August Industry Watch: Business

OKUMA & GOSIGER (CHARLOTTE, NC) . . .
was named Supplier of the Year by the National Association for the Employment of People who are Blind (NAEPB). Okuma and Gosiger were nominated by The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in recognition of their outstanding efforts to provide accessible CNC machines as well as training for blind operators. The award is presented annually to a supplier that has provided quality products or services to agencies supporting and employing blind individuals, while meeting stringent customer demands.

Okuma, through distributor Gosiger, Inc. provides Seattle Lighthouse with CNC machining centers. These machining centers utilize THe Intelligent Numeric Control (THINC), a Windows?-based, open architecture control, equipped with a specially designed API that allows the use of JAWS screen-reading software. This software provides voice commands from the machine tool, allowing blind operators to program, set-up, run and changeover the machines.

Kirk Adams, president and CEO of Lighthouse for the Blind, notes, “We were looking for a partner who would really work with us. A company that could provide the best machining equipment on the market but also one with the commitment to making it accessible for blind machinists. Okuma has been that partner and more. We have been able to create eight jobs now that were not accessible in the past.”

Seattle Lighthouse utilizes Okuma vertical machining centers and a horizontal machining center with a Fastems pallet system to provide parts for The Boeing Company and other customers. Operator Loren Schleppy states that these machines “have opened the door for the blind community,” as he refers to the increased accessibility to the machines.

In addition to machine tools, Seattle Lighthouse purchased a control simulator from Gosiger and Okuma. Machine Shop Supervisor Tom McCrary wrote a tutorial to run on the simulator, allowing operators to train to run the machines without having to use production time to do so. The machines have allowed the machine shop at Seattle Lighthouse to add value for their customers by making them more price competitive and able to meet quality and delivery requirements. All while providing high-paid jobs to blind individuals. www.okuma.com

CARL ZEISS (MAPLE GROVE, MN) . . .
announced Ellison Technologies as a new distributor of Zeiss metrology equipment for Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and eastern Missouri. In addition, the company and Koepfer America have formally joined with a new business partner agreement. Ellison Technologies, with Precision Measurement Centers in Warrenville, IL, Davenport, IA, and St. Louis, MO, will represent the full line of Zeiss coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

“Ellison Technologies is an established machine tool and automation distributor with offices all across the country. Their independent offices provide them a local market focus and the flexibility to advocate the needs of each of our valued customers,” said John Grzybowski, national sales manager-west, Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation. Ellison Technologies has over 50 years of experience in providing advanced machining and automation solutions to North American metal-cutting manufacturers and their global affiliates.

“The unparalleled precision measurement capability of the Zeiss product line will strengthen our customers’ ability to compete and win in the markets they serve,” adds an Ellison spokesperson. Their Warrenville, IL, Davenport, IA, and St. Louis, MO, offices are each equipped with a demo showroom to promote Carl Zeiss metrology solutions.

Carl Zeiss IMT and Koepfer America have formally joined with a new business partner agreement for the United States and Canada. This agreement will provide improved technical and marketing support related to all areas of CMM gear metrology offered by Carl Zeiss. With this partnership, Carl Zeiss will expand its reach into all areas of gear metrology. The company offers machines to measure both parallel axis and bevel gears from the smallest gears used in microtechnologies up to 4 m (157.5 in) in diameter. This is accomplished using their GEAR PRO software package, which is both a mature and truly flexible product. In addition, prismatic features can be measured in a seamless integration with the metrology software package CALYPSO. www.zeiss.com

CENTERLINE (WINDSOR) LIMITED (WINDSOR, CANADA) . . .
launched an updated website with a number of new features including video and literature downloads, updated product and service information, enhanced navigation features and detailed overviews of its capabilities. CenterLine’s wide range of standard and custom production systems, component products and technical support services cover resistance, GMAW and laser welding needs, as well as metal forming and cold spray applications. www.cntrline.com

PENN STAINLESS PRODUCTS (QUAKERTOWN, PA) . . .
received an Export Achievement Certificate from the Department of Commerce. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) presented the award to Penn Stainless at the Export Development Workshop in Breinigsville, PA, on July 19. Penn Stainless Products, an employer of more than 130 workers, is a full-service supplier and processor of stainless steel flat rolled, bar, structural and tubular products. Export Achievement Certificates are presented to U.S. businesses that have benefited from the Department of Commerce’s export assistance to make their first export sale or to expand their international sales into new foreign markets. Receiving the award on behalf of Penn Stainless were Jason Martineau (national sales director), Jacki Smisko (export sales) and Lynn Boyle (shipping).

