1. business and industrial
2. manufacturing

UPCOMING EVENTS - PAGE 11
MARCH / APRIL 2015
INTEREST
2015
MINNESOTA Economy
Faster
Affordable
Production
Expansion
1.5% Healthier
Optimistic
Success
High
Increase
Painted with Optimism
UP
BUSINESS
Impact
Double
Output
Opportunity
2.2%
Money
POSITIVE
Change Rapid
3.5%
90%
JOBS
Manufacturing
LONG
TERM
Hiring
PRICES
Unemployment
MINNESOTA’S
ECONOMIC PICTURE:
Percentage
Market
Investment
Performance
Strong
TAXES
INCOME
Recovery
J O U R N A L O F T H E M I N N E S O TA P R E C I S I O N M A N U FA C T U R I N G A S S O C I AT I O N
GROWTH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
16
WHO'S WHO
Steve Kalina - Executive Vice President
of Dynamic Group
21
FEATURE
3D Printing: Production Floor Trends
37
FEATURE
Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers
Harvest Weaker Sales
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MPMA OFFICERS
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary Executive Director
Assistant Executive Director
Director of Workforce Development
Benjamin Rashleger, WSI Industries, Inc.
B Kyle, Saint Paul Port Authority
Steve Wise, Cass Screw Machine Products Company
Tom Chacon, Boring Machine
Jaime Nolan, CAE - [email protected]
Angela Petersen - [email protected]
Luann Bartley - [email protected]
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Chair, Editor-in-Chief: B Kyle - [email protected]
Luke Bame - [email protected]
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Ted Roberts - [email protected] Andrew Skoog - [email protected]
Fred Zimmerman - [email protected]
Mike Eye - [email protected]
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MEMBERS OF
Precision Manufacturing, (ISSN 0273-7523) is published six times per year by
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Precision Manufacturing is the only authorized regular publication of the
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Copyright ©2015 Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association.
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CONTENTS
8
Affordable
Production
Expansion
2015
MINNESOTA Economy
Faster
1.5% Healthier
Optimistic
President’s Letter
8
Executive Director Letter
10 News Bytes
Increase
Success
High
11 MPMA Events
UP
BUSINESS
42 MPMA Member Directory
Impact
45 Advertisers’ Index
Output
Opportunity
Double
COLUMNS
2.2%
Money
POSITIVE
3.5%
Change Rapid
GROWTH
13
COLUMNS
16 Who's Who Steve Kalina
18 Made in Minnesota
Geringhoff
25 Focus on Education
Learn, Work, Earn
32 Quality Matters
Surface Finish Analysis
Executive Director:
Educational Opportunities Foundation
Record Breaking Fundraising
40
by Jaime Nolan, CAE
Production Floor Trends
Justifying Additive Manufacturing through Jigs & Fixtures
by B Kyle
37 Feature Story:
DEPARTMENTS
7
Sales & Marketing
Working with an
Advertising and
Marketing Agency
21 Feature Story:
37
PRICES
INTEREST
FEATURES
21
Painted with Optimism
Manufacturing
JOBS
90%
8
DEPARTMENTS
Unemployment
MINNESOTA’S
ECONOMIC PICTURE:
Investment
Strong
Performance
Percentage
Market
LONG
TERM
Hiring
FEATURES
TAXES
INCOME
Recovery
March | April 2015
Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers
Harvest Weaker Sales
by Melissa DeBilzan
E-CLUSIVES
E-CLUSIVES
Global Cities Initiative:
Minnesota Reaching Out
Global Cities Initiative (GCI) is a $10 million, five-year
project partnership between the Brookings Institution
and JPMorgan Chase. It is aimed at helping the leaders of
metropolitan America strengthen our regional economies by
becoming more competitive in the global marketplace.
Minnesota PIPELINE Project:
2015 Legislative Report
The Minnesota Private Investment, Public Education, Labor
and Industry Experience (PIPELINE) Project is a legislatively
directed initiative managed by the Minnesota Department of
Labor and Industry (DLI) in collaboration with the Department
of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU).
March
pril 2015
March || AApril
2015 PRECISION
PRECISION MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING || 55
PRESIDENT ’S LET TER
Celebrating MPMA's
60TH ANNIVERSARY
by Benjamin Rashleger
T
his year, the MPMA will celebrate our 60th anniversary as an organization. This is a great
accomplishment and an outstanding show of loyalty and support from the Minnesota
manufacturing businesses and our community. To quote executive director Jaime Nolan’s
state of the association letter in the January/February issue of Precision Manufacturing, “The Association
is experiencing the strongest membership it has seen in its existence; financially, we have worked hard to
recover from the recession and have successfully rebuilt some of our reserves. Our sponsorship support
is at an all-time high, membership engagement continues to rise, and this past October we raised nearly
$30,000 in one night for the MPMA Educational Opportunities Foundation.” After years of strong
leadership and positive results, we’re moving in the right direction.
BENJAMIN RASHLEGER
President and CEO
WSI Industries, Inc.
