PM News: October 2010

Live Tooling Manufacturer Opens U.S. Office

Heimatec Inc. has established a U.S. office to serve the needs of the metalworking industry in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company opened the doors of its suburban Chicago office on March 1 this year.

Together with Heimatec GmbH Germany, Heimatec Inc. U.S.A. offers live and static tooling for CNC lathes, right angle heads for CNC machining centers, the company’s quick-change system, multi-spindle drilling heads and special tools.

“Strategically located in central United States, the company is perfectly positioned to respond to the growing North American demand for quality products,” says Preben Hansen, president. “We are fully committed and prepared to serve and support the North American market.”

First European Brass Manufacturers Certified to Low Lead Requirements

NSF International, a global public health and safety organization, announces the three Italian-based companies—K.M.E Brass S.R.L., S.A. Eredi Gnutti Metalli S.P.A., and Trafilerie Carlo Gnutti S.P.A.—the first European brass manufacturers certified to NSF’s low lead content requirements for plumbing products (NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G). The standard outlines the testing requirements for any product that comes into contact with drinking water to ensure the product does not contribute excessive levels of contaminants, including lead, to drinking water.

These lead requirements apply to manufacturers of faucets, valves, pipes, water fittings and any product that comes in contact with drinking water. Products made from an NSF-certified brass alloy require separate testing and certification to NSF 61, Annex G to ensure contamination does not occur during processing.

Tool Supplier Turns 45

This year, KBC, a metalworking tool supplier, celebrates 45 years in business. New tool promotions, customer appreciation events, complimentary business seminars, and the release of the 2010/2011 master tool catalog are only a few of the happenings planned for this milestone year.

Boasting nine stocking branches throughout the United States and Canada, KBC has come a long way from its first 1,000 square-foot location in Detroit, Mich., in 1965. The company started as a catalog house selling surplus and English tools to the metalworking industry at a discount.

New Product Manager

Methods Machine Tools Inc. has appointed Paul Hurtig as Feeler product manager at Methods. “We’re pleased to have Paul in this new position,” says Bryon Deysher, president and CEO of Methods. “His impressive Methods’ track record and unique mix of experience in various positions including machine tool product development, sales support, service and international logistics make him the ideal candidate for the new Feeler role. He will be instrumental in launching the new Methods-Feeler line.”

Mr. Hurtig has been a Methods employee for 29 years and has held various managerial positions. His roles have been in service, product support, technical sales support and most recently, V.P. of operations. Contact the company at methodsmachine.com.

Company Partners with Machine Tool Distributor for Sales and Distribution

Mori Seiki has entered into a distribution agreement with Ellison Technologies to serve and support Canada. “Having Ellison Technologies as our new exclusive distributor in Canada will allow us to leverage our valued partnership and synergy we currently share in the U.S.,” says Jim Okada, president of Mori Seiki Americas.

For the past 14 years, Ellison Technologies has supported the Mori Seiki line in British Columbia.

“We’re very excited about expanded partnership with Mori Seiki in Canada,” says Graham Hooper, president of Ellison Technologies’ Western Region and Canada. “We pride ourselves on the fact we’ve been able to grow as a result of the success and growth of our customers. We look forward to this continued partnership approach with the Canadian market by enabling customers to become globally competitive through the integration of advanced technology, robotic automation and engineering capabilities.”

Ellison Technologies, in full partnership with Mori Seiki, will begin operations in a new facility in Mississauga, Ontario.

Software and Metrology Companies AnnounceOEM Agreement

Nikon Metrology and Verisurf Software have made it possible for manufacturers to drive all Nikon portable metrology devices from Verisurf’s common software platform. Supported Nikon metrology devices include Laser Radar, K-Series optical CMMs configured with scanners and probes, MCA II articulated arm configured with scanners and probes, and the iGPS.

This partnership is a huge benefit to our metrology customers, says Doug Kappler, director of Nikon Metrology Large Scale Division. “In addition to being able to offer a single software platform for all Nikon portable metrology devices, the software provides fully automated and programmable measurements. Under the terms of the global OEM agreement, Nikon will sell, market, train and support Verisurf software when bundled with Nikon Metrology devices.