Industrial Machinery Digest - March 2024

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a s we welcome the rejuvenating energy of spring, our March issue is infused with themes of innovation, sustainability, and the evolution of manufacturing processes. This edition of Industrial Machinery Digest is crafted to navigate the intersections of tradition and technology, reflecting on how the industry's past informs its future.

andrew MacMillen's exploration into cloud-based ErP solutions marks a pivotal shift towards efficiency and competitiveness in "Business 4.0", emphasizing the delicate balance between embracing new technologies and optimizing existing operations. This narrative of adaptation and advancement threads through our exclusive interview with Stu Johnson of rootstock Software, where we delve into how cloud ErP systems are not merely tools but catalysts for growth and innovation in manufacturing.

Our focus on "Safety Maintenance" and the pioneering work of riten Industries in tailstock rebuild-repair underlines the critical importance of maintenance, repair, and the strategic management of downtime in preserving machinery life and ensuring operational continuity.

celebrating milestones and embracing future challenges, we spotlight Murata Machinery USa's 50th anniversary of automation excellence in North america. This feature story is a testament to the enduring impact of innovation and leadership in transforming the automation landscape.

Further, we highlight the partnership between ProShop ErP and Purdue University's Industrial Engineering School, a collaboration poised to revolutionize manufacturing education by equipping students with the tools and knowledge for the future of smart manufacturing.

Introducing new technologies, we present Leifeld's advanced machine for the production of hydrogen tanks, showcasing the industry's commitment to safety, flexibility, and sustainability. Similarly, the "Process" section, with a focus on heizomat Gerätebau + Energiesysteme Gmbh, illustrates how modern welding techniques are contributing to environmental sustainability.

concluding with an insight into the industry's adaptability, we explore how innovations like the TKX changer series are making automation more flexible, ensuring that manufacturers can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

This issue is a mosaic of stories that together paint a picture of an industry at the cusp of a new era, where tradition meets innovation, and challenges beckon solutions. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to continuing to bring you the insights and stories that shape our industry.

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SHEARS & PRESS BRAKES

Hydraulic Shears:

1/8” (10GA), 3/16”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 1” and 1-1/4”

Press Brakes: 50-Ton to 550-Ton

C-Frame Presses: 40-Ton to 200-Ton

Custom Designs: for Custom Applications

Retrofit Backgauges: for Shears and Press Brakes. Made to fit most machines with minimum modifications.

Precision Knife Sharpening

6K recognized on Global cleantech 100 for Second Year in a row

6K, a leader in the production of advanced materials for batteries and additive manufacturing, has been recognized on the 2024 Global cleantech 100 list for the second consecutive year. The Global cleantech 100 showcases the top private companies in the cleantech ecosystem, highlighting innovators with promising technologies and business models addressing the climate and environmental crisis. 6K's inclusion is primarily attributed to the success of its UniMelt® Microwave Plasma Production Platform, a sustainable, production-scale microwave plasma process that significantly enhances the production of metal additive manufacturing powders and battery materials. This technology offers a cleaner, faster alternative to traditional processes, reducing carbon emissions and production times dramatically. The recognition also builds on 6K's recent achievements, including a $50 million award from the US Department of Energy for its PluscaM battery material production plant and a $23.4 million grant for upcycling critical metals. cleantech Group cEO richard Youngman lauded 6K as a leader driving positive change towards a sustainable future. The report underscores the importance of digitalization, decarbonization, and resource efficiency in building a cleaner industrial future.

allison Transmission awarded $83.3 Million contract for abrams Tank Modernization

allison Transmission has received an $83.3 million contract to supply upgraded and new X1100 transmissions for the abrams Main Battle Tank variants used by the U.S. army and Foreign Military Sales customers. This contract, spanning January to December 2024, aims to meet the performance demands of the abrams tanks, combining new technology

with existing hardware for a cost-effective, zero-mileage transmission solution. The upgrade supports the abrams System Enhancement Package version 3 tanks, ensuring the tank remains the world's most capable battle vehicle. This contract highlights allison's long-standing commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, supporting U.S. army readiness and performance objectives while continuing its history of excellence in defense programs.

Beckhoff USa Promotes

alec abkemeier to Software Product Manager

Beckhoff USa has promoted alec abkemeier to Software Product Manager, focusing on test and measurement technologies. With a strong background in measurement software and hardware, abkemeier's role will enhance Beckhoff's market share in industries requiring advanced data acquisition

Allison Transmission Awarded $83.3 Million Contract for Abrams Tank Modernization

Alec Abkemeier

and power monitoring. his responsibilities will include product ownership for TwincaT 3 LabVIEW™ Interface software and involvement with other high-speed, high-accuracy measurement technologies. Prior to this role, abkemeier contributed significantly to Beckhoff's test and measurement applications through his expertise in automation engineering and LabVIEW™, positioning him to lead Beckhoff's innovations in test and measurement solutions.

Flexxbotics and Zaptic Win hexagon’s Third ‘Sixth Sense’ cohort

hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced Flexxbotics and Zaptic as winners of its third ‘Sixth Sense’ cohort, a program for advanced manufacturing startups. Following an intense competition, these companies were selected for their solutions in workcell digitization and connected manufacturing worker platforms, respectively. The winners will gain access to hexagon's resources for global expansion, including potential funding and visibility on hexagon's Nexus platform. This initiative is part of hexagon's commitment to fostering innovation in automation and productivity within the manufacturing industry, supporting startups in addressing automation and digital transformation challenges.

Vention and Flexxbotics Partner for advanced robotic Machine Tending

Vention and Flexxbotics have announced a partnership to offer a combined solution for robotic workcell digitalization, particularly in machine tending within machining environments. This collaboration integrates Flexxbotics’ advanced robot machine tending solutions with Vention’s Manufacturing automation Platform, enabling customers to design and deploy efficient, tailored automation solutions. The partnership aims to address challenges such as production reshoring, labor shortages, and salary inflation by providing turnkey automation solutions. With Flexxbotics’ expertise in workcell digitalization, this partnership promises to enhance productivity and enable "lights out" manufacturing through advanced robot-driven process control and optimization.

E-Drive Days Event by Gleason: revolutionizing

E-Drive

Gear Design, Manufacturing,

and Inspection Gleason corporation announces its special online event, E-Drive Days, scheduled for March 11-14, 2024. This four-day event is designed to educate participants on the intricacies of designing, manufacturing, and inspecting e-drive gears, with a special focus on minimizing gear noise—a critical concern in e-drive transmissions. Each day is dedicated to a unique aspect of e-drive technology, offering both newcomers and experts valuable insights into overcoming the specific challenges of e-drive transmission design, manufacture, and inspection.

The event will delve into the complexities of gear design for e-drives, highlighting how gear geometry,

modifications, and manufacturing deviations can address individual requirements. It will also explore strength calculation nuances due to frequent torque direction changes and the importance of noise excitation calculation for NVh (Noise, Vibration, and harshness) analysis and gearbox optimization.

Manufacturing technologies and processes tailored for e-drive gears will be showcased, including hobbing, chamfer cutting, shaping, Power Skiving, threaded wheel grinding, and gear honing. Innovations such as hard Power Skiving and Polish Grinding will be presented to highlight advancements in soft machining and hard finishing of e-drive gears.

The third day will focus on gear metrology, with experts discussing the latest hardware and software solutions for accurate gear noise measurement and analysis. This includes understanding the sources of gear noise and showcasing tools for real-time inspection and quality monitoring in the production flow.

concluding the event, Gleason will introduce the coniflex® Pro design and manufacturing system, specially suited for e-drive differentials requiring higher strength and reliability. This system, part of the GEMS® design software suite, offers sophisticated FE a analysis tools for comprehensive strength analysis of gears.

E-Drive Days aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience with three sessions each day, accommodating participants from different regions. registration and more information are available at www. gleason.com/edd24.

hWarobotics advances North american E-commerce with cutting-Edge aSrS Technology for Darwynn hWarobotics is making significant inroads into the North american market by providing Darwynn, a canadian e-commerce fulfillment specialist, with its advanced shuttle automated Storage and retrieval System (aSrS) technology. This collaboration aims to enhance order fulfillment operations at Darwynn's Toronto facility, showcasing a multi-level shuttle system designed to streamline logistics and inventory management.

The system, which boasts 24 carts, 10,368 storage locations, and 6 goods lifts, is engineered to handle 20,000 individual SKUs, increasing throughput to 2,400 bins/hour. This implementation marks a significant step in Darwynn's business expansion, addressing the growing demand for efficient, scalable, and sustainable logistics solutions.

hWa robotics' technology is celebrated for optimizing inventory management, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding storage capacity, all while reducing business costs and error rates. The integration of this shuttle a SrS system into Darwynn's operations exemplifies the future of intelligent logistics, promising enhanced service quality and reliability for e-commerce platforms.

This partnership not only solidifies hWa robotics' position in the North a merican logistics market but also underlines the company's commitment to innovation and customer success. With plans for further expansion and a focus on providing comprehensive post-sales support, hWa robotics is poised to transform the logistics and warehousing industry across North a merica.

hypertherm associates celebrates the Production of the 10,000th Ma XPrO200 System

hypertherm a ssociates, a leader in industrial cutting systems and software, recently announced the assembly of its 10,000th Ma XPrO200® plasma cutting system. This milestone is attributed to the widespread adoption of the Ma XPrO200® by manufacturers and fabricators globally, who rely on its high productivity, robust reliability, and low operating costs for a range of applications.

The M a XPrO200® is celebrated for its solid cutting power and capacity, catering to the needs of diverse industries without necessitating high-definition cutting. hypertherm's focus on customer-driven innovation and attention to market trends has ensured the M a XPrO200® remains a preferred choice for those seeking reliable and efficient cutting solutions.

This achievement underscores hypertherm's commitment to delivering quality and durability in its products, reflecting the company's understanding of the manufacturing landscape and its challenges. The M a XPrO200®'s success is a testament to hypertherm's ability to design and innovate in alignment with its customers' business goals, marking a significant contribution to the industrial cutting sector.

Global Manufacturing Outlook for 2024: cautious Optimism amid challenges

The global manufacturing sector is bracing for a challenging 2024, with expected contractions in several regions. however, a mild recovery is anticipated in 2025, according to Interact analysis. The semiconductor segment is poised for a better outlook in 2024, contrasting with the general manufacturing downturn. The a sia-Pacific region leads in growth prospects with a 2.9% caGr , followed by the US and Europe, both at 2.4%.

