Machine Tool News

Sheffield Forgemasters’ shareholders have agreed to sell its entire share capital to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to support a substantial recapitalization of its defence-critical plant, equipment and infrastructure necessary to secure the delivery of components into future MoD programs.This is aimed to secure Sheffield Forgemasters’ role as a key supplier into the MoD for the long-term and is structured to invest substantial new capital into the modernization of defence-critical assets…

Solid-State Welding Processes Being Developed for NASA Manufacturing Programs Could Significantly Reduce Workboat Fabrication CostsWhether it is for a tug boat, cargo vessel, or an offshore supply ship, much of the workboat fabrication industry is located along the Southern Coast of the U.S. But a visit to any one of the workboat facilities in that area (or any other in the country) would reveal antiquated and archaic fabrication processes used seventy years ago. The workboat manufacturing process is very expensive, labor intensive, and has not really changed since World War II.

At his core Ken Konrad is an innovator and engineer, looking at problems and seeing solutions. Walk around Konrad’s manufacturing and testing facility for even a short time and it is easy to see that Ken Konrad, owner and president, possesses a sharp intellect and an engineer’s mind, as he clearly revels in sharing insight on business and manufacturing practice that goes in each of his company’s rugged stern drive units. While Konrad has quickly established itself as a quality name in the commercial stern drive sector, it is still a newer business line within the company’s overall scope.

Water, dirt and salt play havoc with mated surfaces. Engineered to perform in harsh outdoor environments, Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube are suited for use as wear plates. According to its manufacturer, Vesconite is an internally-lubricated polymer that excels in dirty and high-friction applications. Unlike nylon, it has high dimensional stability and does not swell or soften when immersed in water or other fluids. It has high load-bearing qualities. Sharing the same qualities as Vesconite, Hilube is engineered for ultra-long life and requires little, if any, maintenance.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed development of the "Mitsubishi Super Skiving System" for machining internal gears with high speed and outstanding precision. The new system has overcome technical issues characteristic of conventional skiving by use of an MHI developed, innovative barrel-shaped multiple-cutting-edge rotary tool (patent pending), enabling mass production of difficult-to-machine internal gears. In addition, longer tool life, combined with shorter machining times, enables significant reductions in production costs. MHI is aiming to commence marketing of the new tool and dedicated skiving machine in April, 2015.

Waterjet systems manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. celebrated its 30th anniversary Sept. 3 with a special open house celebration. Jet Edge’s anniversary event included a special ribbon cutting ceremony courtesy of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce, a barbecue lunch, factory tours, and live 5-axis waterjet cutting demonstrations. Jet Edge President Jude Lague and TC/American Monorail President Paul Lague were honored by St. Michael Mayor Jerry Zachman. They also received recognition letters from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Portable machining and welding systems company CLIMAX hire Thomas Pesch to further accelerate international growth in the role of Vice President of Global Operations. The move marks CLIMAX’s continued focus on growing its international market capabilities and improving operational efficiencies. Pesch joined the CLIMAX World Headquarters in Newberg, Ore., on December 2, 2013. “We are delighted to welcome Tom to the team,” said CLIMAX President and CEO Geoff Gilmore. “His experience…

Portable, cutting edge technology for critical shipyard applications. Discussions that involve global shipbuilding in today’s complicated economic environment are anything but a cut and dried proposition. For example, international shipbuilding, slowed by the overbuilt containership and tanker sector and a lingering recession, finds itself retrenching for the next boom and hoping to capitalize on retrofit and repair markets that will very soon be the beneficiary of mandatory ballast water treatment installations. Closer to home, a robust recapitalization of the domestic inland, offshore and even the bluewater sectors promises one of the longest cyclical upswings in history. Optimism for U.S.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has determined to shift to a new business structure by consolidating and reorganizing its current nine business segments into just four business domains: "Energy & Environment," "Commercial Aviation & Transportation Systems," "Integrated Defense & Space Systems" and "Machinery, Equipment & Systems." The reorganization initiative is intended to leverage commonly shared customers, markets, core technologies and business strategies. The first phase, slated to take effect October 1, calls for the reorganization of operations in the four segments of Shipbuilding & Ocean Development, Power Systems, Nuclear Energy Systems and Aerospace Systems…

