Hysol® MB products are the best-selling, highest volume coolants sold by Castrol® due to their all-around performance and overall value.
Product advantages
• High-quality finish across multi-metals and operations
• Excellent anti-corrosion properties
• Clean running and have a very mild odor
• Wide tolerance to water hardness
• Robust pH stability fights bacterial growth
Simplify operations and make it easier to meet the demands of your business.
Contact Star Metal Fluids today to learn why Hysol® MB products are the favorite among machine operators.
“The funny thing about sustainability: you have to sustain it.What I’m talking about is putting people to work, getting kids off the street, about the pride and the honor of growing your own food. Ron Finley
What the heck is sustainability?
Sustainability is the ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources for the future. The United Nations defined sustainable development in the Brundtland Report as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability is an important solution to mitigate climate change, reduce emissions, and protect our planet for future generations. Sustainability is not only an ethical responsibility but also a smart business move.
As the manufacturing industry embraces sustainable CNC machining, the integration of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and waste reduction strategies marks a transformative journey towards a greener, more socially responsible future.
CNC Machining stands as a more environmentally friendly manufacturing process than traditional production methods. Primarily, CNC machining delivers improved efficiency to its users; reducing material waste and machining time.
Recycle – Recycling is the most basic but also the most important green manufacturing process. An effective recycling system can help companies reduce waste, reduce cost, and have a positive environmental impact.
Throughout the world, people want the same things: access to clean air and water; economic opportunities; a safe and healthy place to raise their kids; shelter; lifelong learning; a sense of community; and the ability to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
The word sustainability has been made into a buzz word that people over utilize like; “At the end of the day”, or “It is what it is”, “Soup to nuts”, “What goes around, comes around”… If we take a quick look at the definition itself, the act of sustainability in of itself must be watched and maintained, to be sustained, therefore as aforementioned it takes a constant vigil to keep this candle burning. This candle can keep burning through a moral attitude. A belief in what is right and wrong, good and bad, just or unjust, and fair and unfair can be a moral compass that can help keep us on a positive sustainable path.
In closing, stay true to yourself, follow your heart, and keep the passion for life right there in front of you.
Linda and I write stories on your businesses’ that promote your company to the fortune 1000’s and to the manufacturing community in hope that these entities will utilize your business. We also strive to show other businesses like yours how they might improve their own business model through positive changes, new processes, and acquisitions that have been implemented by similar companies.
Contact us today and we will help you write your story and share it with your manufacturing community.
Thank you!
Kim Carpenter
“Customer
PUBLISHERS/EDITORS
Kim Carpenter & Linda Daly Kim@A2ZManufacturing.com
Published bi-monthly to keep precision manufacturers abreast of news, contracts, trends, and to supply a viable supplier source for the industry.
Circulation: A2Z Manufacturing West Coast maintains a master list of over 14,000 decision makers consisting of fortune 1000 companies, small manufacturing companies, engineering firms, DOD & Scientific Lab facilities, machine shops, fab-shops, and secondary source businesses. It has an estimated pass on readership of more than 25,000 people. The majority of our readers are based in CA, OR, WA area!
Advertising Rates have remained the same since 1999, deadlines and mechanical requirements furnished on our website at: www.a2zManufacturing.com.
All photos and copy become the property of A2Z Manufacturing.
The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations are those of the advertiser and not that of the publisher.
The Publisher is not liable to any advertiser for any misprints or errors not the fault of the publisher, and in such event, the limit of the publisher's liability shall only be the amount of the publishers charge for such advertising.
Announcements & Releases
3D Plastics – Newberg, Oregon
By Stephen Hannemann
Twenty five years in business is a sought-after milestone for any company these days. 3D Plastics in Newberg, Oregon is celebrating 25 years of supplying quality injection molding solutions to a loyal and growing customer base in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Congratulations, 3D!
3D has rightfully earned a reputation of service first.That means they will do their best to take on any project no matter how big or small.They also do not shy away from the complicated or difficult molding challenges all the while setting a high standard for their quality. Their loyal customer base appreciates 3D’s responsiveness, reliability, and customer service. This has been 3D’s commitment since their inception in 1999.
3D President Kelly Dundas has been immersed in the industry since the time he could walk. He has polymer in his blood. Kelly, along with his brother Lee, who has since retired, founded 3D with the goal of making it easier for people with an idea to bring their project to fruition with the least amount of hassle. They offer design guidance to make a part or project produceable in the most efficient and economical way. 3D also offers assembly and other outside services making 3D a veritable one-stop shop. All this brings tremendous value to the customer.These and many others are the attributes that have been the standard at 3D Plastics in Newberg, Oregon for the past 25 years! They will continue this tradition for the next 25 years. 3D Plastics may not be the largest injection molder in the Northwest, but they have the biggest heart!
To get the full 3D experience, call or email today to schedule a private tour.
To learn more about 3D Plastics, discuss a concept, or to receive a quote, visit 3d-plastics.com or call 503.537.0979.
3D Plastics – Peerless Attention to Detail.
Rosco
Precision Machinery –A Celebration to Remember
By Stephen Hannemann
Twenty years of precision machinery sales backed by articulate customer service and technical support has been proven to stand the test of time! On June 5th President Hans Barnes, and Managing Partner Nick Houghton, of Rosco Precision Machinery, in Auburn, WA hosted an open house celebration honoring their 20 years of successfully selling to and servicing a loyal and growing machining customer base in the Pacific Northwest.
Rosco provides an arsenal of machining equipment from tool room equipment to multi spindle turning centers and horizontal and 5-axis machining options too numerous to list here in the space allowed. And there’s more! After machining, it is imperative to document the accuracy of parts produced. Rosco’s measurement showroom was filled with CMMs, Multisensor Measurement, Video Measurement systems and more. Hans and Nick, in tandem with their expertly knowledgeable staff, warmly engaged all who visited.
Rosco’s exquisite BBQ fare provided a forum for dining, networking with colleagues and meeting new people in the business. An interesting side note, one group traveled for nearly seven hours to attend the Rosco soirée. Truly an affair to remember!
Be sure to visit www.roscoprecisionmachinery. com, or better still, call 253.333.2439 to set up your personal visit with Rosco at 4710 B St. NW, Suite 104, Auburn, WA 98001.
Cutting Tool Control = Clean Air
By Stephen Hannemann
For decades CuttingTool Control has consistently delivered solid solutions to machine shops in Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia. They also sell throughout the United States to solve manufacturing problems.
Since 2020, Cutting Tool Control has been selling 3nine mist eliminators to machining facilities in the Pacific Northwest.
3nine systems provide the cleanest air quality possible in high density machining environments. To prove a point, a visit to Treske Precision Machine in Sherwood, OR would provide an enlightening experience. If led blindfolded onto Treske’s machining floor and asked to take a deep breath, there would be little perception of being in the company of 20 Makino machining centers crowned with 3nine mist eliminators running flat out 24x7! All sold by Cutting Tool Control.
During a tour of the magnificent facility, Scott Ferguson, Business Development Manager for Treske, more than once proclaimed, “You’re going to love this,” He led the way to a bank of computer monitors displaying every detail in real time of what was happening in every one of the machining centers. According to readouts, most of the machines were on average running steady state close to 23hrs of continuous operation.That equates to a lot of cutting mist being collected and recycled by the 3nine units, delivering a significant saving in cutting fluid costs, as much as 50%!
