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DMG MORI produces 1,000th machine in Davis

At the end of August 2015, DMG MORI’s manufacturing plant in Davis, California, produced its 1,000th machine, an ecoTurn 450.

DMG MORI opened its North American manufacturing plant in Davis, near Sacramento, in July 2012. With a production capacity of more than 100 machines per month, the company manufactures and assembles the NHX 4000 and NHX 5000 2nd Generation, NHX 6300, the DuraVertical 5100, and the DMU 50, as well as the ecoTurn 450.

The Davis factory has more than 221,000ft² adjacent to the design center and Digital Technology Laboratory that Mori Seiki developed 15 years ago as an R&D site, to research machine tool designs, controls, and pallet systems. The establishment of the manufacturing plant in 2012 created further opportunities for R&D in the U.S. Working at Davis are 120 employees in production and 60 in R&D.

DMG MORI also has established a design group in Davis to support product customization requests, as well as turnkey projects. Projects range from multi-machine, complex work transfer systems to simple robot tending solutions. www.dmgmori-usa.com

The ecoTurn 450, part of DMG-MORI’s ECOLINE product line, features optimized ergonomics and stable construction for high precision. A wide variety of 3D controls offer flexibility, and task-optimized options enable upgrades of the machines to turn-and-mill complete machining. The machines offer lower energy costs while maintaining high speed, accuracy, and rigidity.

OPAK project develops Industry 4.0 prototype stopper module for conveyors

The Open Engineering Platform for Autonomous Mechatronic Automation Components (OPAK) has developed a prototype integrated stopper module for conveyors, according to OPAK partner Festo.

The OPAK research project, subsidized by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, brings together public and private organizations to develop enabling technologies for Industry 4.0 – product individualization via highly flexible production. Tasks currently performed by a central master computer will be handled by networked components, carry out their own configuration, and independently meet the varying requirements of production.

The OPAK project integrated stopper module, CPS-Gate, proves the concept of flexible plug-and-play components vital to the implementation of Industry 4.0. The prototype incorporates all the functionality required for stopping workpiece carriers on a conveyor belt – functionality that resides today in individual components and systems, including a PLC, sensors, actuators, RFID/NFC technology, and communication functions within an MES/ERP application. The CPS-Gate prototype will be incorporated within Festo Didactic Learning Systems facilities for training on Industry 4.0 concepts. www.festo.com/us

Stratasys 3D-prints freezer liners for ISS

Stratasys Direct Manufacturing recently 3D-printed liners for an extreme-temperature freezer destined for the International Space Station (ISS). The -80°C Polar freezer will transport samples to and from the station, with the ultimate purpose being long-term residence aboard the ISS. Polar had some design challenges relating to its liner, so the design team turned to 3D printing.

Working with the University of Alabama-Birmingham’s Center for Biophysical Sciences & Engineering, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing produced liners without sharp corners or inaccurate tolerances, allowing for a better fit that optimized the unit’s use of space. This was critical, given the limited real estate in the ISS; it also would not have been possible through traditional manufacturing methods. www.stratasysdirect.com

Engis, Delapena expand precision bore honing offering

Engis Corp. of Wheeling, Illinois, and Delapena Group of Cheltenham, U.K., have agreed for the Engis Group to distribute the Delapena stroke honing machine tools in North America and East Asia.

The Engis – Delapena agreement creates a global offering of honing/bore finishing systems, technical experience, and service. Engis Corp. designs and manufactures super-abrasive finishing systems, including single-pass bore finishing. Delapena offers machine tools, fixtures, abrasives, and other consumables. www.engis.com

Boeing to expand collaboration with China’s aviation industry

Boeing will increase cooperation with China’s commercial aviation industry.

Agreements include finalizing orders and commitments for 300 Boeing narrowbody and widebody aircraft, industrial cooperation, leadership development and training, collaboration on developing sustainable aviation biofuel, and improving China’s air-traffic system efficiency.

