Winter 2020 TDMAW Surgeons of Steel

SURGEONS of STEEL

In this issue TDMAW Looks Toward 2020 Four Reasons to Consider Microsoft Azure as your Cloud Computing Service Provider Plant Automation’s Promising Future: Are You A Candidate For Automation?

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Winter 2020 - Volume 13; Issue 4

President's Letter Consider Advertising in the

Surgeons of Steel

Reach readers who are directly connected to Wisconsin’s tool, die & machining industry 2020 Advertising Rates:

W

elcome to a new year! It’s a privilege to serve as TDMAW president for another year. I would like to extend a very big THANK YOU to Pete Kambouris, Brian Nuetzel, John Thomann and Chris Ernster for serving again.

Well it looks like 2020 will be an exciting year for our industry.

It’s an election year so we have the fun of being interrupted by political ads and the volatility that comes with not knowing who will be elected. We will also have the USMCA and China trade deals that will give the economy a shot in the arm. In September we can look forward to seeing the new technologies and products at IMTS. Here at the TDMAW we are looking at delivering more value to our members. We will be launching our foundation to provide funding to students and manufacturing programs. We are working on a video to help promote the machine tool trades to high school students and veterans transitioning to civilian life. We will have a packed calendar of social and educational events. All this is going to have a side benefit of giving us more exposure and build are brand.

At the end of the day we are hoping to bring to members and sponsors into the organization. Please talk about our association with other shops and companies that could benefit from being a member. New companies will bring new ideas and more opportunities to grow and give back to our industry and communities.

Here’s wishing you all the very best 2020!

Kirk Kussman President, TDMAW 2018 kkussman@aztalan.com (920) 342-9455

Member/Partner/Sponsor

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Non-Member

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(2.25” w x 3.125” h)

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Large Horizontal (7.5” w x 3.125” h) Square (4.94” w x 4.8” h) Vertical (2.25” w x 10” h)

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Editorial Calendar: Interested in submitting an article for the Surgeons of Steel?

Email your 500-700 word, Microsoft Word document to TDMAW at ToolMaker@TDMAW.org.

Deadlines to submit articles are: Winter Issue: January 1 Spring Issue: April 1 Summer Issue: July 1 Fall Issue: October 1

2 | TDMAW HQ (262) 532-2440

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Table of Contents

2020 Board of Directors

President’s Letter .................................................................... 2

President – Kirk Kussman Aztalan Engineering Inc. 920.648.3411 | kkussman@aztalan.com

TDMAW – A Year in Review - 2019.......................................... 6 TDMAW Looks Toward 2020 ................................................... 7 Military Leave – No Notice – Job Protection?

Federated Question of the Month ............................................ 9 TDMAW Members, Partners and Sponsors ............................ 10 TDMAW Annual Meeting & Honor Flight................................. 12 Federated Insurance: Use Caution When Weather Gets Treacherous ....................... 13 Plant Automation’s Promising Future: Are You A Candidate For Automation?.................................... 14

Vice President – John Thomann W-Steel & Grinding, Inc. 262.252.3630 | john@wsteel.net Treasurer – Brian Nuetzel Matzel Manufacturing, Inc., 414.466.3800 | Briann@mzmatzel.com Secretary – Chris Ernster eTek Tool & Manufacturing 262.377.4150 | chris@etektool.com Chairman of the Board – Pete Kambouris Wisconsin Engraving Company 262.786.4521 | pckambouris@wi-engraving.com

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HR Hot Topics ....................................................................... 17 Four Reasons to Consider Microsoft Azure as your Cloud Computing Service Provider ............................ 18

2020 Calendar of Events Thursday, January 23

Alto-Shaam Plant Tour and Breakfast

Alto-Shaam, Menomonee Falls

Tuesday, February 4

Avoiding Outlook Overwhelm Breakfast

SwickTECH, New Berlin

Wednesday, April 8

Information Security Meeting

Location TBD

Tuesday, February 4

Federated Insurance Meeting

Delafield Brewhaus

Tuesday, June 30

June Outing

Ironwood Golf Course/ Lake Michigan

Monday, August 10

Summer Outing Shootout

Waukesha Gun Club

TDMAW Headquarters W175 N11117 Stonewood Drive, Suite 104, Germantown, WI 53022 262.532.2440 Phone | 262.532.2430 Fax toolmaker@tdmaw.org | www.tdmaw.org

toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 3

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4 | TDMAW HQ (262) 532-2440

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In the Know

Classifieds

TDMAW members finalized voting for the 2020 Board of Directors at the annual meeting on December 3, 2019. We are fortunate to have our experienced Board hold their positions for one more year. Your Board consists of: President Kirk Kussman of Aztalan Engineering, kkussman@aztalan.com Vice President John Thomann of W-Steel & Grinding, Inc., john@wsteel.net Secretary Chris Ernster of eTek Tool & Manufacturing, chris@etektool.com Treasurer Brian Nuetzel of Matzel Manufacturing, Inc., briann@mzmatzel.com Chairman Pete Kambouris of Wisconsin Engraving, pkambouris@wi-engraving.com TDMAW is pleased to welcome three new sponsors: Doral Corporation, a machinery moving & rigging company, www.Doralcorp.net Tri City National Bank, www.tcnb.com First Business Bank, www.firstbusiness.com Membership Renewal Invoices were sent out in December – you may pay your dues online with a credit card by going to https:// www.tdmaw.org/2020 membership-dues or call Laura Gustafson at TDMAW Headquarters (262) 532-2440 ext. 15. If you would like a paper invoice resent to you may request one by emailing ToolMaker@TDMAW.org.

Watertown High School & Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce NEED YOU! They will be hosting their 2nd Annual Career Fair to all Juniors and Seniors, at Watertown High School on Wednesday, March 11, 2020. One of their goals has been to continue exposing students to jobs and careers in the area to spark their interest.

They are looking for partners for this student-focused event and are encouraging participants to come and engage with students and promote manufacturing! They request that participants bring more than business cards – bring something to spark student’s interest! More details may be found at www.watertownjobfair.com – click on “vendors”. All WHS Juniors and Seniors will be waling through in the morning and the fair will be open to the public, as well, all day 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please register by February 1 so students may see who will be in attendance and can plan or research.

WEDC has made us aware of an opportunity for TDMAW members to potentially utilize UW-Madison students and faculty to conduct research in the areas of machining and production workflow on your behalf. You are invited to join a one-day workshop with UW-Madison researchers.

Engineering Research Showcase Friday, February 7, 2020 1550 Engineering Drive, Rm 1025, Madison WI

For Sale: Wisconsin Engraving has a set of new unused DoAll Band Saw Blades, 120” long. They ordered them, got the wrong size and they don’t take returns. Asking $200. Please contact Pete Kambouris if you are interested. pkambouris@wi-engraving.com

MILLWRIGHT I RIGGING I FABRICATION

• Equipment • Plant

Rigging & Setting

Relocations

• Structural

Steel Fabrication & Installation

• Misc. Metal

Fabrication &

Installation • Maintenance

Support Services

414.489.7000 I www.doralcorp.net

BELL WELL SALES CO S TOC K I N G D I S T R I B U TOR •Socket Screw Products- Featuring Unbrako and Holo Krome •Large inventory of non-standard items •Raymond Die Springs •Precision Ground Flat Stock and Drill Rod •Vlier Engineering Fixture Components •Miscellaneous Fasteners •Unified Screw Caps, Hollow Lock Screws, Eye Bolts, E-Z Lok Inserts, Hex Head Cap Screws, Nuts, Threaded Rod, Machine Screws and Washers

Details and RSVP: https://graingerinstitute.engr.wisc.edu/engineering-researchshowcase/ This workshop aims to align local companies with researchers working in the area of machining and production process workflow. Companies are invited to present two slides outlining their challenges in these areas in both near term (12-18 months) and longer term (>24 months). Participants will evaluate industrial needs and research expertise to identify opportunities for research collaboration.

To optimize the content and quality of researcher presentations, please send slides to Page Metcalf <pmetcalf@wisc.edu> as soon as possible, no later than January 31, 2020.

TDMAW DMT Workholding is in the process of becoming International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliant. If your company has gone down this path Scott Bower from DMT would be interested in speaking with you to benchmark what they have done. Scott may be reached at scottb@dmtworkholding.com or (262) 644-5000 ext. 131.

262-781-3670 | Fax 262-781-6077 | sales@bellwellsales.com N54 W 13864 Woodale Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

www.bellwellsales.com

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” – Tim Notke toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 5

TDMAW – A Year in Review - 2019 • Challenges continue in the areas of developing, attracting and retaining employees.

• We had great meetings and social events throughout the year including: – StratTec tour – Harley Davidson Museum behind the scenes tour and dinner – MGS Manufacturing Group tour – Federated Insurance dinner meeting. Federated Insurance continues to be a huge supporter of our association, donating close to $60,000 annually.

– June Outing at Silver Spring Country Club – A rescheduled charter fishing on Lake Michigan, due to a choppy lake on our original date.

– Summer Outing at Waukesha Gun Club, around 80 people attended.

– Heat Treating Fundamentals meeting hosted by ThermTech Heat Treating.

– TDMAW hosted booths at the Wisconsin Manufacturing & Technology Show and at the Manufacturing Career Expo.

