Manufacturing: Automation, Multitasking Trends Continue To See Demand

Manufacturing Engineering recently sat down with two imX eXperience partners to discuss manufacturing trends and the future of the industry. Both topics will be salient to imX. The article appears in the August 2011 issue and features interviews with Dan Janka, President of MAG IAS, LLC and Tomo Ishibe, President and CEO, FANUC FA America. Read a portion of the interview below:

Manufacturing Engineering: What is the market asking for with regard to new machine tool technology?

Dan Janka: We regard the machine tool platform as the basis for any complete solution for our customers. It’s critical that machine tool technology is dynamically designed to enable high-precision and high-speed machining that optimizes processes to reduce overall cycle time.

Tomo Ishibe: In the last ten or fifteen years, we have focused on high-speed machining. In fact, that was my focus when I was a software engineer working in the FANUC laboratory. Today, that is still true, with the addition of five-axis machining and multitasking machining.

ME: What educational activities are you planning for imX?

Janka: We’ll highlight real-world cryogenic machining for difficult-to-machine materials like titanium, Inconel, hardened steel and CGI. We’ll also feature multifunction machining of extremely large parts, and tie in the importance of volumetric accuracy in production of large, high-precision complex parts.

Ishibe: Our goal at imX is to educate end users, machine tool builders, and distributors on how the integration of cutting edge CNC and robotic technologies can increase their productivity. One important point that will be discussed in our learning labs at imX is that our newest technology provides the most cost-effective solution when measured by the total cost of ownership (TCO) and life cycle of machines.

ME: What outcomes do you expect from imX? Janka: We’re looking for quality interaction with our customers and manufacturers that will lead to a much greater influence in their investment decisions as they look to improve their productivity. We’re looking to not only inform and provide meaningful ideas about our innovations, but we’re looking forward to closer ties, especially when they make future inquiries.

ME: How has FANUC recovered from the recent tragic events in Japan?

Ishibe: FANUC HQ executives worked quickly and diligently with each of our component suppliers and were able to secure a sufficient inventory of components by the beginning of June. Additionally, FANUC FA America sources quality components locally which also minimized the impact of any parts shortage.

Manufacturing: Automation, Multitasking Trends Continue To See Demand

Manufacturing Engineering sat down with two imX eXperience partners to discuss manufacturing trends and the future of the industry. Both topics will be salient to imX. The article appears in the August 2011 issue and features interviews with Dan Janka, President of MAG IAS, LLC and Tomo Ishibe, President and CEO, FANUC FA America. Read a portion of the interview below:

Manufacturing Engineering: What is the market asking for with regard to new machine tool technology?

Dan Janka: We regard the machine tool platform as the basis for any complete solution for our customers. It’s critical that machine tool technology is dynamically designed to enable high-precision and high-speed machining that optimizes processes to reduce overall cycle time.

Tomo Ishibe: In the last ten or fifteen years, we have focused on high-speed machining. In fact, that was my focus when I was a software engineer working in the FANUC laboratory. Today, that is still true, with the addition of five-axis machining and multitasking machining.

ME: What educational activities are you planning for imX?

Janka: We’ll highlight real-world cryogenic machining for difficult-to-machine materials like titanium, Inconel, hardened steel and CGI. We’ll also feature multifunction machining of extremely large parts, and tie in the importance of volumetric accuracy in production of large, high-precision complex parts.

Ishibe: Our goal at imX is to educate end users, machine tool builders, and distributors on how the integration of cutting edge CNC and robotic technologies can increase their productivity. One important point that will be discussed in our learning labs at imX is that our newest technology provides the most cost-effective solution when measured by the total cost of ownership (TCO) and life cycle of machines.

ME: What outcomes do you expect from imX? Janka: We’re looking for quality interaction with our customers and manufacturers that will lead to a much greater influence in their investment decisions as they look to improve their productivity. We’re looking to not only inform and provide meaningful ideas about our innovations, but we’re looking forward to closer ties, especially when they make future inquiries.

ME: How has FANUC recovered from the recent tragic events in Japan?

Ishibe: FANUC HQ executives worked quickly and diligently with each of our component suppliers and were able to secure a sufficient inventory of components by the beginning of June. Additionally, FANUC FA America sources quality components locally which also minimized the impact of any parts shortage.

The countdown to imX is on!

It’s hard to believe that imX is only a couple of months away. After years of planning, we are getting ready to head to Las Vegas for an event like no other, an “invitation only” event created by the industry and created just for you.

If you have already been invited and confirmed as an eXecutive guest, you will be receiving personalized correspondence that will help you build your plan for this event. You can also see all the latest developments.

If you haven’t yet registered for this event, you need to act quickly and apply to join imX as soon as possible. You can click on this link to apply imXevent.com/apply

One of the commitments we made early on – based on your feedback – was to ensure that this event focused on “relevant and implementable” learning. You wanted to leave imX with information that could immediately help your operations. You wanted the learning to happen right on the event floor, and you wanted to meet with the experts.

There was no question of the importance of education at this event. From demonstrations to hands-on learning to client testimonials and case studies, you wanted to see, hear and learn all in one place, at one time.

It’s important that you know that the imX executive committee and our partners have worked diligently to create this unique education program that provides every imX guest with FREE and total access to all the learning available at imX. This includes all keynote presentations, the interactive Industry Panels, more than 100 sessions in the 8 dedicated Learning Labs and more than 40 unique sessions hosted by our industry experts in the Knowledge Bars.

