The Accord 20 FX is designed for precision machining large workpieces in its broad work area with a quick-change tool magazine, which can house 48 tools and change between them with the Mach 5 shuttle in five seconds. The Accord FX range is available in 20, 30, and 40 series, though each features the double profile tooling system of pairing cutting tools during operation.

SCM Group will also hold an open house in June to demonstrate its line of woodworking machine tools. The SCM Days Open House and Educational Event on June 20-21 at the company’s Duluth, Ga., showroom will feature seminars and question-and-answer sessions concerning the company’s Pratix S nesting router, Sigma 107 PLS, and SCM edgebander. For more information, see the SCM announcement and register here.

—Brian Lane

Brian Papke (center right), president of Mazak Corporation and Mike Vogt (center left) of Mazak Human Resources, accept the Growth Award from the Cincinnati USA Partnership for Economic Development.

Mazak has been recognized by the Cincinnati USA Partnership for Economic Development for the expansion and development of its Florence, Ky., North American Headquarters with a Growth Award. The award honors companies that have drawn business and jobs to the Greater Cincinatti area.

As we’ve noted in the past, Mazak has expanded its Florence headquarters with the addition of a National Technology Center and a National Customer Service and Support Center. A Mazak manufacturing center is also located on the campus, along with business operations buildings.

“It is a true honor to be recognized by our local business peers for our ongoing commitment to the community,” Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corporation, said in a statement. “As we continue to invest in and expand our Kentucky operations to help our customers better compete on a global scale, we are also paying close attention as to how our actions can benefit the local economy through workforce development and job creation.”

Mazak has also expanded its Value Inspired Partners (VIP) technology program with the certification of DP Technology Corporation, a developer of CAM software. The VIP program focuses on recognizing research and development partners for the testing and production of Mazak technology.

“We are pleased to welcome DP Technology as the newest member of our VIP program,” said Papke. “The company has shown itself to be a very proactive collaboration partner and one that represents the values of the VIP program. We believe DP Technology’s passion for excellence and innovation will continue to be a valuable asset to the enhanced performance of our machine tools, as well as to our customers’ success.”

–Brian Lane

Dennis Sharples of Sharples Machinery touts the benefits of Sodick’s new large-part AG600LH wire EDM at Eastec.

With job shops, Tier Ones, and OEMs machining a range of parts, size is a factor when specifying equipment. EDM manufacturer Sodick for one believes that a good big machine beats just about anything else, and best meets the metal-cutting needs of many end-users.

At the Eastec manufacturing show last week in West Springfield, Mass., the new Sodick AG600LH wire EDM system was on display by distributor Sharples Machinery of Hackettstown, N.J. Sales Manager Dennis Sharples said the unit has a number of features that set it apart from many competitors.

One is that the AG600LH cuts workpieces that are 20 inches thick, a definite advantage, Sharples argued, since most wire systems cut parts up to 10 in. thick. Combined with the ability to hold a 2,204-lb workpiece, the EDM is suitable for many components machined in aerospace, mold and die making and other industries with large parts.

The unit also cuts small parts accurately and efficiently, he added. “You can always put a small part in a big machine, but not vice-versa,” Sharples remarked.

The AG600LH has a linear motor drive, which means there is no ball screw wear, and thus substantially less machine maintenance. The lack of component wear in the linear drive also means that Sodick guarantees positioning accuracy for 10 years.

Other machine features include rigidity; use of ceramic in critical parts for precision, electrical insulation and abrasion resistance; an auto-threading device that anneals wire to straighten and harden it; a wire-tension servo function; and machine temperature stabilization by internal air circulation and column insulation.

The dielectric tank holds 285.31 gal (1,080 L), and is 38.39 X 95.67 in (975 X 2,430 mm) in size. Work tank inner dimensions are 39.37 X 31.10 in (1,000 X 790 mm). The X-, Y- and Z-axis travel are, respectively, 23.62 X 15.75 X 19.69 in (600 X 400 mm X 500 mm). The U- and V-axis travel are 4.73 X 4.73 in (120 X 120 mm).