SURGEONS of STEEL

Spring 2019 - Volume 13; Issue 1

Persik is a TDMAW Honorary Member.

Jim is currently facing his own challenges with liver cancer. Both Jim and Jerry have been great supporters of the TDMAW!

• Our Partner E.L. Simeth funded several scholarships, given to students currently enrolled in a Tool & Die or Machining program at any accredited Wisconsin Technical College. This scholarship is ongoing and offered every semester – help us spread the word; we could use more applicants. The due date for the spring semester is January 15 and applications may be found online on our website.

• TDMAW offered financial support to SkillsUSA manufacturing teams from Wisconsin who traveled to compete at the National level. Al Weiss is VERY involved in SkillsUSA and volunteers a lot of personal time to assist with their competitions. He would very much like to have interested parties connect with him to find out how they can help.

• Partner MSC donated several 11-drawer Kennedy Toolboxes which were awarded to deserving students, chosen by their technical school instructors. Mahuta Tool helps with the storage and distribution of these toolboxes. Thank you, Mahuta Tool Corp! However, MSC will no longer be donating Toolboxes and we are looking for a new partner. If you know of anyone, please let us know.

• Longtime member Jerry Persik, who passed away a few years ago, left a memorial gift to the TDMAW. A donation of 6 Kurt Vises, engraved with the TDMAW logo and “In fond memory of TDMAW member Jerry Persik”, was made to five Wisconsin technical colleges. Jerry’s twin brother, Jim

SURGEONS of STEEL

Summer 2019 - Volume 13; Issue 2

• Two new companies joined the association.

We are thrilled to have Mercury Marine and Astro Tool & Die, a returning member, and encourage current members help promote the association and refer others to join.

• TDMAW advertised in the Manufacturing Today publication that is shared with middle and high school students across the state – the ad featured the many manufacturing career opportunities that are available to those choosing to go into manufacturing.

• A big focus in 2019 has been working towards creating a charitable fund which we would use to make grants to support education and the promotion of machining in furtherance of manufacturing jobs.

SURGEONS of STEEL

Fall 2019 - Volume 13; Issue 3

Don’t miss the TDMAW

Save the Date

SPORTING

TDMAW 2019 JUNE OUTING

CLAYS EVENT

AUGUST 12

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 Your choice of golf at Silver Spring Golf Club or charter fishing on Lake Michigan, all followed by dinner at Silver Spring Golf Club.

– HR Meeting – Performance Evaluation Best Practices, hosted

by TDMAW member The Kinetic Company

In this issue In this issue Be a Tourist in Your Own City!

Technology is Transforming Manufacturing.

Get Ready or Get Beat.

Every industry needs business technology leadership

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6 | TDMAW HQ (262) 532-2440

SkillsUSA - Helping Prepare our Future Workforce TDMAW Blown Away

by June Outing!

Risk Management Academy

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In this issue Department of Labor Issues New Overtime-Pay Salary Threshold to Take Effect January 1, 2020 How Rough Is Smooth?

TDMAW Discovered What’s New & Next in Manufacturing at WMTS

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www.TDMAW.org

TDMAW Looks Toward 2020

A

s we move into 2020, a NEW DECADE, the TDMAW leadership has one main goal in mind:

• Workforce Development! While TDMAW will continue to focus on building relationships between members through social meetings and events and educating and enriching members with a variety of programs throughout the year, workforce development is at the fore of our Board’s mind. Several projects are in the works, including: – The creating of an education foundation, with the proceeds of the foundation being used to fund scholarships and other worthy initiatives. – Kirk Expands

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• The Development Committee is tasked with overseeing technical programing for members, scholarships, SkillsUSA, apprenticeship and workforce development. This is a passionate group, including: Ken Heins of KLH Industries, Kirk Kussman of Aztalan, Al Weiss of Integrity Wire EDM, Wayne Matthiesen of Matzel Manufacturing & Mike Mallwitz, Honorary Member.

– TDMAW will continue to look for valuable ways to reach the future workforce as well as offer training and enrichment opportunities to current members and their employees.

• While time is a valuable commodity, TDMAW will be seeking members to volunteer with various initiatives, in 2020. Please consider joining a committee or simply sharing your ideas by contacting headquarters or a Board member. We are looking for at least one new Board member for 2021 – we need to give Pete Kambouris a break!

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• Membership growth is essential. There is power in numbers and an excitement that comes from a full room at a meeting. Talk to your peers about the association and encourage them to get involved through membership. Our dues are low and TDMAW is working to offer a high ROI to its members.

• TDMAW will continue to offer educational and social events for its members – these events are not only for company owners, as in the past, but you are encouraged to bring or send key employees to the meetings. The more you get involved, the greater value the association will be to you.

