Industry Watch: Business

Swiss turning machines are typically highly complex units with many operations happening simultaneously. “The ability to accurately drive these machines and simulate the complex motion requires software developed specifically for this type of machine,” said Hargreaves. “CAM vendors find that a Swiss turning package cannot simply be a module that is added on to a standard package without a significant development effort.” Hargreaves says the market for Swiss turning machines has been increasing steadily. “In addition to the shop that specializes in Swiss machines creating small, highly accurate parts, the use of products like Mastercam Swiss Expert allows the job shop with part runs of 1000 pieces to buy these machines. Many existing Mastercam users now buy Swiss turn machines to produce smaller lots of parts and provide faster turnaround to their customers,” he added. www.mastercam.com

ALL METRIC SMALL PARTS (NEW HYDE PARK, NY) . . .
this leading supplier of metric industrial hardware announced the availability of their new overview video featuring their 5,400 100 percent RoHS-compliant components. aMsp is the exclusive North American distributor of Tochigiya Co., Ltd., the leading manufacturer of machine components in Japan. The new aMsp Youtube Channel can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com. 3D CAD models are available for free download at the aMsp website. The aMsp online eStore allows users to choose from a great selection of control knobs, knurled knobs, dimpled knobs, wing knobs, triangular, scallop knobs, spherical knobs, and many more. They can browse the knob selection and buy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

aMsp offers an extensive selection of all metric standard industrial machine components. Their products include: knobs, door latches, panel latches, cabinet latches, boat latches, handles, handwheels, cranks, grips, levers, locks, catches, hinges, screws, washers, springs, keys, plungers, pins, leveling and support feet. All of these products are 100 percent RoHS compliant. www.allmetricsmallparts.com

COLSON CASTER CORPORATION (JONESBORO, AK) . . .
recently hosted its exclusive Distributor Council at its Jonesboro headquarters with all of the group’s inaugural members. The team met to share critical strategies for partnering in today’s competitive and demanding manufacturing environment. The top distributors were provided tours of its Jonesboro caster and wheel plant, in addition to its partner wheel plant in Monette. Topics for the two-day meeting included an overview of new products, testing advancements, manufacturing capabilities, and product procurement.www.colsoncaster.com

ERIEZ^® (ERIE, PA) . . .
introduced its Orange University™ mobile training and education center designed for hands-on demonstrations and customer workshops. “Orange University is a 38 ft Winnebago^® stuffed with all the goodness you would expect us to offer in a first-class package for a first-class customer experience,” said Eric Confer, Orange University team leader. “The Orange University experience includes product and video demonstrations and educational materials.” Orange University is designed to educate visitors and help them determine the best process equipment solutions and the appropriate cutting edge technologies available for their applications. Through hands-on learning and simulation at attendees’ facilities, Orange University demonstrates its diverse approach to problem-solving and educates attendees on how Eriez can help meet their needs and take on unique challenges.

Orange University features a modular equipment layout that allows the rapid transformation of the interior to accommodate different industry requirements on an annual or semi-annual basis – outfitted according to customer demand. The modular layout allows Orange University to travel the country educating a new group of customers about products tailored to their everyday needs. “Our first trip features education for light industry and light manufacturing applications,” explained Confer. “Orange University will be outfitted with a wide array of equipment, including magnetic separators, vibratory conveyors and screeners, metal detectors, X-ray inspection systems, along with a host of technology to help ensure the experience is on target for each individual who steps aboard.” www.eriez.com

PENNENGINEERING^® (DANBORO, PA) . . .
was awarded a license from Phillips Screw Company for its patented MORTORQ^® SUPER Spiral Drive System, a proprietary drive system developed to deliver extremely high-torque capability for fasteners without risking damage to screw heads or surrounding areas. The drive is integrated into various PEM^® fastener products and further advances the company’s key strategy to enter the threaded small-diameter screw market. New product offerings will include screws in 2 mm and smaller thread sizes ideally suited for high-volume consumer and medical devices, among other applications.