Later joined by Mike Olander, Manufacturing Service Manager, who happily mentioned, “The air quality is not the only advantage of the 3nine eliminators. You should have been here when we had our previous duct collection system.We could barely open the doors to get into the building due to the negative pressure!”
3nine eliminators are a machine shop’s best solution to a clean environment. There are other mist collectors available, but none have the low maintenance and total efficiency records of the 3nine systems. Be sure to call Cutting Tool Control for all the details regarding the most effective mist elimination available.
Cutting Tool Control can provide a solution to any machining challenge you may have. If Cutting Tool Control doesn’t have the solution you need – it probably hasn’t been invented yet. In the words of founder Bruce Lowry, “I say put us at the end of your list to call when others cannot deliver a quality solution.”
This achievement underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards. In other news, over the past 16 weeks, we have undertaken a comprehensive reorganization of our operations. As a result, we are experiencing significant improvements in turn times across various alloys. For example; 4340 Steel has seen an average improvement of 6 days, 6061 Aluminum has improved by 4 days, Inconel 718 by 4 days, and 17-4 Stainless Steel by 5 days (including 72” bar and tensile testing).
Overall, we have achieved an average turn time improvement of 4 days for all alloys and processes, even with an increase in order volume! We continue our commitment to invest in advanced equipment to enhance our capabilities.
We have recently acquired a high-speed vacuum quenching furnace, allowing us to process larger loads of high-speed steels efficiently. Additionally, a new Inconel furnace will be operational by the end of the month to run multiple Inconel 718 cycles a week, and we are exploring the addition of more mar quench and austemper capacity to better serve your needs.
To learn more about our extensive services and prime approvals please
Our Showroom At: 3305 Edison Way, Fremont, CA 94538 Is Open Monday - Friday From 8am To 5pm
Revolutionizing Manufacturing Efficiency: Hainbuch America Introduces Groundbreaking AC Line for Automated Workholding Changeover
Germantown, WI, May 15, 2024 - Hainbuch America, a leading name in machining technology, is proud to unveil its latest innovation at IMTS 2024: the revolutionary AC (Automated Change) Line. This groundbreaking solution marks a significant milestone as the first fully automated system for workholding device changeover, setting new standards in manufacturing efficiency and precision.
The AC Line represents a paradigm shift in workholding technology, offering manufacturers a seamless and error-free alternative to manual changeovers. By harnessing cutting-edge automation, the AC Line streamlines transitions between workholding devices with unmatched speed and accuracy.This innovation not only reduces downtime but also enhances overall productivity, empowering manufacturers to maximize their machining capabilities.
Key features of the AC Line include:
1. Precision Automation: The AC Line’s precision-engineered automation ensures consistent and reliable changeovers, eliminating human error and optimizing machining processes.
2. Automated Clamping Heads (Collets) and End-Stops: In
addition to workholding device changeover, the AC Line automates clamping heads (collets) and end-stops, further enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Designed with ease of use in mind, the AC Line features an intuitive interface that allows operators to program and adapt quickly, enhancing operational efficiency.
4. Versatile Adaptability: From varying part geometries to diverse materials and machining techniques, the AC Line adapts seamlessly to meet a wide range of production requirements, ensuring versatility without compromise.
5. Industry-Leading Support: Hainbuch America’s commitment to customer success extends beyond innovative technology. Our team of experts provides comprehensive support, from personalized solutions to hands-on guidance, ensuring a seamless integration of the AC Line into existing manufacturing workflows.
“We are thrilled to introduce the AC Line at IMTS 2024, marking a significant advancement in workholding technology,” said Tim Wachs, President at Hainbuch America. “This groundbreaking solution reflects our dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and empowering manufacturers with tools that optimize efficiency, precision, and productivity.”
Visit Hainbuch America at booth W-431636 at IMTS 2024 to experience the AC Line firsthand and discover how it is reshaping the future of manufacturing.
For media inquiries, please contact: Michael Larson - Marketing Director • mlarson@hainbuchamerica.com About Hainbuch America: Hainbuch America is a leading provider of innovative workholding solutions for the machining industry. With a commitment to excellence and customer success, Hainbuch America continues to push the boundaries of technology to drive efficiency and precision in manufacturing processes.
Landmark Solutions To Host Open House With Omax Waterjets July 31St | San Diego, CA
Landmark Solutions will be hosting an exciting in-person event with OMAX waterjets at the facility of leading San Diego fabricator, Franklin’s Industries. Don’t miss this outstanding opportunity to see the latest 5-axis abrasive waterjet technology in action, get feedback from machine owners and operators, and connect with key leadership at OMAX. Lunch to be provided. For more information and free registration, contact:
Mike Loken, Landmark Solutions Regional Manager (714) 620-5385
mikel@landmarksolutionscorp.com
Expansion of GrovTec Machining’s Production Facility
GrovTec Machining, a leading production machining facility, is thrilled to announce a significant expansion in both capacity and expertise. We have recently acquired over a dozen pieces of equipment and welcomed ten highly skilled workers from a prominent local machine shop that recently closed. This strategic move underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service and high-quality products to our customers.
In an industry where precision, efficiency, and expertise are paramount, the addition of these machines and additional team members represents a substantial enhancement of our capabilities. The new equipment includes multipleTornos screw machines, Hydromats and an ABC Index, allowing for greater automation, higher precision, and increased production speeds.These enhancements will enable us to meet the growing demands of our customers and offer more versatile machining solutions.
The ten skilled workers joining our team bring with them years of experience and a wealth of knowledge. Their expertise spans various aspects of production machining, from programming and operating advanced machinery to implementing quality control measures and optimizing production workflows. We are confident that their skills will integrate seamlessly with our current team, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence.
your continued trust and support, this exciting growth would not have been possible. We look forward to serving you with these expanded capabilities and continuing to exceed your expectations.
For more information about our services and how we can assist with your production machining needs, please visit our website at www. grovtecmachining.com or contact us at info@grovtecmachining.com.
“We are excited and blessed to have this opportunity to expand our operations,” said Bob Grover, Owner of GrovTec US, Inc. “The acquisition of these machines and the addition of such skilled workers will significantly enhance our production capabilities. This growth not only allows us to support our existing customers with greater efficiency and quality but also gives us the ability to take on new projects requiring even higher production volumes.We are committed to providing precision parts and reliable machining solutions, and this expansion is a testament to that.”
GrovTec Machining would like to extend heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and supportive community. Without
About: GrovTec Machining is a premier production machining facility specializing in high-volume, precision machining services. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we provide comprehensive machining solutions to a diverse range of industries. Our state-of-the-art equipment and skilled workforce ensure that we deliver exceptional products and services every time.
For more information contact them at:
Phone: (503) 557-4689
ARNO USA’s Barry Powell Signs Next Generation Tooling Rep Firm to Distribute Their Tooling Products in California and Nevada
Barry Powell, Business Development Specialist for ARNO USA, is pleased to announce that Next Generation Tooling will now distribute ARNO USA’s tooling products throughout California.
Barry says, “Next Generation Tooling, founded in 1995, is a technical marketing company that provides sales support and technical product training to industrial distributors, machine tool dealers and end users. The team of Rob Aldama,Tim Fugazi, and Chris Savolainen (Founder), all are highly technical in industrial tooling and provide hands-on technical support on the machine shop floor to their end-user customers as well as valuable feedback on applications and new product design ideas to our principals. I expect them to be an asset to our current and new customers throughout California and Nevada.”