This forecast reflects the varied impacts of economic policies, market trends, and global challenges on manufacturing. The US and Germany, for instance, are expected to face less severe contractions compared to the pandemic's peak, highlighting resilience in certain sectors. The semiconductor machinery sector, buoyed by

legislative support in North a merica, shows robust order growth, indicating a divergent path from the broader manufacturing slowdown.

Interact a nalysis emphasizes the importance of adapting to these trends, with detailed insights into the manufacturing landscape over the next five years. This outlook serves as a crucial guide for industry stakeholders navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving sector.

KOYO Machinery USa Integrates with JTEKT Machinery americas corporation

KOYO Machinery USa , renowned for its precision grinding machines and systems, has formally integrated into JTEKT Machinery americas corporation. This strategic move is part of JTEKT corporation's global brand unification initiative, aiming to enhance efficiency and synergize operations across its group companies.

This merger expands JTEKT Machinery's offerings, combining KOYO's grinding technology with JTEKT's comprehensive range of products, services, and customer support. The integration promises customers increased service responsiveness, a broader support organization, and enhanced engineering resources, among other benefits.

KOYO Machinery will maintain its operational presence in the Detroit area, transitioning to JTEKT Machinery's facility in Wixom, Michigan. This change is designed to streamline customer service, ensuring a seamless transition for existing KOYO Machinery customers. The merger underscores JTEKT's commitment to delivering end-to-end manufacturing solutions from a single, trusted source, highlighting the synergy between KOYO's grinding expertise and JTEKT's broader manufacturing capabilities.

Kyle Teeter Takes the helm as Plant Manager at Mack's Statesville

Facility

Mack Molding announces Kyle Teeter as the new Plant Manager for its Statesville, N.c ., facility, marking a significant addition to the company's leadership team. Teeter, with over 15 years of experience in manufacturing operations, engineering, and quality roles, brings a wealth of expertise in cross-functional team management, safety, employee engagement, and customer satisfaction. his appointment is expected to steer the Statesville team towards successful program production for Mack's customers.

Before joining Mack, Teeter demonstrated his leadership and engineering prowess at Parker hannifin’s Precision Fluidics Division, overseeing all site-wide activities. his diverse background, including significant roles at Parker hannifin and academic credentials from

North c arolina State University, positions him as a versatile leader within the manufacturing sector.

Mack's Southern Division also welcomes new talents to its Sales and Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering teams. Devon Knight and Jonathan Shafer join as Program Managers, each bringing a unique set of skills and experience to the table. c ate Lewis has been appointed as a Manufacturing Engineer, ready to contribute with her fresh perspective and recent academic achievements.

These strategic appointments underscore Mack's commitment to enhancing its leadership and operational capabilities, promising a new era of growth and innovation for the company and its clients.

MODEX 2024: The Premier Manufacturing and Supply chain Event

MODEX 2024, set to take place in atlanta from March 11-14, is anticipated to be the largest manufacturing and supply chain trade event of the year. With over 1,175 exhibitors and 200 sessions, the event promises an immersive experience into the latest in material handling, logistics, and supply chain technologies. high-profile keynotes, including insights from UPS's Bill Seward and aI expert Gerd Leonhard, will address the most pressing issues and innovations in the industry.

The MODEX conference will feature extensive educational sessions and panels, diving deep into trends, best practices, and emerging technologies. highlights include discussions on smart ports, the impact of aI, and previews of the MhI 2024 a nnual Industry report. Special events like MhI Industry Night with colin Jost and forums focusing on women in the supply chain and young professionals will offer networking and learning opportunities.

MODEX 2024 is not just an event but a comprehensive platform for professionals to explore solutions, engage with experts, and envision the future of manufacturing and supply chains. It represents a pivotal moment for industry leaders to gather insights, forge connections, and drive innovation.

Pac Machinery: Leading the charge in Sustainable Packaging

Pac Machinery's FW 650SI Flow Wrapper has been named a finalist in the MhI Innovation awards for the "Best Innovation in Sustainability" category. This recognition highlights Pac Machinery's commitment to environmentally-friendly packaging solutions, marking a significant advancement in the industry's efforts to reduce plastic use.

The FW 650SI Flow Wrapper is designed for industries requiring high-speed flow wrapping but looking to achieve sustainability goals. The machine's compatibility with Pac 's Fiberflex® paper packaging material offers a recyclable solution, reducing plastic waste. This innovation is a testament to Pac Machinery's dedication to environmental

Kyle Teeter

stewardship and its role in helping companies embrace sustainable packaging practices.

The MhI Innovation awards underscore the importance of sustainability in the supply chain industry, and Pac Machinery's recognition in this category emphasizes its contribution to promoting eco-friendly solutions. a s the industry continues to prioritize sustainability, Pac Machinery's achievements set a benchmark for innovation and environmental responsibility.

PostProcess Technologies achieves Milestone with 40th Patent

PostProcess Technologies has been granted its 40th patent, marking a significant achievement in the company's journey towards revolutionizing additive manufacturing post-processing. The patent for their cONNEc T3D® Software Platform underscores PostProcess Technologies' commitment to innovation and leadership in automated post-processing solutions.

This milestone highlights the company's dedication to advancing the additive manufacturing industry with a combination of software, hardware, and chemistry. PostProcess Technologies' solutions address critical challenges in post-processing, improving efficiency, consistency, quality, and safety in manufacturing operations.

With this latest patent, PostProcess Technologies not only strengthens its position as a pioneer in the field but also reinforces its commitment to delivering groundbreaking solutions. The company's continued investment in research and development promises further advancements, supporting manufacturers in unlocking the full potential of additive manufacturing.

rEJOOL adopts Siemens Xcelerator to revolutionize hydrogen compressors

rEJOOL, a hydrogen compression startup, has embraced Siemens Xcelerator as a Service portfolio to accelerate the development and market introduction of its PIONYr hydrogen compression technology. This strategic adoption aims to establish a digital twin-based development process, enhancing rEJOOL's product engineering, simulation activities, and collaboration with suppliers and customers.

Utilizing Siemens' NX software and Teamcenter ® X solution, rEJOOL is poised to redefine hydrogen compression with its innovative, compact, and oil-less piston compressors. The collaboration underscores the importance of digital transformation in developing sustainable technologies and Siemens' role in supporting startups like rEJOOL to achieve their ambitious goals.

This partnership not only facilitates rEJOOL's mission to set new standards in the hydrogen industry but also exemplifies Siemens' commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability through its cloud-ready software solutions.

Thompson Energy Solutions Fuels Industrial Engine Innovation in West Tennessee and North Mississippi

Thompson Energy Solutions, a division of Thompson Machinery, is expanding its presence in Memphis, Tennessee, to spearhead the development of customized solutions for industrial engines. These engines, vital for applications ranging from rock crushing equipment to irrigation pumps, are central to the operations of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across various off-road applications. The choice of c aterpillar engines and the extensive c at dealer network, including Thompson Energy Solutions, is pivotal for OEMs aiming for product durability and superior performance in demanding environments.

West Tennessee, identified as an ideal logistics corridor, along with strategic locations in Mississippi, offers OEMs lucrative opportunities for relocation, thanks to its excellent workforce and logistics capabilities. These regions are becoming increasingly attractive for OEMs looking to mitigate supply chain challenges and workforce shortages by being closer to suppliers, customers, and major commerce routes.

The recent addition of Jonathan Gwaltney as the new Industrial Engines Sales Manager at Thompson brings a fresh perspective and extensive experience to the team. his background in design, product engineering, and project management is expected to drive innovation and enhance customer satisfaction in this rapidly evolving market segment.

TrUMPF and The Exploration company: Pioneering 3D Printing in Spacecraft Manufacturing

TrUMPF, a leading German technology company, is collaborating with The Exploration company, a European space startup, to manufacture core spacecraft components using 3D printing. This partnership aims to leverage TrUMPF's manufacturing and application expertise to produce parts for the Nyx Earth and Nyx Moon spacecraft, utilizing metal 3D printing for the huracán and Mistral engines. The collaboration seeks to enhance cost-efficiency and sustainability in space missions by making the huracán engine reusable and refuelable with bio-methane and oxygen.

The use of 3D printing in aerospace manufacturing offers significant advantages, such as weight reduction, complexity minimization, and the potential for rapid prototyping. TrUMPF's technology allows for the efficient use of materials, reducing waste and enabling the production of components with complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve.

This initiative marks a significant step towards commercializing space travel, with The Exploration company planning its first earth-orbit mission in 2026 and moon missions starting in 2028. The partnership underscores the growing importance of additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry, promising to revolutionize how spacecraft are designed and built.

UL Solutions certifies Siemens Using Digital Modeling for rapid Innovation

UL Solutions has granted Siemens the first certification using digital modeling, a landmark achievement for product innovation and market speed. This certification, applied to Siemens' new SINaMIcS G220 drives, highlights the potential of digital modeling and simulation to streamline compliance, enhance product design, and reduce the time and cost associated with bringing new innovations to market.

By integrating verified and validated digital models with physical tests, UL Solutions is pioneering a more efficient pathway for product development and certification. This approach not only saves resources by reducing the need for multiple prototypes but also offers deeper technical insights into product safety and performance.

Siemens' utilization of a digital twin for the SINa MIc S G220 drives underscores the transformative impact of digital technologies on product development. This collaboration between UL Solutions and Siemens exemplifies how digital innovation can drive faster, more efficient, and cost-effective product certification processes, setting a new standard for the industry.

Velo3D and Kratos: advancing Defense Manufacturing with Metal additive Technology

Velo3D, Inc., a leader in metal additive manufacturing technology, announces that Kratos SrE, Inc., a subsidiary of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., has acquired a Velo3D Sapphire printer. This acquisition supports Kratos's efforts to revolutionize its supply chains by facilitating the rapid and cost-efficient production of metal parts for the defense industry.

Kratos SrE will utilize the Velo3D metal additive manufacturing solution in its rapid

prototyping and manufacturing center to enhance the vertical integration of critical supply chains. This technology enables Kratos to maintain its competitive edge in the defense sector by reducing lead times, lowering costs, and accelerating innovation in part design for existing platforms.

Velo3D's fully integrated solution, recognized for its ability to produce mission-critical parts, underscores the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing in the defense industry. The collaboration between Velo3D and Kratos exemplifies the transformative potential of additive manufacturing in supporting national defense objectives and fostering innovation in manufacturing processes.

West Ohio Tool Showcases advanced Tooling Solutions at ShOT Show 2024

West Ohio Tool co. returned to the ShOT Show 2024 in Las Vegas, further establishing its reputation as a leading tooling manufacturer for the defense and aerospace industries. Building on its success from the previous year, West Ohio Tool presented its advanced carbide and polycrystalline diamond (PcD) custom tooling solutions, emphasizing its innovative EdgeX4 tools that significantly reduce cost per hole.