“We are always looking to expand and diversify our customer mix,” Martineau said. “The Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center played a key role in providing resources allowing us to take this expansion overseas.” Tony Ceballos, director of the Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center, added, “Penn Stainless has led by example in demonstrating a commitment to overcome obstacles in shipping their product overseas by utilizing federal export services. They ultimately succeeded in exporting to multiple markets and are now on the path to becoming a worldwide supplier of stainless steel products.” The workshop was held by Senator Casey in conjunction with the Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center, the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Reading Berks Economic Partnership. The workshop offered local businesses guidance on increasing exports as a way to increase sales and boost revenue. www.pipeandtubes.com

TOLT MACHINE WORKS (CARNATION, WA) . . .
purchased EDM Wire-Cut Northwest, a local manufacturing company at the forefront of electrical discharge machining (EDM) technology for over 30 years. Previously based in Kent, EDM Wire-Cut Northwest moves into Tolt Machine Works’ 30,000 sq ft industrial complex in Carnation, WA, and represents the first of several new machining operations planned to open at the complex over the next two years. Tolt Machine Works is a full-service machine job shop specializing in large machining and micromachining that will be fully operational late Fall 2010. Upon completion, Tolt Machine Works capabilities will include large 5-axis machining, large metrology, laser micromachining and E-beam welding, in addition to its new EDM division.

EDM Wire-Cut Northwest was founded in 1980 by Horst Binde, a pioneer in the newly emerging field of Wire EDM. EDM is a process that makes it possible to cut small odd-shaped angles, detailed contours or cavities, and is typically used for hard metals suc as hardened steel as well as exotic metals like titanium, Hastelloy, Kovar, Inconel, and carbide. EDM is most widely used by the mold-making tool and die industries as well as to manufacture prototype and production parts, especially useful in the aerospace, medical and electronics industries. “We are very excited to have EDM Wire-Cut Northwest and Horst Binde on board. His wide ranging background and deep experience is key, not only to better serve our job shop customers but also for the new kind of machines we will be building in the future,” said Tolt Machine Works owner Dr. James Kajiya. www.toltmachineworks.com

ESAB WELDING & CUTTING PRODUCTS (FLORENCE, SC) . . .
announced that several hundred thousand pounds of ESAB filler metals have already been consumed in the construction of 1 World Trade Center (formerly known as the Freedom Tower) on the site of the former twin towers destroyed in the attack on 9/11. “We are very proud to have been selected to provide materials for this important part of American history,” said Jerry Gleisner, vice president, sales Eastern USA for ESAB. The company has partnered with DCM Erectors and the MRP LLC fabrication shop on this project. The companies have worked together for three years on the construction of Tower 1. The main tower of the site, Tower 1 will stand at 107 stories — 1776 ft tall — on completion in 2011. Construction is currently underway and has already reached the fifteenth floor. Thus far, DCM has used more than 100,000 lb of Coreshield 8 flux-cored wire. The 20th floor will feature all full penetration welds using Coreshield 8 wire, and it is estimated that this floor alone will require 20,000 lb of material. ESAB is working closely with Airgas (Piscataway, NJ) to stock and distribute all the filler metals required for this job.

The company will provide all the filler metals for Tower 1 and for Tower 4, which will stand at 65 stories. Materials used in this project include Coreshield Ni2, Dual Shield 710X, Spoolarc 81, Spoolarc 75, Coreshield 8, Atom Arc and 1071 OK Flux. ESAB offers a complete line of seismic certified products for construction of buildings of this nature. “We are very proud of this team that has worked diligently on this project to provide 24/7 assistance to our partners, DCM and MRP,” said Dennis Sullivan, ESAB’s regional manager for Northeastern USA. “Our personnel, and Michael Sottile in particular, as well as Paul Lenox of Airgas, did a monumental job of testing to qualify the product and keep the project moving forward on schedule. This project is a tribute to the resilience of the American people, and we can think of no better way to honor that spirit than with the teamwork and dedication shown by our employees.” www.esabna.com

EXACT METROLOGY, INC. (CINCINNATI, OH) . . .
opened a new office in the Milwaukee suburb of Brookfield, WI, to support their rapidly growing contract measurement services business and provide technical support and training to their clients. Exact Metrology is a full-service contract measurement company that provides on-site inspection, reverse engineering, non-contact laser scanning, and 3D digitizing services as well as contract programming, software training, and measurement equipment sales and implementation. With decades of combined experience, the company’s application engineers utilize the latest in portable measurement technology to scan parts as small as a fingernail to assemblies more than 30 meters long.