Barry says, “ARNO USA combines German tradition with state-of-theart cutting and turning tool technologies. We offer outstanding tooling, particularly for Swiss Tooling and Production Turning.” He adds, “While not a household name in the Western USA, since 1962, ARNO USA has been manufacturing and selling high-quality products for customers in the industrial tooling and machining markets. ARNO USA represents the US branch of ARNO Werkzeuge, headquartered in Germany.
To learn more about the ARNO German quality industrial tooling and machining products that offer value added solutions to benefit your productivity every day, contact Chris at chris@nextgentooling.com or call 916.765.4227.
From left to right Rob Aldama, Tim Fugazi and owner Chris Savolainen
Why Fort Worth, Texas, Is An Emerging Frontier For Aerospace And Energy
Data from the city of Fort Worth shows that business attraction and expansion projects in 2023 alone created more than 4,000 new jobs and generated $2 billion in new private investment for the city.
By City of FortWorth Economic Development
With costs rising and economic challenges mounting, mid-tier cities across the United States are seeing a massive influx of migrating people and companies, all in pursuit of a more economical place to live and conduct business.
Fort Worth, Texas – the 13th largest city in the U.S., according to the 2020 Census – is no exception. Its population has grown 4.6% since 2020 and is on track to reach 1 million residents by 2025 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
And with this growth, business is booming – data from the city of Fort Worth shows that business attraction and expansion projects in 2023 alone created more than 4,000
new jobs and generated $2 billion in new private investment for the city.
These companies and their employees were able to benefit from Fort Worth’s business-friendly environment – with no corporate, state, or local income tax – and a cost of doing business that Moody’s Analytics reports is 2.8% below the national average. That’s more than 20 points below the cost of doing business in Los Angeles, and 100 points lower than San Francisco, according to data from the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
Fort Worth is home to the corporate headquarters of BNSF Railway, GM Financial, and American Airlines – whose largest hub at DFW International Airport can connect people to either coast in about four hours. And while it continues to celebrate its distinctive Western roots, the city also has its sights set squarely on the future as its growing population and thriving business environment redefine Fort Worth’s frontiers for future generations.
A legacy of innovation in aerospace and defense
Fort Worth companies have been building some of the world’s most advanced aircraft since World War II, and the
city has been establishing a strong foundation in the aerospace industry ever since. Lockheed Martin has had a significant presence in Fort Worth for more than 75 years and is currently manufacturing the F-35 Lightning II – one of the most advanced multi-role fighter jets in the world – from Air Force Plant 4.
Bell – a subsidiary of Textron – is another major aerospace company headquartered in the city. Bell’s current project is the tilt-rotator V-280 Valor helicopter, which was recently selected as the U.S. Army’s new Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, and the company’s 140,000-square-foot Manufacturing Technology Center in Fort Worth further solidifies their presence in North Texas.
Why Fort Worth, Texas, is an emerging frontier for aerospace and energyexpand Bell’s 140,000-square-foot Manufacturing Technology Center in Fort Worth further solidifies their presence in North Texas.
These industry heavyweights are further bolstered by an interconnected ecosystem of mid-sized organizations – including GKN Aerospace, a key supplier of both Lockheed Martin and Bell, and Elbit Systems of America, whose corporate headquarters in Fort Worth supports a robust portfolio of defense systems.
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An important tool at Fort Worth’s disposal for aerospace companies is a research and development tax credit program, in which eligible companies can receive grants that are equal to a percentage of their Fort Worthbased research and development costs.While these performance-based grants are limited to the value of new property taxes created by the project, they can also be sold or assigned to other commercial projects.
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Worth late last year that will focus on the production of state-of-the-art electrical equipment and low-voltage switchgear, which will power data centers and bolster the adoption of generative AI.
But this R&D incentive can support more than just aerospace companies – it’s also allowed Fort Worth to attract significant projects in the energy and mobility sectors.
Powered by new forms of energy
Traditionally considered an oil and gas town, several companies are currently expanding their presence in Fort Worth as the city takes bold steps to build an ecosystem that spans the full energy spectrum – from generation and production, to distribution, storage and other downstream applications.
For example, Siemens announced a new manufacturing facility in Fort
Additionally, MP Materials’ new fully-integrated rare earth manufacturing factory in north FortWorth is quickly approaching completion. A first-of-its kind U.S. facility with an ambitious goal of restoring the domestic rare earth magnetics supply chain, MP Materials has partnered with General Motors to produce the vital NdFeB magnets that serve as critical components for GM’s electric vehicle line.
With a growing population, a business-friendly environment, and deep strengths in the aerospace and energy industries, Fort Worth is a city that’s proven itself as a destination for forward-thinking companies – firmly staking its claim as the center of the modern West.
Contracts
Blue Origin Florida LLC, Merritt Island, Florida (FA8811-24D-B002); Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Hawthorne, California (FA8811-24-D-B003); and United Launch Services LLC, Centennial, Colorado (FA8811-24-D-B001), have been awarded a multiple-award, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum cumulative ceiling of $5,600,000,000 for the National Security Space (NSS) Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 launch services procurement. The contract is for launch services delivering NSS payloads into their intended orbits. The location of performance will be determined at the task order level. The contract will include a five-year ordering period, which will go through June 2029, with an option for an additional ordering period of five years.This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and seven offers were received. Fiscal 2024 space procurement funds in the amount of $8,000,000 (the cumulative amount for the minimum guarantee) are being obligated at the time of award. Space Systems Command, Assured Access to Space, Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, California, is the contracting activity.
BAE Systems Space & Missions Systems Inc., Fairborn, Ohio, was awarded a $30,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders for research and development.This contract is to explore new and emerging concepts
related to development, integration, assessment, evaluation and demonstration of cyber security, open system architecture, novel avionics and sensor technologies, and multi-domain technologies focusing on the electric warfare piece of the avionics. Work will be performed in Wright-Patterson Air Force base, Ohio, and is expected to be completed June 13, 2031. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $60,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA2377-24D-B002, FA2377-24-F-B002).
Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $12,559,475 add work modification (P00022) to previously awarded contract FA8650-20-C-9310 to assess the military and operational utility and technical feasibility of a unique system-of-systems capability.The systems will be integrated through Raytheon software interfaces to allow for the cueing, tracking, and firing of effectors.This additional work modification is for the acquisition of the GhostEye MR additional development and experimentation and is focused on further development and test with the GhostEye radar system. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $50,171,196. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2025. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $8,000,000 are being obligated time of award.The Air Force Research Laboratory,
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Mission Systems Sector, Linthicum Heights, Maryland, was awarded a $244,692,240 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-5519 to exercise an option for production of Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block 3 electronic attack hemisphere systems and ancillary hardware equipment.Work will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland (52%); Tampa, Florida (8%); Andover, Massachusetts (5%); Chelmsford, Massachusetts (5%); San Diego, California (3%); Saginaw, Michigan (2%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (2%); Los Angeles, California (2%); Stafford Springs, Connecticut (2%); Woodridge, Illinois (1%); Passaic, New Jersey (1%); Minneapolis, Minnesota (1%); Glendale, Arizona (1%); Elk Grove Village, Illinois (1%); White Marsh, Maryland (1%);Tucson, Arizona (1%);Woburn, Massachusetts (1%);Washington, North Carolina (1%); Richardson, Texas (1%); El Cajon, California (1%); Hiawatha, Iowa (1%); Littleton, California (1%); Glendale, California (1%); Rochester, NewYork (1%); and miscellaneous locations - each less than 1% (4%), and is expected to be completed by April 2027. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $124,541,031 (51%); and fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $120,151,209 (49%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded on June 11, 2024)
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded
a $9,536,612 modification (P00009) to a firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0806) to a previously awarded basic ordering agreement.This modification is for the procurement of last-time buys, material required for the continuance of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System production and sustainment efforts for the Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Work will be performed in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada (35.32%); Chantilly,Virginia (24.23%); San Diego, California (14.48%); Sterling, Virginia (12%); San Jose, California (7.08%); Pine Brook, New Jersey (2.49%); Farnborough, Hampshire, England (1.9%); and various locations within of the continental U.S. (2.46%), and is expected to be completed in March 2028. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $782,271; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,347,956; fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,089,357; and RAAF funds in the amount of $2,317,028, will be obligated at the time of award, $1,089,357 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
ARMY
US Ordnance,* McCarran, Nevada, was awarded a $40,000,000 modification (P00003) to contract W15QKN-22-D-0013 for the MK19 Grenade Machine Gun. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 7, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Space, Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $977,599,318 costplus-incentive-fee contract modification (P00127) to previously awarded contract FA8810-18-C-0005 for Phase 2.1B. The Phase 2.1B contract modification is for onorbit developmental and operational testing, calibration, and tuning of the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) main mission payload, entrance into the interim operations period, and interim contractor support for the Next Generation OPIR Geosynchronous System for two space vehicles consistent with the space vehicle 3 descope. The locations of performance include Sunnyvale, California; Boulder, Colorado; and Aurora, Colorado. The work is expected to be completed July 31, 2029. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $183,649,905 are being obligated at the time of award. Total cumulative face value of the contract is $8,193,503,619. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Space Sensing, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
3D Plastics, Inc.
Custom Injection Molding 800. 280.2278
Precision Injection Molding Is What We Do!
3D can provide design assistance and work with existing products to produce them more economically.We are a ‘UL Certified’ molder offering low to high quantity production runs.
We produce many of our customer’s products with metal and plastic sub-components molded in. It is very common to use threaded inserts, bushings, contacts, and plastic substrates.
Us Today: info@3d-plastics.com,
Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Co., Westford, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $264,595,890 predominately firm-fixedprice, indefinite-delivery/definite-quantity with a portion on a cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursement incentive contract. This contract provides for sustainment for the DB-110 and MS-110 Reconnaissance Pod program executed in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces International Support Branch, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program office. The contract will have a ceiling of $300,000,000. Sustainment services in support of this effort include, but are not limited to, hardware and software delivery support, technical support for organizational-level and intermediate-level maintenance, performance of all depot-level repairs and return repaired items in accordance with the country specific FMS transportation plan, field service representative support, and call back support. This contract involves foreign military sales to Greece, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Bahrain, Taiwan, Iraq, Qatar, and Jordan. The work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2027. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $2,294,107 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance & Special Operations Forces International Support Branch is the contracting activity (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, FA8691-24-D-B001).
is being awarded an extension to the indefinite-delivery/indefinitequantity contract HQ0147-19-D-0002. The total value of this contract is $282,775,135. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work will continue to be performed in Huntsville, Alabama. This contract was previously competitively awarded to provide the development and sustainment of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Objective Simulation Framework modeling and simulation system.The government is awarding this extension with only one source under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This extension will ensure continuity of critical work to deliver required capability increments. The ordering period end date is extended from April 15, 2024, to Oct. 15, 2026, and adds two 12-month options and one sixmonth option. The extension will allow for the execution of MDA’s integrated master test plan that includes ground test, flight test, and warfighter training and combatant command exercise events.The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-19-D-0002).
Lockheed Martin Rotary & Missions Systems, Colorado Springs, Colorado,
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is being awarded $211,986,000 for a ceilingpriced delivery order (N00383-24-F-YY1S) under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-22-G-YY01) for the repair of 11 various configurations of flight control surfaces used on the F/A-18 E/F and EA18G aircrafts. The delivery order does not include an option provision. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (83%); and St. Louis, Missouri (17%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2028. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $103,873,140 will be obligated at time of award as an undefinitized contract action, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $63,534,667 modification (P00032) to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N0001922C0041). This modification extends services to provide continued infrastructure support, to include engineering, maintenance, logistics, manpower, and material for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) laboratory facilities and F-35 developmental flight test activities in support of the F-35 JSF program for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and F-35 cooperative program partners. Work will be performed Fort Worth, Texas (81%); Orlando, Florida (7%); Linthicum, Maryland (3%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); San Diego, California (2%); El Segundo, California (2%); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed in August 2024. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $19,282,467; fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,282,467; fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance (Air Force) funds in the amount of $6,698,415; fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,698,415; and F-35 cooperative program partners
funds in the amount of $11,572,902, will be obligated at the time of award, $13,396,830 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
AeroVironment Inc.,* Simi Valley, California, is awarded a $13,691,731 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N6833524F0079) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N6833519G0059). This order provides for the development of automated entity classification in video using soft biometrics, in support of advanced image and video analytics capabilities for unmanned system technologies, including the optimization of system design through machine learning and techniques to apply to aerial systems, maritime systems, and multi-vehicle coordination and heterogeneous swarming for the Navy. This contract is in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III topic N08-077 titled “Automated Entity Classification in Video Using Soft Biometrics”. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, and is expected to be completed in June 2026. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,242,731 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
Lockheed, USAF Test ICBM Reentry Vehicle
Research work has proceeded to the flighttest phase for the U.S. Air Force’s future ballistic missile system, a nearly $1-billion development project for Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force recently completed a flight test of the Mk21A reentry vehicle – part of a future intercontinental ballistic missile system that Lockheed is developing under a $996-million contract. The June 17 test from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and over the Pacific Ocean tested Lockheed’s Mk21A design components and technologies for the vehicle.
Neither the developer nor the service branch commented on the success of the test. According to Lockheed, data collected during the test will inform Mk21A design and future flight-test activities. It added that the Mk21A program is on-schedule.
The Mk21A is USAF’s integrated reentry vehicle and the “front end” of the land-based LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM weapon system, the part designed to carry a nuclear warhead. The Sentinel program is foreseen becoming active later this decade, with a service life projected from 2029 to 2075.
Last fall the USAF awarded a nearly $1 billion contract to Lockheed to devise a “technically low risk and affordable solution to modify existing Mk21 reentry vehicles” to deliver warheads for the U.S. Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent Weapon System.
Lockheed states it is “maturing” its Mk21A design to reduce costs and shorten the development schedule. The current testing includes arming and fuzing subsystem and support equipment, using digital engineering tools, including advanced modeling and simulation.
“This progress is built on a strong foundation—Lockheed Martin’s 65-plus years of demonstrated exceptional performance in reentry technologies and a pioneering digital engineering approach on this program from its beginning,” stated Jay Watson, vice president of Strategic Reentry at Lockheed Martin. “We remain focused on delivering this capability for the warfighter as a trusted partner to the U.S. Air Force for ICBM reentry systems and modernization of the deterrent triad.”
GE Testing Hybrid Electric Engine Components with NASA
The effort to speed progress on alternative power sources for commercial aircraft involves embedding electric motor/
generators into turbofan engines, to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
GE Aerospace reported it is working with NASA to test a hybrid electric demonstrator engine with NASA that will embed electric motor/generators in a high-bypass commercial turbofan, to supplement power during different phases of operation. “We’re advancing state-of-theart propulsion systems for next generation commercial aircraft with an important aim — to drive industry efforts to improve efficiency and reduce emissions compared to today’s aircraft engines,” according to Arjan Hegeman, general manager of future of flight technologies at GE Aerospace.
