Hot Sheet
Industry Solutions
West Coast ports remain open 24/7 as supply chain congestion impacts all segments from manufacturers and suppliers to distributors, services and goods.
filling gaps
OEM launches new CMM, expands footprint, cross trains personnel and promotes open architecture
MARIO CORDERO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR the Port of Long Beach, said the port has been operating on a 24/7 schedule but it will “take collaboration by everybody in the supply chain, not just marine terminal operators,” to break up supply chain blockages. One OEM has taken some unusual steps to help job shops and fabricators fill the gaps.
AIMS Metrology Vice President Mark Gearding sheds light on another pandemic-excerbated problem. “Job shops and fabricators can’t take on new work if they can’t measure complex parts,” he says. “They need to be able to collect thousands of points of measurement for multiple part features versus a gauge, which might only take four to five points of measurement. These days you can’t afford to be upside down in inspection versus manufacturing because you have quoted jobs you can’t meet quality requirements for.”
AIMS designs and builds 5-axis coordinate measuring machines (CMM) for the shop floor, lab and automated applications in smart factories. In 2020, AIMS added to its mobile HB and lab-grade LM with the Summit 10.10.10. Equipped with 5-axis REVO-2 dynamic scanning, the Summit puts multisensor high-volume, large part inspection in the hands of job shop operators for the first time. But according to Gearding, it’s the tip of the iceberg for fabricators struggling with pent-up demand and supply chain disruptions. Demand for legacy equipment service and support is accelerating. “People are doing without for much longer periods versus making investments in new equipment,” he says. “But a lot of fabricators find themselves locked out when it comes to servicing or upgrading these machines because most OEMs have proprietary software and controllers.”
You don’t want to be quoting jobs and then not be able to meet inspection requirements. 
AIMS’ open architecture controllers and software options can extend the life of legacy equipment. “We can upgrade a legacy machine with the right software and probing [as well as a controller],” Gearding says. “If a company decides two to three years down the road they want to buy a new machine, we can repurpose those components and help the customer save money.”
Following its acquisition of CMI Technology Inc. in 2016 to enhance quality control and delivery timeframes for CMM parts, AIMS purchased Measurement Specialties Inc. (MSI) in 2021. The move expanded its footprint for calibration, certification and programming, along with retrofitting and repair services. In the face of labor shortages, the company is also growing its staff by cross training AIMS and MSI employees. “We’re filling gaps by being a true turnkey provider,” says Gearding. “From manufacturing, custom programming and engineered tooling to loading/unloading parts manually or running a lights-out operation with a robot or gantry loaders.”
M&A
Lapham-Hickey acquires steel slitter
Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp., Chicago, announced the acquisition of Rebel Steel. Founded in 1981 and located in La Vergne, Tennessee, Rebel Steel is a service center specializing in slitting of cold rolled and coated steel. Rebel Steel will continue to operate under the Rebel Steel name, with their existing President, Greg Forkum, and operating teams continuing to provide their customers the reliable service and quality products they have been accustomed to.
PEOPLE
MC Machinery adds sales rep
CNC machinery sales veteran Charlie Bible joined MC Machinery, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, as a regional sales representative for lasers, automation equipment and press brakes. Based in Seabrook, Texas, Bible covers southern and western Texas and New Mexico.
EDUCATION
AWS Foundation grant provides starter welding kits to high schools
The need for welders has reached a critical point, and the American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation, in partnership with Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Appleton, Wisconsin, is bringing the welding experience back to high school with the Light a Spark Grant. The Light a Spark Grant is a turnkey package designed to introduce welding into existing secondary or post-secondary ag-ed, career and technical education, or practical skills course. Up to seven starter packages valued at more than $14,000 each will be awarded.
EV
Stamper ramps up operations
CEP Technologies, Yonkers, New York, will provide the small to miniature high-precision stampings needed to support electrical conductivity and connectivity for EV charging infrastructure. Parts are produced from alloys such as copper, nickel, silver (bare and pre-plated with tin), cold-rolled steel and 300 series stainless in precision coil thicknesses ranging from 0.004 in. to 0.015 in. CEP is able to maintain a profile tolerance of 0.0015 in., a maximum part burr size of 0.0005 in. and flatness tolerances of less than 0.003 in. CEP’s global production facilities can support medium- to high-volume production runs ranging from 25,000 pieces a year to 100,000,000 pieces a year. With presses ranging in size from 15 to 60 tons, CEP can run material as thin as 0.002 in. to 0.125 in. The precision metal stamper also provides cleaning and packaging services.
ENVIRONMENT
SKF in collaboration to speed up development of fossil-free bearing steel
SKF is supporting the development of fossil-free bearing steel through a collaboration with Luleå University of Technology’s CH2ESS initiative. As part of the collaboration, SKF will participate in and fund research within hydrogen use in industrial processes and energy systems, speeding up the development of fossil-free bearing steel. Research areas will include hybrid ceramic bearings, EVs and other applications, and the development and commercialization of fossil-free bearing steel production.
PEOPLE
HGG appoints sales manager
HGG Profiling Equipment Inc., Houston, has appointed Brandon Welch as HGG western states sales manager. Welch will have responsibility for new machinery sales, as well as service and support for HGG customers west of the Mississippi. Welch will also be actively involved in new business development and key account management. Welch will work out of HGG’s Houston headquarters, and will report directly to Gerrit Teunissen, HGG’s North American general manager.