The company's participation underscored its commitment to providing advanced custom tooling solutions and highlighted its numerous certifications,

including the recently acquired a S9100D certification. This certification not only validates West Ohio Tool's quality management systems but also facilitates its expansion into government, defense, and aerospace markets.

By addressing industry challenges such as tool delivery times, West Ohio Tool demonstrated its ability to deliver custom tools 75% faster than industry averages. The company's engagement at ShOT Show 2024 exemplified its dedication to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction in the rapidly evolving tooling industry.

The Value of the Cloud for Manufacturing ERP

By: Andrew MacMillen

In an era of increasing competition and rising costs, manufacturers must find a competitive edge wherever possible. Moving their on-premises enterprise resource planning (ErP) solutions to the cloud represents an opportunity to modernize day-to-day operations and update technological capabilities. The upfront requirements of carrying out such a large- scale project have kept many from abandoning their current business processes. however, new benefits, such as increased access to the application and company data, now outweigh the costs of maintaining the status quo. Manufacturers will always face constant pressure to improve performance, and those who successfully leverage new cloud-enabled capabilities will distinguish themselves both now, and in the future.

OVErVIEW

a s manufacturers face increasing competition and resource constraints, they need modern ErP systems that are secure, scalable and can improve organizational visibility. companies are beginning to realize the value and importance of data and analytics for decision making.

The data silos that often occur in legacy, on-premises deployments hinder both daily activities and high-level strategy objectives. a s manufacturing operations grow in both size and complexity, ErP software must be able to extend and accommodate the changes that naturally occur with successful companies.

Other factors driving manufacturing Er P deployments to the cloud include rising software maintenance costs and burdensome maintenance processes that are necessary to keep on- premises deployments running. cloud solutions have a lower total cost of ownership (TcO) when compared to similarly sized legacy Er P implementations that are internally managed (Nucleus research s102 – The cloud benefits companies of any size, September 2018).

Moving to the cloud, and consolidating costs and services into a single package, forces customers to review their existing business processes and evaluate the usefulness they bring to their overall objectives.

WhY cLOUDEr FOr MaNUFacTUrErS

From research conducted on manufacturing customers

who migrated from on-premises ErP deployments to the cloud, Nucleus identified four areas that companies cited as key factors in the decision:

rEDUcED IT cOMPLEXITY

Simplifying technology setups was the most common reason for transitioning to cloud ErP solutions among manufacturing companies. Those who switched were able to consolidate many of their siloed processes into a single platform. cloud migrations also enable companies to delegate application security and update management to the vendor.

Keeping up with update schedules for various systems often becomes overwhelming, and it’s all too easy for a company to end up with multiple versions behind the current update. The change allows the vendor to deliver performance and uptime improvements much more quickly, compared to legacy on-premises deployments. companies who moved to the cloud were able to eliminate unnecessary solutions and redeploy IT resources to different value-add work because of their decreased administrative responsibilities.

INcrE a SED BUSINESS aGILITY

cloud technology enables greater responsiveness and increases organizations’ ability to process and respond to changing business environments. a s internet speed and connectivity have improved, highly visible and crossfunctional ErP systems have democratized responsibilities that previously required specialized knowledge and experience. With new advancements in usability and real-time access to company data, cloud ErP users can react quickly to changes and see how the subsequent ripple effects will influence their business. customers can also create new dashboards or reports natively without needing to draw in IT resources. a s a result, users can ask questions and drill down into data for insights, resulting in more streamlined operations and decisionmaking processes.

INDUSTrY 4.0 caPaBILITIES

By migrating ErP deployments to the cloud, manufacturing customers can leverage new functionalities that don’t come as quickly to on-premises systems. New data configurations and sophisticated analytics are necessary for modern functionalities such as predictive analytics and improved security and are usually more widely available on cloud deployments. With ErP data in the cloud, manufacturing customers can supplement conventional analytics with machine learning to identify areas of weaker performance and provide contextual insights that can reduce costs and increase productivity. Functionalities such as predictive maintenance that rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) often require cloud frameworks in order to deliver value to customers, which can further entice manufacturers to leave their familiar on-premises ErP deployments.

KEY 2 BENEFITS

Despite the high upfront costs of transitioning from on-premises deployments, manufacturers still realized significant benefits from their cloud Er P implementations. Nucleus identified three key benefit areas from customers moving their on-premises Er P workloads to the cloud:

reduced costs. By transitioning from an on-premises legacy system to a cloud solution, customers can reduce operational costs by eliminating equipment and related IT department resources. reducing the burden of support for customers led to cost savings as the associated headcount was reduced or redeployed away from managing system updates and integrations.

Increased user productivity. cloud ErP solutions enable users to access and leverage company data from anywhere with an Internet-enabled device. With readily available information, customers saved time on performing analysis and generating reports while redeploying resources to new value-add tasks that were made possible through cloud deployments. Many customers were able to automate repetitive accounting and reporting tasks to save time and increase the productivity of all of their ErP users.

Improved organizational visibility. cloud ErP systems enable manufacturing organizations to improve access to data by breaking down information silos to provide interdepartmental visibility to customer data. On the cloud platform, finance and operations staff can collaborate to reduce friction between departments, resulting in more productive daily activities. cloud ErP deployments can deliver value to organizations by helping them pinpoint inefficiencies and develop new workflows to improve performance.

LOOKING ahE aD

While many customers are not in a position to undertake a full cloud transition for their ErP deployments, the benefits of moving to the cloud are becoming too large to ignore.

Nucleus observed that eliminating the costs associated with maintaining an on-premises deployment helped customers identify areas in need of improvement and streamline their operations. The advancements to employee productivity and organizational visibility enabled customers to develop new use cases for their ErP software, despite the high costs of transitioning away from on-premises deployments.

Some manufacturing ErP customers are currently unable to move away from their on- premises ErP systems, but centralizing processes in the cloud and adopting a standardized data model are necessary steps towards long-term success. Nucleus expects that the growth of cloud deployments will accelerate as next-generation capabilities, such as predictive analytics, mature and become easier to adopt. The flexibility and extensibility of cloud ErP deployments will drive value for manufacturers as long as they are willing to forego their outdated legacy practices.

aI is seen not as a job threat but as a solution to improve productivity and address tasks that humans prefer not to do.

FEATURING:

TALKING SHOP WITH: Stu Johnson — Vice President of Product Marketing at Rootstock Software

An Exclusive Dive into Rootstock Software's Vision and Impact

In an era where the manufacturing landscape is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting global dynamics, companies are seeking solutions that not only streamline operations but also provide the agility to adapt to change. rootstock Software emerges as a beacon in this transformative period, offering a Manufacturing cloud ErP solution that is not just a tool, but a catalyst for growth and innovation. Built on the robust Salesforce Platform, rootstock Software is designed to propel manufacturers into the future, enabling them to scale operations, meet emerging customer needs, and navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world with unparalleled efficiency and visibility. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the core of rootstock Software's mission, exploring how it empowers manufacturers worldwide and the visionary approach that makes it a leader in the ErP industry.

can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and rootstock Software?

I'm Stu Johnson, Vice President of Product Marketing at rootstock Software, with a 35-year career mostly in enterprise software, from caD/caM, PDM, MES, and now ErP. rootstock is a cloud-first ErP solution specifically designed for manufacturing, built on the Salesforce platform. This gives us access to a vast ecosystem and allows manufacturers to easily build out their IT stack with a plug-and-play approach.

With so many ErP systems out there, how does rootstock differentiate itself?

The key differentiator for rootstock is our focus on manufacturing. Our ErP is built on what I like to call a manufacturing operating system. Unlike other ErPs that need to configure manufacturing processes, rootstock integrates these processes natively. Our system intertwines inventory management, work orders, and supply chain processes seamlessly, making everything from order placement to costing automatic.

You mentioned a new winter release focused on financials. can you elaborate on its importance?

Our winter release significantly enhances the financial management capabilities within our ErP. It addresses a

critical balance manufacturers must achieve between demand, production capacity, and the uncertainties of the supply chain, all pivoting around financials. This balance is vital for maintaining profitability, and our latest updates aim to boost the productivity of financial teams and improve their quality of life.

Why is the financial aspect increasingly crucial for manufacturers today?

cash flow and cost management are paramount in manufacturing. Inventory represents a significant cost, and managing it efficiently can significantly impact profitability. Our ErP provides visibility into financials, allowing businesses to make informed decisions rapidly. This real-time data is essential for small manufacturers who need to scale without losing sight of their financial health.

how is the aI revolution impacting manufacturing, and how is rootstock preparing for it?

The manufacturing industry is traditionally cautious about adopting new technologies, but aI is starting to make its mark. Our focus has been on preparing our data platform for aI, recognizing that predictive aI and the insights it can provide are becoming invaluable. Interestingly, our survey showed that manufacturers are not afraid aI will take jobs; instead, they see aI as a tool to enhance productivity and improve job satisfaction by taking over undesirable tasks.

In the context of aI and manufacturing, what trends are you observing?

There's a significant shift towards investing in aI, with many manufacturers planning to increase their aI investments by double digits. This is partly driven by the ongoing labor shortage in the industry. aI is seen not as a job threat but as a solution to improve productivity and address tasks that humans prefer not to do. The industry is moving towards a more sophisticated use of aI to augment human work and enhance efficiency.

Rootstock Software: Empowering Modern Manufacturing with Cloud ERP

rootstock Software stands at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, offering a cloud ErP solution that propels manufacturers into the future. In the rapidly evolving post-pandemic landscape, rootstock equips businesses with the tools necessary to scale, adapt, and succeed amidst constant change. Built natively on the Salesforce Platform, rootstock Software delivers unparalleled agility and comprehensive visibility, enabling manufacturers to meet customer demands, overcome challenges, and drive accelerated growth.

A Global Force in Discrete Manufacturing

Since its inception in 2008, rootstock Software has cemented its status as a global powerhouse, serving an

expansive customer base across North america, Europe, and a sia Pacific. available exclusively through the Salesforce appExchange, rootstock caters to a diverse range of discrete manufacturing companies. From burgeoning small businesses to large multinational corporations, rootstock’s scalable solutions support manufacturers at every stage of growth.