The announcements were made as China’s President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Boeing executives, viewed final assembly lines for the 787 Dreamliner, 777, and 747-8, plus aircraft components made by Chinese aviation suppliers.

Additionally, Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, Ltd., (COMAC) will partner to open a facility in China for the interiors completion, paint, and delivery of Boeing 737 aircraft to Chinese customers. Boeing and Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) will broaden their long-term collaboration by adding major component and assembly work packages, strengthening leadership, and developing AVIC’s aviation infrastructure and supply chain management.

During the next 20 years, Boeing predicts China will need 6,330 new commercial airplanes, worth an estimated $950 billion. www.boeing.com

Greenleaf appoints executives

Cutting tool technology and ceramic materials developer Greenleaf Corp. has appointed Bernie McConnell as executive vice president-commercial. McConnell comes to Greenleaf from Kennametal Corp., where he managed its WIDIA business.

At Greenleaf, McConnell will manage global sales and marketing operations. He will report directly to President Jim Greenleaf.

McConnell, a U.S. Navy vet, holds an M.B.A. from Duquesne University and a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He replaces David Rydbom, vice president of sales and marketing, when he retires this December.

Jim Kyper has been named Greenleaf’s secretary and general counsel, responsible for managing the company’s legal affairs and various other corporate duties. He comes to Greenleaf from K&L Gates LLP, where as a partner he represented Greenleaf and other clients regarding intellectual property and other commercial matters. www.greenleafcorporation.com

Okuma America, Sandvik Coromant to host joint manufacturing event

CNC machine tool manufacturer Okuma America Corp. and tooling solutions provider Sandvik Coromant are teaming up to host “Manufacturing Excellence – Applying Emerging Technologies to Aerospace Manufacturing” Dec. 8-9, 2015, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Guests will tour the Aerospace Center of Excellence, view CNC machine tool cutting demonstrations, and learn about CNC machining technologies for aerospace that can increase production, decrease costs, improve quality, and maximize profitability.

Keynote speaker Robert Mudge of RPM & Associates Inc., supplier of laser deposition technology (LDT) products and services, will discuss using additive and subtractive manufacturing to multiply productivity. Guests may also attend sessions about connecting the shop floor with the back office with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), benefits of cryogenic machining, using multi-tasking machines and specialty tooling to improve efficiency, and achieving process improvements with proper tool path generation.

A selection of 5-axis machining centers and multitasking horizontal lathes will be displayed for attendees to evaluate. Lunch will be provided daily. To register, visit http://goo.gl/Mk5wdT. www.okuma.com; www.sandvik.coromant.com

DMS, Fagor Automation reveal CNC programming tools

Fagor Automation, an international strategic partner of Diversified Machine Systems (DMS), an original equipment manufacturer of DMS CNC routers and large format machining centers, has developed a program-section editor for the Fagor 8065 CNC series control systems.

The editor – a programming method for a 3D surface defined by a plane profile and one or several sectional profiles – allows programming of solid 3D surfaces without the need for external CAD/CAM applications, using ISO language to define plane profiles and machining conditions.

The profile-section editor may be used to machine grooves, holes, or bosses in taper sections without the need for complicated trigonometric calculations. Since programming can be achieved within a matter of minutes at the CNC keyboard, programming time is reduced and part finish is improved. www.dmscncrouters.com; www.fagorautomation.us

North American robotics market sets records in first half of 2015

According to statistics released from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) trade group, a record 14,232 robots, valued at $840 million were ordered from North American robotics companies in the first half of 2015, an increase of 1% in units and 7% in revenue compared to the same period in 2014, which held the previous record.

Jeff Burnstein, president of RIA, notes “The interest in robotics remains strong not just in North America, but all over the world, as companies recognize that robots can help them improve productivity, product quality, and flexibility.”

RIA estimates that some 232,000 robots are now in use in U.S. factories, placing second only to Japan in robot use. www.robotics.org