The developer explained that embedded electric motor/generators will optimize engine performance by creating a system that can work with or without energy storage devises, e.g., batteries. This could hasten hybrid electric power for commercial aviation, even before energy storage functions are fully matured.
The research includes modifying a GE Passport engine by inserting hybrid electric components and testing its performance through NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project.
The NASA project is one several efforts by GE Aerospace to establish technologies for more electric aircraft engines, and is being advanced as part of the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program that is being led by GE’s joint venture, CFM International.
The GE Passport engine used in the tests is a turbofan unit developed for large business jets, including the Bombardier Global 7500 and 8000. It’s sometimes described as a smaller version of the CFM LEAP engine, produced by the GE Aerospace joint venture for the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX narrow-body aircraft.
According to GE, the initial, “component-level” testing of electric motor/ generators and power electronics has been completed; as has been a baseline test of the Passport engine, to characterize performance before hybrid electric components are added.
Both test programs were conducted at GE Aerospace operations in Ohio. The results of the component and baseline engine tests are being used to evaluate and update models in preparation for a ground test.
Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER), Falls Church, Virginia (HQ003424-D-0011); Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), McLean, Virginia (HQ0034-24-D-0012); CACI Inc. Federal, Chantilly, Virginia (HQ0034-24-D-0013); Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia (HQ003424-D-0014); and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), Reston, Virginia (HQ0034-24-D-0015), are awarded a firm-fixedprice, labor hour, time and material contract valued at $1,500,000,000 to perform cybersecurity; IT; information enterprise; command, control, and communications; IT management analytics and data analytics; and administrative and program subject matter expertise and support services. Services include activities such as strategic planning, capital planning, technology performance, assessments, research and analysis, architectures, modeling, hardware and/or software development and/or acquisition, standards development and evaluation, customization of software analytical tools, models, decision aids, screening methods and techniques, simulation and war-gaming, and day-to-day security and administration.Washington Headquarters Services, Alexandria,Virginia, is the contracting agency.
MRS, Metal Rollforming Systems, Engineered to Perfection
Controlling your own destiny, success, and customer service by keeping all proprietary aspects of the manufacturing process of equipment safely under one roof.
What is Rollforming?
Rollforming is an optimal fabrication method for manufacturing high volumes of long metal sheets requiring uniform thickness and form for the metal roofing and siding industry. Rollforming utilizes a rolling process to bend sheet metal into different profiles: feeding a long sheet of metal through several sets of rollers (or dies) along a line of consecutively arranged stands. As the metal passes through each set of dies, it gradually changes form to achieve the desired shape by the time it reaches the end of the production line.
Dan and Carol McDonald founded ‘Metal Rollforming Systems’ in 1993 in Spokane,WA.
Dan started out in the construction business and enjoyed making things with his hands. In his mid-30’s Dan was making and selling metal roofing and siding but found that his true passion lay in manufacturing the rollformers themselves, and thus MRS was born.
After shifting his focus to manufacturing rollformers, Dan soon realized the best business model was keeping all operations under one roof. He taught his team the value of controlling all processes within the company and worked to outsource as little as possible.
Thanks to Dan’s original business model, MRS has flourished.Today, MRS has over 60,000 square feet of manufacturing facility and the average tenure of the company is more than 10 years with some long timers holding over 20 years tenure. MRS continues to grow, investing in new facilities, equipment, and talent. MRS’s growth mindset and drive to produce cutting-edge technology is propelling them into a promising future.
A major part of the MRS secret to success is being vertically integrated, or in other words, keeping all processes in-house. This is key to maintaining the highest quality product while the lowest cost gets passed on to their customers. The evolution of this ‘Made in House’ business model sparked the investment into powder coating and to grow the internal machine shop with multiple Doosan CNC machines. These machine their high tolerance rolling parts to the same dimensions consistently - producing high quality parts every time.
The other side of this vertical integration business model is improving the processes that are repeated every day. By reducing steps, reducing waste, the creation of cells, and having redundant systems in place the manufacturing facility is never down. Aaron, Dan’s son and now part owner, said, “the beauty of making your own equipment every day for over 30 plus years is you get pretty good at it and you are face to face with the process. It doesn’t take long to see ways to improve what you are doing.The evolution allows us to remove unnecessary steps and improve everything we do.”
Another key asset for MRS is their own tool designs; this keeps them ahead of all the competition as they do not outsource any of their proprietary tooling dies.
Today, MRS, Inc. is still a family business. Dan’s son Aaron and son-inlaw Bill Griffin are now partners/owners of Metal Rollforming Systems.
Aaron and Bill worked their way up the company ladder, so to speak, into management positions and eventually as co-owners.
A Bit About The Owners
Aaron started his career at MRS in 1999, driving the delivery truck while attending high school. In 2004, Aaron joined the MRS team full time after attending Gonzaga University and graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. A year later, Aaron made the move from Assembly Technician to Purchasing and Operations. He is married with two children and he’s an avid outdoors enthusiast. When Aaron was 10 years old, he wanted to be an Auto Mechanic. Aaron’s passion and drive continues to challenge himself and everyone at MRS to go above and beyond. He truly believes in the MRS mantra “our success is our customer’s success.”
Bill started with MRS in 2002 machining parts while also attending college at Washington State University. In 2004 he switched to Assembly and Field Service and in 2006 he transitioned to a full-time position in Purchasing and Scheduling. In 2008 he moved to a Sales and Service position, a more customer focused role that he greatly enjoyed, before moving into Operations and Equipment Design in 2015. Bill’s most inspiring part of his job is seeing the success MRS’s customers have. He says there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your customers and friends succeed.
welding, powder coating, and electro-mechanical assembly, to a complete, tested and finished piece of equipment that their customers can sincerely rely upon.
It doesn’t stop there. Bill and Aaron say, “We stock parts for our assemblies and if our customer should ever have any issue with their rollforming equipment we work fast to make sure they are up and running in a day or so. If we don’t have the part or assembly they need, we stop what we are doing and we make the parts and assemblies that get them up and running fast. The great part of designing and manufacturing all of our equipment under one roof is if spare parts are needed, we don’t have to worry about them being stuck on a boat somewhere, nor do we have to wait for components that could be made wrong and out of specification. We drive the satisfaction for our customers and support them quickly.”
MRS, Metal Rollforming Systems, is a complete ‘OneStop’ design and manufacturing business.The company designs all equipment sold through their in-house engineering department and builds said equipment completely on site. From machining of lathe and mill components, sheet metal fabrication,
This is a crucial part of MRS’s success - focusing on the customers and their satisfaction. Machine design, development, tooling design, manufacturing, testing, and assembly, all in-house and with their customers in mind. This allows MRS to price their equipment very competitively, making it affordable for customers and allowing MRS to provide fast and reliable support for their customers. Support after the sale is their best salesperson and brings new and existing customers back throughout generations.
MRS’s rollforming machine lines are the best quality and value you can find in the industry. Their line of affordable accessories allows you, their customers, to build a custom rollforming package to suit your individual business model and accommodate your specific requirements as a made-to-order solution.
Edited by Brooke Martinek
For more information on MRS and their great roll forming machines contact them at: (888) 284-6794, www.mrsrollform.com
Ellison Technologies is a provider of advanced machining solutions to North American metal-cutting manufacturers and their global affiliates.