Unifying Teams with Advanced ERP Solutions

rootstock's Manufacturing ErP solutions are designed for the modern manufacturing landscape, offering real-time management capabilities for manufacturing and supply chain operations. With rootstock, teams can effortlessly manage multiple sites

Configurable, Scalable, and Adaptable rootstock's agile platform, coupled with its extensive partner ecosystem, offers unmatched flexibility to address evolving business needs. The ErP system integrates seamlessly with native Salesforce sales and accounting apps, as well as third-party solutions from Workday, avalara, and Bringg/Zenkraft, facilitating out-of-the-box connectivity and collaboration. rootstock's partner network, composed of seasoned manufacturing and technology experts, further enhances implementation and technological capabilities.

Recognized Excellence in ERP Solutions

rootstock Software has received numerous accolades for its innovative

rootstock's commitment to delivering award-winning software platforms that meet the demanding requirements of modern manufacturers.

A Commitment to Customer Success

at the heart of rootstock's mission is a dedication to customer success and satisfaction. With a team boasting hundreds of years of combined experience in manufacturing partnerships, rootstock prioritizes the growth, profitability, and customer experience of its clients. Through high-quality, personalized support, rootstock Software ensures successful implementations and fosters long-term business partnerships.

rootstock Software is not just a

Anatomy of a Tailstock Rebuild-Repair

Inspection, analysis, engineering execution, and inventory back-up are in the mix for Riten Industries’ downtime maintenance formula.

By: Kent Hizer, Riten Industries, Inc

Established in 1969, riten Industries, Inc. is the largest domestic manufacturer of live centers, dead centers, and face drivers in the work holding industry.

a growing part of their re-engineering platform, riten is at the forefront of leveraging solutions to eliminate costly machine downtime due to tailstock failure. The fact is that a lot of machinery becomes obsolete before its time, and the original OEM may not exist anymore to provide timely replacements. If a machine becomes obsolete, riten has developed a dedicated tailstock ‘rebuild-repair’ program that includes a bearing assembly inventory platform that allows manufacturers to strategically schedule downtime.

rITEN TaILSTOcK rEBUILD-rEPaIr PrOcESS

» The Morse taper ID (if the spindle has an ID taper instead of a point)

STEP THREE

Some tailstock projects are quoted by riten based on existing lathe assembly drawings. a budgetary proposal is provided for a repair based on these drawings, with the understanding that it is subject to change based on the condition of the tool as received. From there, riten executes their established tailstock repair process.

STEP ONE

Upon receipt, the tool is photographed and a project folder is assigned containing detailed inspection forms tailored to the scope of the project. riten’s repair Department then disassembles the tool−documenting the process with notes and photographs specific to each step.

Once the tool is fully disassembled, a bill of material is created detailing all the essential components.

STEP TWO

The components go to Inspection, where a visual review is performed in addition to taking vital measurements. all of the key inspections and fits are documented in the project folder, which details both the inspection process and the expected inspections. Key inspection variables include:

» The fit between the quill OD and the tailstock ID

» The fit between the quill ID and the OD of the bearings

» The spindle bearing journals and the bearing ID

» The spindle point and the bearing journals between centers to determine concentricity

The folder goes to quoting, where an engineer reviews the scope of the project and the inspection findings. a quote is then created based on the condition of the spindle as received.

STEP FOUR

The inspection findings and the preliminary quote are presented to the customer. Based on feedback from the customer, the scope of work is finalized. a lso, if it is determined that if the parts don’t exist, they will proceed to retrofit, rebuild, redesign headstock or tailstock assemblies.

DEISTEr MachINE / rEBUILD-rEPaIr caSE-IN-POINT

Since 1912, Deister Machine company, Inc. (Deister: Fort Wayne, IN) has been a leader in manufacturing quality specialized vibrating equipment for the mining, quarrying, and allied industries. The family-owned and operated company is a preferred manufacturer of vibrating feeding, scalping, and screening equipment. Deister is known for delivering reliable separating and sizing equipment that is engineered to operate hour-after-hour, day-after-day, with minimum attention and maintenance. Their products are uniquely engineered to significantly increase efficiency and productivity within key aggregate industries including: crushed stone, sand, gravel, asphalt, coal, coke, slag, and ore processing.

Complete tailstock showing replaceable point

Deister’s dedicated aggregate capital equipment portfolio includes machinery for inclined screens, high-speed screens, horizontal screens, asphalt-batch plant, asphalt-drum mix, dewatering screens, feeders and grizzlys, and electro-mechanical feeders. In 2006, Deister realized that their lathes required excessively frequent maintenance, which was affecting their production output and resulting in costly downtime. In turn, they contacted riten who swiftly performed essential inspection-and-failure analysis on one of their two lathes.

Based on their findings, riten designed and manufactured a new quill with an upgraded four-piece bearing design. This new design was an upgrade with more capacity than the existing bearing design. They also designed and manufactured a replaceable point spindle instead of the existing solid spindle, since the customer noted that the spindle points of their existing lathes were easily damaged. This new design was highly efficient and performed much better than the old design.

a year later, however, Deister came back with a desire to achieve additional bearing life. riten then initiated a review of the application on-site and discovered that part of the process involved an eccentric load that they were not aware of. Eccentric loads are very hard on both the bearing assembly and the spindle of the lathe.

The review revealed that Deister was turning shafts that weigh between 1,500–3,000 pounds. Once these are turned complete, they cut a new center hole that is offset (not on-center) and turn a new bearing journal−resulting in a shaft that is unbalanced. In effect, a heavy, eccentric shaft spinning at high rPM can literally walk-the-machine across the floor, which is extremely hard on the equipment and its effective lifespan. however, this shaft design is key to the performance of equipment Deister is known for.

again, after reviewing the application on-site, riten suggested key changes to both the process and their selection of dead centers. In addition to premature wear on the bearing assemblies, they were breaking dead centers−a vital safety concern. In many cases, their center hole sizes were inadequate, therefore, charts were provided that specified minimum center hole sizes based on the weight of the part.

additionally, the bearing assembly in the new unit was upgraded to a matched set of six angular contact bearings. The existing four-bearing assembly was replaced with a six-bearing assembly in the same custom quill. When designing the quill, room was left in the assembly for additional bearings−if they proved necessary.

another key downtime dilemma is delivery on a bearing assembly, which can be anywhere from 12–20 weeks depending on availability of the base bearing. The bearing manufacturer starts with a standard high precision bearing and reworks them into a six-bearing matched set. riten orders and inventories a spare bearing assembly with every customer repair. This is essential for limiting production downtime for a repair−reducing downtime to 2–3 weeks vs. 3–5 months for the repair.

cONcLUSION

Between 2006 & 2010, riten upgraded a total of three Deister lathes−two of which are identical. They all share the same bearing assembly and replaceable point. The upgrade included manufacturing new quills with replaceable point spindles and honing the tailstock to fit. Notably, the new tools were installed on-site.

With this established ‘shut-down elimination’ program in place, Deister continues to have riten refurbish one of their lathes each year during their slow season−with each lathe being refurbished approximately every 2–4 years depending on their usage.

according to riten’s V.P. of Manufacturing, Mitchell Kirby, “It’s imperative for companies to perform critical maintenance during seasonal downtimes on their lathes. Depending on business levels, more companies send us their damaged units annually for either refurbishment and/ or replacement. We also manufacture spare identical quill assemblies for inventory. With this in place, we can limit their downtime to 3-5 days to remove the existing unit and mount the spare, whereas delivery on a replacement unit could be 14-18 weeks.”

ABOUT RITEN INDUSTRIES

Since 1933, riten Industries, Inc. has established itself as the largest domestic manufacturer of Live and Dead centers and Face Drivers. With thousands of standard products in this focused area, no other company can match our experience and engineering skill to meet the demanding needs of the work holding industry. Made-inthe-USa at riten’s 35,000 sq. ft. production facility in central Ohio, we boast the industry’s broadest line of standard products and can also design custom specials to meet a customer’s unique needs. Our quality system is certified annually to meet the demanding requirements of ISO-9001: 2015. Notably, riten also has a dedicated full-time department for repairing and rebuilding used live and dead centers−the only one of its kind in North america.

For more information:

Visit: www.riten.com or www.riten.com/services/tailstock-repair

Author: Kent Hizer / Riten Industries, Inc. / 574.850.4118 / k.hizer@riten.com. Editorial & Photo Contact: Ray Farrar / Method Media LLC / 216.861.0862 / rayf@methmedia.net

New bearing assembly with the old-style solid nose, prior to redesign of nose.

Murata Machinery USA Celebrates 50 Years of Automation in North America

Murata Machinery USa (Muratec), a leading manufacturer of game-changing industrial automation, celebrates its 50th anniversary across North america. Various activities are planned throughout 2024 to commemorate Muratec's golden year.

Operating as a subsidiary of Kyoto, Japan-based Murata Machinery Ltd., Murata Machinery USa provides sales, service, and support for the Muratec brand in the United States, canada, and Mexico, as well as overseas in Ireland. Muratec has a rich history of innovation and leadership in North america, revolutionizing the automation landscape with groundbreaking solutions that are often the first of their kind, the only ones available, or the world's fastest.

“Murata Machinery USa has been a beacon of excellence, driving industrial innovation and achieving continental success,” said Toshiyuki Komori, President and cEO, Murata Machinery USa . “Unwavering in our commitment, we aim to propel the Muratec brand of end-to-end automation to new heights across North america, helping customers maintain their competitive edge with automation.”

In May 1974, Murata Machinery Ltd. established Murata of america, Inc. in charlotte, Nc , initially focusing on textile

machinery. In October 1989, it acquired the Wiedemann Division from the Warner & Swasey company, creating Murata Wiedemann, Inc. The unified brand "Muratec" was introduced in October 1991. By June 2002, the company consolidated its U.S. subsidiaries, Murata of america, Inc. and Murata Wiedemann, Inc., into Murata Machinery USa , Inc. Throughout North america, Muratec expanded its automation portfolio to encompass material handling, machine tools, fabrication technology, and cleanroom automation solutions, showcasing a broadened range of offerings.

historic Innovation across Four Divisions

For over five decades, Muratec’s breakthroughs have marked many turning points in automation, helping our customers enhance their competitive efficiencies across diverse industries. Some of these significant innovations in automation advances include:

» Textiles: Muratec revolutionized textile manufacturing with Spinning, Winding, Twisting, and Texturizing Machines. This led to the invention of air-Jet Spinning, which utilized high-pressure air to enhance the texture and bulkiness of yarns at higher production speeds.

The MF30510HL is a combination machine based on a turret punch press with fiber laser cutting added.

Other advancements supporting textile manufacturing included the automatic Winder that seamlessly linked with ring Spinning Machines. The game-changing VOrTEX machine was introduced in 1997 and evolved into the VOrTEX 870 in 2011, creating the world’s fastest spinning machine that eliminated roving and Winding with over 6,000 units installed globally.

