Production Machining's December 2023 News Highlights

Kennametal Inc. has announced its partnership with the American Precision Museum (APM) in Windsor, Vermont — home to one of the largest collections of historically significant machine tools in the country.

As part of this collaboration, APM is showcasing Kennametal tools in its makerspace, where visitors can explore and learn about different machining solutions. Kennametal will also contribute to historical exhibits showcasing the contributions of the company’s founder, metallurgist Philip McKenna, and Kennametal’s legacy in the manufacturing industry overall.

Located at the renovated Robbins & Lawrence Armory in Windsor, Vermont, which is recognized as the founding space for precision interchangeable parts in the United States, APM focuses on using history as a learning tool to talk about modern concepts and technologies, while exploring today and imagining tomorrow. While its mission to inspire generations includes today’s youth with a presence in over 45 schools through an education program, APM also focuses on workforce development, employment and more. Read more about the partnership.

Here are some more news highlights:

GenSwiss Merges With Utilis AG

Genevieve Swiss Industries Inc. (GenSwiss) has partnered with long-time business partner Utilis AG of Mullheim, Switzerland. GenSwiss has reportedly been working with Utilis for over 15 years in providing high-quality metalcutting machine tools. The merged group has over 100 years of combined experience in the aerospace, automotive, medical/dental and energy markets.

The expansion supports the company’s strategy to develop more CNC Swiss-type machining products. By producing many of its parts in-house, the company says it can preserve and maintain the quality and quantity of its components, while optimizing the mix of parts that are made internally versus those that are outsourced for production.

FFG Celebrates Grand Opening of Technology Center

FFG recently celebrated the grand opening of its North America Technology Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Eighteen machines were displayed, performing live cutting demonstrations. CNC equipment of vertical/horizontal milling and turning solutions for high-speed, die/mold, heavy duty, multi-axis, multitasking and high-volume machining solutions across various FFG brands, including MAG, SMS, Feeler, Leadwell and FFG DMC were showcased. The displayed machines included two-, three-, four-, 4+1 and full five-axis, and two-days-full of technical seminars were presented from a variety of FFG’s Technology Partners.

MAG, FFG’s flagship machine tool operation in North America, underwent two phases of expansion in its existing manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The 2021 expansion comprised of 20,000 square feet, which expanded FFG’s and MAG’s spare parts warehousing and the spindle/fixture build/repair operations. In 2023, the Phase II expansion was completed, which added another 30,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space, and FFG dedicated 10,000 square feet of this Phase II expansion to the establishment of its North America Technology Center.

Walter Surface Technologies Launches Metalworking Automation Service

Walter Surface Technologies has recently launched a new service to expand on its automation and robotic solutions for industrial manufacturers.

Walter, a member of the A3 – Association for Advancing Automation, has partnered with a large network of North American system integrators and end-of-arm tool manufacturers that specialize in robotic systems and material removal operations in order to craft a fast but thorough automatization process that involves a readiness assessment, the evaluation of requirements and objectives, the selection of the right technology and the design of the new system, as well as its testing and integration, performance review, training and ongoing maintenance.

Eriez Announces New President, CEO

Eriez has announced the appointment of Jaisen Kohmuench as president and CEO, effective January 1, 2024. He will succeed current president and CEO, Lukas Guenthardt, who is retiring at the end of 2023. Kohmuench will work closely alongside Guenthardt and the Eriez board of directors to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.

Kohmuench reportedly has over two decades of service in various executive-level roles within the organization, most recently as chief operating officer. Kohmuench’s journey at Eriez has taken him from his initial role in research and development as a process engineer to directing and expanding the U.S. Flotation group. He later assumed an expatriate position as managing director for Eriez-Australia before returning to the U.S. to manage all of Eriez’ international businesses as vice president of international and then chief operating officer.