Production Machining's April 2024 News Highlights

Mastercam has announced the appointment of Susan Brandt as its new president. Brandt’s vision for the company is said to be rooted in driving transformative advancements, collaboration and sustainable growth.

Brandt is said to bring over 25 years of global business leadership and strategic expertise within B2B software, infrastructure design and engineering software. She has held several senior leadership positions during her career, including at Bentley Systems for 23 years, where she held executive roles in sales, business development and strategic product and business initiatives. In addition, Brandt served as vice president of mine planning at Hexagon Mining. Read more about Mastercam’s new president.

Here are some more news highlights:

WiM Announces 2024 Board of Directors

The Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM) has announced the election of 20 members to its 2024 board of directors, who begin their terms on April 1, 2024. WiM is the a national and global trade association specifically dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing sector.

The board will be led by:

• Chair Jana Gessner, global vice president – environment, health and safety, PepsiCo, Purchase, New York
• Vice Chair Danielle Schneider, applications engineer, Pridgeon & Clay, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Treasurer Joanna Cooper, general manager, Daimler Truck North America, Mount Holly, North Carolina
• Secretary Jane Thomas, president, Teijin Holdings USA Inc., Teijin Limited, Sausalito, California
• Past Chair Lisa Skidmore, senior director of advanced quality engineering, GE Appliances, a Haier company, Louisville, Kentucky

Mazak Partners With Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute

Mazak has joined cybersecurity research universities and enterprises throughout the country as a collaborative partner with the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII).

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, CyManII brings together manufacturers and research institutions along with the Oak Ridge, Sandia and Idaho national laboratories to drive innovation in digital infrastructure and security for advanced manufacturing, supply chains and workforce development.

Kennametal Announces Strategic Partnership With ModuleWorks

Kennametal Inc. has joined ModuleWorks’ Strategic Partner Program, a collective commitment to driving intelligent and integrated digital manufacturing solutions. Kennametal joins a variety of industry leaders in this program, such as Mitsubishi Electric, AutoDesk, PTC and DMG Mori, among others.

Joining the Strategic Partner Program supports Kennametal’s strategic growth initiatives, especially improving service to small and medium-sized general engineering shops and building on the company’s capabilities for online tool selection, simulation and tooling packages.

Kennametal’s focus on the CAM market also addresses customer challenges, including the evolving workforce, creating a greater need for technical support helping customers machine with greater precision and efficiency while effectively reducing costs.

ABB Opens Expanded Manufacturing Facility in Michigan

ABB has opened its re-fitted U.S. robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, which will support ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing robotic solutions. This is ABB’s third global robotics factory expansion in three years across China, Europe and the Americas, and is part of its efforts to further strengthen its local-for-local footprint.

With a 30% increase in facility space, the new Auburn Hills facility will enhance ABB’s ability to serve its growing customer base. Through the new Customer Experience Center, ABB will showcase its hardware and software solutions, including the latest digital and AI-powered automation technologies, as well as develop and manufacture next-generation robots.