» Logistics & automation (L&a): In the 1990s, Muratec revolutionized North american automotive Stamping with an integrated turnkey solution, effortlessly combining Die handling, Blank Processing, Stamping Warehousing, and Transport control. This streamlined processes and minimized waste by integrating automated Storage and retrieval Systems (aSrS) and automated Guided Vehicles ( aGV), reshaping the automotive sector's logistics and material handling approach. Muratec positioned itself as a key industry influencer of versatile automation systems covering high-rise warehouses, unmanned transporting systems, robotic automation, and cutting-edge factory automation.

» clean Factory automation (cFa): a s a cleanroom industry leader, Muratec invented cutting-edge floor and overhead transport systems (OhTs) to optimize fabrication processes, maximize space, and ensure product integrity with minimal vibration. These solutions set industry benchmarks that smoothly interfaced with customer Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

and tools, establishing a new standard in boosting productivity, reliability, and operational excellence. Muratec is one of the world's largest semiconductor clean room automated manufacturers.

» Machine Tools Division (MTD): In 1980, Muratec revolutionized cN c machining with the MW25, the inaugural twin-spindle automated chucker lathe that seamlessly integrated automation with an industryfirst gantry loader. Then, in 1994, Muratec set a new industry standard by inventing the world's first electric servo motor cN c turret punch press. The MOTO rUM 2000 was known for its eco-friendly design, low noise, and highly productive hydraulic oil-less operation, inspiring numerous imitations and knockoffs. Muratec's machine tools, spanning turning, sheet metal fabrication, and automated handling systems combine high speed and precision through cutting-edge control technology.

In 2024, Muratec will mark 50 years of automation innovation with initiatives. In September, new innovative machinery will be introduced along with ten (10) cutting-edge machine demonstrations at the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show, Sept. 9-14, at Mccormick Place in chicago, Booth 338844. Discover Muratec’s diverse range of automation solutions engineered for use across various industries by exploring its newly revamped website at www.muratec-usa.com.

Taming Unruly Metals: No Problem for KASTO Saws

More capacity, shorter cutting times and precise cutting results: Metal distributor Langley Alloys was looking for more efficient sawing technology. The result: new band saws by KASTO, with which the British company can also process hard-to-cut metals.

Langley alloys knows its way around materials that are considered "difficult" in the industry. The company from Newcastle sells bars, tubes and sheets made of high-performance metals, but is also active as a component manufacturer. 70 employees take care of cutting duplex or super-duplex stainless steels, high-strength austenitic stainless steels, copper-nickel and nickel-based alloys. customers from different industries trust in the precision, reliability and expertise of the specialised trader. The spectrum ranges from small workshops and the automotive industry to large steel constructors for bridges, industrial buildings or ships.

The challenge

Langley alloys' saw fleet reached its limits after ten yearsan expansion of capacity was not possible with the existing

machines. In addition, the lack of space in the production hall prevented the acquisition of further band saws. The specialist had clear ideas about his new sawing solution: in any case, it should be possible to use carbide bands in order to achieve shorter cutting times for larger stocks of nickel alloys. With this idea, Langley alloys approached K aSTO's UK branch in Milton Keynes to discuss possible options.

The Solution

For several years band saws of the K aSTOtec ac 4, K aSTOwin a 4.6 and K aSTOwin pro ac 5.6, have been processing their difficult-to-cut metals. Langley alloys were able to significantly increase the cutting capacity and precision - without complex monitoring.

Thanks to the improved cNc control of the K aSTO machines, the employees can set up the different sawing

Metal distributor Langley Alloys relies on band saws from KASTO for the machining of difficult-to-cut alloys. Image credits: KASTO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG

jobs faster, utilising the machines to correctly set the speed and feed for each job, not having to rely on the operator’s knowledge – this opens up a greater potential for operator selection!

The K aSTO saws handle all sawing jobs at Langley alloys with very little down-time. If there are any problems, the K aSTO Ltd. Service Team are always quickly on-site to service or maintain them. Since the purchase of the very first K aSTO saw 6 years ago, the metal specialist have 8 K aSTO machines in daily use across their UK sites – Very soon to be expanded!

The conclusion

"K aSTO's band saws are ideal for cutting our difficult materials. here we wanted to become more efficient, and we have succeeded with the new acquisitions," Managing Director rodney rice explains the decision.

ABOUT KASTO:

The K a STO Group, located in achern in Baden, Germany, (K a STO Maschinenbau Gmbh & co. KG) specialises in sawing, storage, and automation technology for metal bar stock. The company is the world market and technology leader for metal sawing machines, semi-automatic and automatic storage systems for metal bar stock and sheet metal, automated handling equipment for metal bars, sheets, and cut-pieces including the necessary, intelligent software. With 180 years of experience, K a STO is one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Europe. 170 patents, more than 140,000 sawing machines sold across the globe, and over 2,300 installed automated storage systems are a reflection of the company's success. Besides the subsidiary plant in Schalkau located in Thüringia, K a STO also operates subsidiaries in England, France, Singapore, china, Switzerland, and the USa , and has sales and service partners in many other countries.

For more information, see: www.kasto.com

ProShop ERP Partners with Purdue University's Industrial Engineering School to Revolutionize Manufacturing Education

ProShop ErP, a leading software solution for precision manufacturing companies, has entered into a partnership with the Industrial Engineering School (IE) at Purdue University, donating seats of their ProShop Digital Ecosystem to help the school establish a state-ofthe-art manufacturing lab of the future. The IE program is ranked number two in the United States by U.S. News & World report, having invested heavily in the infrastructure and technology to best prepare students for careers in such areas as smart manufacturing, supply chain resiliency, and aI and Machine Learning among others. The ProShop Ecosystem will play a big part in the creation of a 10,000 square-foot automated “factory floor” in the school’s manufacturing lab space to teach and perform lights out manufacturing operations. Students will eventually be taught how to implement a lights out process from beginning to end, creating an overarching control system to manage

production planning, scheduling, inventory, PM planning, and finished goods, tracking every aspect of the manufacturing process. The ProShop Ecosystem will be used as the shop’s inventory management and ErP system to help control the entire shop floor, helping faculty and students to store and access quality documents for fixturing, setup, and tool setups and images of equipment. They will be able to track raw goods, raw materials, and tool inventory.

The ProShop Ecosystem will also be used to track and manage 3D print, metrology, laser, and human integration labs on different floors. IE is also installing chip manufacturing equipment after being designated one of the major chip-making hubs in the U.S. combine that with other assorted equipment and there is a lot to be tracked throughout the school.

additionally, ProShop ErP’s ability to help streamline certification and regulation documentation is

well-known and will be beneficial in helping the school to prove that OSha and other certifications and training have taken place.

It was a aron ramsey, IE’s Director of Industrial relations, who first connected with a drian Sansonetti, ProShop Er P’s Director of Global Project Management Office and ProShop Oceania while Sansonetti was networking within the manufacturing community in the state of Indiana. a fter learning of the school’s needs, Sansonetti traveled to West Lafayette and demonstrated the different system functions that could meet those needs.

“ProShop’s ErP software perfectly aligns with our operational requirements, providing comprehensive tracking and management capabilities vital for our activities," said craig Zehrung, PhD., the Principal Laboratory Operations Specialist in IE. "Our goal is to extend its application to fully leverage its extensive functionalities towards achieving a fully automated, or 'lights out,' manufacturing environment. We are committed to evolving into a facility that operates autonomously, leveraging advanced aI and computer control systems. This initiative also offers practical learning opportunities for students, connecting academic knowledge with real-world experience.”

The partnership is a win-win for the school, its students and ProShop ErP.

“We can help facilitate the connections for students to get real world industry experience with leading manufacturing companies,” said Sansonetti. “It helps our clients but it’s also meaningful for the students who need to be able to work on real projects and solve real problems. There is a synchronicity in that we are both trying to achieve the same thing which is upskilling industry with best practices. The Purdue School of Industrial Engineering is graduating world-class students.”

ABOUT PROSHOP ERP

ProShop ErP delivers manufacturing software by deeply understanding our client’s challenges in order to meaningfully improve their businesses and in turn, their communities.

ProShop is the industry’s only dedicated ErP/QMS/MES management software built by manufacturers for manufacturers. They are fanatical about managing every detail of machine shops in a paperless and web-based environment, including the enterprise resource management (ErP) functions necessary to run offices, the quality management system (QMS) functions to manage a S9100 systems, and the manufacturing execution system (MES) functions to ensure the shop floor is running at peak efficiency, while helping clients.

For more information browse https://proshoperp.com/proshopsafe or call 1-800-990-4046.

Leifeld presents new machine for the production of robust hydrogen tanks

Maximum safety and flexibility in shaping in terms of sophisticated neck geometries and wall thickness gradients for very high operating pressures are the key issues when it comes to the production of aluminum hydrogen tanks. Leifeld Metal Spinning Gmbh is launching an innovative forming machine on the market that meets these requirements and helps to reduce cO2 emissions.

Manufacturers of hydrogen-powered vehicles have clear requirements for hydrogen tanks: absolute safety, maximum filling volume and maximum flexibility in the design of the tank shape. all three requirements are met by hydrogen tanks manufactured with the necking-in machine aFc from Leifeld Metal Spinning Gmbh

aFc stands for aluminium Forming center. The machine forms the ends of the aluminum cylinders for hydrogen storage using a special necking-in process. a s hydrogen tanks underlie high operating pressures in their application, the entire neck area is optimized in its wall thickness profile during the forming process for long-term durability. In addition to the standard necking-in

machine, the German machine manufacturer also offers a machine type that combines the necking-in and flow forming technology to form both, the entire pressure vessel body and the necks.

customers can choose between two equipment options for preheating the material: gas burner or induction system. Once the pipe ends have been heated, the material is necked in. The process is completed by controlled loading and unloading as well as automated programming. "With our necking-in machine LEIFELD aFc , we are setting new standards in the forming technology for hydrogen tanks. Maximum safety, increased flexibility and a contribution to cO2 reduction combined with the famous LEIFELD technology promise - these are the innovations the automotive industry needs," says Oliver reimann, cEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning Gmbh

Safety ensured through intact surface hydrogen tanks operate under immense pressure. Scratches or other defects on the surface would be catastrophic.

The new LEIFELD AFC machine meets the requirements of manufacturers of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Absolute safety, maximum filling capacity, and the highest flexibility in shaping the tank form play a crucial role for the production of hydrogen tanks.

