Industry News

INDIANAPOLIS — ZPS America, LLC has been selected by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) as the “Best of Business, Indianapolis, Machine Tools, Metal Cutting-Type” for 2009.

According to Olaf Tessarzyk, Managing Partner & President, ZPS America, LLC, the award is unique and highly significant. “Our U.S. Headquarters in Indianapolis has only been open for the last two years, and to be recognized by the SBCA with the 2009 award for ‘Best in Business’ is a highly valued honor. We have always strived to be the best in sales and service to our customers, and we will continue to work diligently to provide the best customer service in the industry.

“To help customers maintain trouble-free performance, we offer full preventative maintenance plans for each of our machines. Prompt factory service from local resident service and applications engineers and spare parts are very important to all our users,” adds Tessarzyk.

TAJMAC Group has operations in Italy, Czech Republic, France and USA. In addition to the ZPS multispindle CNC machines, the Group produces a wide array of metalworking machine tools including machining centers, Swiss turning machines, automatic lathes, gantry-type milling and turning centers, special machines as well as contract manufacturing for other machine tool suppliers. TAJMAC-MTM, the headquarters of the group, develops concepts for turnkey CNC multispindle lathes and machining solutions.

TAJMAC Group is the global leader of multispindle machine technology as evidenced by the number of machines sold over the last 15 years — clearly outperforming all competitors.

Founded in 1903 for the production of shoe machinery, ZPS started to build multispindle machines in the 1950’s and was acquired by the TAJMAC Group in 2000. Today, the company employs more than 2,500 associates globally and sells its CNC lathes around the world.

The Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA) is a private sector entity that aims to provide tactical guidance with many day-to-day issues that small business owners face. Our key goal is to provide a central Internet portal with information and advice on the basics of business formation (creating a legal entity, opening banking accounts, setting up payroll software), marketing and growing your business, developing a web site, etc.

2009 Best of Business Award Winners Have Been Selected!
We would like to thank all the small businesses and welcome them warmly into a community that respects and honors excellence in business execution, marketing, and customer service.

The 2009 Best of Business Award program consisted of 5 million nominees across all 50 states in 2500 cities. In many cases there was one clear winner; however, in other cases it was much harder to make decisions on which businesses would make the cut and become a 2009 Best of Business Award winner. We would like to thank all the small businesses and their customers for making this year’s Best of Business Award program a success.

MASON, OHIO – June 2010 – Makino is proud to release their summer 2010 online seminar schedule. Makino’s summer seminar schedule offers expertise on a variety of topics including milling, EDM and automation, as well as new machining technologies from Makino.

“This year is the perfect opportunity for shops to re-energize their business, and what better way than through industry leading advice from our experienced engineering staff,” says Mark Rentschler, Makino’s marketing manager. “Each year our online seminars help thousands of viewers undertake the newest and most difficult machining and processing tasks, and this summer’s line-up offers something for everyone.”

Since its inception, the Makino online seminar series has broadcast over 100 events with thousands of attendees. It offers diversified content with guest appearances from third party technology providers as well as shop testimonials for new technologies and machining techniques.

Each online seminar consists of a 15-30 minute presentation and a live Q&A session with the speaker. Registration is required to attend, but all seminars are presented free of charge. A full schedule is available at www.makino.com/events.

Additional online seminar topics will be added throughout the year and will be posted at makino.com/events upon announcement. For an archive of Makino online seminars visit makino.com/library.

Summer 2010 Schedule
Jun. 10 – Rethinking Processes, Realigning Work Flow, Milling and EDM – In a follow-up to the March 20, 2008 online seminar, Hardmilling & Wire EDM Complimentary Processes, Tom Prebelich of Dynamic Plastics in Chesterfield, MI, explains how his shop has made major changes in order to stay competitive. From redesigning work flow, to making changes to machining processes, Dynamic Plastics finds numerous benefits in fully utilizing high speed machining, wire EDM, and sinker EDM to manufacture a better product and meet ever shortening lead time demands. In this online seminar, Tom will showcase complex and interesting parts and tooling that were produced using these complimentary machining processes. Register Now

Jun. 24 – New F-Series VMCs, Quicker, More Accurate – the Even More Affordable Die Mold Solution – Technology evolution and advancements can provide significant benefits to the “end-user “of today’s technologically advanced equipment. Makino’s F3 and F5 vertical machining centers incorporate a number of technologies that will simultaneously reduce cycle time, improve accuracy and surface-finishes, eliminate secondary hand-working, cut scrap/re-work costs, increase tool-life and shrink manufacturing costs for the die/mold marketplace. Harnessing the capabilities incorporated in the new F-Series machines can provide a competitive economic advantage to even the most “equipment current” die / mold shops. Register Now

Jul. 15 – Why User Friendly Controls are Critical to EDM Performance and Profit – Operators are not always familiar with the controls found on new EDM machines. The videos, photos and testimonials in this online seminar will showcase the Makino WireWizard control and how it was designed for ease of use, operator friendliness and easy transition from other systems. Register Now

Jul. 22 – Manufacturing System Simulation – This online seminar will explore how Makino has used software to simulate the manufacturing system for cycle time, throughput and system utilization. The simulation covers both the Makino pallet system and robot automation system. Register Now

Aug. 12 – ArcFree Technology & the New EDAF Series Sinker EDM – Introducing Makino’s latest advancements in sinker EDM technology, the new EDAF2 and EDAF3. These machines are new designs from the ground up, from hardware to software. Makino’s new ArcFree Technology is a huge leap forward in spark gap monitoring, adaptive control functions and servo responsiveness, virtually eliminating the possibility of producing a destructive DC arc. With a newly developed Model Plan Generator, any user from novice to journeyman can quickly develop aggressive and safe burn programs, including tool management, by providing simple input to a series of prompts. Register Now

Aug. 19 – IMTS 2010 Preview – This online seminar will take a look at the latest technologies and advancements to be showcased in Makino’s booth at IMTS 2010. Register Now

Archived Seminars Available in the Events Library
All Makino online seminars are archived for later viewing at www.makino.com/library. Over 100 seminars are available covering topics such as micromachining, moldmaking, EDM, aerospace, automation and production machining. New seminars are added the week after they are initially broadcast. Transcripts are also available.