[email protected]
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce recently held their annual “Session Priorities” event, which was
attended by a few thousand business leaders and was an amazing show of support. Governor Dayton
was present to outline his upcoming agenda, and the leaders of the state Senate and House responded
to questions from business leaders on topics that are of critical importance to the business community.
It was clear that even with the shift in the party representation, the ability to move policy forward will
remain difficult without compromise from both parties. It was good to see that the Minnesota Chamber
has such a strong show of support, and that the priorities defined by the chamber are in alignment with
the majority of the views of the business leaders in attendance and the MPMA.
Workforce development and the shortage of skilled labor is a top priority for the MPMA. As the new
Congress (state and federal) presented their priorities, workforce development gained exposure at
both levels with proposals by both to extend free tuition to new high school graduates, should they
choose to attend a community or technical college. This is with the intent to help promote careers and
education in trades that require a skilled workforce. Still up for debate is whether this type of program
would have the support to be enacted or how it would be funded.
Funding aside, this action certainly would provide an incentive for students to consider a
technical college as an education option, which ultimately would help to improve the supply of
workers to manufacturing businesses—or any industry in need of skilled workers. This may or
may not be the correct solution; but, the good news is that all of the voices in our industry—as
well as efforts by associations like ours—are making an impact.
Most economic and employment data being released continues to support a positive heading for
our industry. Machine tool sales remain strong, and many businesses in our industry continue to
be in growth modes. Many more businesses are continuing to communicate a shortage and need
for more skilled labor.
Of concern is the price of oil and its continued fall. We have not experienced prices this low
since the depths of the 2009 recession. While this may be good for gasoline prices, and it may
reduce the financial burden on most people and families, it certainly will impact companies
operating in—or supporting—the oil and gas industry.
Many companies (mine included) are beginning to see the effects of this shift on our energy-related
business. How the low oil and gas prices will impact the macroeconomic situation is yet to be seen,
although most experts don’t see it playing out with any similarities to the 2009 scenario.
With our 60-year anniversary of the MPMA, and now having completed our last three-year strategic
plan, the MPMA will be refreshing our strategic plan and focusing on how best to continue providing
relevance and value to our membership. Our goal is to continue with our efforts towards “Driving
Success in Minnesota’s Precision Manufacturing.” If you have any ideas or suggestions about what you
would like to see more of from the association, feel free to reach out to me directly.
I hope you made it through another Minnesota winter, and that you are enjoying the beginnings
of spring. PM
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 7
EXECUTIVE DIREC TOR
Educational Opportunities Foundation
RECORD BREAKING FUNDRAISING
by Jaime Nolan, CAE
T
his past October, the MPMA Educational
THANK YOU SPONSORS
Opportunities Foundation set a fundraising
WHO
MATCHED DONATIONS
record. As a result of several machine tool
FOR
THE EDUCATION
distributors stepping forward with a promise to
FOUNDATION AT THE 2014
match funds, the Foundation raised nearly $30,000
to be used for scholarships and funding to support
ANNUAL MEETING.
machine tool programs. This amount, combined
Productivity Inc.
with our other annual fundraising activities, resulted
Concept Machine Tool Sales, Inc.
in the Foundation having more funding than
ever before to support manufacturing education.
DMG MORI Ellison
I am excited to report that in 2015, the MPMA
Hales Machine Tool, Inc.
Educational Opportunities Foundation has set aside
Hegman
Machinery, LLC.
$57,000 in funding to support three different efforts.
First, we are allocating 50 percent of this funding to
Stone Machinery, Inc.
be awarded in scholarships. Historically, the Foundation
Nanotech Machinery Solutions, Inc.
has been able to contribute $10,000-$15,000 in
T.Bryce & Associates /
scholarships on an annual basis. This year, as a direct
EDM Tech Center
result of the success at the MPMA Annual Meeting
in October 2014, we will be able to double that figure.
Please help us promote these scholarship opportunities
by spreading the word to your employees and families.
Applications are due on April 15, 2015, and scholarship recipients will be notified by June 30, 2015.
You can download an application at http://www.mpma.com/workforce-foundation.html.
Second, we have allocated 30 percent of the funding to be awarded to technical education
programs in need of equipment or tooling. Programs that want to apply for this funding can find
an application on our website at http://www.mpma.com/workforce.html.
Finally, the Foundation is offering a new funding contribution this year. As a result of “needbased” requests from non-credit students, the Foundation is allocating 20 percent of the funding
to “emergency funding” requests. This funding will be provided to MPMA member educational
institutions that request the funding. More information can be obtained by contacting Angela
Petersen, MPMA assistant executive director, at [email protected].
I would like to recognize and again thank our generous sponsors who stepped forward with
matches at the MPMA Annual Meeting this past October. Their generosity made it possible for
us to raise this new record funding for the Foundation, which will directly support building our
future workforce.
Thank you to all of you who donated to the Foundation this past year—individually or through
your business. The future of our workforce is dependent upon active support and engagement of all
of us in the industry. PM
8 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
JAIME NOLAN, CAE
Executive Director
Minnesota Precision
Manufacturing Association
[email protected]
Save the Date
May 5 - 8, 2015
OPEN HOUSE
www.halesmachinetool.com
HALES MACHINE TOOL, INC.