To prevent damage to the material, the r&D team, led by Benedikt Nillies, Technical Director at Leifeld, has come up with several solutions. For example, the heating of tube ends in the machine: "Normally, the tube ends are heated by a gas oven or an induction system outside the machine," says Benedikt Nillies. however, during subsequent loading, the component cools down. "We want to prevent this," Nillies continues. "With the aFc machine, the tube ends are either heated by an integrated heating device with a gas burner or electrical induction to processing temperature uniformly. We can precisely adjust the temperatures to the desired level. This avoids coarse grain formation and preserves the material's strength." Valid forming tests for aluminum tanks confirm the success of this innovation.

To keep the surface intact, Leifeld offers various spinning rollers - from simple necking-in rollers to actively driven forming rollers. The rollers, developed and manufactured by Leifeld, rotate upon contact with the part, preventing surface defects by avoiding material buildup on the roll. The support device was specially designed so that it can absorb the forming forces even with very thin wall thicknesses. The cylinder is held stably in a precise position, ensuring tight tolerances and surface accuracy even at high forming forces and forming speeds. The innovative support system can be used for parts up to 6 meters in length.

Even stepped tanks can be manufactured for use in cars

There are no limits to the design of aluminum cylinders. Thanks to the flow-forming and necking-in technology, even stepped dimensions can be realized. "Some of today's hydrogen tanks have to be integrated into existing vehicle architectures with limited installation space. For example, a tank could be stepped in such a way that it takes up as little space as possible and has the maximum filling volume. With this innovation, we aim to contribute to electromobility with hydrogen," says Benedikt Nillies.

Use of hydrogen tanks interesting for other sectors in the future

hydrogen tanks are currently primarily used in cars, trucks and buses. however, Benedikt Nillies also sees the possibility of using hydrogen tanks manufactured on LEIFELD machines to power rail vehicles and aircraft as feasible: " We are continuously developing the process and have received initial inquiries from other industries. additionally, we are currently working on automating loading and unloading systems in order to adapt the machine even more efficiently to the customer's material flow."

Leifeld Metal Spinning Gmbh emphasizes its clear focus on innovation and progress, as well as quality leadership as a solution provider, deeply rooted in the corporate culture. The company has its own application center in Germany and Japan, along with in-house research and development capabilities, driving the continuous development of new technologies.

ABOUT LEIFELD METAL SPINNING:

Leifeld Metal Spinning Gmbh develops, manufactures, and distributes machine tools for chipless metal forming. More than 200 employees work at locations in Germany, the USa , Japan and china. The company is member of the Global Metal Forming Group and is present worldwide with numerous representatives in all major markets. The core industries are automotive, aerospace, energy, and industrial applications. The production site and headquarters are located in ahlen, Germany.

The product range includes machine tools for the manufacture of various intermediate or end products. The machines are equipped with multifaceted automation solutions and can be individually adapted to suit the customer's requirements. In 130 years of business, Leifeld Metal Spinning has manufactured over 6,150 machines and delivered them to 60 countries.

Leifeld Metal Spinning also supports its customers with a comprehensive range of services which cover the entire product lifecycle. The company offers all the services - ranging from research & development, technical service, spare parts procurement, consulting, and training to the retrofitting of second-hand machines. Leifeld develops new processes, technologies, and products, and has filed for patents on more than 140 inventions to date.

For more information, please visit: www.leifeldms.com

Pioneering forming technology: The new necking-in machine LEIFELD AFC is shaping the future of hydrogen tank production.

Oliver Reimann, CEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH: "With our own in-house R&D team, we focus on continuous technology development. Our ability to simulate processes and test products under real conditions strengthens our innovative power."

Welding for a Better Climate

In 1982, the El Niño effect was unusually strong. The water temperature in the equatorial Pacific was 7 °c higher than average. Thermal energy was released into the Earth’s atmosphere and global weather patterns were turned upside-down. In the same year, robert Bloos Senior revolutionized heating with wood: the resourceful inventor developed a way of automatically charging boilers with wood chips. Today, the Franconian pioneers of heizomat Gerätebau + Energiesysteme Gmbh produce up to 1600 environmentally friendly, customized wood chip heating systems every year. In order to cope with the high order numbers, the boilers are welded using modern robotic welding cells from Fronius.

Like many great success stories, that of former truck driver robert Bloos Senior started in a garage. Even then it was clear that “we have to heat exclusively with wood,” but every time he came home in the winter after a hard

day’s work, his apartment was cold. This is because, back in the 1970s, the only wood-burning stoves on the market had to be fired up manually during the day. If you weren’t home, there was no fire. Frustrated by this, he started tinkering around in his small workshop. Bloos wanted to burn the wood from his own trees to create the same level of comfort as a fossil fuel system. That’s why he decided to automate the charging of his stove. The result, after a huge amount of hard work, was a stunning world first: an automatic dispenser system for wood chips.

as convenient as Oil heaters, but Easy to Maintain and Environmentally Friendly

While the first wood chip heating systems boasting automatic feeding may have been developed in a garage, the German family business now manufactures them at two sites in Gunzenhausen and heidenheim. With 330

Fronius FRW robotic welding system, robot and positioner move synchronously

employees and a real net output ratio of 85%, the company produces customized heating systems rated from 30 to 990 kW, with deliveries sent all over the world. Today, thousands of satisfied customers in over 40 countries use the reliable, low-maintenance systems of the inventive heating pioneer to heat their premises. Only the heat that is actually needed is generated, and from a climateneutral, renewable source. a nd it’s not just customers in Europe, the USa , and c anada that trust in German quality: the company’s products can also be found as far away as Malaysia and New Zealand. heizomat is a SME-certified for worldwide export. The certificate of the a merican Society of Mechanical Engineers is internationally recognized in over 100 countries. It certifies that the products meet the stringent requirements of the a SME code, including its safety standards.

Innovative and Environmentally Friendly heating

For a long time, wood chip heaters were only of interest to private consumers, local communities, and farmers. Today, however, commercial and industrial companies also benefit from the largely climate-neutral wood heating. Even wooden pallets “contaminated” with nails can be easily burned in heizomat systems.

The disposal of residual wood costs money, even if it’s just for removal. heating with wood waste not only saves on disposal costs, but also some of the procurement costs

associated with new firewood. The resulting ash contains valuable minerals and can be used as a natural fertilizer, meaning you contribute to the circular economy, exactly in the spirit of the Bloos family: plant wood, harvest wood, burn wood, fertilize wood. In the language of heizomat, this is affectionately known as the “wood chip cycle”.

a s Manuel Vorbrugg, Production Manager at heizomat, points out: “In addition to heating systems, we are the only manufacturer that supplies all the system components required for harvesting, chopping, and transport systems, including ash application and exhaust gas purification. Our latest innovation is our heizocont container system. This is a complete solution that brings the entire heating cycle together in a compact plug-and-play solution, from wood chip storage to ash application: install, connect, heat, without the need for any major conversion work. The container system is of particular interest to industrial and commercial customers, but also to municipal heating cooperatives.”

always Future-Oriented Even during Welding

Increasing skills shortages and continued growth mean that many companies, including heizomat, require automated solutions. Today, the company uses three Fronius robotic welding cells to weld boilers. The cells are equipped with the Pathfinder offline programming and simulation software.

“Without automation, we would have to take on more qualified welders, but they’re few and far between on the labor market. That’s why we decided to use robotic systems,” Vorbrugg continues. “Fronius quickly reassured us. From the outset, the focus was on the welding challenge. The kinematics were designed on the basis of their solution and not the other way around. Today, we have three robotic welding cells with reversible positioners that do exactly what we want: reliably weld perfect seams.”

For the construction of the wood chip heaters, standard components (boilers) made of 6 mm hot-rolled, unalloyed S235Jr structural steel and each weighing 700–950 kg are joined in a gas- and water-tight manner. Depending on the requirements, the number of individual components varies between 300 and 700.

christoph Stieglitz, welding expert, has no doubts: “The Pulse Multi control (PMc) process is perfect for welding steel boilers. In comparison to manual welding, we achieve significantly higher speeds of up to 80 cm/min with optimal root penetration. The seams are visually perfect and of a consistently high quality.”

PMc is a modified pulsed arc process that is characterized by a powerful, stable arc and finely controlled low-spatter droplet detachment that delivers a high deposition rate. Even components with tight tolerances and significant variations in wall thickness can be flawlessly welded using PMc arc length and penetration stabilizers ensure precise control and high process stability with less energy per unit length.

“automated welding has clear advantages for us,” explains Vorbrugg. “Firstly, we can set up the systems in parallel, which avoids non-productive downtimes. Secondly, we weld much faster than by hand. Instead of 6 hours, the robot only needs 1 hour 40 minutes for each boiler. and thirdly, using the Pathfinder offline programming and simulation software means we spend significantly less time teaching the welding robot.”

Optimal Welding Sequence with Fronius Pathfinder

The biggest plus when programming offline with Pathfinder is that all the welding sequences can be created away from the robot systems. Ongoing welding work no longer has to be stopped for programming. Simulators help detect potential errors in advance and optimize the welding sequences. For example, collisions, violations of axis boundaries, or singularities are recorded and visualized. Significant time savings are achieved in the copying, linking,

grouping, and mirroring of welds. Welding simulations can be carried out in real time or at an infinitely variable speed with simultaneous cycle time determination (welding speed, gas pre-flow times, end-crater filling, etc.) If the welding robot were to be taught exclusively in the system, the amount of effort involved could be up to ten times greater.

Precise Welds—Gas-Tight Boilers

“Our system consistently welds down the center of the weld,” explains Stieglitz. “This is achieved using an automatic weld search feature, which works as follows. The robot moves the welding wire up to the component, remembers the point, and stores its coordinates. a s soon as all required points on the X, Y, and Z coordinates have been measured and recorded, they are compared with the virtual component and, if there are any deviations, the welding path is corrected accordingly.”

The exact position of the welds is a basic requirement if gas- and water-tight boilers are to be produced to the expected high levels of heizomat quality. Each boiler is therefore subjected to a 24-hour leak test at 9–11 bar water pressure before it is installed in one of the world’s most sought-after wood chip heating systems. Visually flawless seams are equally important, especially in the USa , as the aSME standard demands 100% perfect welds even in the hidden parts of the boilers.

Offline programming and simulation with Pathfinder

Everything under control with the HMI T21-RS system controls

Everything under control

In addition to all the welding processes, the hMI T21-rS system control monitors and coordinates each of the components used in the robotic welding cell: robot, power source, reversible positioner, tool center point (TcP) measurement, and torch cleaning. highlights include the Program Editor for defining all kinetic and welding processes as well as real-time 3D visualization. Since the heizomat welding specialists need a good overview of the current system status and every part of the system, all modules and protected areas are visualized, depending on the respective status of the welding cell. The range of functions of the controls includes user and program administration, fault indicators, cycle and part counters, language switching, system status displays, and complete power management (supply of media).