To see the full schedule or register to attend an event, visit www.makino.com/events.

Houston – Critical applications and challenging lubrication problems sometimes require special help. The Shell LubeExpert technical consultation service is available to industrial customers who want a higher level of technical support for specialty applications, product support and inspection services. Through the Shell LubeExpert service, Shell Lubricants can offer value to customers by providing sector- and application-specific knowledge.

Technical advisors and product application specialists from Shell Lubricants work directly with customers through the Shell LubeExpert service on critical applications and challenging lubrication issues to help a customer’s equipment run smoothly and efficiently.

“Technical capability and customer collaboration help us develop inspired, practical solutions to meet some of our customers’ toughest challenges,” said Walt Silveira, North American technical manager, Shell Lubricants. “Through the Shell LubeExpert service, our specialists offer world-class technology and application-specific knowledge to help our customers improve their operational efficiency.”

Specialists for Shell Lubricants work on-site with customers to solve maintenance and production issues, helping to improve lubrication practices. The Shell LubeExpert service provides various technical services, including leak detection, open gear inspection, application support on turbines, food grade lubricant advice, mining sector support services and more.

The Shell LubeExpert service can offer cost savings for customers. One leading United States-based steel producer used the Shell LubeExpert service to help maximize operational efficiencies and reduce its lube oil consumption per ton of steel produced in its back-up roll bearings and gear systems.

Specialists from Shell Lubricants implemented the Shell LubeExpert leak detection system, which is designed to help minimize leaks in large circulating-oil and hydraulic-oil systems. Following extensive analysis in six separate areas across two integrated steel mills, technicians from Shell Lubricants presented the customer with a detailed report supported with photographs and oil-loss calculations. By minimizing leaks in six major systems, the Shell LubeExpert team helped the customer achieve overall cost savings.*

Shell LubeExpert is one of the many value-added services that Shell Lubricants offers in its portfolio of services. Other services include Shell LubeAnalyst, Shell LubeAdvisor, Shell LubePlanner, Shell LubeCoach and Shell LubeVideoCheck. These services leverage Shell Lubricants’ application expertise to put its world-class technology to work for customers.

For more information, visit www.shell.com/us/lubricants.

Sandvik Coromant has released its new Metal Cutting Technology Technical Guide to help customers optimize their use of the company’s wide range of products. Replacing the previous guide from 2005, the new version contains over 800 pages of information and is available via PDF and DVD.

As a comprehensive source for applying Sandvik Coromant tools to metal cutting applications, the Technical Guide contains a wealth of well-organized information. Users can find detailed guidelines for choosing the best machining methods and tools for an immense variety of applications. The handbook also provides exhaustive data on how to best use and maintain products, as well as steps to maximize productivity and avoid problems.

The Technical Guide contains sections on turning, parting and grooving, threading, milling, drilling, boring, toolholding and materials. These general topics are broken down into sections on more specific applications,
typically covering both tools and inserts. Additionally, the DVD version of the Technical Guide includes Sandvik Coromant¹s product catalog and specialized literature on heavy machining and deep hole drilling.

To obtain a copy of the Technical Guide, individuals can visit the Online Catalogs section of Sandvik Coromant¹s website, www.sandvik.coromant.com/us, where they can download the PDF version or submit a request for the DVD.

CUS Tech Guide

JUNE 1, 2010 – Motoman Inc. and Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. announced today that they will combine to form Yaskawa America, Inc. The Motoman Inc. operations, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, will form the Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America; the Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. operations, headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, will form the Drives & Motion Division. According to Yaskawa America, Inc. Chairman and CEO, Gen Kudo, the new name will allow us to fully exploit Yaskawa’s position as the world’s largest manufacturer of AC drives, motion control products and industrial robots.

“The global economy is recovering and we believe this is the perfect time to combine the brand name strength of Yaskawa and Motoman. Using the name Yaskawa on a global basis will strengthen our corporate identity and emphasize the strong global connection between drives, motion control products and robotics. Yaskawa Electric Corporation in Japan, which is globally recognized for innovative engineering and quality products, has always used the company name of Yaskawa. This brand recognition, plus Yaskawa’s powerful sales and manufacturing presence in Asia, Europe and the Americas will enable Yaskawa America to more effectively market our broad product lines,” Kudo said.

Steve Barhorst, President and COO of the Motoman Robotics Division, and Jody Kurzhalts, President and COO of the Drives & Motion Division, believe customers will realize measurable benefits from better alignment of their divisions. “Our customers will enjoy the synergies of closer collaboration with our sister division,” Kurzhalts said. Barhorst agreed and added, “Our combined capabilities will lead to more innovative products. We are particularly excited about the prospects for developing advanced controls technology utilizing the expertise and experience of both divisions.”

From an operational standpoint, both the Drives & Motion Division and the Motoman Robotics Division will continue to operate as independent divisions, retaining the same management structures, and operating in the same geographical regions that are currently in place.