As a family of companies we are committed to the survival and growth of the American manufacturing industry. Independent offices provide us a local market focus and the flexibility to advocate the needs of each of our valued customers.
Our priority is to introduce technologies that strengthen our customers’ ability to compete in the markets they serve. Whether the solution involves a stand alone machine, multi-process equipment, or an integrated manufacturing system with robotic automation, our goal remains the same; to optimize throughput and quality at the lowest per-part manufacturing cost.
Our team of engineers, equipment and automation specialists, and project management professionals, are dedicated to helping manufacturers get the most from their technology investments. Service and parts engineers provide post-installation support aimed at optimizing machine availability, productivity, and cost of ownership.
The Ellison Way
MILL S & THRILL S
We strive to make every customer worldcompetitive. Whether our customer competes globally or not, Ellison Technologies brings its full mastery of advanced manufacturing technology to provide the most comprehensive and productive solutions the industry has to offer.
Collaboration You Can Count On
Whenever you add a new technology, there’s bound to be a learning curve. At Ellison Technologies, we act as an extension of your operation as you get up to speed. If you have any questions – whether before, during or after the machine install – we’re here to help you identify the best way to do things.
Expertise You Won’t Find Elsewhere
There are Ellison branches all over the United States, and all of our employees bring experience (and a willingness to share it) that’s simply unmatched. No matter how new your machining adventure is to you, we’ve seen it, and we’ve solved for it already. It’s a welcome dose of peace of mind as your journey begins.
A Competitive Advantage That Lasts
Our mission is clear: at Ellison, we equip American manufacturers to compete and win, both locally and globally. If you can’t shake the feeling that there’s a better way to do things, we are ready to help you increase quality and efficiency, win more work and increase your profits.
For more information on Ellison Technologies contact them at: 866-567-2580, www.ellisontechnologies.com
Boeing, Spirit Aerosystems Nearer Deal For Reacquisition
Progress in negotiations with European planemaker Airbus over a new manufacturing contract hasWichita’s Spirit AeroSystems nearer a deal to be taken over by the Boeing Co., according to a Thursday media report.
Citing unnamed sources, Reuters reported Airbus and Spirit were advancing in negotiations over Spirit’s contract for work on Airbus commercial jets. Spirit indicated last month that negotiations with Airbus on a reworked contract, more favorable to Spirit, had reached an impasse.
Spirit (NYSE: SPR) manufactures fuselages and other components for Boeing (NYSE: BA), its largest customer at 64% of net revenue. The company’s Airbus production concentrates on the upper fuselage and accounts for about 19% of Spirit’s revenue, and analysts have said Airbus would likely have to purchase its own part of Spirit as part of the larger deal.
Spirit, which lost $617 million in the first quarter and saw a cash burn of $444 million, has been seeking a more favorable contract from Airbus, similar to one negotiated with Boeing last fall.
An Airbus spokesperson told Reuters the discussions “with Spirit AeroSystems (are) to protect the sourcing of our programs and to define
a more sustainable way forward, both operationally and financially, for the various Airbus work packages that Spirit AeroSystems is responsible for today.”
Boeing and Airbus, according to Reuters, have agreed on Spirit programs to be acquired by each company. A source said some programs may not be bought by either company.
The report said a deal “could come within days or weeks, barring lastminute snags.” Last month, Boeing’s CFO was as optimistic about a similar timeline.
Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said, “Our focus remains on providing the highest-quality products for our customers.” Boeing did not comment.
Two months after a midair incident in which a door-plug panel came off a Boeing 737 Max 9, Boeing and Spirit confirmed the start of negotiations for a reacquisition, 19 years after Boeing left Wichita and Spirit was created to outsource fuselages and other parts.
Boeing has said bringing Spirit back into the company would improve safety and quality in manufacturing processes. A Federal Aviation Administration investigation after the door-plug incident found lapsed manufacturing process standards at both companies, and Boeing has since stationed inspectors at Spirit to ensure fuselages have no errors before being sent to Boeing’s plant in Renton, Wash. The FAA is also continuing its oversight at Spirit.
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Colorado Space Company Chosen For $615M Contract To Build More Military Communications Satellites
A Colorado company will soon be contracted to build dozens of satellites and awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in payment by an arm of the U.S. Space Force that’s establishing a military communications network in orbit.
York Space Systems, headquartered in Denver, will have a $615 million contract finalized in the coming days funding the company’s construction of 62 small satellites for the Space Development Agency.
Jonathan Withington, SDA’s deputy chief of strategic engagement, confirmed that York is being awarded a firm-fixed-price contract and said it would be worth that much if York meets the on-time delivery milestones included in the agreement.
The 62 satellites will be part of the SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport LayerAlpha project, which is slated to start launching in 2026.
The agency is the rapid-procurement arm of the Space Force that’s been focused on developing a network of hundreds of orbiting small satellites in low-Earth orbit that can quickly relay communications and data — and some designed to help track long-range gliding missiles — under a project it calls the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Using a large constellation of small satellites is expected to make communications more resilient to attack in orbit than the small number of very large and expensive satellites on which U.S. military communications has traditionally relied.
York built eight of the first batch of satellites helping establish the SDA’s “mesh network” in orbit. The satellites, known as Tranche 0, were launched last year.
The company has also won competitive bidding to build other parts of SDA’s larger network.
The small satellite company, which started in Denver about seven years ago, will have about $1.2 billion in SDA work under contract once the latest award is finalized.
Last fall, SDA awardedYork a $200 million contract to build 12 satellites for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer, designed primarily to relay military data between satellites and to military users on Earth.
satellites for Tranche 1, a contract worth $382 million, SDA said.
The SDA in August awarded Lockheed Martin Space, based in Jefferson County, an $816 million contract to build 36 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta.
The 21,000-employee division of defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. built a new satellite factory to handle the production of small satellites for SDA and other customers.
SDA Director Derek Tournear has said the agency’s focus on rapid innovation has helped young space companies like York Space Systems compete for contracts and establish themselves.
York Space Systems started producing small satellites at a production center housed on the Metropolitan State University campus and later expanded to include space the company rented across Auraria Parkway near the Ball Arena.
The company has over the past 18 months established a manufacturing center in Greenwood Village where it can turn out a larger number of satellites in a space that also has offices for design, engineering and new product development.
US Cutting Tool Orders
Totaled $214.7 Million in April 2024, Raising Year-toDate Total Nearly 5% Over 2023
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), reached $214.7 million in April 2024. Orders increased 1.1% over March 2024 and grew by 13% over April 2023.Year-to-date shipments totaled $846.1 million, nearly 5% above shipments made in the first four months of 2023.
“While April 2024 shipping numbers do show an increase from those of 2023, caution continues due to many uncertainties ahead for the remainder of 2024,” said Steve Boyer, president of USCTI. “Uneven growth and turbulence have continued to impact cutting tool orders through the first quarter of 2024, and there have been some downgrades in expected needs from the aerospace sector, leading to stagnation in new orders.”
Costikyan Jarvis, president of Jarvis Cutting Tools, expanded on Boyer’s analysis, saying, “The industrial sector of the economy continues to move sideways. While the value of cutting tool shipments is up about 5% over last year, the flatter growth rate in units shows that inflationary pressures are still present.”