“We’ve found the right partner

management is a top priority and problems are seen as challenges. In addition, there’s always someone on hand to help. communication channels are short, and the collaboration is friendly and congenial. In short, it’s a company we can rely on. I’m convinced that our decision to opt for the innovative austrian welding experts means we’re well equipped for the future.”

ABOUT FRONIUS.

Over 8,000 employees worldwide, a current export share of 87 percent, and 1446 active patents: that’s us, that’s Fronius. Founded in 1945 as a regional one-man operation, we are now a global player - a fact that is impressively demonstrated by our 37 international subsidiaries and our network of sales partners in more than 60 countries. and yet, at our core, we are still a family-owned company from austria, active in photovoltaics, welding, and battery charging technology. We

our customers an all-in-one package in the process: from advance planning and consulting to ongoing monitoring and a repair service tailored to their specific needs. We are innovative. We are curious. We are Fronius.

ABOUT PERFECT WELDING.

Maximum arc quality, a deep understanding of our customers, a thirst for technical progress: this is what drives us at Fronius Perfect Welding. We are the innovation leader for arc welding and the global market leader for robotassisted welding. Our customized, automated complete systems and digital welding solutions for Industry 5.0 are the product of our expertise. Intuitive welding systems for manual welding applications, high-quality welding accessories, and effective protective products to keep users safe round off our portfolio. a s a global company, we offer regional service through local teams who are on hand for our customers around the world. Our technologies break new ground and

Those Who Adapt The Fastest Win

In industry and logistics, robots generally handle monotonous tasks that they can repeat almost endlessly with steady precision. a new type of tool changer now turns the specialist for large series into a flexible all-rounder, with which even small series and individual pieces can be produced economically. The innovative TKX changer series from the IPr specialists features a motor from FaULhaBEr in the electric drive of the automatic changer.

The range of tasks that is being carried out by robots has become limitless. It includes gripping, holding as well as manipulations such as clamping and screwing through to foaming and welding. and when it comes to standardized mass production, specialized robots can be used, which perform the same tasks day and night. But many processes require flexibility, such as when it comes to batch size 1. This is also important to save on investment costs. The greater the range of tasks that a robot can carry out, the better.

This is where the TKX tool changer comes in. Mounted to the end of the robot arm, it is able to remove a variety of different tools from a rack. For example, it enables the robot to first grip and position a workpiece, then to process it with tools, and finally to check and document the quality with a contour sensor or a camera. For this, the adapter needs suitable feedthroughs for the corresponding tool functions. The TKX series offers all conceivable options here, plus several lateral screw-on surfaces for additional modules. But the main task of the tool changer is to securely lock the tool when it is picked up, and to quickly and consistently release the lock again when it is set down after use.

Pneumatic or electric?

Traditionally, many industrial applications use pneumatic power transmission for this process. compressed air technology has proven itself over decades, and it is well suited not least for handling very heavy objects. But a pneumatic system requires compressors, lines, and its own control system with numerous mechanical components - a considerable investment in new systems. In industries with increased demands on cleanliness and hygiene, such as microelectronics or food, pneumatics are out of the question in many places because of the unavoidable emission of compressed air. and pneumatics are an absolute no-go in clean rooms.

IPr - Intelligent Peripherals for robots in Eppingen has seen a significant trend towards the use of electric drives instead of pneumatic ones: "In addition to the hygienic safety, electric motors are much more flexible in use. Unlike

compressed air connections, power sockets are available almost anywhere. In newly built industrial plants, pneumatic systems are generally no longer installed. For cobots and smaller robots as well as for decentralized locations, the electric version is almost always the better solution."

The fact that the electric drive is a real alternative to pneumatics today also has something to do with motor technology, explains roman Batz, development engineer at IPr: "Great strides have been made in recent years. For our applications, we basically need a lot of power with very small dimensions. FaULhaBEr offers motors that can easily hold their own compared to pneumatic drives."

Open, close, hold

holding up is also meant quite literally here: The currently most powerful electric model in the TKX series, the TKE 300, is suitable for handling objects weighing up to 300 kilograms. In metal processing, heavy loads such as cast blocks or large forged parts, are handled by robots. The pulling force of their overall mass then acts upon the locking ring in the TKX changer. The torque supplied by the motor in standby mode would actually be enough for safe holding. But to ensure particularly reliable fixation, IPr also installed self-retaining kinematics, which were developed in-house.

a brushless motor from the FaULhaBEr BXT family provides the driving force for opening, closing, and holding. With its external rotor technology, it achieves a ratio of torque to weight and volume that is unrivalled on the market. This power density is one of the prerequisites for the unique selling point of the new product family from IPr , which roman Batz describes as follows: "The TKX series are the first tool changers on the market that are available on the same platform with both pneumatic and electric drives - we also have a manual version in the product range. This

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Featured Product

Fast and reliable Timing Pulley Solutions by cMT

Choose CMT for first-class timing pulley stock and enjoy quick, efficient service that keeps your operations moving smoothly.

custom Machine and Tool co., Inc. (cMT) introduces the 72-hour-Pulley-Stock Program, guaranteeing that orders of less than 5 pieces will be shipped within 72 hours, or the UPS ground freight charges are on us! Our state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility offers a comprehensive range of timing pulleys, pulley stock, and flanges in materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless, plastic, brass, and bronze. as an authorized Gates belt distributor, cMT serves as your all-encompassing source for motion control and power transmission solutions.

Our extensive product lineup includes trapezoidal profiles, hTD metric curvilinear profiles, Gates PowerGrip® GT®2, Goodyear SuperTorque Pd®, Metric and aT Metric

Profiles, aGMa Quality 8 gears, various sprockets, and V-ribbed Pulleys. These precision timing pulleys are available for all standard belt widths and any custom width, with a zero backlash option also available.

cMT doesn't just provide products; we offer valueadded services such as flexible delivery options including Split, Kanban, JIT, and more. We're your one-stop source with matching flanges and belts for pulley stock and assembly services for bushings, bearings, and auxiliary parts. Our patented concentric Maxi Torque system offers unparalleled concentricity and high torque capacity, ensuring lower component runout and maintaining axial and rotational position with less space required.

EMh Debuts New crane Solutions at MODEX 2024

Engineered Material handling (EMh) introduces aL Systems™ Workstation cranes and NOM aD® Free-Standing cranes at MODEX 2024, Booth #c 5485, supporting loads from 25 lbs to 20 tons. The aL System™ offers capacities up to 2,200 lbs with features like lightweight aluminum tracks and anti-kick-up nylon wheels, ideal for various crane applications. The workstation family includes versatile Lamp Post and Jib crane styles, suitable for multiple workstations and overlapping crane setups in assembly areas.

EMh 's NOM aD® cranes, designed for spaces where traditional installations are impractical, offer widths up to 60 feet, heights to 25 feet, and capacities up to 20 tons. Their modular design and easy assembly allow for quick adjustments and relocations. EMh 's innovations at MODEX 2024 underscore their commitment to flexible and efficient material handling solutions.

aNca TapX: revolutionizing Tap Manufacturing

aNca's TapX presents a specialized grinding solution tailored for the evolving tap manufacturing sector, responding to the projected global demand increase for taps, dies, and thread forming tools. With the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries driving demand, TapX

offers a single-machine solution for the production of standard and special taps, accommodating the growth of materials such as composites and superalloys. Its integration of automation and flexible, precise grinding processes—unachievable with conventional machines— ensures high productivity and reduced lead times. The TapX machine, featuring aNca's LinX motor technology, caters to both high-speed steel and carbide taps, promising superior rigidity, precision, and reliability, thus, offering a revolutionary approach to tap manufacturing and significantly enhancing production efficiency.

aurion: Pioneering Sustainable Machining with Ionized air

aurion Machining Technologies introduces a pioneering clean-tech solution utilizing ionized air to replace metal working fluids, aligning with modern sustainability demands. This innovative approach not only achieves high-quality machining results but also ensures safety for employees and environmental friendliness. By reducing the reliance on cutting fluids, which contribute to significant environmental contamination and carbon emissions, aurion's technology offers an economically compelling alternative. The system, easy to integrate into existing or new machinery, promises a rapid payback period and aligns with carbon net zero goals, marking a significant step towards sustainable manufacturing practices.

Beckhoff cX5600 Series: Enhancing automation with aMD ryzen™

Beckhoff's cX5600 series enriches the automation field with embedded P cs powered by a MD r yzen™ processors, designed for a wide range of applications requiring PLc , hMI, motion control, and more. These fanless, DIN rail-mounted devices offer expandable interfaces and multiple operating system options, maintaining compatibility with previous generations. Featuring robust processing capabilities, the cX5600 series ensures efficient real-time control and advanced visualizations for demanding applications, providing a flexible and powerful solution for modern automation challenges.

Beckhoff c6675 IPc: a Leap in adaptive automation Technology

Beckhoff's c6675 Industrial P c is tailored for adaptive manufacturing, machine learning, and vision applications, incorporating an aTX motherboard and GPU. This high-performance IP c consolidates various automation tasks into a single device, equipped with top-tier Intel ® processors and capable of supporting high-performance graphics cards. Designed for industrial environments, the c6675 facilitates computationally intensive applications, offering expansion slots and high data security with its ra ID-1 system. This innovation represents a significant advance in adaptive automation, promising enhanced efficiency and performance.

BIG DaIShOWa Enhances Machining Versatility with Fullcut Mill Expansion

BIG DaIShOWa broadens its Fullcut Mill FcM tool lineup with larger diameters and additional lengths, enhancing versatility for various machining applications.

The expansion includes a 63 mm diameter cutter and extended lengths for the 25 mm and 32 mm series, compatible with BIG-PLUS and BT spindle machines. These updates offer machinists tailored tool selections for improved efficiency in grooving and shoulder milling, with significantly increased maximum depth of cut, underscoring BIG DaIShOWa's commitment to innovation and high-efficiency machining solutions.

Bold Laser automation: Elevating Safety in hazardous areas

Bold Laser automation introduces electrical control cabinets designed for class 1 Division 1 and Division 2 hazardous environments, where safety and precision are critical. These cabinets, adhering to NFPa 496 standards, utilize advanced purging and pressurization techniques to eliminate ignition risks from flammable gases or vapors. Beyond

Beckhoff CX5600 Series: Enhancing Automation with AMD Ryzen™

BIG DAISHOWA Enhances Machining Versatility with Fullcut Mill Expansion

ensuring safety, these cabinets enhance manufacturing processes and ScaDa control, featuring real-time monitoring and automation capabilities. Equipped with sophisticated sensor systems for precise monitoring, Bold Laser automation's solutions offer a high level of safety, efficiency, and reliability, making them essential for industries operating in hazardous conditions. Todd E. Lizotte, cEO, emphasizes the synergy of innovation and safety in their new offerings, ensuring peace of mind and productivity for their customers.