Effective April 1 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will implement a complete reorganization of its corporate sector. The move, which is aimed at taking current reforms that integrate all company business operation structures into a system of business divisions one step further, targets enhanced sophistication and efficiency in carrying out corporate affairs. In this way MHI will pursue the achievement of a stronger framework for supporting the globalization of the company's various business divisions. Specifically, functions of the company's various works relating to management auditing, accounting, procurement and information technology (IT) will be reorganized directly under the oversight of the Head Office.

MHI sets targets  on enhanced business sophistication and efficiency, stronger support of globalization drive. Effective April 1, 2013, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will implement a complete reorganization of its corporate sector. The move, which is aimed at taking current reforms that integrate all company business operation structures into a system of business divisions one step further, targets enhanced sophistication and efficiency in carrying out corporate affairs. In this way MHI will pursue the achievement of a stronger framework for supporting the globalization of the company's various business divisions. Specifically…

Klϋber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, appoint Ralf Kraemer chief executive officer (CEO). Kraemer assumes the role of CEO from Dieter A. Becker, who returns to Klüber’s global headquarters in Munich, Germany, after leading the North American operations for nearly three years. Born in Germany, Kraemer brings more than 15 years of sales, marketing and management experience in the metal cutting, woodworking, industrial equipment and power transmission industries to his new role at Klüber.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is to open a showroom of the company's machine tools within its machine tool production plant in Changshu, Jiangsu Province. With the showroom MHI aims to demonstrate the high-performance features of its machine tools, including gear cutting machines, as well as the company's ability to respond to customer needs; at the same time the new facility will also enhance user support, including consultation on technical matters and trial cutting. The new machine tool showroom will be opened at Changshu Ryoju Machinery Co., Ltd., where MHI has been producing gear cutting machines since April 2011. It will initially exhibit MHI's best-selling GE15A dry-cut gear hobbing machine, which was MHI's first machine tool produced at the plant.

Schermerhorn brings 11 years Renishaw experience to customers in Texas and Louisiana. Renishaw announces the appointment of Sheila Schermerhorn as regional sales manager for the Southwest region, covering Texas and Louisiana. Schermerhorn provides applications engineering solutions for Renishaw's machine tool, calibration, CMM and styli products. She has been with Renishaw for more than 11 years, and most recently served as regional sales manager for in the Mid-Atlantic region. A graduate of Alfred State College in New York, Schermerhorn holds a degree in mechanical engineering.

To support increased demand worldwide for on-site portable machining tools, Climax Portable Machine Tools has opened new rental depots in Houston, Texas; Prairieville, Louisiana; and Cincinnati, Ohio; as well as a new international location in Perth, Western Australia. The four new machine tool rental facilities expand the company’s  reach with eleven rental depots worldwide, and allow Climax to provide nearer accessibility of its tools to customers within the power generation, shipbuilding, heavy construction and mining, and service and engineering industries. Renting is often a fast, cost-effective way to obtain needed machine tools for unexpected repairs – or to take advantage of new business opportunities - without making unnecessary capital expenditures.

PTC, a leader in the CAD/CAM marketplace with its software in use at more than 28,000 companies including companies such as Caterpillar, Lucent, Mitsubishi, Nike and Siemens, has launched a shipbuilding specific product. Working with partners like Hyundai Heavy Industries, BAE SYSTEMS, DCN, BIW, and Ingalls, PTC has more than 20 years of experience in bringing innovative design solutions to the shipbuilding industry with products like CADDS 5I, Medusa, and Dimension III. Drawing on its experience with proven solutions and existing customers, PTC recognized that its industry solutions provided by Pro/ENGINEER could and should be leveraged to develop the next generation shipbuilding solution — a product the company will debut at SMM in Hamburg, Germany.