July Industry Watch: Business

TRUMPF (FARMINGTON, CT) . . .
answers questions about lasers at the company's LaserLab, now on exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. Experts will answer questions such as: Where does laser power come from? How can lasers be made even stronger?and why do we need them to be power-packed in the first place?

Visitors to the LaserLab learn all about lasers, including how the technology impacts everyday life. This extraordinary hands-on exhibit makes its North American debut at the Science Center through Sept. 4. The interactive exhibition was developed by Trumpf mechanical engineering students from the Stuttgart University of Cooperative Education in Germany.

?We are extremely pleased to bring the LaserLab to the United States to celebrate this, the 50th anniversary year of laser technology,? says Rolf Biekert, president and CEO of Trumpf. ?The interactive stations in the exhibit will help make lasers interesting for everyone, but particularly for children. We hope the engaging manner in which lasers are presented in the LaserLab will encourage excitement and create interest in exploring career options in technology.?

A highlight of the LaserLab is a foosball table where visitors can put their newly-acquired understanding of lasers to use. The laser foosball game works just like regular foosball. However, the ball is a laser beam that has to be directed into the goal with the help of adjustable mirrors. Another popular station in the LaserLab requires a single person or a team to guide a laser beam through a labyrinth. www.us.trumpf.com

heimatec PRECISION TOOLS
(PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL) . . .
established a suburban Chicago office to serve the needs of the metalworking industry in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Together with heimatec GmbH Germany, the company offers live and static tooling for CNC lathes, right angle heads for CNC machining centers, the easy-quick HT quick-change system, multi-spindle drilling heads and special tools.

?Strategically located in the central United States, we are perfectly positioned to respond to the growing North American demand for heimatec quality products,? stated company president Preben Hansen. ?We are fully committed and prepared to serve and support the North American market.? www.heimatecinc.com

MAG INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
(ERLANGER, KY) . . .
will endow a chair in production engineering at Tongji University's Chinese-German College for Postgraduate Studies (CDHK) in Shanghai as part of the German-Chinese Year of Science and Education. The official foundation charter was signed by MAG Chairman Professor Dr. Jürgen Fleischer during a visit by Germany´s Federal Minister of Education and Research, Professor Dr. Annette Schavan. The wbk Institute of Production Science at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will provide support for the chair in its capacity as a cooperating college.

Schavan stressed the importance of cooperation between universities and industry in both countries: "Enterprises like this demonstrate that the Chinese market offers major growth opportunities for German machine tool manufacturers, as well as various possibilities for cooperation from which both sides can benefit." The newly endowed chair in production engineering will strengthen the exchange of scientific know-how between China and Germany and promote the joint education of highly-qualified experts, providing an important basis for successful economic cooperation between China and Germany.

China and the Asian markets hold considerable development potential for MAG, which recently opened a new 1000 sq m (10,763 sq ft) branch in Shanghai offering facilities for engineering services, sales, service, training and live demonstrations. A new plant is also scheduled for completion in Changchun in the near future.

Fleischer said, "The Chinese market has shown extremely dynamic development, which is why we have been present here for a long time and intend to expand our involvement on a lasting basis. Promoting both scientific exchange at the university level and the education of highly qualified experts in China will create an essential foundation for our success in Asia's markets." www.mag-ias.com

MULTICAM INC. (DALLAS, TX) . . .
was certified by Underwriters Laboratories to apply the UL sticker to all of its electrical enclosures and controls. This allows U.S.-based customers to be in compliance with all electrical requirements set forth by governmental or regional electric standards. With electrical equipment that is identified with the UL 508 sticker, customers no longer need to hire inspectors before running the properly installed machine. These control panels are also in full compliance with the NEC and ANSI/NFPA 70 nationally and with CE/IEC internationally. www.multicam.com

MOTOMAN ROBOTICS (DAYTON, OH ) . . .
announced a partnership with Tech-Con Automation Inc. (TCA; Burlington, Ontario) for robotic waterjet solutions widely used for automotive trimming of headliners and other interior components. Tech-Con, a leading industrial automation systems integrator, has extensive experience integrating the robotic and pump equipment required for this application and will be responsible for integrating waterjet cutting cells for new and existing Motoman customers in North America. In addition, TCA will handle service contracts and retrofits on all existing Motoman waterjet cutting systems within the automotive industry.

?Motoman has an extensive installed base in waterjet cutting applications using Flow Corporation pump equipment. With our co-operative agreement with Flow and our partnership with Motoman, we will bridge the three organizations to support the existing installed base in the waterjet market,? says Casey DiBattista, president of TCA. ?We will continue to increase our customer base and promote high-tech solutions for the marketplace. We have long been a Motoman Solution Partner and have the technical expertise to successfully execute large programs.?

