Page 8 - MetalForming November 2016

News Fronts
vacuum roughing pumps and mechanical holding pumps. Its fleet of furnaces include some that have been in operation for more than 30 years. With mechanical-pump life on the order of five to 10 years, according to company offi- cials, it became necessary for Solar Atmospheres to estab- lish the service center.
gic investor, we want to use our network, our industrial pro- duction expertise and our technological knowhow to assist startups with market launch and successful growth.”
Agreements
Training
NIMS Awarded DoL Apprenticeship Contract
The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the National Institute for Metal- working Skills (NIMS) with a contract to serve as a National Industry Partner for Manufacturing with the goal of expanding and diversify- ing apprenticeships.
workers. A significant portion of contract dollars will go through NIMS directly to companies to offset costs associated with building or enhancing apprenticeship programs.
NIMS initially will receive $1.39 million to support the growth of apprenticeship programs in manufacturing; identify, develop and dis- seminate tools and strate- gies that increase access, entry and retention in apprenticeships for under- represented populations; and assist employers in expanding apprenticeship programs, starting new pro- grams and working together to create a pipeline of skilled
The Precision Metalform- ing Association (PMA) and PMA’s Educational Founda- tion, in addition to The Asso- ciation for Manufacturing Technology, National Tooling and Machining Association, Precision Machined Prod- ucts Association, and Tech- nology and Manufacturing Association have been iden- tified as NIMS’ stakeholders that will be positively affect- ed by the contract via the contribution of a new gener- ation of skilled workers to the metalworking industries.
Business Notes
Schuler Launches Its
and earlier this year acquired Chinese press manufacturer Yadon.
Trumpf has founded a ven- ture-capital company for fund- ing technology startups, Trumpf Venture GmbH. The aim is to fund promising young companies that look to play a major role in shaping the future of industry, according to company officials. Over the next five years, Trumpf Ven- ture GmbH looks to establish an investment portfolio of about $45 million, and is especially interested in the fields of photonics and digital- ly connected production as well as in new manufacturing processes, smart components and high-tech materials.
Hoists Direct Adds Harrington Below-the- Hook Products
First China Tech Center
"China has enormous potential for us," says Oemer Akyazici, China chief executive officer for Schuler. "With the products from Yadon under our belt, we are now optimally positioned to cover further market segments."
Hoists Direct, Albemarle, NC, a distributor of industrial hoists, cranes, below-the-hook lifting devices and winches, has expanded its product line with the addition of Harrington below-the-hook lifting devices. The Harrington product line includes spreader beams, lift- ing beams, coil lifters, bar tongs, pallet lifters and fork- truck hooks.
Schuler held an Innovation Day to formally launch a tech- nology center for forming sys- tems in China, a demonstra- tion and reference center in the northern industrial city of Tianjin that offers automotive manufacturers, suppliers and other companies the opportu- nity to try out the latest servo- press technology. Servo Tech- Center Tianjin is Schuler's first demonstration center in Asia and forms a key part of the company's strategy to increase its presence in that region.
Solar Atmospheres Forms Vacuum Pump Services Corp.
Schuler has been operat- ing in China with a number of sites since the early 1990s
The Solar Atmospheres group of companies employs more than 100 mechanical
Fabricating-software provider Lantek has reached an agreement with ISL Photon- ics to supply its Lantek Expert system with ISL Photonics’ Gladius, Maximus and Opti-
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Solar Atmospheres, Soud- erton, PA, has established a vacuum-pump service center, Vacuum Pump Services Corp., and has staffed it initially with three employees.
"Once we get into our stride, we plan to participate in around five startups per year,“ says Christof Siebert, in charge of technology manage- ment at Trumpf. "As a strate-
Lantek to Supply Software for ISL Photonics Laser Cutters
“We know vacuum pumps: when to have the pumps serviced, and how to service them correctly,” explains William R. Jones, CEO of Solar Atmospheres. “This is the base reason for establishing our own organi- zation. We also have serv- iced pumps for other organi- zations, even including our competitors. So we are eager to share our knowledge and expertise, and to offer our services broadly across industry.”
Dallas Industries Names New Rep in Mexico
Trumpf Founds Venture- Capital Company
Dallas Industries, Troy, MI, a manufacturer of coil-han- dling and press-feeding equip- ment as well as controls for the metalforming industry, announced that it has tapped Presmec International as its exclusive dealer in Mexico. Presmec, which will handle sales and service of Dallas equipment throughout the country including installation support, startup assistance and training, has four Mexico locations: Monterrey, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi and Puebla.