2730 Niagara Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447
763-553-1711 | www.halesmachinetool.com
Open House - May 5 - 8, 2015
NEWSBYTES
Check out some of the latest news and events happening around MPMA and the manufacturing
industry. If you have something you would like to submit for publishing to our news section, please email
[email protected]. For more news and events be sure to check out www.pm-mn.com.
RECENTLY IN THE NEWS
Graco Acquires Four Companies
Graco, Inc., recently announced that they have acquired four companies—a combined purchase price of $185 million.
Graco is a Minneapolis-based industrial parts manufacturer, whose largest deal involved the $160 million purchase of High
Pressure Equipment (HiP), a Pennsylvania-based flow control equipment firm, pending regulatory approval.
The recent acquisitions of the company “support our strategic growth plans to expand into new markets and geographies,
while diversifying our portfolio of precision products for critical applications,” Patrick McHale, CEO of Graco, said.
Greater Minnesota Counties Lead Economic Recovery
Minnesota ranks third in the nation in the number of counties that have recovered from the recession, according to a
report from the National Association of Counties (NACO).
Nine Minnesota counties, all located in Greater Minnesota, have met or surpassed pre-recession levels, according to the
study. The report measures recovery based on four categories: jobs, unemployment rate, economic output, and home prices.
Only 65 of 3,069 counties nationwide (2.1 percent) have met or passed their pre-recession levels in the four categories.
The Minnesota counties that have surpassed pre-recession levels are: Clay, Marshall, Pennington, and Polk counties in
northwest Minnesota; Pope, Stevens, and Wilkin counties in west central Minnesota; and Jackson and Murray counties in
southeast Minnesota.
The full report is available at www.explorer.naco.org.
This information was provided by The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
The PIPELINE Project
The Minnesota Private Investment, Public Education, Labor and Industry Experience (PIPELINE) Project is a legislatively
directed initiative managed by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) in collaboration with the Department
of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU).
Minnesota Laws 2014, Chapter 312, Article 3, Sec. 21 calls for the state agencies to work with recognized industry experts,
representative employers, higher education institutions, and labor representatives to define competency standards for
occupations in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, and information technology.
DLI convened an Industry Council for each of the four industries and conducted three meetings between August and
November 2014.
These meetings resulted in a greater shared understanding of industry workforce needs, the identification of occupations that
could benefit from dual-training, and recommendations and ideas for the next steps to support and expand dual-training in
Minnesota. The Industry Councils continue to develop competency standards models for 15 identified occupations.
The outcomes for the PIPELINE initiative include establishing, verifying, and developing competency standards in
at least one entry-level and two higher-skill level occupations for each industry and submitting a progress report and
recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2015.
To read more about the Pipeline Project findings and to read the full legislative report, visit www.pm-mn.com or
www.dli.mn.gov/PDF/pipeline/PIPELINE_2015report.pdf.
10 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
MPMA EVENTS:
MARCH 2015
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015
MPMA MEMBER PROGRAM
Topic:
Emerging Technologies
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree Park Place
1500 Park Place Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Look for more details online @ www.mpma.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
MPMA FACILITY TOUR
ST. PAUL BRASS AND ALUMINUM FOUNDRY
Time: Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Tour: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Breakfast: Keys Café and Bakery
1682 Lexington Ave. N
Roseville, MN 55113
Tour: St. Paul Foundry
954 West Minnehaha Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55104
This tour is open to manufacturing / associate members and MPMA
annual sponsors only.
Look for more details online @ www.mpma.com
APRIL 2015
Save the Date!
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015
MPMA MEMBER PROGRAM
Look for more details online @ www.mpma.com
MAY 2015
Save the Date!
MONDAY AND TUESDAY, MAY 11 AND 12, 2015
27TH ANNUAL SUPERMILEAGE CHALLENGE
Location: Brainerd International Raceway
5523 Birchdale Road, Brainerd, MN 56401
JULY 2015
Save the Date!
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015
2015 OPEN GOLF CLASSIC
Location: Bunker Hills Golf Course
12800 Bunker Prairie Road Northwest
Coon Rapids, MN 55446
WWW.MPMA.COM
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 11
Save the Date
May 5 - 8, 2015
OPEN HOUSE
www.halesmachinetool.com
HALES MACHINE TOOL, INC.
2730 Niagara Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447
763-553-1711 | www.halesmachinetool.com
Open House - May 5 - 8, 2015
Recovery
INTEREST
2015
MINNESOTA Economy
Faster
Affordable
Production
Expansion
1.5% Healthier
Optimistic
Success
High
Increase
Painted with Optimism
UP
BUSINESS
Impact
Double
By B Kyle
Output
Opportunity
2.2%
Money
POSITIVE
Change Rapid
3.5%
Manufacturing
JOBS
PRICES
Unemployment
MINNESOTA’S
ECONOMIC PICTURE:
Investment
Strong
Performance
Percentage
Market
LONG
TERM
Hiring
90%
TAXES
INCOME
GROWTH
M
innesota’s economic picture is indeed “painted with optimism,” according to Toby Madden and Rob Grunewald,
economists for the Ninth District of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), in their most recent outlook released on
January 6, 2015. This is the second of two articles in Precision Manufacturing about our economy, with this article focused
on the Ninth District and the Minnesota marketplace.