Looking forward, Jarvis said: “There are two big ‘ifs’ that could result in improved demand during the second half of the year. The first is that the overall production remains consistent. The second is if Boeing can start ramping up production of the 737 to the FAA limit of 38 per month. If those two things can happen, the cutting tool industry might be positioned for growth in both revenue and volumes.”
The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, Continued Page 26
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Historical data for the Cutting Tool Market Report is available dating back to January 2012. This collaboration of AMT and USCTI is the first step in the two associations working together to promote and support U.S.-based manufacturers of cutting tool technology.
The graph below includes the 12-month moving average for the durable goods shipments and cutting tool orders. These values are calculated by taking the average of the most recent 12 months and plotting them over time.
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members – those who design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded in 1902 and based in Virginia, the association specializes in providing targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow’s Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS –The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North America.
and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process – the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels.
The United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) was formed in 1988 and resulted from a merger of the two national associations representing the cutting tool manufacturing industry. USCTI works to represent, promote, and expand the U.S. cutting tool industry and to promote the benefits of buying American-made cutting tools manufactured by its members. The Institute recently expanded its by-laws to include any North American manufacturer and/or remanufacturer of cutting tools, as well as post-fabrication tool surface treatment providers. Members, which number over 80, belong to seven product divisions: Carbide Tooling, Drill & Reamer, Milling Cutter, PCD & PCBN, Tap & Die, Tool Holder and All Other Tooling. A wide range of activities includes a comprehensive statistics program, human resources surveys and forums, development of product specifications and standards, and semi-annual meetings to share ideas and receive information on key industry trends.
Blue Origin Saw Its Seattle-Area Workforce Climb By More Than 300 Employees Over The Past
Announcements & Releases Continued
Starlink and Project Kuiper are growing powers in satellite manufacturing. Dozens of startups are nurtured by these established industry leaders.
Year.
Anthony Bolante
from outside North America to North America. Reshoring includes work that is produced either in-house or outsourced. A complete definition of “reshoring” is available here. Applications must be submitted by June 30. To view award details and enter to win, visit this webpage.
materials and services to the industry.
Seattle’s space sector is often overlooked — not by the people who would have the strongest reaction to that statement, but rather by those who don’t regularly interact directly with space tech.
“You have this unique combination of workforce and talent that all touches on all these areas that we’re talking about, propulsion and nuclear, and that’s principally why we’re here,” Paolo Venneri, executive vice president of Seattle-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., told the Business Journal last year.
“From 2010 to 2020, more than one million jobs were announced as coming to the United States from offshore. This is a tremendous achievement, and we seek to motivate and honor the companies that have made reshoring a reality,” said Harry Moser, founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative.
Redmond even adopted the moniker “Space District” in 2023. (It was also once known as the bicycle capital of the Northwest. Pick a lane, Redmond.)
The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) represents U.S. builders and distributors of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive.
Despite its growth and potential applications, there’s still a novelty to Seattle’s space sector. The most attention it gets locally is when Blue Origin publicizes one of its space trips.
Questions about the National Metalworking Reshoring Award can be directed to Harry Moser at 847-867-1144 or harry.moser@ reshorenow.org. For more information on AMT’s efforts on reshoring and supply chain efforts, visit IMTS.com/supplychain.
The space sector is a force, employing about 12,000 people across Washington’s aerospace supply chain and generating an estimated $5 billion in economic activity for the state.
But it’s also isolated, partly by design. The sprawling manufacturing facilities and labs are not found in downtowns. Instead, many are located in far-flung areas of the region. Out of sight, out of mind.
The Reshoring Initiative, founded in early 2010, helps manufacturers realize that local production, in some cases, reduces their total cost of ownership of purchased parts and tooling. The Initiative also trains suppliers how to sell against lower-priced offshore competitors.
The greater Seattle area is undeniably a hub for space innovation, with ties to Boeing and heavy investment from the cloud computing giants Amazon and Microsoft. Blue Origin and SpaceX are young rivals in space travel.
NTMA is the voice for the precision manufacturing and tool and die industries in the United States. Backed by nearly 1,300 member companies, representing more than $30 billion in sales, NTMA provides an array of benefits to members and the industry including advocacy in Washington, training and education programs and networking events nationwide.
Last year, for example, the rocket maker hosted a job fair and tours of its Kent facilities. It was hiring rapidly, second only to Boeing in aerospace recruitment. But when Business Journal reporter Marissa Nall arrived to cover the event, she was turned away.
The Benefits Of Worki ng With P4Swiss / Lindel CNC Machining
It is a cloistered workforce — for now. It is still small enough to grow quietly, to pick and choose when it makes itself accessible. But as the space sector matures, those employers will need to fine tune how they market the profession or risk losing out on a rich talent pool.
PMA, an inaugural sponsor of the National Reshoring Award, is the full-service trade association representing the North American metalforming industry — the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its
Founded in 1987, Lindel Precision CNC Machining merged with Precision 4 Swiss in 2019. Together, P4Swiss / Lindel CNC Machining is dedicated to providing quality CNC machined parts at
Ge Vernova Begins Delivering Turbines For 248 MW Wind Farm In Montana
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) announced today that delivery is underway for 88 of its 2.8 MW-127m* workhorse wind turbines for Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Beaver Creek wind farm in Stillwater County, Montana. Turbine deliveries for the project, which was booked by GE Vernova in the fourth quarter of 2023, first began in 2024.
The Beaver Creek Wind Project is expected to have an initial capacity of 248 MW, enough energy to power the equivalent of about 83,000 homes per year.The project is expected to utilize an estimated 150-200 skilled workers during construction with an expected ongoing need for 10-15 permanent on-site workers during operation. The project will interconnect on NorthWestern Energy’s system and will use existing PSE transmission lines to bring wind energy back to PSE customers.
for clean energy while at the same time continuing to deliver safe and reliable energy. Our GE 2.8 MW-127m workhorse turbines are ideally suited to help PSE and other customers meet ambitious clean energy goals.”
“PSE is excited to leverage our experience developing and operating major wind projects and the expertise of GE Vernova, which has been established in the wind business for decades, for delivery of the Beaver Creek Wind Project,” said Jim Hogan, Director of Major Projects at PSE. “Our partnership with GE Vernova on this project helps us as we take another step forward in delivering one of the most ambitious clean energy transformations of any utility in the country.”
Stephen Swift, Chief Commercial Officer of GE Vernova Wind, said: “We are pleased to work with Puget Sound Energy to supply their Beaver Creek Wind Project, which takes advantage of Montana’s strong wind profile to help them drive their clean energy transformation. Like Puget Sound Energy, GE Vernova understands the importance of meeting the demand
GE Vernova’s Onshore wind business has a total installed base of approximately 56,000 turbines and nearly 120 GW of installed capacity worldwide. Committed to its customers’ success for more than two decades, its product portfolio offers next-generation technology that leads with high-powered turbines to enable high-quality scale and drive decarbonization through affordable and sustainable generation of renewable energy.The portfolio builds on the 2.8 MW-127m workhorse turbine. With over 23 GW installed and 200 million operational hours, the 2.8 MW-127m is one the best-selling turbines in the U.S. in history. Designed specifically for the U.S. market, the 2.8 MW-127m continues to deliver best-in-industry ease of installation and a high capacity factor.
U.S. Air Force And Lockheed Martin Complete Flight Test Of Future
Test demonstrates vehicle design maturity to support deterrent triad modernization
Lockheed Martin artist rendering of Mk21A in flight. Credit: Lockheed Martin.