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CNC Machining • Steel Marking Stamps • Steel Embossing Dies • Graphite/Copper Electrodes • Laser Digitizing • Polishing

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Military Leave – No Notice – Job Protection?

QUESTION: We have an employee who left unexpectedly threequarters of the way into his shift, stating he was leaving because he was going on military leave for one year. We’ve not been able to reach him to get further details, and we haven’t received any sort of formal documentation backing up his claim. Are we required to hold his job for him for this year? If so, should we have received some sort of formal documentation backing up his claim?

notice to the employer that he or she was leaving the job for service in the uniformed services, unless such notice was precluded by military necessity or otherwise was impossible or unreasonable to provide; the cumulative period of military service with the employer must not exceed five years; he/she must not have been released from military service under dishonorable or other punitive conditions; and he/she must report back to the civilian job in a timely manner or submit a timely application for reemployment, unless timely reporting back or application is impossible or unreasonable.

However, in order for an employee to enjoy the protection of USERRA, he or she must meet all five of the following criteria:

In connection with item number 2 above, federal Regulations expressly state that the Department of Defense “recommends that advance notice to civilian employers be provided at least 30 days prior to departure for uniformed service when feasible, based upon the time the Service member receives confirmation of upcoming uniformed service duty.” For the purpose of determining when providing advance notice of uniformed service is NOT required, the term “military necessity” is defined as “a mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that is classified, or a pending or ongoing mission, operation, exercise, or requirement that may be compromised or otherwise adversely affected by public knowledge is sufficient justification for not providing advance notice to an employer.”

For the full text of the applicable federal Regulations, please see 32 CFR 104.3 and 104.6(a)(2)(iii)(A)(3).

he/she must be absent from a civilian job on account of service in the uniformed services; he/she must have given advance

The question indicates that the subject employee left mid-shift for a one-year military leave of absence, with no prior

RESPONSE:

Under the federal Uniformed Services and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), if an employee in the military needs time off from work for training, reserve duty or any other active duty, he or she is entitled to take up to a maximum of five years of job-protected leave for this purpose, cumulatively, even if the leave is taken in intermittent intervals.

Under USERRA, an employer must not deny initial employment, reemployment, retention in employment, promotion, or any benefit of employment to a person on the basis of a past, present, or future service obligation, and an employee’s rights under the Act apply without regard for his or her tenure with the employer.

notice nor subsequent communication with the employer. Unless giving the employer advance notice of the need to commence military leave (in the middle of a shift) was truly “precluded by military necessity [defined above] or otherwise impossible or unreasonable,” the employee should have provided notification to the employer ahead of time, and arguably is not entitled to the protection of USERRA if he did not. If the employee is unable to support his failure to give notice to the employer with evidence of “military necessity,” impossibility or unreasonableness, to our knowledge the employer can treat his actions in having left mid-shift and failing to communicate further with the employer as it would if any other employee did the same.

If, however, the employer ascertains information to support one of the exceptions where failing to notify the employer in advance of military leave exists, then the employer should ensure it protects the employee’s rights under the Act. In other words, to the extent the employer learns that in fact military necessity rendered the employee unable to provide advance notification of leave to the employer, or otherwise it was truly unreasonable or impossible for him to do so, then he would be entitled to job-protected military leave under USERRA of up to five years. He would further be entitled to reemployment upon his return, in the job that he would have attained had he not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. When military leave is 181 days or more as would be the case where leave is for one year, however, note that the employee must apply for reemployment no later than 90 days after completion of his military service.

toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 9

TDMAW Members, Partners and Sponsors

Y

ou are in GREAT COMPANY! Look and see who you share your membership with. Review our Partners and Sponsors and always be sure to tell them you are a TDMAW member when contacting them for services or products!

If you see anyone missing from this list that you think would be a good fit for our association, let TDMAW Headquarters know – We are happy to reach out to them!

Membership as of 1/11/20 A.C. Tool & Machine Co., Inc. AJ Tool and Manufacturing LLC Accu Stamping & Mfg., Inc. Accu Tool & Die Accurate Die Design Inc. Airport Grinding Alliance Manufacturing Group LLC Allis Tool & Machine Corp.

Amera Gear Company, Inc. American Machine & Gear Works Amtech Tool & Die Corporation Assurance Tool & Machining Astro Tool Automated Manufacturing, Inc. Aztalan Engineering Behrens Tool & Die Inc. Brenner Industries CDM Tool & Mfg. Company, Inc. Central Machine, Inc. Class Tool and Die, Inc. Cole Manufacturing Corp.

Columbia Grinding, Inc. Custom Production Grinding, Inc. Custom Tool Service, Inc. D & H Industries, Inc. Daco Precision-Tool DEW Tool Grinding Service DMT Workholding Eagle Grinding & Plating Inc. eTek Tool & Manufacturing ETW, Inc. Excel Tool & Fabrication Inc. Gruber Tool & Die Heckel Tool & Mfg. Corp.