In the eyes of most people, the U.S. economic outlook continues to be a mixed bag for several reasons. A continued
recovery that still feels inconsistent at best—and tenuous at worst—keeps money sidelined and growth slower than
it otherwise could be. Companies would grow more if they had more people to do the work. Continued uncertainty
regarding government policy around healthcare, immigration, and taxes keeps business owners more conservative than
they otherwise would be. To some degree, it is our own anticipation of trouble that is slowing the recovery. The saying
goes, “where your eyes are focused, that’s where your car drives.”
In Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Board—and the business leaders themselves—are speaking in more optimistic tones.
After the January 6 release of the 2015 economic forecast, I interviewed Joe Mahon, an economist and analyst for
the Federal Reserve of Minneapolis.
"Where your eyes are focused, that’s where your car drives."
March | April 2015
READ THE INTERVIEW
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 13
COVER STORY
BK: Joe, can you summarize in a few
bullet points the outlook presented by
the FRB in January 2015?
Overall, what is your outlook for your community's economy in the next 12 months?
JM: Overall, the outlook for 2015 calls for
continued economic expansion across the
Ninth District.
1. According to our statistics model,
growth will occur in personal income
and business growth—from Montana
to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
2. Secondly, our annual survey among
business leaders tells us that the
business community, too, is expecting
the economy to heat up in 2015. In
the Twin Cities, nearly 90 percent of
business leaders express optimism
about the local economy—and in
Greater Minnesota, the optimism
index is even higher, above 90 percent.
3. And third, specifically speaking to
the manufacturing sector, we are
anticipating continued growth.
4. North Dakota is expected to grow
significantly more, driven by the oil
and gas industry. Given the lower
prices of oil currently, this growth
may be lower than predicted.
5. With the exception of the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan, the
Ninth District states have lower
unemployment rates than the
national average. And that rate
is expected to continue to drop,
potentially as low as 2.3 percent in
North Dakota by the end of 2015.
The Ninth District also has been
experiencing—and is anticipated to
continue to experience—faster growth in
personal income: 4.4 percent in Wisconsin,
and 5.5 percent in North Dakota for 2015.
With regard to your own company, how do you
see operations changing during the next year?*
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, annual business outlook poll
BK: I understand that the FRB conducts
an external annual survey to gauge the
“temperature” in the marketplace. What
did you learn from your November /
December 2014 survey?
JM: The survey is really our opportunity
to hear from business leaders. We speak
to 300 business leaders across a wide
spectrum of industry sectors. For 2015,
1. Business optimism is at a record high,
with more optimism than in any other
year in the past 19 years this survey has
been conducted. Business owners are
expecting increases in sales and prices,
capital investments, and hiring.
2. That optimism is broad based—
across manufacturers, construction
companies, retailers, professional
service firms, etc. They all expect
overall growth for their operations.
3. The manufacturers we surveyed—
consistent with business overall—are
optimistic for the coming year. They
are anticipating continued growth in
their firms, higher than in 2014. And
they considered 2014 to be “a pretty
good year.”
4. We also are anticipating continued
growth in employment in the
manufacturing sector. We like to
see that. Also, since so much capital
investment is in automation, this is a
doubly good sign.
5. Growth is expected in all states
within the district as well, with the
exception of South Dakota and the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where
sluggish growth is expected.
*Above 50 indicates expansion; below 50 indicates contraction
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, annual business outlook poll
14 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
6. We did see anticipated slowing of the
growth in home building, with the
exception of North Dakota.
BK: What can you say specifically
about Minnesota, and our strengths /
challenges as we enter 2015?
JM: The outlook for Minnesota is very
strong. On a national level, Minnesota
is a bright spot in the economy. Let’s
zoom out for a moment to look at the
national picture. Remember, the Great
Recession ended in mid-2009. Since
then, we have seen recovery nationally,
but at a really slow rate (in terms of
growth in output and employment).
The story of the U.S. economy in 2014
is that it picked up—both in terms of
employment and of output.
Over the entire period of recovery,
Minnesota has outperformed the national
economy in terms of percentage of growth
in employment and output. Minnesota is
in better shape than the national economy
as a whole, and continues to get better at
an even faster pace.
I can point to a few areas where we
may lag behind the U.S. in terms of job
growth. We are seeing slower growth in
the pace of employment in two sectors:
information and financial services, and
construction. In both sectors, the growth is
positive, but not at a rate equal to the U.S.
as a whole. This reflects that the economy
has been healthier in Minnesota, so there
is less “make-up growth” to be found.
