products certified as recycled content. Four new product families and 16 new alloys were added as eligible products and alloys, including four proprietary alloys and recently added wrought alloys.

Thirty alloys, grouped into eight product families, are now certified as recycled content: Aluminum and Manganese Bronzes, Lead Free Bronzes, Nickel Silver Bronzes and Tin Leaded Bronzes, Phosphor Bronzes, Copper and Brass alloys, Leaded Commercial Bronzes, and Silicon Brass-Bronze. Using them in a product or project qualifies for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) MR 4.2 credits through the U.S. Green Building Council.

"The recertification from SCS provides third-party proof that our finished products are made from recycled content," says Al Barbour, president and CEO of Concast. "End users benefit by using the certification to earn LEED points, which is important as we continue to see a rise in LEED certified projects. Our manufacturing partners can claim their products are made from recycled content, a huge benefit in today's marketplace as more and more consumers are asking for environmentally friendly products."

SCS focused its initial assessment on the formal qualification of Concast's largest suppliers of raw materials (scrap like turnings, stampings, telecommunications wire and old water heater fittings). www.concast.com

OKUMA AMERICA CORPORATION
(CHARLOTTE, NC) . . .
announced that two more manufacturers have joined Partners in THINC: WTO USA (Charlotte, NC), which builds precision tool holders for CNC turning centers and offers professional repair and rebuild services from their factory-owned service center in Charlotte; and MP Systems (East Granby, CT), which supplies high pressure coolant reservoir pumps for CNC machining centers, 3-axis and 4-axis lathes, multifunction machines and twin turret machines, and an economical pump for general use. MP Systems' high pressure coolant systems are sold through distribution and direct sales channels throughout North America. www.okuma.com

MCAM NORTHWEST, INC.
(OREGON CITY, OR) . . .
now offers Autodesk's latest 2D and 3D design and engineering software for manufacturers, including Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD electrical, the Autodesk Alias family, Autodesk Moldflow, Autodesk Algor Simulation, Autodesk Showcase, Autodesk Inventor Publisher and the Autodesk Vault family software ? industry-leading applications for digital prototyping that enables manufacturers to digitally design, visualize and simulate how a product will work under real-world conditions before it is built. This reduces reliance on physical prototypes, helps reduce cost and speeds time to market.

Tim Rowley, co-founder of MCAM NorthWest, says, "By offering their 2011 digital prototyping software, we're giving our customers an unprecedented opportunity to improve not just their design systems, but their manufacturing processes, which in turn will improve time to market, reduce waste, reduce costs and positively impact the bottom line." www.mcamnw.com

SANDVIK COROMANT
(SANDVIKEN, SWEDEN) . . .
has been certified under Caterpillar's MQ11006 Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) for the second year in a row. SQEP certification measures suppliers in ISO 9001:2000 certification, process control, values and business practices and continuous improvement. The company, a technical partner of Joe Gibbs Racing, also announced it will sponsor the upcoming Meijer 300 at Kentucky Speedway on June 12, the 14th NASCAR® Nationwide® Series race of the 2010 season. www.sandvik.coromant.com

ACS PRECISION, LLC
(MERCERSBURG, PA) . . .
received certification to ISO 9001:2008 by QMI/SAI Global, a premier certifying body for ISO 9001 standards. The small, female-owned contract manufacturer does laser cutting, waterjet cutting, machining, welding, rolling, shearing and forming for the military, food processing, equipment and machinery manufacturing and aerospace industries. "This certification is the culmination of a strategic focus to streamline internal processes, deliver impactful training for our team, and invest in quality equipment," stated president Sandra Tillman. www.acsprecision.com

DGI SUPPLY (WHEELING, IL) . . .

received the American Eagle award for outstanding achievement in documented productivity savings for its manufacturing customers, the Industrial Distribution Association's highest award for its members in recognition of value added services within the channel. DGI Supply is a full-line industrial distribution organization serving local markets throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. www.dgisupply.com

AIDA (DAYTON, OH) . . .
added SP Consulting as the exclusive distributor for Ontario and Quebec, Canada and Productive Stamping Solutions Inc. (Brentwood, TN) as the exclusive distributor for Tennessee. AIDA manufactures metal stamping presses and metalforming automation equipment. www.aida-global.com

CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIAL METROLOGY (MAPLE GROVE, MN) . . .
added Maruka USA (Rockaway, NJ) as a new distributor of Zeiss metrology equipment for Kansas and Western Missouri. Maruka has Measurement Centers in Wichita, KS, and Lee's Summit, MO, and will represent the full line of Zeiss coordinate measuring machines. www.zeiss.com