Mobile Cobots for Machine Tending and More

August 23, 2023

August 23, 2023

Technology Focus: Pressroom Robotics/Automation

MetalForming brings you the August installment of our monthly Technology Focus newsletter, this month highlighting Pressroom Robotics/Automation.

Mobile Cobots for Machine Tending and More

A recent demonstration reveals the capabilities of mobile cobots for job-shop tasks, including machine tending, part picking and washing, among others.

Sponsored

Impact Fluids. Metalworking Fluids & A Unique Approach

We provide metalworking companies with fluids and equipment to mix, apply, and filter them. Our unique fluid analysis system allows us to help reduce fluid usage and costs.

AMT: Transmission- and Powertrain-Parts Manufacturers Investing in Technology

June 2023 orders of manufacturing technology increased 12.6 percent over May but fell 1.7 percent below orders in June 2022, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT–The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Total orders through the first half of 2023 are off by 13 percent year over year. One surprising data point: Manufacturers of automotive transmissions have been noticeably increasing investment in manufacturing technology.

Sponsored

Tool Components for Punching and Bending

Meet the STEINEL Team on booth D40942 at FABTECH in Chicago. You will get to see a selection of best-in-class guide units, nitrogen systems and other components for the punching & bending industry. At this show, STEINEL will also focus on finding distribution partners in the US.

Industry 4.0 Experience for Metal Formers & Fabricators Set for Nashville in October

Precision Metalforming Association’s (PMA’s) and MetalForming magazine’s two-day Industry 4.0 Experience for Metal Formers & Fabricators, a forum to educate metal forming and fabricating plants on the latest in digital and plant-floor connectivity technologies, commences October 3 in Nashville, TN. Register now for this must-attend conference, where experts will explain how automation, Internet of Things and additive manufacturing are changing how manufacturers work.

Sponsored

Introducing a New CX Series

CX Series is optimized for small part production with a press capacity range of 80-300 tons. These presses are ideal for punching and cutting applications with a higher degree of automation along with SIMPAC Press Monitoring System (SPMS) enables predictive maintenance.

Discover a New CX Series today or reach out to your local representative at support@simpac-america.com.

Conveyors—Four Steps for Maximizing Performance and Minimizing Costs

Considerations in planning, engineering, automation and maintenance add efficiency and save money for operations seeking to add or update conveyors.

Sponsored

Dive into High-Quality Part Formation with Sheet Hydroforming

Sheet hydroforming is an essential process for low-volume, high-mix part production. But what exactly goes into achieving crisp geometries with a hydroforming press? This whitepaper dives into sheet hydroforming processes and offers guidance into successful part formation.

Download our FREE whitepaper!

Nominate Women of Excellence in Metal Forming and Fabricating

Once again, MetalForming magazine is looking for women in leadership positions or on the shop floor, those who represent dedication to their company and the industry, and demonstrate excellence in meeting their workplace responsibilities.

In conjunction with the Women in Manufacturing Association, we are seeking nominations for our 8th Annual Women of Excellence in Metal Forming and Fabricating Awards, to run as a special section in our December 2023 issue. The section will feature and honor those selected as a means to recognize and promote the importance of women in the metal forming and fabricating industries.

Sponsored

Komatsu—100 Years Young

Since our beginning 100 years ago, the philosophy of “Quality and Reliability” has been the cornerstone of Komatsu, sustaining our commitment to pursue advanced technologies and develop leading machinery in the markets we serve. Komatsu’s proven expertise as a manufacturer in design, sales, and service of servo and mechanical stamping presses, fine plasma and laser cutting machines, and related automated peripheral devices will continue to lead the industry into the future.

Automotive Parts Suppliers Conference Coming in October

Automotive-supply leaders are set to gather in Greenville, SC, October 26-27, for the 30th annual Automotive Parts Suppliers Conference, produced by PMA and MetalForming magazine. The conference highlights topics such as venture startups in the automotive industry, the impact of electric vehicles on metal formers, and legal and regulatory issues.

Sponsored

A Truly Experienced and Professional Team

LISTEN: Upskilling by Metal Formers

Jeff Aznavorian, president of Clips & Clamps Industries and 2023 PMA board chair, joins PMA’s Destiny of Manufacturing podcast, hosted by Dean Phillips, to talk on workforce and technology topics. He is reinventing Clips and Clamps by changing the way it uses technology and how the company leverages the strength of its workforce.

Sponsored

SlugKeeper Slug Retention Machine

DTC Products manufactures and sells a patented Slug Retention Machine known worldwide as SlugKeeper. This portable machine puts SlugKeeper grooves into the die cavity wall to keep the slug (scrap) retained in the die cavity and prevent slugs (scrap) from pulling back onto the die block surface. This unique device uses a pneumatically powered grinder coupled with a digital micrometer to precisely machine a small, angled groove into the die cavity's sidewall in a stamping die. These grooves allow the slug to expand into them and creates resistances preventing the slugs (scrap) from pulling onto the die surface where it can damage to the production strip, the stamped part, or the stamping die itself.

Hot Off the Press

Wilson Tool Announces New COO and Corporate Structure Changes
Hornet to Distribute Durma Fiber Laser Cutting Equipment and Other Machine Tools
Mexico’s GPA Azimatronics Expands Partnership with Hypertherm to Include Robot-Programming Software
Leifeld Metal Spinning Acquires Boese Systems
Middleville Tool & Die Acquired, Rebranded

Sponsored

FABTECH is back in the Windy City this September! FABTECH is North America’s largest metalforming, fabricating, welding and finishing event. Make sure to register by September 8 to receive free admission.

Don’t forget to stop by the Precision Metalforming Association and MetalForming magazine’s booth—D451560—during the show!

From the August Issue of MetalForming

FABTECH 2023—Meet and Learn in Chicago

Join tens of thousands of professionals working in the metal forming and fabricating community at McCormick Place, September 11-14.

Education Beyond the Show Floor
In addition to the hundreds of exhibits on the show floor, FABTECH also delivers a wide-ranging conference to educate attendees on a variety of technical and business-related topics: advanced stamping, forming and fabrication technology, workforce development, management, and more.

Sponsored

PMA Membership

Position your company as an industry leader when you utilize PMA resources—ITR Econ Trends reports, trade publications, One Voice and FABTECH trade shows. A PMA membership will provide your company and all of its employees with a range of valuable industry resources that are designed to help you become more connected, more informed, more efficient, more competitive and ultimately more profitable.