A really strong example of Minnesota’s
growth is the manufacturing sector. The
manufacturing employment growth rate
in 2014 was nearly twice as high as the
U.S. growth rate. From November 2013 to
November 2014, Minnesota’s percentage
change in manufacturing employment
was about 3.5 percent, while growth in
this sector across the U.S. overall was
about 1.5 percent.
I would be remiss to pass on the
opportunity to comment on North
COVER STORY
Dakota. Minnesota’s economy is very
strong, but North Dakota is leading the
country. It has the lowest unemployment
rate in the country—and the fastest
growth. Nationally, employment grew
almost 2.2 percent in 2014; North
Dakota’s employment grew by 5 percent.
The big question for 2015 is how will
lower oil prices affect North Dakota’s
growth? Currently, West Texas Crude oil
is selling at about $45 per barrel. Bakken
is about $10-15 below that price, due
to transportation costs and the costs of
recovering the oil.
Ultimately, from my personal
perspective, rankings and comparisons
between states are less important than
the internal growth numbers. Minnesota
has been pretty healthy and looks to be
growing even further into 2015.
BK: Do you have any recommendations
for business leaders moving into 2015
and beyond?
JM: There are some big picture market
conditions of concern, particularly
global instability and energy prices.
Global instability has continued to lead
businesses and financial players in other
parts of the world to invest in the U.S.,
particular in U.S. treasuries. The “flight
to quality” is “shoring up” the U.S.
economy and making the dollar quite
strong. For manufacturers, an increase in
the exchange rate has not been helpful.
A cheap dollar makes U.S. goods more
affordable. That’s not going to happen,
Manufacturing activity grew in 2014; more growth expected in 2015*
*Above 50 indicates expansion; below 50 indicates contraction
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
especially if you’re doing a lot foreign
trade. Now if you bring inputs into the
U.S., you’ll see your cost of sourcing
inputs go down.
So it depends on where you fit
in that equation—in either case, be
careful about making long term plans
in reaction to sudden changes in the
market. Most of the U.S. is benefitting
from low oil costs, for example.
However, energy companies are not.
Secondly, I’d suggest that you manage
your exposure to shocks in energy prices,
for example. Most market participants
Nonfarm employment increases for all industries
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
are not expecting oil prices to shoot in
any direction. But there’s always that
risk, particularly if you are over-exposed.
Think long term—not based on current
market conditions that could change
rapidly. The oil market certainly is good
example of that. PM
Joe Mahon can be reached at
[email protected].
B KYLE is the vice president of strategic
development at the Saint Paul Port Authority
in Saint Paul, Minn. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Unemployment rates continue to fall in most areas
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 15
WHO’S WHO
Steve Kalina
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, DYNAMIC GROUP
by Molly Barrett
“I have manufacturing in my
blood,” said Steve Kalina, lighting up
with a smile. “I’m so thankful for all of
the opportunities that I’ve had; I can’t
imagine doing anything else.”
Steve is the executive vice president
of Dynamic Group, a privately owned
contract manufacturing company,
headquartered in Ramsey, Minn., with
a second tooling and machining facility
located in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Dynamic Group was founded in
1977 (then called Dynamic Engineering)
by Steve’s father, Dave Kalina, and his
business partner, Peter McGillivray. Steve
grew up around the business, and started
working part-time for the company when
he was 13, pulling weeds and cleaning
toilets. Steve sat down with Precision
Manufacturing and discussed his career,
life, and his outlook for the future of
Dynamic Group.
PM: Tell us about your career path
that led you to your current role
as the executive vice president of
Dynamic Group.
SK: “My dad and his partner started
the company in 1977—they were coowners. I come from a toolmaking and
manufacturing family; my grandfather,
father, and brother are all toolmakers,”
Steve said. After taking a year off after
high school—which was spent working in
lcbankmn.com
Better Together—Not just a tagline,
it’s the only way we succeed.
3 Ways we can be Better Together
1
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16 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
Colorado and participating in competitive
ski racing—Steve moved back home and
joined the Marine Corps in 2001. He
served two combat tours while in the
Marines, and held many leadership roles.
Between military tours, Steve held
roles on the shop floor at Dynamic
Group, learning different aspects of the
business—including operating machines,
plastics processing, quality, and project
management. When his military days
were over, he was excited to help grow
Dynamic Group and watch it thrive.
“I also serve on the Board of Directors
for the MPMA, and on the Advisory
Board for Hennepin Technical College’s
Plastics program,” he said.
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Federated Mutual Insurance Company
Federated Service Insurance Company*
Federated Life Insurance Company
Owatonna, Minnesota 55060
Phone: 507.455.5200
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*Not licensed in the states of NH, NJ, and VT.
© 2015 Federated Mutual Insurance Company
WHO’S WHO
dwell on what could have been,” he said.
“Working for a family business and the
three sons being able to take over for our
fathers after they retire is an amazing
opportunity," he said.
PM: What is your main passion in life?
Your passions aside from work?
Steve, wife Kati, and daughter Molly
PM: As a child, what did you want to
be when you grew up?
