Production Machining's September 2024 News Highlights

CGTech Announces Rebranding to Vericut

CGTech has announced it is rebranding to Vericut, which aligns the company’s brand identity with the product that has driven its success and growth.

“The transition to Vericut is more than a name change; it represents our vision for the future. We are excited to continue our journey as Vericut, building on our legacy of excellence and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing technology,” says Shin Voeks, president of CGTech.

The initial brand transition has begun with the U.S. website and at select global events, with plans to continue the worldwide rollout over the coming months. This phased approach allows the company to manage resources efficiently and more sustainably, as existing materials branded with CGTech will be used until they are naturally phased out.
The company says it remains focused on innovation, customer support and continuous improvement.

Paperless Parts Expands into Canadian, Mexican Markets

Paperless Parts recently launched its Wingman software solution to make quoting from prints faster, more efficient and less error-prone. Source: Paperless Parts

Paperless Parts has announced its official entry into the Canadian and Mexican manufacturing markets. Paperless Parts says it has roughly 600 precision manufacturing and sheet metal fabricators customers across the United States, and have already secured initial contracts with several leading Canadian and Mexican manufacturers.

“We’ve recognized for a long time that there’s an opportunity to radically transform our quoting process, eliminate many of the time-consuming, manual steps and really focus on growing our business,” says Reuben Martin, president of Tubeway Inc. in Proton Station, Ontario. “Paperless Parts is the premier partner for American manufacturers, and we are excited for the opportunity to partner with them as one of their first Canadian shops.”

“As our business expanded into value-added parts fabrication, we recognized the need to accelerate our quoting process to keep pace with growing demand,” says Daniel Ruiz, CEO of LADESA, headquartered in Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, Mexico. “Partnering with Paperless Parts has allowed us to turn around quotes much faster, unlock new growth opportunities and scale operations successfully.”

“We’re excited about the tremendous growth Paperless Parts has had in the U.S. over the past 7 years and we’re excited to have the same impact on the Canadian and Mexican markets,” says Jason Ray, founder and CEO of Paperless Parts. “Much of manufacturing crosses borders, and the ability to improve quoting throughout North America will drive the overall efficiency of the supply chain.”

Tormach Announces Recipient of the 2024 Instructor of the Year Award

Source: Tormach Inc.

Tormach Inc. recently presented its 2024 Instructor of the Year Award to Danielle Ward, a teacher with an innovative approach and passion for hands-on learning. Ward teaches at Hilldale High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma. This award recognizes Ward’s contributions to STEM education and her advanced approach to teaching.

“In 2011, I began teaching at Hilldale and set out to bring robotics to our school,” Ward explains. “We started VEX V5 in 2015 with three teams and today we have eight teams competing.”

Ward has integrated Tormach’s xsTech tabletop CNC routers into her curriculum, providing students with practical, hands-on experience. “We currently have four xsTech routers in our High School lab,” she says. “Every 9 weeks, my students rotate through different curricula, including the xsTech and Dremel 3D45 printers, earning certifications that prepare them for future careers.”

Ward notes that the program’s biggest impact on students in Muskogee, a city abundant with manufacturing opportunities, is their success in securing jobs in local manufacturing businesses after graduation. The xsTech is said to have given students a solid foundation in CNC machining, equipping them with essential job skills for the workforce. Additionally, some students have pursued engineering degrees at local universities and received scholarships for completing the STEM course.
Ward’s vision for the future of STEM education is one of inclusivity and opportunity. “I envision the barriers for women in STEM to keep decreasing. Females empowering other females is important and I hope I can continue to do that. I see more women teaching in STEM fields, allowing more doors to open.

Students, never underestimate what you can do. STEM is fun, exciting, creative and hands-on. If you can imagine it, you can make it happen.”

Hurco, Kawasaki Robotics Collaboration Provides Robotic CNC Solutions

Source: Getty Images

Hurco Companies Inc. and Kawasaki Robotics (USA) Inc. announce the formation of a collaboration aimed at enhancing innovation and delivering industrial-grade robotic CNC machine solutions to customers.

The collaboration intends to leverage the strengths of both companies, combining Hurco’s CNC machine and controls innovation for short-run manufacturing operations with Kawasaki’s industrial robotics capabilities, to provide customers with turnkey robotic machine tending solutions. The collaboration focuses on expanding the Hurco product line to include robust industrial-grade robotic machine tending solutions that can keep up with customer demand for high-mix, low-volume parts manufacturing without the need to learn how to program a robot. The companies say this can provide greater value to independent job shops and large manufacturing companies alike.

Hurco President and CEO Greg Volovic says, “The partnership with Kawasaki Robotics has resulted in a seamless integration of Kawasaki industrial robots into the Hurco CNC control. This innovation provides manufacturers with accessible and practical automation solutions, with the ability to employ industrial robotics without the need to hire an integrator or learn complex robot programming. This strategic partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration to drive innovation and deliver value to customers.”

Walter USA Acquires PDQ Workholding

Walter USA LLC announces it has acquired PDQ Workholding LLC (PDQ), a Columbia City, Indiana, specialist in workholding fixtures and tooling for various industries, including automotive and general engineering. With the acquisition of PDQ, Walter aims to strengthen its offering of workholding products, primarily to customers based in the Americas, and enable earlier access to component projects to improve efficiency and develop future sales of cutting tools.

The acquisition also supports Walter’s strategy to grow in advanced machining solutions and lightweight materials in a key region. This includes increasing its exposure to aluminum machining applications and enhancing partnerships with machine tool builders.

PDQ focuses on custom stationary, hydraulic and automated fixtures, alongside indexable tool bodies and carbide round tools. PDQ’s customer base spans 80% of sales in the U.S., with the remainder split between Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Thailand and South Africa.