Diversified Machine Systems’ Advanced Manufacturing Center

Located at the Diversified Machine Systems (DMS) world headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) positions DMS as a trusted knowledge resource that helps companies produce more products faster, with higher quality at a lower cost.

Through the AMC, DMS offers training, collaboration on proof of concepts, and project consulting to help customers improve their manufacturing processes and maximize their return on investment.

AMC’s objective is to improve manufacturing processes by providing the necessary guidance and resources to minimize knowledge gaps between concept and production. While their DMS CNC machine is being built, clients can receive machine training, address programming challenges, and get a head-start toward fabricating products on two DMS 5-axis CNC routers at the AMC so that they can immediately begin production once their machine is completed.

Training and consulting services are performed by a certified and experienced DMS technician, with sessions at the AMC or at the client’s site. www.dmscncrouters.com, IMTS 2016 Booth #S-8790

Zeiss opens Boston metrology service center

Bringing measuring service and programming expertise to the Boston, Massachusetts, area, Zeiss Industrial Metrology opened a new service center.

“We are excited to expand our local presence by offering contract measuring services, support, training, and project management for customers in the Northeast,” says General Manager Al Chiasson.

“Not only does this facility allow us to offer traditional metrology support, but it also helps us illustrate the value of metrology on a higher level, connecting machines together through PiWeb software to control and organize all quality data,” adds Doug Fitzgerald, manager of the 2,700ft2 facility in Marlborough, Massachusetts, which houses a range of Zeiss measuring technologies. www.zeiss.com/metrology, IMTS 2016 Booth #E-5502 & NC-506

New orders, production, employment growing

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reports economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in June for the fourth consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 85th consecutive month.

ISM’s June PMI registered 53.2, an increase from the May reading of 51.3. The new orders index registered 57, an increase from the May reading of 55.7. The production index registered 54.7, up from the May reading of 52.6. The employment index registered 50.4, an increase from the May reading of 49.2. Inventories of raw materials registered 48.5, an increase of 3.5 points from the May reading of 45.

ISM’s employment index registered 50.4 in June, compared to the May reading of 49.2, indicating growth in employment in June following six consecutive months of employment contraction. An Employment Index above 50.6, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment. www.instituteforsupplymanagement.org

Out of shape?

The headline for July’s cover story, “Customized metal-spinning machines fix out-of-round engine lip skins” may have given the false impression that MJC Engineering’s solution corrects an out-of-round condition on jet engine lip skins. It should be noted that the company’s solution successfully creates the precise, slight eccentricity necessary for the Boeing 737 and 777 engine housings. We regret any confusion caused.

Data recorders reveal splashdown impact on Orion crew

Engineers at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, are conducting nine water-impact drop tests to evaluate the Orion spacecraft and crew safety when they return to Earth from deep-space missions. Onboard will be two test dummies wired to Diversified Technical Systems (DTS) data acquisition systems that will collect test data as NASA prepares Orion for its next mission. During Exploration Mission-1, the uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, travel more than 40,000 miles beyond the moon, and return at speeds up to 25,000mph.

Engineers at Langley will mimic various scenarios by dropping a mockup of Orion, coupled with the heat shield from the spacecraft’s first flight, into Langley’s 20ft-deep Hydro Impact Basin.

Langley has already conducted dozens of splash tests with DTS data recorders inside a less sophisticated capsule mockup, but this is the first time it will assess the higher fidelity Orion ground test article.

“Including test dummies will help NASA ensure the crew is protected from injury during splashdown in future missions,” says Ellen Carpenter, Langley project manager. www.dtsweb.com

Eriez reorganizes metalworking group

Eriez has reorganized its metalworking group, with promotions for Andy Kloecker, Darrell Milton, and John Mackowski.

“These changes are designed to streamline internal operations,” says Dan Zimmerman, Eriez director of business development.

Kloecker has been promoted to manager of distribution and material handling products, in addition to his current responsibilities for metalworking distributor sales and the Orange University mobile demonstration unit.

As manager, technical services-HydroFlow, Mackowski will manage a field service team, supervise the Eriez fluid recycling product line, and support all metalworking product sales, including contract service technicians.

Milton has been promoted to manager, filtration systems-HydroFlow, where he will assume responsibility for the line’s filtration products. Milton’s responsibilities also include managing filtration projects, filtration cost estimating and quoting, and support of all metalworking product sales.

Kloecker, Mackowski, Milton, and Tom Cassesse, director of sales for Eriez HydroFlow, will all continue to report to Zimmerman. www.eriez.com, IMTS 2016 Booth #N-6966