The AG600LH has a taper angle of  +/-25 deg, with an option for +/-45 de. The unit works with wire diameters of 0.004-0.012 in (0.1-0.3 mm).

IMTSTV Communications Specialist Jake Ervin (right) speaks with Ryan Hayford, public relations and client marketing, Stratasys, in the new IMTSTV iSpy episode from the AMUG Conference.

IMTSTV, a video series sponsored by AMT (The Association for Manufacturing Technology) during and between International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) events, has released a new episode of its iSpy series.

In the new episode, IMTSTV Communications Specialist Jake Ervin travels to the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) conference in Jacksonville, Fla., to speaking with exhibitors about the latest in additive manufacturing technology. You can see Ervin’s interviews with:

• Rick Lucas, chief technology officer, ExOne;

• Ryan Hayford, public relations and client marketing, Stratasys; and

• Pete Zelinski, writer and editor, Modern Machine Shop.

Check out the video series at the IMTSTV page.

–Brian Lane

The Automated Manufacturing and Machining Scholarship will be available to full-time students who are enrolled in manufacturing engineering technology, automated manufacturing technology, or machine tool technology disciplines; have completed two semesters of study; and have a GPA of at least 3.0.

“We have many students who are bright and enthusiastic,” Tom Livingstone, associate professor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing, said in a statement. “Every semester, we believe it is fitting to honor one who exemplifies dedication to the manufacturing trades, good work ethic, and willingness to help others.”

The School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies faculty is working to fund the scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year. If you wish to contribute to the endowment, you may visit www.pct.edu/afd, email giving@pct.edu, or call the Institutional Advancement Office at 866-GIVE-2-PC (866-448-3272).

In the meantime, IMT Machining Journal parent company ThomasNet.com is sponsoring a manufacturing scholarship of up to $1,000 for 30 students entering or continuing a manufacturing or engineering degree of study. If you know a worthy student who should apply, please see the ThomasNet North American Manufacturing Scholarship hub. Additionally, you can support the scholarship by subscribing to IMT newsletters – each new subscription helps increase the total amount of financial aid that will be distributed.

–Brian

The Purchasing Managers’ Index and the AAA Bond Rate are trending downward. The bond rate’s extremely low level, even after a modest increase, continues to suggest the potential for expansion. Similarly, the modest decline in the Purchasing Managers’ Index is worrisome even though it remains above the expansionary line of 50. Capacity utilization is flat now but at a level that suggests significant production levels.

The movement in these three indicators is consistent with the word around the industry that customers are still buying but are doing so with great caution. As noted in the past three months, the caution seems to stem primarily from Washington’s inability to make clear decisions about the budget and sequestration issues. This lack of leadership leaves in question the fiscal situation’s impact on jobs and government contracts as well as what regulations will be put in place due to the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare.

The USMTO is also indicating a decline in the order pace. The fall in pace is expected to continue through the next 70 days or the end of July. However, the strengthening of several indicators suggests this downturn may be short in duration. Light vehicle sales are at a 15 million-unit-plus pace through the end of the quarter. In addition, the consumer appears poised to begin contributing to economic growth as the consumer confidence level has increased each month during the first quarter of 2013.

Even the slower order pace of the second quarter is expected to be better than the same quarters in 2010 and 2011 when order levels were climbing by phenomenal levels. Hopefully, the current market represents merely a pause in the continued growth of both durable manufacturing and manufacturing technology investment. Manufacturers continue to hoard cash, which means that with any boost in confidence levels or a clearer understanding of where Washington is headed, the market could see a flood of new investment activity.

Pat McGibbon is vice president of industry intelligence and engagement for AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Based in McLean, Va., AMT represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members — those who design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. For more, visit AMT’s website at www.amtonline.org.