The firm also has extensive experience in scanning for architectural, civil engineering and surveying applications such as manufacturing facilities, nuclear plants and entire downtown cityscapes. “As part of our ongoing expansion of our contract metrology services business, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new Milwaukee office,” says Dean Solberg, principal of the company. “The new office services our extensive Wisconsin customer base and has a scanning lab capable of performing our complete range of scanning, measurement, and reverse engineering services. Additionally, our Milwaukee-based scanning staff is available to provide on-site scanning at customers’ facilities, as well as InnovMetric Polyworks training and support.” www.exactmetrology.com

M.A. FORD (DAVENPORT, IA) . . .
is now affiliated with two manufacturer’s representative agencies, CMI and HI-E Tooling Solutions, in the Eastern Region of the U.S. as their technical sales representatives. CMI will provide technical support for the states of Indiana and Kentucky. www.maford.com

MOTOMAN ROBOTICS (DAYTON, OH) . . .
executed an option agreement to secure property at the newly developed Austin Road interchange just south of Dayton, OH, for its new 300,000 sq ft state-of-the-art office and production facility that will serve as their new North American headquarters and combine the current West Carrollton, OH, headquarters with a manufacturing plant and a warehouse located in Troy, OH. The new facility will house approximately 250 to 275 employees, with the plan to expand the employee base and facility as the company expands its operations. The facility plan allows for the building to be expanded by an additional 200,000 sq ft to support Motoman Robotics’ planned growth.

“We are extremely happy to be able to maintain our operations in the Dayton region at a premier location for business and retail operations. With the unification of Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. and Motoman Inc. into one company (Yaskawa America, Inc.) that occurred on June 1, the finalization of plans for our new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently. We feel that we are exceptionally well-positioned for future growth,” stated Steve Barhorst, oresident and COO of Motoman Robotics.

Barhorst also expressed the company’s appreciation to state and local governmental officials, Montgomery County, the City of Miamisburg, the Dayton and Montgomery County Port Authority, the Transportation Improvement District and RG Properties, among others, for all of their efforts and interests in maintaining Motoman Robotics’ operations in Ohio. The building design for the facility is currently underway. Construction of the facility is contingent upon completion and approval of financing arrangements, as well as finalization of State of Ohio incentives, which have been discussed and/or pledged. Subject to resolution of these contingencies, construction was expected to begin last month, with a move-in date of June 2011. www.motoman.com

NIKON METROLOGY (BRIGHTON, MI) and VERISURF SOFTWARE (ANAHEIM, CA) . . .

joined forces to make it possible for manufacturers to drive all Nikon Metrology portable metrology devices from Verisurf’s common software platform. Supported Nikon Metrology devices include the Laser Radar, K-Series optical CMMs configured with scanners and probes, MCA II articulated arm configured with scanners and probes, and the iGPS. “We are proud to partner with Nikon Metrology and offer engineers a major breakthrough in measurement and inspection,” said Ernie Husted, president of Verisurf. “Having advanced inspection software that can be used with all of their metrology devices will dramatically increase efficiency. Manufacturers will save countless hours otherwise spent learning and using multiple software interfaces, while significantly reducing software maintenance and technical support costs.”

“This partnership is a huge benefit to our metrology customers,” said Doug Kappler, director of Nikon Metrology Large Scale Division. “In addition to being able to offer a single software platform for all Nikon Metrology portable metrology devices, the software provides fully automated and programmable measurements.” Verisurf’s new X platform is the latest release of its popular computer-aided inspection and reverse engineering software. The X platform gives engineers value with new device interfaces, improved inspection guidance functionality and feature extraction for reverse engineering. An updated VDI has added many new non-contact measurement and automation controls for the Nikon Metrology Laser Radar, enabling this sophisticated metrology device to perform at its highest level. www.nikonmetrology.com,
www.verisurf.com

OKUMA AMERICA CORPORATION (CHARLOTTE, NC) and YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (ROCK HILL, SC) . . .
expanded their training curriculum and now offer online courses for specific Okuma machine tools. The comprehensive online courses cover some of Okuma’s latest technology including the LB-EX series of CNC lathes and the MB-V series of vertical machining centers. Initial content covers orientation and specifications, providing information on features, benefits, capabilities and applications. Future modules will cover safety, installation and start-up, operation and programming, preventive and predictive maintenance, advanced application engineering, electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repair, integrated system operation, and operations management.

In addition to the new online courses, York Technical College Institute for Manufacturing Productivity offers a complete curriculum of classroom courses covering CNC Operation and Programming, Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance, and Advanced Manufacturing. All courses are open to the general public and courses can be scheduled for corporate manufacturing machine operators and maintenance staffs. www.okuma.com, www.yorktech.com

EAGLE BENDING MACHINES (STAPLETON, AL) . . .
launched a Certified Pre-Owned Eagle division with the primary focus of providing factory-reconditioned and certified Eagle machines so that customers can purchase premier equipment at a substantial savings. Existing customers will be able to trade in their Eagle machines and increase their rolling capacity by moving into a larger model at a trade-in enhanced cost. www.eaglebendingmachines.com