?TCA has been integrating our robots for many years,? says Roger Christian, vice president of Marketing and International Groups at Motoman. ?They have well-seasoned, experienced talent to excel in the robotic waterjet market, as well as the overall automation industry. They have our complete technical support commitment to ensure that they offer the highest technology solutions to their customers. We welcome the relationship and are very excited to continue to serve this market with such a strong partner.? www.motoman.com

MAZAK CORPORATION (FLORENCE, KY) . . .
has contracted to begin construction on a completely new facility to house its Southwest Technology Center & Regional Headquarters in Houston, TX. Representing the company?s continuous investment in American manufacturing, the new facility will offer support to manufacturers in all industries, with a special focus on those serving the energy sector. With construction beginning this month, the new 30,000 sq ft facility will be constructed on 4.5 acres of land owned by the company and located at the intersection of Beltway 8 and Green Crossing Boulevard. When complete, the new facility will mark Mazak?s third and largest expansion of the Southwest Technology Center, which was originally founded in 1978.

?Throughout the economy of the past two years, we have consistently been a vocal advocate of continued investment in American manufacturing,? says company president Brian Papke. ?It?s something we encourage our customers to do and something we do ourselves. We?ve seen a lot of companies scale back their investment levels over the past several years. We fully understand there may be economic reasons to do so, but we believe that it is an important time to invest in order to be competitive in the future. Additionally, we recognize the growing importance of creating machine tools that are not only more productive, but that are also energy efficient and environmentally sound. This new facility will be a place where we can work together with our customers to address and develop improvements in all of these critical areas.?

The size of the new Southwest Technology Center will allow for cutting demonstrations, service and applications support for some of the company's largest machining centers, including a large range of Multi-Tasking machines from simple turning machines with milling to highly sophisticated 5-axis machines with multiple spindles and turrets. The new facility serves as a regional service hub with 20 field service engineers based out of the facility, along with five phone support engineers, several of whom are bilingual to meet the diverse language needs of the region. The facility will also house a large, 100-seat learning and conference area for meetings, regional seminars and training events that will be presented by both Mazak and VIP suppliers in the industry. With increased complexity of customer parts and corresponding sophistication of machines, the importance of training and support will be enhanced with the new facility in the area. A grand opening is anticipated in June 2011 including a complete range of company products demonstrating various applications. www.mazakusa.com

HUFF CARBIDE TOOL (PORT RICHEY, FL) . . .
posted their new, revised and updated website that stresses its dedication to producing the finest custom special carbide cutting tools available. New tooling, prototyping and tool design enhancement are manufactured to their customers' unique specifications, in any quantity required. The website features fully functioning online custom tool ordering and quoting, resharpening and reconditioning forms, custom tool templates, speeds and feeds and surface feet conversion information. It is an excellent tool for designers, engineers and purchasing agents, enhancing their ability to communicate tool specifications with the company. www.huffcarbide.com

INTERNATIONAL ALUMINIUM INSTITUTE (SHANGHAI) . . .
launched the Aluminum In Transport website as IAI chairman Svein Richard Brandtzæg welcomed the latest in the series of IAI product-related sustainability websites highlighting the advantages of the use of aluminum in transport. Recognizing the demand from OEM car manufacturers and consumers around the world for up-to-date and easy to access information, IAI developed an online resource on the unique properties of aluminum transport applications, as well as their fuel efficiency and emissions reduction benefits.

Launched at the China Aluminum Fabrication Forum, the website features some of the world?s leading OEMs and their innovative use of aluminum components in the design of safe, lightweight, fuel efficient and cost effective vehicles. It also provides credible and accurate life cycle data, which underpin and support the aluminum industry?s sustainability and the sustainability of its products. The transport website follows on from the success of IAI?s Green Building website in 2009, which proved popular with architects and other building professionals looking for sustainability data and real life examples of aluminum applications in green buildings.

Commenting on the website, Brandtzæg said, ?Through its light weight, versatility, durability and recyclability, aluminum is a material that is increasingly being employed in safe, stylish, cost effective and energy efficient vehicles. Providing vehicle manufacturers and consumers with information on the environmental performance of applications in use is essential for making informed material choices ? this website is a one-stop-shop for such information and for real life examples of aluminum-intensive, lightweight, energy efficient vehicles.?

Ron Knapp, secretary general of IAI, said, ?We are pleased to take advantage of this respected forum, to present some examples of the innovative ways in which aluminum products are employed in sustainable modes of transport, such as high speed trains, urban buses, lightweight cars and trucks with more carrying capacity.? This website was created by Interstruct Berlin for us, in cooperation with national and regional aluminium associations around the world. The site is expected to go ?live? over the next few weeks. transport.world-aluminium.org

DGI SUPPLY (WHEELING, IL) . . .

was named the 2010 American Eagle Value-Added Distributor Award winner by the Industrial Supply Association for its efforts to document 988 individual projects that generated more than $6.3 million in cost savings for customers in 2009. The company developed a web-based Productivity Form for documenting savings, revised its compensation plan to reward account managers for documenting cost savings for customers, and created a monthly bonus and recognition plan for associates that documented the most savings. In order to receive the ISA Value-Added Distributor award, a company must demonstrate its ability to generate exceptional documented cost savings or productivity improvements for customers. www.dgisupply.com

