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SMTCL-Americas partners with Cal State Polytechnic

Machine tool manufacturer SMTCL-Americas will provide California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, Calif., equipment to create a machine lab. Engineering students will manufacture components for class projects and international competitions.

SMTCL has also committed to hire Cal Poly students and provide training in CNC machining and engineering.

“We have hired our first Cal Poly Pomona Engineering student as an intern,” says Jerry McCarty, COO of SMTCL. “We hope to hire a student every year and are looking forward to converting some of them to full-time employees when they graduate. This is a commitment to both our industry and the future of manufacturing in Southern California.” www.smtcl-americas.com

Raytheon honors supplier excellence

Raytheon Co. recognized the exceptional performance of more than 180 supplier partners that support the company’s Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) business unit. Honored at IDS’ annual Supplier Excellence Awards event, suppliers from around the globe were recognized with 3-, 4- and 5-Star awards measured on quality standards, on-time delivery, process improvement initiatives, and success in meeting or exceeding safety standards. Six gold, silver, and bronze awards honored those suppliers who worked collaboratively with Raytheon driving continuous improvement, innovation, affordability, global growth, partnership, and flawless execution.

Notably, eight international suppliers were recognized during the awards event: INTRACOM Defense Electronics, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, Roketsan, Aselsan, Orient Construction Co. Ltd., Weavers, Saudi Logistics and Technical Support, Page Europa, and Bumar Elektronika. www.raytheon.com

US cutting tool consumption up 2.1% in April

April U.S. cutting tool consumption reached $175 million – up 2.1% from March, but down 3.3% from April 2013, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

The total, based on reports from the companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR) program, represents the second consecutive month of market growth. Analysts expect the slow increases to continue throughout the rest of the year.

CTMR is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. www.uscti.com

Register for IMTS conferences

The IMTS 2014 Conference brings the industry together under one roof – West Building, Level 1 of McCormick Place, Chicago – and at one time – Sept. 8-11, 2014 – to discuss new opportunities to enhance business, from overcoming day-to-day challenges to meeting long-range goals.

The objective for the conference program is continuous improvement. Focusing on five topic tracks featuring a wide variety of industry-specific sessions, presentations will provide solutions to current manufacturing problems such as improving productivity, improving part quality, and developing a stable, competent workforce to lower the costs of manufacturing and create new levels of market demand. To register for the IMTS 2014 conferences, or to view a complete schedule, go to www.imts.com/conference.

Pratt & Whitney signs more than $10B in long-term supplier agreements

Pratt & Whitney officials have announced the company has entered into long-term agreements with more than 90 key product suppliers as it prepares to increase commercial and military engine production. The agreements, with suppliers worldwide, are valued at more than $10 billion and secure a supply of key parts and components decades into the future for products including the PurePower engine family, auxiliary power units, Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, and the F135 military engine for the F-35 Lightning II. www.pw.utc.com

SAWPA certified for liquid penetrant inspection

Nadcap-certified, vacuum heat-treating specialists, Solar Atmospheres of Western PA (SAWPA), received notification from Nadcap of the renewal of its non-destructive testing certification. Specifically, SAWPA has been certified for fluorescent liquid penetrant inspection (FLP).

This renewed certification was awarded to the Hermitage, Pa., plant, which specializes in vacuum thermal processing of large, mainly titanium manufacturing parts. www.solaratm.com

GKN Aerospace completes advanced winglet concept

GKN Aerospace has completed a two-year structures technology maturity program to create an advanced winglet using innovative automated processes. Results show that, were the winglet to enter series production today, these processes could lower manufacturing costs by approximately 20% – producing a winglet with lower weight, lower parts count, 50% fewer fasteners, and 25% less time per fastening.

From design stage to manufacture, the winglet has been a vehicle to try the latest software tools and modelling, manufacturing, and testing methods in structural design, automated manufacture, assembly technologies, and analysis tools. A waffle skin construction has been manufactured and assembled using robotic technologies and lightweight fixing techniques.

Processes proved through this program may be introduced to speed and improve the manufacture of engine components, nacelles, small wing box structures, vertical and horizontal tail planes, flying controls, and undercarriage doors. www.gknaerospace.com