Dorner's DualMove: revolutionizing Precision Product Movement

Dorner introduces the DualMove Pallet System conveyor, enhancing precision in product movement across various industries. The DualMove stands out with its twin-strand timing belts, allowing for precise placement and orientation of pallets. This system is highly configurable, offering a range of pallet sizes and accessory modules for tailored solutions. It boasts a robust extruded aluminum frame, industry-leading product lead times, and the capability to integrate automation sensors. Designed with flexibility and engineered excellence in mind, the DualMove Pallet System is a testament to Dorner's commitment to innovation in conveyor technology, promising enhanced production efficiency and flexibility.

EMaG SU: Pioneering Precision Grinding for E-mobility

EM aG SU's grinding solutions are setting new standards in the e-mobility sector, delivering unprecedented precision and process reliability for the manufacturing of e-motor components. The G 250 and G 160 machines offer fast, precise gear grinding with minimal floor-to-floor times, ensuring the highest surface finishes and reducing "ghost frequencies." The innovative Sky Grind process, which performs dry final grinding, offers significant cost and energy savings. EM aG SU's commitment to efficiency and environmental friendliness positions its solutions as key to achieving competitive advantages and fast rOI in the production of ultra-fine surfaces crucial for e-mobility components.

E-Z Lok helical Thread Inserts: Durability for Soft Metals

E-Z Lok introduces E-Z coil™ helical thread inserts and thread repair kits, designed to repair or reinforce tapped holes in soft metals. Made from 18-8 stainless steel wire, these inserts resist corrosion and withstand temperatures up to 800°F, providing durability and protection against wear and stripping. The innovative

LOW SPEED

HIGH-TORQUE

MOTORS… The Char-Lynn motor range consists of three major types based on the valving used to distribute fluid through the Orbit gear set (geroler or gerotor), Spool Valve, Disc Valve and VIS (Valve-in-Star). A variety of displacement sizes are available in each of the three motor types to provide a wide range of speeds and torques.

STEERING CONTROL UNITS… offer these advantages:

• Minimal steering linkage reduces cost, provides design flexibility.

• Complete isolation of load forces from the control station.

• Continuous, unlimited control action with low output torque.

• Wide selection of control circuits and meter sizes.

• Works with many kinds of power steering pumps or fluid supply.

GEAR PUMPS… Eaton Series 26 gear pumps with 13-tooth gears minimizes flow ripple to reduce noise and vibration. Bearing lubrication system uses inlet oil rather than high pressure oil, improving volumetric efficiency and power output. The 13 available displacements and many mounting configurations provide for an easy retrofit. Other series available.

Dorner's DualMove: Revolutionizing Precision Product Movement

manufacturing process forms the wire into a diamond shape, wound into a spring to create inserts that reduce in diameter during installation, ensuring a secure fit. available in standard and economy sizes, the kits include inserts, an STI tap, and installation tools, with the standard kit also featuring a tang break tool and drill bit, offering a comprehensive solution for thread repair.

Fixtureworks Quick Zero: Streamlining Workpiece Setup

Fixtureworks® unveils Quick Zero setting devices, enhancing efficiency and quality in workpiece location and clamping. The system includes a mounting plate, base, and holder designed for easy installation and use, ensuring stable and precise workpiece positioning. Made from high-quality steel with a black oxide finish for durability, the system's components allow for seamless clamping adjustments. The Quick Zero setting devices cater to a variety of industrial applications, offering robust support and customization options through additional workholding components, positioning them as an innovative solution for minimizing downtime and improving operational quality.

hGG SPc 1500-3000: automating Precision cutting

The hGG SP c 1500-3000 PT/Vc cutting machine revolutionizes pipe and vessel head cutting, offering significant time savings and precision. By automating layout, marking, cutting, and beveling, this machine eliminates manual pre-cut practices, achieving up to 90% time reduction. Its FitPerfect™ technology ensures accurate and smooth weld preparations, reducing the need for secondary finishing. Designed to handle a wide range of profiles with plasma or oxyfuel, the machine's ease of use and efficiency make it an ideal solution for industries facing skilled labor shortages, enhancing productivity while minimizing labor costs.

Jamco america: comprehensive Testing for Product Excellence

Jamco a merica offers extensive testing capabilities for various industries, featuring mechanical, static load, fire, ballistic, and environmental testing. a s an Faa-accepted dynamic test facility, Jamco supports product evaluation throughout the design cycle, contributing to the aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors. With capabilities to test a wide range of components and assemblies, Jamco provides invaluable insights into product performance, ensuring compliance with stringent standards. Their comprehensive testing facilities and expert team offer a crucial resource for optimizing product design and performance, marking Jamco as a key partner in product development and certification processes.

KhK USa: Diverse Bevel Gears for Industrial applications

KhK USa Inc.

showcases an extensive selection of bevel gears, including Straight, Spiral, and hypoid types, suitable for diverse applications. Manufactured by Kohara Gear Industry co., these gears offer a range of modules, numbers of teeth, materials, and styles, with gear ratios from 1.5 through 5. Designed for transmitting rotational motion between intersecting axes, these bevel gears cater to various industrial needs, from office machines to food machinery, providing smooth operation and noise reduction for high-speed, heavy load operations. KhK's bevel gears represent a blend of quality, versatility, and performance, meeting a broad spectrum of mechanical requirements.

LK Metrology's aLTEra c ha: Precision Meets affordability

LK Metrology introduces the aLTEra c ha series, offering enhanced accuracy for manufacturers inspecting

tight-tolerance components without the high cost of ultra-precision cMMs. These ceramic-bridge machines are built for superior performance, providing up to 16% higher accuracy and 50% more accurate scanning. Key design improvements include a stiffer bridge assembly and optimized air bearings, ensuring reliable measurements even at high speeds. With multi-sensor capability and comprehensive software, the aLTEra c ha series embodies affordability, speed, and precision, making advanced metrological capabilities accessible to a broader range of industries.

Mantle advances Toolmaking with Metal 3D Printing

Mantle, a leader in metal 3D printing technology for toolmaking, has announced new customers and case studies showcasing the automation of toolmaking with its technology.

Westminster Tool has significantly reduced lead times for steel prototype tools by 50%, saving over 110 hours of labor and machine time for its medical device OEM customer. New adopters of Mantle's technology include Spectrum Plastics Group, Products, and General Pattern.

Mantle's technology is notable for its accuracy, surface finish, and the ability to produce complex tooling geometries while reducing skilled labor requirements. This advancement allows for quicker and more cost-effective production of high-quality tools, molds, and dies, particularly in medical device manufacturing.

Titan Tool's Tr .L1: Enhancing Precision in Industrial Microscopy

Titan Tool Supply Inc. introduces the Model Tr .L1, a 16-LED ring Illuminator, enhancing industrial microscopy with 360° shadow-free illumination and flicker-free light, ideal for detailed examinations. Featuring an adjustable brightness controller and memory function, the Tr .L1 is designed for compatibility with various microscopy systems. Its robust aluminum construction and universal power input facilitate global use across manufacturing

Q a inspections, material analysis, and more, offering a user-friendly experience with improved visibility and reduced eye strain.

ssembly System by

utomation, a subsidiary of Wauseon Machine, introduces a new Battery Test ssembly System, enabling pre-pack manufacturing testing of battery cells. This system supports the growing demand for electric vehicles and electronic devices by ensuring battery pack quality. It features the capability to capture, store, and analyze battery cell and pack data, enhancing traceability and quality management. Designed for flexibility, the system can be reconfigured for different battery sizes, promoting efficiency and safety in battery pack manufacturing.

utomated Gauging for FaNUc cr X cobots by New Scale robotics

New Scale robotics partners with FaNUc a mericas as an authorized Systems Integrator to automate manual gauging processes with FaNUc cr X cobots.

The Q-Span® systems from New Scale robotics improve measurement consistency and throughput by automating gauging, part handling, and data logging. This partnership marks a significant step in making automated dimensional gauging accessible to a wider range of manufacturers, aiming to enhance productivity and process control in quality control sectors.

NETZSch 's Pump Solutions for Lithium Battery Production

NETZSch Pumps USa showcases its NEMO® and PErIPrO® pumps, offering precision metering and corrosion resistance for lithium battery manufacturing. These pumps are suited for transferring abrasive slurries and harsh fluids, crucial for battery production processes. NEMO® pumps excel in electrode coating and slurry mixing, while PErIPrO® peristaltic pumps are recognized for their durability and efficiency in handling complex fluids. NETZSch 's solutions address the precise and reliable fluid handling needs in the rapidly evolving lithium battery industry.

OTTOSTahL

Innovates with Easy Shotblaster rDT 150

OTTOSTahL Gmbh collaborates with rösler and Teqram to introduce the Easy Shotblaster rDT 150, a rotary table shot blast machine equipped with a "smart" robot for automated loading and blast cleaning of sheet metal components. This

solution addresses the need for short cycle times, high energy efficiency, and reduced physical labor in shot blasting operations. The rDT 150 machine, complemented by the robot's advanced image processing technology, allows for efficient, labor-saving blast cleaning of a wide range of components without the need for manual "teaching."

russelectric's Prime Power Systems Enhance On-Site Power Generation

russelectric, a Siemens Business, provides Prime Power Systems for the automatic operation of on-site power generators, serving as the primary power source for facilities. These systems, UL listed and ScaDacapable, utilize generator paralleling controls for active synchronization and soft loading control based on load demand. Designed to automatically adjust to changing loads, russelectric's systems start additional generators as needed, ensuring efficient and reliable power supply. This solution addresses the need for dependable on-site power generation, highlighting russelectric's expertise in power control and automatic transfer switches.

Vomat's Fa 70+ Elevates Tool regrinding with Ultra-Fine Filtration

Vomat's Fa 70+ offers ultra-fine filtration technology for the regrinding of precision tools, ensuring the highest purity of cooling lubricants throughout the production process. Ideal for tool manufacturers and resharpeners, this compact system supports sustainable and profitable regrinding with minimal space requirement. The Fa 70+ is designed for efficiency and ecological sustainability, featuring state-of-the-art filter and cooling technology, along with low maintenance and energy-efficient operation, providing a solution that balances production efficiency with environmental responsibility.