SK: “I really love animals. I was really
interested in zoology and biology,” Steve
said. “I still love animals—my wife and I
have three dogs, which were all rescues
from the Humane Society. We also have
barn cats and horses on our small hobby
farm,” he said.
PM: Tell us more about your home life.
SK: Steve said that he met his wife while
participating in the Twin Cities Marathon,
and they quickly bonded over their mutual
love for running and being outdoors. He
and his wife welcomed their first child, a
daughter named Molly, in December 2014.
“Family is the most important thing to me,”
Steve said. He grew up in New Brighton,
Minn., and always has lived around the
Northwest suburbs of Minneapolis. He has
two siblings—his brother works with him
at Dynamic Group, and his older sister also
works part time at the company.
PM: You seem very close with your
family. What’s the best piece of advice
that you ever received from them?
SK: “My father set examples for myself
and my siblings in the way that he acted
and handled himself,” Steve said. “He
never tried to direct me or push me to go
in to the manufacturing industry or work
in the family business. He let me decide
my own future by myself.”
PM: If you hadn’t followed in your
father’s footsteps and weren’t in the
career that you’re in now, what would
you be doing?
SK: “I’m not sure. I think that life takes
you where you’re going to go; I don’t
SK: Steve said that the most important
things in his life are his values and his
family. “My grandmother passed away
recently, and it reminded me that I needed
to build strong relationships with people
and live a happy life. My grandparents
grew up during the Great Depression. So,
there were times in their lives when they
had nothing, but they kept working hard—
never worrying about their wealth or the
things they had. Instead, they focused on
their family as the most important thing,”
he said. Outside of work, Steve enjoys
being outdoors, running and staying
active, and spending time with his wife,
daughter, and their animals while at home.
PM: Where do you see yourself and
Dynamic Group in the next ten years?
SK: “I would like to be looking back at the
growth of Dynamic Group, continue to
keep strengthening the
business, and possibly
modify my role in the
company after I’m done
having kids,” Steve laughs.
“I would like to still
function as an owner,
but would like to employ
people to manage the
day-to-day operations
of the company so that I
can spend time with my
family.” As for Dynamic
Group, Steve talked
about the upcoming
changes and things that
the company is doing to
strengthen manufacturing
in Minnesota.
“Dynamic Group
tries to promote
manufacturing as
much as possible. We
participate in Dream
It. Do It., DEED,
apprenticeships,
partnerships with
technical colleges, and we
are also a member of the
MPMA,” Steve said.
"Our company is growing and
strengthening with new equipment—
that includes a new ERP (Enterprise
Resource Planning) System, which
handles purchasing, invoicing, etc. We
also have new 5-axis mills, new vertical
molding machines, automation, and
more. My brother Brian and our partner
Joe McGillivray are excited about the
opportunities we have, the outlook for
growth, and most importantly, the group
of people we get to work with each day.
It's a lot of fun," he said.
As the executive vice president of
Dynamic Group, Steve Kalina tries to
strengthen his family’s legacy at Dynamic
Group and also makes sure that he keeps
his loved ones close. “I want to make sure
I live my life to the fullest,” he said. “I
want to make sure that my family and my
friends are the most important aspects of
my life.” PM
MOLLY BARRETT is the editor and
publications manager for the Minnesota
Precision Manufacturing Association. She
can be reached at [email protected].
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 17
MADE IN MINNESOTA
Geringhoff
HARVESTING FASTER AND SAFER
by Andrew Skoog
Maximum Yield Elite XL series corn header by Geringhoff.
When thinking about Germany,
things like the Autobahn, Oktoberfest,
BMW, and Porsche come to mind.
Who of us would think of farming—
especially corn harvesting—when we
think of Germany? Geringhoff is a
German OEM manufacturer of corn
headers for corn harvesting.
In 2012, Geringhoff chose St.
Cloud, Minn., as their “home” and U.S.
headquarters. The company’s state-of-theart facility has the capacity for up to 100
employees—who fabricate, weld, paint, and
assemble the company’s well-known corn
heads for the North American market.
Hermann Braun, director of
manufacturing, says that Geringhoff is
proud that the majority of their molded
parts, raw materials, and custom milled
components are sourced within 80 miles of
the St. Cloud factory. Further fabrication
within the factory, combined with
18 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
Geringhoff's patented gear boxes (imported
from Germany), result in world-class corn
heads for all types of different combines.
One unique aspect of a Geringhoff corn
header is their aluminum self-adjusting
clutch and gear box. The gear box drives
the gathering chains that make first
contact with the stem of the crop being
harvested—typically corn. This mechanism
is designed to slip when hitting rocks or
foreign objects while out in the field. This
gear box is the industry’s most efficient
at using the horse power of the combine,
thus consuming less fuel to harvest the
crop and causing less wear on the combine.
A row unit harvests one row of corn.
Each row unit has a gearbox. Geringhoff
manufactures rigid heads with up to 24
row units.
There are a couple different styles of
row units based on the plant residue left
after harvesting the corn. John Miley,
marketing director for Geringhoff, and
my tour guide, explained that the hybrid
corn of today has a much tougher stem
or stock than ever before, one that
doesn’t readily decompose and is very
hard on equipment.