The AMT (Association for Manufacturing Technology) report showed respectable gains for the manufacturing tool market. New tool orders totaled $507.91 million in March, a 30.4 percent rise over February orders, and 3.24 percent more than the $491.96 million in orders from March 2012. Combined with February’s revised total of $389.37 million, 2013 has seen $1.2 billion in new sales, a slight dip compared to the total for the same period in 2012 and the result of contraction in January.

AMT President Doug Woods noted that the growth seen in March is attributable to growing demand in consumer markets, which are buoying industrial demand.

Northeast Region

Total: $71.99 million

Percent change from February: 31.8 percent

Percent change from March 2012: -3.2 percent

Year-to-date (YTD): $177.37 million

Percent change from 2012: -6.5 percent

Southeast Region

Total: $36.07 million

Percent change from February: 20.2 percent

Percent change from March 2012: -38.7 percent

YTD:  $103.65 million

Percent change from 2012: -21.1 percent

North Central-East Region

Total: $145.53 million

Percent change from February: 29.4 percent

Percent change from March 2012: 19.1 percent

YTD: $363.91 million

Percent change from 2012: 7.4 percent

North Central-West Region

Total: $105.93 million

Percent change from February: 30.1 percent

Percent change from March 2012: 21.4 percent

YTD: $259.46 million

Percent change from 2012: 6.5 percent

South Central Region

Total: $66.04 million

Percent change from February: 15.0 percent

Percent change from March 2012: -18.4 percent

YTD: $197.00 million

Percent change from 2012: -27.9 percent

West Region

Total: $82.36 million

Percent change from February: 54.2 percent

Percent change from March 2012: 20.5 percent

YTD: $176.65 million

Percent change from 2012: 4.6 percent

–Brian Lane

At EASTEC 2013, small business owners, shop workers, and manufacturing industry professionals were able to meet and discuss tooling and technology solutions to contemporary industry’s most important issues. In the exclusive podcast above, IMT Machining Journal’s Brian Lane speaks with Tom Scotton, Director, Modeling & Simulation at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), about the importance of technology in growing your manufacturing business, as well as using MTConnect and metrology solutions.

–Brian Lane

1. Simulation is becoming easier to use and more common earlier in the design process. This is good in that it enables more iterative design cycles but risky in that it places simulation tools in the hands of people who may not have all the training they need. That yin-yang will drive more structure around the process of simulation to ensure verification and validation. There’s a worthwhile conversation about that in the comment threads of this post about Ansys.

2. Mobility. Everybody wants mobility, but so far computing-on-the-go seems to have bypassed the engineering department. The ability of Windows 8 to run real CAD systems may mark a turning point in the utility of mobile platforms.

3. Cloud. The software vendors see a path to store data for their customers and thereby offer user-based pricing and automated backups along with much easier collaboration. From my conversations at COFES, the vendors may be ahead of their customers in adopting this data-sharing model. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

4. Sharing of pre-solved solutions. Rather than restricting access to solutions, things like materials properties tables, simple CAD models, low-level calculators, simulation use cases, etc, may all be stored and shared in wiki-like open environments allowing faster progress to be made at the margins.

John Hayes is president of Engineering.com. This article was originally published on Engineering.com and is republished with permission. For more stories like this, visit Engineering.com.

Robert Kravontka, a business growth advisor at CONNSTEP, discusses the importance of registering with a standard for shops big and small. To find out more about the 2013 CONNSTEP Conference that Kravontka mentions in the video, click here. Visit http://www.connstep.org.

Axis New England Sales Engineer Josh Gustafson demonstrates for IMT Machining Journal the ease with which to program Universal Robots‘ UR-5, a collaborative, safe robotic arm we’ve written about in the past. Visit http://www.universal-robots.com and http://www.axisne.com.

Hanan Fishman, president of the PartMaker division of Delcam, explains the compatibility of the new PartMaker 2013 software with a wide variety of machine tool brands and machine types, as well as its usability for shop personnel. See http://www.partmaker.com for more.

–Brian Lane