Manufacturing Orders Through May at Near-Historic Levels

July 14, 2021

July 14, 2021

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders for May 2021, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report published by AMT–The Association For Manufacturing Technology, increased 11 percent over April orders and were nearly double that of May 2020.

“Given the state of the economy last year, orders were expected to be up, but so far, 2021 is shaping up to be a historic year,” says AMT president Douglas K. Woods. “In only three other years since 1998 have orders surpassed $2 billion by May. Manufacturers across the industry have expressed broadly positive sentiment, so we would expect the remainder of the year not only to return to the pre-pandemic trend but also to exceed previous forecasts.”

Ajax Metal Forming Opens New Plant In Raleigh, NC

Minneapolis, MN-based Ajax Metal Forming Solutions has opened a new manufacturing location in Raleigh, NC, to serve new and existing customers along the Eastern Seaboard.

"We did our homework, and the Raleigh/Durham area checks all of the boxes," says Ajax vice president of sales Don Wellman.

Ajax produces metal parts for original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers, from steel, aluminum, brass, copper and other alloys. Capabilities at the new plant will include fiber-laser cutting, CNC turret press punching, press brake forming, and Kanban supply-chain solutions. Future additions will include robotic welding and component assembly.

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Heyco Metals

Since 1969, Heyco Metals has rolled out high-precision, light-gauge coil and strip. Now celebrating its 50^th anniversary, the company excels in copper, copper alloys and stainless steel as it continues a proven commitment to pristine surface quality, short lead times, exact specifications and unparalleled value for customers.

Detailed Preview: IoT for Manufacturers Conference, October 27-28 in Schaumburg, IL

How to set up an Internet of Things (IoT) operation and best take advantage of IoT technology in your manufacturing operations and along your supply chain demands navigating a knowledge curve and leveraging IoT expertise and technology. Help is available, courtesy of the IoT Experience for Manufacturers event, presented by the Precision Metalforming Association and MetalForming magazine. Slated for October 27-28 in Schaumburg, IL, the IoT Experience for Manufacturers delivers what metal formers and fabricators need to know to successfully leverage this emerging game changer.

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Roemheld’s Angular Clamp for When Clamping Space is Limited

The design of the Angular Clamp makes it suitable for clamping small edges. It is positioned manually in T-slots of the press ram or bed. It clamps on the edge of the die by applying hydraulic pressure to the piston and unclamps by spring force.

Watch it in Action!

Keats Manufacturing Expands its Mexico Facility

Keats Manufacturing, Wheeling, IL, announced the expansion of its manufacturing plant in Queretaro, Mexico. Opened in 2016, the facility has experienced significant growth in customer demand. As a result, Keats has tripled its size, from 15,000 to 45,000 sq. ft., enough room for more than 30 new machines. Initially, it plans to add 16 new machines.

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Precise Lubricant Application with Rugged Design and Great Flexibility

The LSP MiniCoater is a unique way to roller-apply lubricant to metal coil stock. You can precisely control application with the LSP Controller or any existing PLC. Job changes are easy with ability to change or replace rollers in less than a minute, and multiple roller materials are available for accurate coverage in any situation. You can coat the entire stock or partial zone and apply light or heavy viscosity lubricants.

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MetalForming Flashback—From the December 2008 Issue

This “Open Letter to the New President of the United States,” from Erick Ajax of EJ Ajax and Sons, Fridley, MN, appeared in the December 2008 issue of MetalForming:

Dear President-Elect Obama,
I am writing on behalf of my fellow precision metal forming companies, and other employers across the United States, to remind you that urgent crises must not cause us to neglect long-term needs. Even now, with millions of Americans desperate to feed and house their families, there are many good-paying jobs in metal forming and other industries going unfilled because employers such as my company cannot find workers with the necessary skills.

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Get Smart with Stock Lubrication!

SmartFlow™ enables metal formers to get smart with fluid application. With an intuitive interface, SmartFlow™ allows for simple, guided setup, advanced integration, fluid usage tracking, monitoring, and enhanced diagnostic/maintenance tools. Pair SmartFlow™ with Unist’s precision applicators for lubrication systems that eliminate wasted fluid and mess, reduce scrap, and maximize profit.

Simpac, Elm Park Labs Collaborating on XR Tool for New CX-Series Presses

Simpac America and Elm Park Labs have partnered to create an extended-reality (XR) tool, with the kick-off project an augmented reality (AR) sales and marketing software tool to showcase Simpac’s CX-200 press, from the manufacturer’s new CX series of C-frame mechanical presses. The CX series and its IIoT technology were designed specifically to accelerate small-part production of stamped parts for the appliance, automotive and other industries.

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Pile Driver™ Inductive Proximity Sensors – Reliable Die Protection from Pepperl+Fuchs

Pile Driver™ inductive sensor housings are machined from stainless steel stock, making it the best choice for mechanically abusive environments like metalforming. Cylindrical models are available from 8 to 30mm diameter, in standard and extended-range versions. Surface-mount models offer 6mm of sensing range from a compact package only 8mm high.

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Hot Off the Press

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STAMTEC KNOWS...It All Starts with the Tool

We understand this and will work closely with you to determine what equipment will best suit your needs. With the broadest range of mechanical and servo presses in the market today, at very competitive prices, Stamtec can certainly provide a viable solution and first-class equipment for you, or point you in the right direction if we are not a good fit. Give us a call today at 931-393-5050, and let’s work together to find your best solution.

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From the July Issue of MetalForming

Work Hardening is Your Enemy

Many benefits come from using metal alloys with greater levels of work hardening, including the delay of strain localization, which provides the ability to form more complex shapes. However, the strengthening associated with work hardening leads to several challenges.

Deep Drawing in Progressive Dies
Designing a progressive die always involves cost pressure to produce the part with a minimal number of die stations. On the surface, this seems logical because a die with more stations requires a longer die set, more tool steel, more machining and additional assembly time. However, the costs associated with an additional die station can pale in comparison with unrelenting downtime, scrap and effort required to keep a marginally performing process running over its lifetime.

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Early-Bird Pricing Ends July 29 for PMA’s Automotive Conference

There is still time to receive the early-bird rate for the Automotive Parts Suppliers Conference! Don’t miss out on two days of educational sessions, networking, and the latest developments and outlook for the automotive industry.