Fanuc America Expands Operations
Fanuc America Corp. will open four new facilities, relocate three facilities to larger offices and add three new regional training centers in 2016. The expansion includes a new manufacturing and distribution center in Pontiac, Mich.; new sales and service facilities in Seattle, Monterrey, Mexico, and Manaus, Brazil; and relocation of customer service offices from Dallas to Houston, and Mexico City to Queretaro, Mexico. The company expects to complete the expansions in North and South America by July.
ESAB Announces Contest Winners
Esab Welding & Cutting Products announced the winners of its 2015 “A Cut Above” contest for students in welding and cutting programs at secondary and postsecondary schools. Three individual winners won a cash prize for their essay describing how cutting and welding have influenced their lives. Each member of three winning teams received $500 for their submission of a metal fabrication project that incorporates welding and cutting, including the winners from Denton LaGrone ATC, who constructed eight benches to seat an outdoor class.
Dengensha America Adds Technical Service Engineer
Dengensha America Corp. recently added Jack Zhang as technical service engineer. Zhang will be responsible for providing customer service and support assistance for new and existing resistance welding customers in the United States and Canada. He will also troubleshoot new product applications. Zhang comes to Dengensha with a background in process engineering and research.
ABB Robotics Introduces Online Training
ABB Robotics has introduced IRC5 Operations Web Based Training, an online, interactive training course that teaches students how to operate a robot using the ABB FlexPendant and the IRC5 robot controller. The robotics training course modules are self-paced with videos, interactive simulations and practice exercises. After completing the course, participants should be able to identify personal safety solutions, robot safety features and robot system components; move and jog the robot using the joystick; interpret and respond to event messages; and modify movement instructions in a basic program.
PMA Elects Chairman
The Precision Metalforming Association announced Ron Lowry, owner and president of Dayton Rogers, as the 2016 chairman of its board of directors. Dave Arndt, president of Pentaflex Inc., will serve as the board’s first vice chair, and Richard Sade, vice president of S & S Hinge Co., will serve as second vice chair and treasurer. Lowry pledged to use his PMA chairmanship to encourage manufacturers to help close the skills gap and help elected officials and the general public understand the importance of manufacturing.
MagneGas Opens New Headquarters
MagneGas Corp. has officially moved into its new headquarters. The 18,000-sq.-ft. facility is located within an industrial area outside of Tampa, Fla. The building contains more space to demonstrate the company’s technology to potential customers and includes a larger R&D area. The company will bring three gas production units online, doubling current capacity. These units will operate in several shifts, which will allow the company to meet existing demand and expand business.
Leadership Award Announced
Duane Miller, manager, engineering services and welding design consultant with The Lincoln Electric Co., received the Robert P. Stupp Award for Leadership Excellence from the American Institute of Steel Construction. The award honors those who, through their leadership, have had an outstanding impact on advancing the use of structural steel in the construction industry, according to the AISC. Miller is a recognized authority on the design and performance of welded connections. In other company Industry News, Lincoln Electric will present a three-day Advanced Aluminum Welding Seminar at its Cleveland headquarters, May 25 to 27. The course is intended for welding engineers, technologists, technicians and shop supervisors and will comprise about 70 percent classroom instruction and 30 percent hands-on welding.
ATTC Announces Latin America Director of Sales
To further support America Torch Tip’s distribution and supply chain partners, the company named Alex Garcia director of sales for Latin America. Garcia will add all South American countries to his portfolio of regional sales management. He has been managing ATTC’s sales activities in Mexico and Puerto Rico for more than six years and has more than 15 years’ experience working with distributors in a variety of metal fabrication industries.
Yaskawa Helping STEM Grow
Yaskawa Motoman is working with the education community to create workforce models and STEM educational opportunities to support job creation, advance scientific discovery, enhance manufacturing capabilities and drive economic growth. Working to provide organizations with the right products, technology and education to fill the gap between what the industry wants and what educational institutions can provide, Yaskawa is creating innovative products, curricula, training certification and services for the classroom and the industry.
Raising Manufacturing Awareness
The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association is partnering with Edge Factor to empower 12 college campuses nationwide with story-driven media and resources. The eduFactor series tells the stories of innovative teams as they work to make their ideas a reality through advanced manufacturing. Based on these stories, Edge Factor creates interactive resources to raise awareness and teach students about the pathways in technical education and advanced manufacturing. For the next 12 months, FMA is providing educators from 12 schools in six states access to eduFactor.
Hypertherm Marks Milestone
Hypertherm Inc. marked a major milestone with the production of its 100,000th Powermax45 handheld, plasma cutting and gouging system. Introduced in 2008, the Powermax45 grew recognition due to its versatility and design. It is portable and can cut 1/2-in.-thick metal and sever 1-in.-thick metal. In addition, the system is designed for handheld or mechanized cutting and gouging. The 100,000th unit was outfitted with a special commemorative cover and sent to the Gases and Welding Distributors Association Spring Management Conference where it was auctioned off in a silent auction.
Education Workshops Offered
The National Center for Welding Education and Training, Weld-Ed, announced its professional development workshop series, which includes seven training modules for welding educators and industrial trainers. The hands-on, instructional workshops offer welding educators affordable, interactive training conducted throughout the summer of 2016 at teaching facilities located throughout the United States. The seven workshop modules encompass virtually every aspect of the welding profession. Workshop participants earn four continuing education units and 40 professional development hours.