Modern farming methods have driven
equipment manufacturers to consider
the crop residue; in the case of corn, the
residue is the leftover stock after the corn
has been harvested. The typical row unit
on the majority of the corn harvesters in
the business uses a blade—similar to that
of a lawn mower—to chop the stock as
it enters the combine. This blade chops
the stock into segments around 10” long.
More recently, Geringhoff developed
“Rota Disc” technology that shreds the
stock, and does so without compromising
the speed of the harvester. This
technology splits the stock and chops it
to fine residue, leaving it openly exposed,
thus speeding up the decay process.
Thanks in part to companies like
Geringhoff, fields get harvested faster,
more economically, and safer than ever
before. If you ever get a chance to visit
Geringhoff, you will likely enjoy a cup of
dark German coffee from their in-house
coffee shop. This coffee shop overlooks the
whole manufacturing facility, where you
can watch sheet metal and components
transformed to a fully assembled, German
engineered corn header ready for the field.
With so much more that could be
said about Geringhoff, you simply will
have to check them out. Their business
success is a testament to solid German
engineering—and, of course, it’s made
in Minnesota. PM
ANDREW SKOOG is with
Hexis in Minneapolis, Minn.
He can be reached at
[email protected].
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FEATURE STORY
PRODUCTION FLOOR TRENDS
JUSTIFYING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING THROUGH JIGS & FIXTURES
By B Kyle
This article is part of a 2015 series on 3D printing. Joe Hiemenz is the public
relations manager at Stratasys, Ltd., and prepared this white paper. Stratasys is
headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn., and is an international leader in 3D printing
technology and its applications.
There is an often-overlooked additive
manufacturing (AM) application with
potentially huge financial returns. Savings
can be so large that they can justify the
purchase of an AM (or 3D printing)
system in far less time than the typical
three- to five-year payback period the
financial officer will demand.
The application is jig and fixture
making—which also includes gauges,
organizational aids, and other
manufacturing devices. AM produces
these tools by adding material in an
automated, layer-by-layer process rather
than removing material with a cutter or
forming it in a mold.
Replacing conventionally
manufactured jigs and fixtures with
additively manufactured ones will
reduce the fabrication expense—often
by 50 to 90 percent—while reducing
labor and speeding delivery. However,
that financial advantage is tiny when
compared to the profit gains that result
from production-floor reductions in
labor and time to market.
According to three owners of Stratasys
Fortus machines, one-year profit gains
ranged from $60,000 to $230,000, from
just a few fixture-related applications.
Although traditionally made
manufacturing tools could produce the
same financial results, AM’s advantage
is that it is easier and quicker to
implement. The result is a deployment
of fixtures where they previously did
not exist. Making these items with
AM is a simple, efficient, and nearly
labor-free task that does not require
the overhead of highly skilled CAM
programmers and machinists.
The bottom line: AM makes jigs and
fixtures more available and accessible, which
in turn improves manufacturing efficiency,
capacity, unit cost, and responsiveness.
A typical PCB for Digi.
As with many companies, Digi acquired
AM with specific applications in mind, but
found others—such as conformal coating
masking. According to Matthew Larsen,
lead mechanical engineer, management
approved his AM purchase after he showed
a 2.6-year payback based on savings in
engineering-related functions, with an
emphasis on prototyping expenses and
engineering productivity.
DIGI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Digi designs and manufactures
wireless networking devises using WiFi, cellular, and ZigBee communication
standards. Their focus is on industrial,
commercial, and enterprise applications.
The efficiency of the AM process
promotes deployment of fixtures where
they previously did not exist.
[continued]
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 21
FEATURE STORY
Larsen said, “We didn’t even consider
operational labor on the production floor
in our initial justification for adding a
Fortus additive manufacturing machine.”
Within a year of purchasing the
machine, Digi expanded beyond
engineering into applications such as
fixtures with integrated masks for their
conformal coating process, which have
big operational savings.
Machined carrier with manually
applied tape for masking.
Many of Digi’s electronics require a
conformal coating to protect sensitive
components from the environment or to
maintain sterility. Historically, Digi would
purchase machined aluminum carriers
for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and
prior to the coating process, technicians
would manually apply tape to mask
uncoated components.
For a PCB in an outdoor product,
each board took 60 seconds for
technicians to apply and remove the tape.
Over its total production runs, the labor
cost would be $135,000.
FDM hybrid mask (black) shields PCB
components from conformal coating
(blue under ultraviolet light).
With hybrid carrier and masking
fixtures produced through FDM additive
manufacturing, Digi reduced masking labor
by 55 seconds per PCB for their outdoor
product, which will yield $123,750 in labor
savings. This single fixture has an annual
22 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
savings greater than that for all engineeringrelated AM applications combined. Larsen
acknowledged that this financial gain would
be possible with a machined alternative, but
noted that Digi had not considered it. With
small-batch productions, saving a minute
per board appeared to be a small benefit
that was countered by the time and effort
to have the hybrid masks machined by a
supplier. With an ever-present list of higher
priority projects, permanent masks for
conformal coating were considered “nice to
do when we have the time.” But that time
never came, at least until they had in-house
AM capabilities.