TRAINING
Partnership to support more women entering skilled trades
Universal Technical Institute, Phoenix, and IGNITE Worldwide, Mountlake, Washington, are joining together to advance the participation and advancement of women in the skilled trades. As part of the Education Partnership, UTI is providing the following tuition grants, which can be used toward UTI programs at any of their campuses located in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas: a $25,000 grant; a $15,000 grant; a $10,000 grant and 22 $2,000 grants. Any female or female-identifying high school senior who attends an on-site or virtual IGNITE Worldwide event will be eligible to apply for a grant by completing an application and submitting a brief essay. The scholarship applications opened in October.
PEOPLE
WARDJet announces new sales manager
AAG announced the promotion of Benjie Massara to North American WARDJet sales manager. Massara has been with WARDJet for 10 years, and in that time, he has held a number of positions. Most recently, Benjie was the product manager for WARDJet products. Before that, he was the business development manager and has held several other marketing and sales roles.
TRADES
Stanley Black & Decker celebrates annual Maker Month
Stanley Black & Decker, New Britain, Connecticut, observed its fourth annual Maker Month in October, a celebration of the makers and creators shaping the world around us. This year’s theme, “Thank a Maker,” was selected to show gratitude toward the skilled trade workers who have played an essential role in keeping services operational during the ongoing pandemic. Throughout the month, Stanley Black & Decker emphasized the trade skills gap—a challenge facing today’s global workforce. Due to a lack of skilled trade workers, there are 430,000 open construction jobs in the U.S. alone, and 10 million unfilled manufacturing jobs globally.
EV
ABB launches the world’s fastest electric car charger
ABB’s new Terra 360 is a modular charger that can simultaneously charge up to four vehicles with dynamic power distribution. This means that drivers will not have to wait if somebody else is already charging ahead of them. They simply pull up to another plug. The new charger has a maximum output of 360 kW and is capable of fully charging any electric car in 15 minutes or less, meeting the needs of a variety of EV users, whether they need a fast charge or to top their battery up while grocery shopping.
TRAINING
Augmented reality welding system to support students
Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Appleton, Wisconsin, announced the launch of an innovative introductory training solution. MobileArc Augmented Reality Welding System is an affordable, easy-to-use welding simulation tool designed to attract, engage and introduce students to welding through a hands-on augmented reality experience. Miller understands that attracting and effectively training welding students on a limited budget can be challenging. MobileArc offers a convenient option that fits into most budgets. It’s highly realistic and portable, with an intuitive design that is simple enough for students to self-learn so instructors can maximize efficiency in the classroom.
WELDING SUPPLIES
Meritus Gas partners with OzArc Gas
Meritus Gas Partners, New York, announced that it entered into a partnership with OzArc Gas Equipment & Supply Inc., an independent distributor of packaged gases and welding supplies headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. OzArc operates nine locations throughout southeastern Missouri, western Kentucky and northeastern Arkansas. The business has been owned and operated by the Garner family since its founding in 1945.
PEOPLE
Mid Atlantic Machinery appoints product manager
Mid Atlantic Machinery, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, announced the newest addition to its sales team. The company hired Chris Boyer, who specializes in CNC router machine applications, tooling and software. Boyer’s 29-year career in manufacturing has focused on CNC applications as a machine repair and installation technician, salesperson and now as a product manager.
CORPORATE
Hitachi Capital America announces name change
Hitachi Capital America has changed its name to Mitsubishi HC Capital America Inc. Customers of Mitsubishi HC Capital America and its subsidiary, Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada, will be unimpacted by the change. The company remains committed to maintaining the same relationships and delivering the same high-quality customized service for a seamless customer experience. The company will retain its executive teams, management structures and staff, and will continue to operate independently from its parent. Administrative and operational processes will remain the same, including tax IDs and payment instructions.
PEOPLE
Machine tool distributor welcomes new hires
Southern States Machinery, Mooresville, North Carolina, welcomes Andrew Depue as regional sales representative serving the Georgia area. Depue is a former marine with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Timothy Nichols joins Southern States Machinery as an award-winning lead service technician with over 12 years of experience in repairs and maintenance.
PEOPLE
Weiler adds technical applications manager
Weiler Abrasives, Cresco, Pennsylvania, announced that Pete Hutchinson has joined the company in the position of technical applications manager. In his new role, Hutchinson will focus on technical product support and training, with responsibility for leading both tactical and strategic efforts. His role will involve managing and executing both internal and external training initiatives, along with visiting customers on site to provide application support. In addition, he will be responsible for developing, curating and continuously improving Weiler Abrasives’ training content.
M&A
Dynabrade acquires supplier
Dynabrade Inc., Clarence, New York, recently completed the acquisition of one of its strategic suppliers, Manth Mfg. Inc., Tonawanda, New York. Manth Mfg. will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dynabrade.
PEOPLE
Sheet metal industry’s safety side welcomes new program director
Aldo Zambetti joined the safety and health side of the unionized sheet metal industry as program director at the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust Inc., Falls Church, Virginia. Zambetti began his new job by spending a significant amount of time on SMOHIT’s suicide prevention measures and integrating those efforts into the SMART Member Assistance Program (MAP). He’s also working on the SMOHIT website to make sure necessary resources are readily available to members.
PEOPLE
MC Machinery adds engineer to tech center
Aaron Neefe has been promoted to laser and press brakes applications engineer at MC Machinery’s Southeast Technology Center in Concord, North Carolina. Neefe has been a press brake, automatic tool changer and field service technician at the MC Machinery, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, headquarters since early 2019. The MC Machinery Southeast Technology Center opened in December 2020, featuring a 13,500-square-foot showroom and areas for training and demos.
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