Hencke Tool & Die, Inc. Herdeman Corporation Hydra-Seal, Inc. Hydraulic Service & Mfg. Inc. Hypneumat, Inc. Innovation Mold & Design, Inc. Integrity Wire EDM Inc. ITR, Inc. J.P. Pattern Inc. Journeymen Tool & Technologies, Inc. Kettle Moraine Coatings Key Products, Inc. Kinetic Company, Inc. Kivela, Inc. KLH Industries, Inc. KLM Machining, Inc. 10 | TDMAW HQ (262) 532-2440

KMC - TE Lenard Tool & Machine Inc. Mahuta Tool Corp.

Mantz Automation Matenaer Corporation Mat-Tech, Inc. Matzel Manufacturing, Inc. MD Design & Automation, Inc. Mechtrix Corporation Mercury Marine Metalcraft Tool & Die Metalcut Products, Inc. MGS Manufacturing Group, Inc. Micrometric Machine Corporation Midwest Cutting Tool, Inc. Midwest Grinding Co., Inc. Mill Equipment, Inc. Miro Tool & Mfg., Inc. MJS Engineering Muthig Industries, Inc. Nitschke Mold & Manufacturing Corp.

Norstan Inc. Oldenburg Metal Tech Omega Tool, Inc. Pine Cellar Manufacturing Pinewood Tool Precision Pattern Co., Inc. Premier Paper Converting Machinery Progressive Tool & Die Corp.

Prototype Stampings Quality Stamping & Tube Corporation R & B Wagner, Inc. R.C. Tool, Inc. RAM Tool, Inc. Reich Tool and Design, Inc. Retlaw Industries, Inc. Schroeder’s Tool Welding Select Machining Corporation Service Tool & Die Two, Inc. Singer Tool & Die, Inc. Snow Tool & Machine Stanek Tool Corporation Strohwig Industries Suburban Tool & Machine Inc. Superior Die Set Corp.

Swiss-Tek Coatings Inc. T & L Grinding Corporation Techni-Turn Inc. Thomas D. Neary, Inc.

Toolcraft Co., Inc. Toolrite Manufacturing Co., Inc. Tools, Inc. Triangle Tool Corporation Tru-Position, Inc. Ultratech Tool & Design, Inc. Ultra Tool & Manufacturing, Inc. Universal Die & Stampings Versevo Inc. Victory Tool Company, Inc. W. Haut Specialty Co., Inc. W-Steel & Grinding W/S Machine Tool, Inc. Waukesha Metal Products Willer Tool Corp.

Wire Specialists, Inc. Wisconsin Engraving Co., Inc. Wisconsin Metal Parts, Inc.

Red, White & Blue Sponsors Red Level: Von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

White Level: Hitachi Metal

Blue Level: Alro Specialty Metals Bell Well Sales Company Cincinnati Tool Steel Company Citizens Bank Doral Corporation First Business Bank Fox Valley Metrology Jung Express Lindner & Marsack, s.c.

Pyramax Bank Sadoff Iron & Metal Tri City National Bank

Partners Federated Insurance E.L. Simeth SWICKtech ThermTech of Waukesha www.TDMAW.org

TDMAW members are the best!

We love to see TDMAW members at our meetings and events throughout the year as Involvement is a great way to supercharge your membership, but even if you are a silent member, regularly paying your dues and supporting our mission to grow and promote Wisconsin manufacturing, YOU ARE APPRECIATED! As you know, membership renewal notices were mailed recently. There was an option to make a voluntary Donation, above and beyond your regular dues, to support TDMAWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workforce development initiatives. TDMAW would like to recognize and thank the following members who have made voluntary donations, to date: Ultratech Tool & Design, Inc. ............................. $500 American Machine & Gear Works .................... $250 Precision Pattern .............................................. $150

North American Sales, Support, & Training Center for Logopress3 Software www.DieDesignSoftware.com (262) 938-9316

Reich Tool & Design ........................................... $125 Midwest Grinding ............................................... $75

toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 11

TDMAW Annual Meeting & Honor Flight The Board is excited about momentum building for the creation of an Education Foundation, a fund that’s proceeds would be used to distribute grans to individuals and organizations, for the purpose of education and promoting machining and the furtherance of manufacturing jobs.

T

DMAW’s annual meeting was held on December 3, 2019. Members attended the member only portion of the meeting to finalize voting for the 2020 Board of Directors, hear about what TDMAW accomplished in 2019 and learn about its vision for 2020. A recap of the year in review and looking forward to 2020 may be found on pages 6 and 7 in this issue of Surgeons of Steel.