The system’s unique geometric spiral design maximizes recess wall and driver contact to provide extremely high torque transfer without cam-out. The drive’s low-profile head and high-strength shallow recess additionally contribute to reducing overall fastener weight. Various fastener head styles can be accommodated. Phillips Screw Company introduced the original Phillips^® drive system in the 1930s and continues to supply innovative and cost-effective drive solutions to fastening challenges. www.pemnet.com

ATLAS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (FENTON, MI) . . .
received an order for tandem press line automation from a major automotive manufacturer earlier this year that is scheduled for installation in this summer. This installation will utilize existing presses onsite and integrate automatic blank washing and oiling, press-to-press robot automation, and an end-of-line off-loading solution for both steel and aluminum parts. The line will be designed to changeover between part runs automatically (dies, robot tooling, and part program parameters) to minimize downtime and significantly improve press line productivity. www.atlastechnologies.com

PANGBORN GROUP (FAIRBURN, GA) . . .
created a unified online presence for Pangborn, Pangborn Europe, Berger Strahltechnik and Vogel & Schemmann that combines four well-established and distinct brands in an esoteric business like surface preparation into a single identity while still maintaining their established brand equity. According to Henrik Jensen, the president and CEO of the Pangborn Group, establishing a unified online presence is a critical step in solidifying their presence as a global brand and leader in the surface preparation industry. “All four brands — three of which are well over a century old — were acquired by Atlas Holdings LLC over the last several years, but until now each maintained its own identity and website and operated somewhat independently,” said Jensen. “However, as we build and grow as a global brand, the opportunity and ability to cross-sell our collective product line is critical. And our new website is a tremendous representation of that capability.”

One of the website’s key features is the ability for visitors to navigate based on the type of products they are searching for, such as wheel blast machines or shot peening machines, and view available products from all Pangborn Group brands. The website, currently available in English, will soon be translated into German, Italian and other languages. It also highlights Pangborn Group’s capabilities and experience in key industries such as aerospace, automotive transportation, defense, energy, general manufacturing and more.

The website boasts a robust customer care section, highlighting services such as the Customer Technology Center and Research and Development facilities, as well as an exhaustive resources section that includes downloadable literature, a variety of videos that showcase its solutions, and a comprehensive list of industry links for visitors to explore. www.pangborngroup.com

SUNBELT-TURRET STEEL, INC. (CHARLOTTE, NC) . . .
acquired an 82,000 sq ft warehouse in Portland, OR. Wayne Gould, the president of Sunbelt-Turret Steel, stated, “We feel that this is the right time to continue to grow our coast-to-coast national distribution network and to increase our effectiveness in servicing current and future customer needs with just-in-time steel bar delivery.   This new location will combine with our Dos Palos, CA facility to provide complete coverage to our customers in the region.” Kenneth Tantare will be the Pacific Northwest regional manager of this new facility and James Hostetler has been added to their sales team.

This represents the eleventh location of the Turret Steel/Sunbelt-Turret Steel group, which now operates in excess of 35 saws to support precision cut blanks, full bars or truckload quantities up to 32.000 in diameter as full service stocking distributors that offer a complete range of special bar quality carbon and alloy bar stock. Sunbelt-Turret Steel is one of the largest suppliers of cut pieces of forged and rough turned carbon and alloy bars in North America, shipping rounds, squares, flats, round cornered squares, hexagons and billets throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Newly acquired Wilcox Steel produces carbon and alloy cold drawn bars as small as 3/16 in diameter in rounds, squares and hexes from a modern facility in Green Bay, WI. www.sunbeltturretsteel.com

DILLON GAGE METALS (DALLAS, TX) . . .
explained how precious metals contained in common household and business electronics can be recycled, refined and reused, instead of being unnecessarily tossed in overflowing, local landfills. “The list of items containing precious metals found in and around a typical American home or business is surprisingly long and includes computer components, cell phones, handhold electronic games and silver-oxide batteries from watches,” said Terry Hanlon, the president of Dillon Gage Metals, which operates a refinery in Dallas. Other common items are gold-plated wire and contacts from electrical switches, computer-printer cartridges with gold contacts, and platinum-group auto catalysts.