Again, there are no registration fees associated with any of these programs for imX invited guests. Your investment is your time and your commitment to ensuring your organization’s and youy industry’s future.

We can’t wait to see you at imX.

Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or comments that help us to continually improve your event at sprahalis@sme.org.

One more reminder – If you haven’t booked your room yet, please note that there is a limited number of rooms reserved at the Bellagio at the imX rate of $169/night. This rate includes no additional resort fees, free internet and unlimited complimentary transportation to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center. Click on imXevent.com/accommodations to reserve your room today.

Best regards.

Media partner Manufacturing Engineering recently sat down with Bryon Deysher, President and CEO of Methods Machine Tools and John Tucker, Vice President and President Business Groups of Kennametal Inc. to get their take on the future of manufacturing. The article, titled, “imX Experience Partners Discuss Manufacturing Trends,” appears in the June 2011 issue and features an expanded view on manufacturing and each company’s ties to imX and the future of the industry.

Manufacturing Engineering: What is the market looking for in new machine tool technology?

Bryon Deysher: The market is trending more toward production on demand, the theme we are using for imX. We are seeing more requests for small-lot production, for part-off complete, for multitasking, and five-axis machining capabilities. Our customers are looking at minimizing cost, and reducing setup time.

John Tucker: Turnkey solutions are really one of the important ways that we can provide value to our customers. Turnkey solutions, applications engineering, and test cuts, for example, are being pushed down from the customer, giving us a greater role in helping them make their machine tool selections.

ME: What is being done to educate the customer about how to get the best performance out of their manufacturing technology?

Deysher: As much as this is an Internet-oriented society and people are going there to get information, the machine tool business is a people-oriented business. It requires us to provide our customers with knowledge-based solutions.

Tucker: Our application-engineering expertise can aid and assist our customers in how to properly apply the cutting tool in terms of feeds and speeds that optimize tool life and performance. We are also participating in technology seminars with our machine tool builders and distributor partners at their locations.

ME: How can we attract young people to manufacturing?

Deysher: We have to promote how innovative our industry is. This isn’t a dirty business any more. It’s an industry where people can be challenged, grow, and be successful.

Tucker: We see our relationships in terms of research and development and partnering with universities as a key component of our product innovation process. We see that as an important element to develop interest in cutting tools and the challenges we face in always improving our product.

ME: What are you planning for imX, what technologies and educational activities will be showcased?

Deysher: At imX, our theme is production on demand. There is a high degree of need for small-lot production, especially in the aerospace and medical industries.

Tucker: Our imX participation will focus on our ability to enhance productivity with selection of the right tool and machine process to drive productivity and profitability.

To view the full article, visit http//www.sme.org/manufacturingengineering

Education is the Answer to Future American Manufacturing Workforce

The American manufacturing workforce has been dealt several blows over the past few years due to overseas outsourcing, a global recession and a skills shortage among incoming employees. Education is the answer to all three thorns in the industry. Globally integrated companies are at an advantage when laying the foundation for education in the metal cutting industry: companies can position themselves as thought leaders and provide accessible resources to those entering the workforce.

Sandvik Coromant combats this looming issue with a three-pronged approach: Smart Events, Technical Training courses, and partnering with industry associations including the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Smart Events are our free educational seminar series hosted at technical centers across the country. The series addresses solutions and best practices for milling, threading, aerospace and titanium machining, and development tools for building a more informed, profitable workforce.

Smart Events

At a recent Smart Event, Bridging the Skills Gap, the Director of NIMS Steve Mandes, presented the importance of maintaining a globally competitive manufacturing workforce. The news was promising: manufacturing activity has grown for 20 consecutive months, employment in manufacturing increased by 200,000 in the last year and by all counts, manufacturing is leading the U.S. economy out of the recession. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to ensure skilled labor enters the industry and education is the driving force.

Technical Training

Sandvik Coromant technical training courses support industry development with application knowledge and fundamental, theoretical know-how broken down into four main training levels. Our Technical Guide and Application Guides serve as supportive, more in-depth material. These guides outline important product- and application-specific information on choosing the right tools; employing the correct machining methods; tooling maintenance, productivity and optimization.

NIMS Skills USA

Our dedication to education and development of the American manufacturing workforce is furthered by our partnership with NIMS and participation in Skills USA. The institute is a vital partner in addressing the major concern of a skills shortage in U.S. manufacturing. Sandvik Coromant supports Skills USA National Championships. Skills USA fosters education and communication between students, teachers, and industry leaders.

imX: Focus on Customer Engagement, Interaction and Education

As a global leader, Sandvik Coromant has an unmatched depth of metal-cutting knowledge and expertise to share with the industry. We work in close cooperation with not only customers, but industry partners. imX will be the industry’s most significant networking opportunity due to its focus on customer engagement, interaction and education.

We are looking at imX as a platform to collaborate with top-level manufacturing executives and partners, improving processes and innovating new ways of working together. Our continued commitment is on helping customers achieve higher efficiencies and maximize profits. We stand behind this mission: Your success in focus.

The imX will be the first time an event will bring together leading industry experts to specifically focus on the needs of the manufacturing industry. The event shows a commitment to providing economic growth and job opportunities in the United States and ensures easier navigation to help manufacturers find the solutions they are looking for in one place.

Sandvik Coromant imX eXperience partner