Chairman Pete Kambouris presented President Kirk Kussman with a TDMAW goblet, in gratitude for his years of service on the Board. 2020 will be Kirk’s third year serving as President. These beautiful goblets represent TDMAW in a special way. They are machined by Milwaukee Area Technical College students, from aluminum donated by TDMAW sponsor, Alro Steel, inspected by TDMAW member Mahuta Tool Corp and engraved by TDMAW member Brenner Industries.

TDMAW is fortunate to have its competent and engaged Board working to lead them into the next decade.

Chairman Pete Kambouris presents President Kirk Kussman with TDMAW Goblet as token of appreciation.

President Kirk Kussman of Aztalan Engineering Vice President John Thomann of W-Steel & Grinding Secretary Chris Ernster of Etek Tool & Manufacturing Treasurer Brian Nuetzel of Matzel Manufacturing Chairman Pete Kambouris of Wisconsin Engraving

Providing Industry with the highest quality products and customer service to meet today’s demanding manufacturing requirements!

At the dinner meeting, immediately following the member only annual meeting, we heard from Kent Rice of Honor Flight and learned about their amazing program, flying war veterans to Washington DC to visit memorials and be treated like the heroes that they are. At the end of the meeting TDMAW passed and donated $386 to this wonderful organization.

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Federated Insurance

Use Caution When Weather Gets Treacherous

W

inter work presents a great many challenges, but it’s the weather that’s the most unpredictable. Be prepared for the season to help keep yourself safe from illness and injury.

Protect Yourself Whenever possible, schedule work to avoid cold, windy conditions. If dangerous wind chill is present, and work can’t be rescheduled, take added precautions against the cold, such as wearing heavy-duty, coldweather gear, and taking frequent indoor breaks to warm up.

If work in the biting winter elements is necessary make sure your clothing is warm and protective: • Dress in layers. Remove clothing as you sweat, then put it back on as needed. This also applies to hand and footwear.

• Synthetic materials are ideal. Top it all with outerwear that’s waterproof, breathable, and blocks the wind.

• A hat that covers your ears is a must. A face mask offers added protection.

• Hydrate to maintain normal and efficient body function.

Frostbite While most common on exposed skin on the face, nose, and ears, frostbite can also affect hands and feet. Mild frostbite can appear red and swollen. Skin with severe frostbite will appear purple or black once it’s warmed. Suspect frostbite if you experience numbness, loss of feeling, or stinging. Get out of the cold. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Hypothermia Symptoms of hypothermia, a dangerously low body temperature, include uncontrollable shivering; vague, slow, or slurred speech; incoherence; memory lapses; loss of coordination; drowsiness; and exhaustion. Anyone experiencing these symptoms needs medical attention.

Someone exhibiting these signs may not be aware of them. Keep the person covered and quiet. Apply moderate heat.

On the Road Winter weather is notorious for cutting trips short. Snow, wind, ice — they can pop up when you least expect them. Even areas of the country that don’t experience frequent snowfalls have been paralyzed by errant winter storms. An otherwise calm day can turn ugly quick, and you can be stranded — or worse, caught in a crash. If a storm crosses your path, pull off the road as soon as you can, and wait for it to pass.

Awareness Is Key Cold weather can be a crippler — or even a killer. If you are ill-equipped or unprepared, you risk personal injury and possible permanent damage.

toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 13

Plant Automation’s Promising Future: Are You A Candidate For Automation?

By Steve Apel and Geoff Laughlin, Acieta Each time robotic automation is implemented, it gives the business an opportunity to streamline, increase output, and save floor space while workers feel more productive and are no longer limited to repetitive tasks.

HOW ROBOTS ARE HELPING

How Robotic Automation Solutions are Changing the Way Factories Operate Robotic manufacturing solutions are changing the way factories operate at every level. Efficiencies are improving and production is becoming more stable and consistent. Capacity and productivity are on the rise while employees are better protected from dirty, dangerous activities.

Underway in large, medium, and small businesses alike, these changes impact practically every aspect of manufacturing, starting with the shop floor. If you are considering transitioning into the world of robotic automation solutions, read on to see if you’re a qualified candidate.

As automated robotic technology becomes more versatile, accessible and commercialized, companies can leverage it in more ways than ever across production lines.

Automated robots help your company be more efficient, responsive, flexible and innovative—all key elements of staying competitive.

With help from robots,

production will become more predictable, thanks to reduced cycle time variability, improved product consistency and lower defect rates. Breakdowns and unplanned downtime will be prevented, helping drive better schedule adherence and reducing waste.