VThe U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] conducted a planned flight test of the unarmed, developmental Mk21A reentry vehicle in the Pacific Ocean.
Mk21A is the U.S. Air Force’s integrated reentry vehicle and the critical front-end of the service’s future intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) weapon system.
This flight test from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, tested Lockheed Martin’s Mk21A design components and technologies for the vehicle. It also continues Lockheed Martin’s leadership and expertise in developing effective and reliable reentry vehicle technology.
Precious Metals Plating Co.,
“This progress is built on a strong foundation— Lockheed Martin’s 65-plus years of demonstrated exceptional performance in reentry technologies and a pioneering digital engineering approach on this program from its beginning,” said Jay Watson, vice president of Strategic Reentry at Lockheed Martin. “We remain focused on delivering this capability for the warfighter as a trusted partner to the U.S. Air Force for ICBM reentry systems and modernization of the deterrent triad.”
This testing is done through Lockheed Martin’s Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract with the Air Force Nuclear Systems Center. Data collected during the event will further inform Mk21A
design and future flight test activities. The company’s Mk21A program is on-schedule.
Lockheed Martin is maturing its Mk21A design, which includes the arming and fuzing subsystem and support equipment, using advanced digital engineering tools, including advanced modeling and simulation. This allows for efficiency in schedule, reduced cost and risk, and increased confidence in system performance.
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More
About Lockheed Martin
GE Aerospace’s Services Technology Acceleration Center to Open in September 2024
First announced in December 2022, the new Center (STAC) will enable GE Aerospace to accelerate the deployment of new inspection and repair processes to its MRO shops globally
GE Aerospace’s global network of service shops soon will have a new inspection process to improve the way they inspect metal parts, using the same technology scientists rely upon to help museums and auction houses identify forged artwork. It will be the first deployed through GE Aerospace’s new STAC facility, which opens in September.
GE Aerospace, in partnership with Bruker, a leading provider of analytical tools for material characterization, have developed a new inspection process using a non-destructive open beam x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) inspection device capable of detecting microstructural variations in metal parts.
Along with improving the quality and detail of part inspections, this new inspection process is designed to improve our airline customer’s cost of ownership by more clearly delineating airworthy repaired parts that can be returned to the field in lieu of replacing them entirely with new parts. This will help reduce supply chain constraints with the manufacture of new parts, improving the overall turnaround time of our engine overhauls.
“We’re excited to be opening our new STAC facility, which will serve as
a major accelerator for scaling and deploying cutting edge inspection and repair processes to market,” said Nicole Jenkins, Chief MRO Engineer, GE Aerospace. “We have already begun moving equipment into the facility and preparing to launch our first inspection process that takes a page from the art world to improve the quality and speed of detecting chemical anomalies in metal parts.”
Thomas Schuelein, President of Bruker’s Nano Analytics Division, commented: “We are excited to extend our most advanced XRF technology into the Aerospace industry, contributing to set a new standard in non-destructive chemical analysis techniques and therefore helping to support aircraft component re-manufacturing quality.This first successful program under the joint technology development agreement with GE Aerospace underlines Bruker’s commitment to innovation, and we look forward to further breakthroughs in this sector.”
Caption: The artistry of inspection. Pictured is the X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) inspection device currently installed at the GE Aerospace Inspection Solutions (AIS) facility in Springdale, Ohio. Developed in partnership with Bruker, this is the same technology commonly used in art and conservation to tell the history of an art object’s origin or to decipher its authenticity that is now being applied to enhance jet engine part inspections.
Jet Engine Metal Parts and Master Artworks’ “Chemical” Bond
Investigating works of art and inspecting metal parts in jet engines have something in common – both have a chemical composition. In art and conservation, XRF is used to image and see aspects of an art object’s chemical composition that can tell you about the history of its origin and how to restore it or, in some cases, whether the piece is real or fake. For metal part inspections, the XRF provides a view of the part’s chemical composition that can help a service engineer more-readily spot anomalies.
“With the new XRF technology we have developed in partnership with Bruker, we’re inspecting metal jet engine parts at the same level of forensic detail museums and auction houses use to identify forged pieces of artwork,” Jenkins added. “This new inspection will allow us to be even more vigilant with verifying the integrity of metal parts.”
The new process using X-ray is one of a variety of imaging methods and techniques GE Aerospace engineers use in its inspection processes. Ultrasound, Computed tomography, flash thermography, eddy current testing, fluorescent penetrant inspection, and dimensional metrology are also used to inspect engine components, depending on what can best interrogate a given material or part.
ABOUT GE AEROSPACE
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of 52,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow and the future at www.geaerospace.com.
The Manufacturer’s Secret Weapon
By Stephen Hannemann
A 5-Axis Diamond
Being a manufacturers rep is an exciting business, especially when a rare gem falls in your lap! Two months ago, a business acquaintance pinged me on LinkedIn and wanted to know if SMH Inc. was taking on new business. She thought we should meet the next time I traveled to the Portland area. She was right! Chantelle Sims introduced me to Nathan Eckert, a 5-axis specialist and owner of Speed Metal Fabrication in Wilsonville, OR. It is a veritable diamond mine of machining quality and value!
Speed Metal Fabrication (SMF) is a bit understated – lightspeed would be more appropriate. For our first multi-part project, the quote was turned in just a few hours.
Many shops tout their 5-Axis adaptations which mean smaller size parts and slower machining rates.
SMF has true 5-Axis machines capable of machining gnat-size parts to parts the size of an engine block! Did I mention SMF can run lights out 24/7? SPEED truly fits!
Difficult materials? According to Nathan, no problem! “We machine anything. All aluminum alloys. A lot of mechanical plastics. A lot of 15-5SS, 17-4SS, 304, 316, Inconel, Titanium. A couple unusual ones we like are nickel, even magnesium.”
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, I will stop typing so you can enjoy a photo essay.
Need one part? A low to medium part run? SMH Inc. has your source! Call 425.501.7342 or email stephen@smhincllc.com. You will be happy you did!
Buyer’s Guide & Card Gallery Equipment and Services
Tel: 1-631-273-1010
1-800-645-4174
Fax: 1-631-273-1066 1-800-424-2082
orders@royalprod.com
ACCESSORIES
Abrasive Systems
KBC TOOLS & Machinery___714-278-0500
Air Cleaning Guns
Royal Products 631-273-1010
Auto-Bar Feed Systems
Western Machine Center____408-955-1000
Automation
Hainbuch Workholding____818-970-7874
Ballscrews
C & M Precision Spindle, Inc._ 503-691-0955
Band Saws/Saw Blades
Bandsaw Tech 562--419-7675
Cycle Time Solutions_____510-708-8665
Saw Service 877-738-6437
Sterling Saw Blades 800-828-11800
Band Saw Replacement Parts
Saw Service 877-738-6437
Sterling Saw Blades 800-828-1180
Band Saw Repair
Saw Service 877-738-6437
Sterling Saw Blades ______ 800-828-1180
Bar Feeders
Spinetti Machinery ______ 775-996-3770
Boring
THINBIT 888-844-6248
Caabinet Spray Washers
ALMCO 507-380-1009
Cams
Dayton Lamina. 708-203-6684
Carbide Tools, Indexable
ARNO USA____________815-236-8118
Cycle Time Solutions _____ 510-708-8665
Horizon Carbide 602-524-38028
Ceramic Cutting Tools
NTK Cutting Tools 425-365-3613
Chemicals: Ultrasonic Star Metal Fluids 800-367-9966