M.A. FORD (DAVENPORT, IA) . . .
has two new manufacturer?s representative agencies in the western region of the U.S., My Tool Rep and J.D. Hanson & Associates, for technical sales of their high performance carbide cutting tool solutions. My Tool Rep will provide technical support for southeast Texas, including the Houston, San Antonio and Austin metro areas. J.D. Hanson & Associates will handle Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. www.maford.com

ZPS AMERICA, LLC (INDIANAPOLIS, IN). . .
was selected by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) as the ?Best of Business, Indianapolis, Machine Tools, Metal Cutting-Type? for 2009. According to Olaf Tessarzyk, managing partner and president of ZPS America, the award is unique and highly significant. ?Our U.S. headquarters in Indianapolis has only been open for the last two years, and to be recognized by the SBCA with the 2009 award is a highly valued honor. We have always strived to be the best in sales and service to our customers, and we will continue to work diligently to provide the best customer service in the industry." www.tajmac-zps.cz

G & L MANUFACTURING (COOKEVILLE, TN) . . .
acquired Scientific Tube (Elgin, IL), an ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturer of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welded stainless steel, nickel alloy and titanium tubing. The newly acquired facility in Elgin provides a wide range of round, oval, elliptical, rectangular and trapezoidal shapes. Tubing is available in outside diameters ranging from .250 in through 2.250 in and wall thicknesses from 0.010 in through 0.125 in austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, nickel alloys and titanium. ?This addition provides access to a number of new markets and adds some unique capabilities to the our portfolio,? said Phillip Jones, CEO of G & L, ?and also offers a strategic location in the Great Lakes region from which to better serve customers.? www.GandLTubing.com

MITSUBISHI CATERPILLAR FORKLIFT AMERICA INC. (HOUSTON, TX) . . .
announced a large network of dealers that are now authorized distributors of Jungheinrich® branded warehouse products in the U.S., Canada and Mexico as a result of a distribution and manufacturing agreement between MCFA and Jungheinrich AG. ?We are pleased to announce the addition of our newest Jungheinrich dealers to the established MCFA dealer network,? said Kent Eudy, vice president of dealer sales for MCFA. ?With the addition of the Jungheinrich product offerings, our dealers are able to provide an expanded line of world-class warehousing and counterbalanced lift trucks, with a continued emphasis on customer service excellence.? Jungheinrich^® ranks among the world?s leading brands for material handling equipment, specializing in warehousing and narrow aisle lift trucks. www.jungheinrich-lift.com, www.mcfa.com

PHOTOFABRICATION ENGINEERING, INC. (MILFORD, MA) . . .
was registered as a manufacturer and granted certification by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, under ITAR (the International Traffic in Arms Regulation) that allows PEI to provide weapon systems components and accessories in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations implemented by the Department of State. This certification reflects an on-going commitment to meeting the highest quality and manufacturing standards for both the domestic and international marketplace. The company was also recently awarded certification under AS9100, quality standards established by the aircraft and aerospace industry. These high global quality standards were published by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) in cooperation with the AAQG and with input from ANAB and IAAR (the Independent Association of Accredited Registrars).

PEI can now be found on OASIS ? the On-line Aerospace Supplier Information System ? and is subject to continual audits by the NQA, with the results of these audits reported on OASIS. The AS9100 registration certifies that the company has achieved superior, consistent product quality, and demands a tighter quality control system and a more consistent flow of quality from PEI and its vendors against the provisions of ISO:9001 and AS9100, and in accordance with the requirements of AS9104A Continuing internal and external audits show that PEI is in the 99th percentile in quality report ratings and on-time deliveries. In addition, PEI meets the manufacturing and equipment standards specified by MIL-STD-45662 and statistical sampling standards specified by MIL-STD-105. The demanding quality control regimens and systems evidenced by PEI?s receiving these certifications bring PEI closer to future goals of certifications such as ISO/TS16949 (Automotive Standard) and ISO 13485 (Medical Standard). www.photofabrication.com

PLOUSE PRECISION MANUFACTURING (HARRISBURG, PA) . . .
delivered specialized, custom-manufactured parts which were critical to the staging of a major summer concert tour. Originally contacted by Tait Towers, a set design firm located in Pennsylvania, Plouse welcomed the unique opportunity to help design and manufacture one-of-a-kind stage parts. In spite of schedule changes and tightened deadlines, the parts were tested and delivered ahead of schedule. "Though the nature of the project was unique, we manufactured the stage parts in less than one week, once the design was finalized. It was a rush project, but we pulled together and stayed focused," said company president Dale Seitz.

Both the design firm and recording artist are pleased with the finished product. ?Their performance was top notch!" said Ed Kropewnicki of Tait Towers. ?We thank them for being flexible and able to speed-up production, helping complete the stage within the allotted time frame." The concert artist?s name must remain confidential. Suffice it to say, many members of the Plouse team enjoyed seeing their work in action when the concert tour recently stopped for a performance near Harrisburg. www.PlouseManufacturing.com