Increased flexibility will allow greater product and packaging variety. Different pack formats, sizes, grades and options will be possible. Mass customization will become a reality as lead times fall. Demand shifts will be met by quickly reconfiguring manufacturing for new products with minimal expensive dedicated automation to scrap and replace. This flexibility will make robots cost effective for even small manufacturing operations.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES? Today’s robotic automation solutions have the power to put North American manufacturers at the forefront of new opportunities, including a greater ability to compete with offshore companies, and also to empower workers in new ways.

In fact, as more U.S. manufacturers are bringing work back home from overseas, robots play a key role in making this possible. Early automation adopters have learned how to deploy robots for repetitive, physically demanding tasks.

Packaging, palletizing and machinetending applications are quickly and easily transitioned to robots, along with tasks such as dispensing, assembly and inspection.

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A PROMISING FUTURE The truth is, everyone can use robots. Efficient robotic automation solutions allow management to take a more proactive stance, planning and preparing for the future.

Manual workers will take on more interesting and varied jobs, likely to improve employee retention. The future of production is in robotic automation.

NO BREAKS NEEDED Brief work stoppages are inevitable with manual machine loading and unloading.

Operators are interrupted, have other duties, and need the occasional break — all of which can result in machines standing idle. Robotic tending allows machines and cells to run through breaks, including shift changes, and can even enable “lights-out” manufacturing.

As a result, capacity increases, allowing the business to take on more work.

The direct savings from automating machine tending operations can be considerable, yet are often dwarfed by the overhead dilution, and increased margins from doing more with the existing machines. What’s more, as the robot can be mounted above or directly on the machine, there’s no need to put it where the operator would stand. Therefore, if necessary, machine loading and unloading can still be done manually.

Machine tending robots are suitable for a wide variety of manufacturing operations.

Anywhere discrete parts need to be removed from or loaded into a machine is a potential application. Machining, molding and stamping processes are only some of the places where using a robot can increase capacity, cut costs and improve safety. toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 15

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HR Hot Topics

T

hank you to TDMAW member, The Kinetic Company, for hosting our November Hot Topic meeting, with Cindy Mixon of MRA presenting about performance evaluation best practices, including:

• Fundamentals of performance management • Best practices for delivering performance appraisals • Importance of feedback and documentation

CALIBRATION SERVICES

• Trends in performance management TDMAW members who are interested in reviewing the PowerPoint that was presented at the meeting may contact Laura Gustafson at TDMAW Headquarters.

Oshkosh, WI (920) 426-5894 foxvalleymetrology.com OSHKOSH, WI • HARTLAND, WI• •HARTLAND, ST. CROIX FALLS, • FENTON, MO OSHKOSH, WI WI • ST.WI CROIX FALLS, WI • FENTON, MO

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FREE Calibration Software Go Paperless!

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Check out our website Check at www.foxvalleymetrology.com out our website at www.foxvalleymetrology.com for a demonstration of for ourasoftware in real of time demonstration ourdata. software in real time data.

All of our certificationsAllare 4! oflevel our certifications are level 4!

We offer a broad scopeWe of Full Site Calibration andOn Site Calibration and offerOn a broad scope of Full repair services, reducing yourservices, need forreducing multiple your vendors! repair need for multiple vendors!

Hard gage calibration services with a 3-5 dayservices turnaround!

Hard gage calibration with a 3-5 day turnaround!

CMM, Portable CMM,CMM, and Optical Comparator calibration Portable CMM, and Optical Comparator calibration and repair services. and repair services.

Hardness Testers and Surface Plate calibration and Plate calibration and Hardness Testers and Surface resurfacing capabilities.resurfacing capabilities.

CMM part programming, contract inspection andcontract inspection and CMM part programming, layout services. layout services.

Hand tool certification & repair labs at 3 locations!

Hand tool certification & repair labs at 3 locations! (including on-site services available) (including on-site services available)

Electronic, Radio Frequency, Microwave, Temperature Electronic, Radio Frequency, Microwave, Temperature Control and Process Instrumentation calibration.

Control and Process Instrumentation calibration.

NEW complete foundryNEW calibration capabilities! complete foundry calibration capabilities!

Most calibrations can be done on site at your facility.

Most calibrations can be done on site at your facility.

Schedule today by emailing: Schedule today by emailing: Marty@FoxValleyMetrology.com or Marty@FoxValleyMetrology.com or Jeremiah@FoxValleyMetrology.com.

Jeremiah@FoxValleyMetrology.com.

FREE ONLINE CALIBRATION MANAGEMENT

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited

TESTING AND CALIBRATION

TESTING AND CALIBRATION

toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 17

Certificate Nos. ACT-1272, AC-1290, ACT-1277 Certificate Nos. ACT-1272, AC-1290, ACT-1277

Four Reasons to Consider Microsoft Azure as your Cloud Computing Service Provider Article submitted by TDMAW Partner, SWICKtech

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he popularity of cloud computing for small and medium-sized businesses has exploded over the past several years. According to Gartner, cloud computing continues to evolve from a market disruptor to the expected approach for IT. However, some companies are still concerned about security and reliability and manage traditional server environments.

Microsoft Azure, an industry leader in cloud solutions is a great fit for companies who haven’t yet tested the waters – or seen the benefits - of cloud computing.

HERE ARE FOUR REASONS THAT COMPANIES WHO HAVEN’T YET TRIED CLOUD COMPUTING SHOULD JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON: Azure is Cost Efficient • Microsoft will let you try out Azure for free so you can decide if it’s the right option for your business. Also, it has a pay-as-you-go option. A major benefit of replacing on-site servers with Microsoft Azure is its Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) capabilities.

• Traditionally, businesses host servers in a server room and need to manually provision hardware to provide the infrastructure needed for growth. Azure’s cloud environment is elastic, meaning it adapts to the workload changes by simply provisioning and de-provisioning resources with the click of a mouse from a web browser. Just like that you can quickly, easily and cost-effectively scale up or scale down as your business evolves.

It’s the Best Hybrid Solution on The Market • Microsoft was the only cloud provider that created a product with what Gartner refers to as bimodal hybrid solutions in mind – making it easier to partially convert to the cloud. Azure is a reliable platform between on-site and public cloud allowing companies to scale up to the cloud without giving third-party datacenters access to all their data.

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• Microsoft considers Hybrid Cloud computing “The best of all possible worlds” platform.

Delivering all the benefits of cloud computing with the lowest risk of data exposure.

Azure is Easy To Use • Administrators have access to a command console called the Azure Portal, right from their web browser. In the Azure Portal they have the ability to create and administer servers, computing services and monitor existing cloud infrastructure.

• Azure is a Microsoft product so tools like Office 365, Outlook and SharePoint integrate seamlessly into Azure. Also, working in Azure is native to Administrators familiar with Microsoft.

Security and Compliance • In a world where cyber threats have increased exponentially, Microsoft understands Azure needs to be on the cutting edge of cybersecurity. Azure is the most trusted cloud platform

by U.S. Government institutions and is the preferred choice of healthcare industries for cloud services. Azure displayed its commitment to security by being the first to embrace the new international standard for cloud privacy, ISO 27018.

• Azure also provides additional services like Multi-factor Authentication to protect access to data and Azure Site Recovery (ASR) to restore data in hours in a catastrophic situation.

Azure allows your employees and IT staff to focus on business without worrying about security or pouring money into outdated equipment or new equipment.

If you still have hang-ups or questions about cloud computing, SWICKtech would be happy to offer you a free IT evaluation of your environment and help you determine the best course of action for your business.

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2020

For more information visit tdmaw.org

Partners

Computer Services for Business Swick Technologies Gary Swick | (414) 257-9266 www.swicktech.com

Insurance â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Property & Casualty and Workers Compensation Federated Insurance www.federatedinsurance.com

Heat Treating ThermTech of Waukesha, Inc. Kirk Springer | (262) 549-1878 www.thermtech.net

Supplies/Full Line E.L Simeth - Milwaukee Steve Simeth | (414)771-9270 www.elsimeth.com

Sponsors Red Level Sponsors

von Briesen & Roper, S. C. Marcus Loden | (608) 661-3962 www.vonbriesen.com

White Level Sponsors Hitachi Metal Tom Bell | (262) 366-8209 thomas.bell@hitmet.com

Blue Level Sponsors Alro Specialty Metals Inside Sales | (800) 365-4140 www.alro.com

Fox Valley Metrology Kit Krabel | (920) 426-5894 www.foxvalleymetrology.com

Bell-Well Sales Co. Tom Schoenecker (262) 781-3670 www.bellwellsales.com

Jung Express Scott Jordan | (414) 747-0100 www.junglogistics.com

Cincinnati Tool Steel Co. Ronald Cincinnati (800) 435-0717 www.cintool.com Citizens Bank www.citizenbank.com Doral Corporation Chris Kuchler | (414) 531-9927 First Business Bank Kyle Haug | (262) 605-7213

PyraMax Bank Eric Hurd ehurd@pyramaxbank.com Lindner & Marsack, S.C. Sally Piefer | (414) 273-3910 www.lindner-marsack.com Sadoff Iron & Metal Nick Schrubbe (414) 698-0765 www.sadoff.com Tri City National Bank John Schmitz | (262) 676-0306 toolmaker@TDMAW.org | 19

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YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE GOT MAIL!

Join us for the TDMAW Overcoming Outlook Inbox Overwhelm breakfast meeting planned for Tuesday, February 4th. Registration now open!

Visit TDMAW.org/programs for details and registration