“We looked at our masking operation
and thought we’d give AM a try,” said
Larsen. “The risk was small because the
cost was low, the process was simple,
and it took very little time on the part
of engineering and manufacturing.
We had every reason to give additive
manufacturing a shot.”
Digi is glad that it tried AM masking.
According to Larsen, “When our costing
department ran the numbers, everyone was
shocked at how much AM had saved us.”
Before their work with AM, Oreck
took 30 days to complete their first article
inspections of 20 to 30 components for
a new product. After receiving the first
samples from production tooling, the QA
department would start making fixtures
and programming the CMM. On the
30th day, they would complete the CMM
inspection and release the program to the
production floor.
With AM, it has taken fixture making
and CMM programming off the critical
path. The QA team completes these tasks
well before the first articles arrive in the
inspection lab. Using AM to make part
replicas and CMM fixtures, Oreck creates
their inspection plan and starts their
CMM programming when a tooling order
is released, not after samples are received.
So, the QA department is ready and
waiting for arrival of the first samples.
ORECK MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Oreck, which is well known for their
commercial and consumer vacuums, was
an early adopter of AM-made jigs and
fixtures. In one case, they saved $65,000 by
lowering the fabrication costs of assembly
line pallets. But that amount is tiny when
compared to the return on investment
that resulted from efficiency gains in the
quality assurance department.
Assembly line pallet saved Oreck $65,000.
Over the past few years, Oreck has
used AM to make hundreds of inspection
fixtures for their coordinate measuring
machines (CMMs). On average, it saves
$200 and 6.5 days by not having them
machined. However, the most significant
financial gain is a conservatively
estimated $100,000 to $500,000 increase
in gross profit that could result from a 29day reduction in the time to market.
Using AM fixtures, Oreck completes
CMM programming before first
articles arrive.
“I can now easily inspect all of the first
articles for a new product in one day as
opposed to one month in the past,” said
Craig Ulmer, senior quality assurance
labs technician. “This means we can give
the go-ahead to start production one
month earlier.”
Even simple CMM fixtures can save
hours in the inspection process.
What is the financial gain from 29
days? Let’s run the numbers for a generic
consumer product that sells for $250. Gross
profit margin usually runs about 50 percent,
so each unit sold contributes $125 to gross
FEATURE STORY
profit. With annual sales of 10,000 units
(28 per day), the daily gross profit for this
product is $3,500. So, a 29-day decrease
in time to market increases gross profit by
$101,500. If you increase sales to 50,000
units per year, the additional gross profit
increases to $507,500.
With either estimate, the average AM
system would have less than a two-year
payback period if it were used for only
one first-article-inspection project.
In the 5S category, Gannon offered two
examples from the hundreds dispersed
throughout the Thogus production floor:
nozzle holder and knock-out rode holder.
Both of these 5S organizers are located at
each of the company’s 30 injection molding
presses. Operators turn to these holders
every time there is a change to a press setup.
RAPID PROTOTYPE +
MANUFACTURING, LLC. (RP+M)
RP+M is a strategic partner of Thogus
Products, a custom plastic injection
molding company. Located within Thogus’
plant on the outskirts of Cleveland
Ohio, RP+M’s impact on production is
obvious—brightly colored 3D-printed
production aids are everywhere.
According to Patrick Gannon,
engineering manager for RP+M, “Our
additive manufacturing processes are
the path of least resistance.” Like Digi,
he noted the efficiency of designing,
printing, and putting an aid in service.
The entire process usually takes only 2
to 24 hours.
That path of least resistance has
yielded a proliferation of manufacturing
aids that are crucial in Thogus’ push for
operational efficiency. Gannon cites the
tools that support Thogus’ 5S efforts, a
workplace organization and efficiency
discipline. The crux of 5S is a neat and
orderly workspace that places all tools
and components at hand.
Gannon noted that without additive
manufacturing, the majority of their 5S
organizational aids simply would not exist.
“If we outsourced manufacturing of these
tools, the value equation just doesn’t’ work.
With additive manufacturing, we see an
opportunity, design a tool, print it and put
it in service. It is that easy.
At Thogus/RP+M, production aids such as
the yellow safety shield and gray diverter
(foreground) have proliferated with AM.
FDM 5S organizer for hand tools
improves Thogus’ efficiency.
The nozzle holder eliminates seven
minutes when a press operator is looking
for the nozzle for a new setup. The
knockout-holder eliminates 10 minutes. At
Thogus’ burdened hourly rate, that results
in a savings of $4.70 per changeover, per
press. With 30 presses and an average of
150 changeovers per year, Thogus realizes
an annual savings of $21,150 each year
from just two simple organizational aids.
The total cost to make them was
$160.44. While this is approximately a
90 percent reduction versus outsourced
machine prices, Gannon doesn’t bother
to calculate these savings because
they are small when compared to
those on the production floor; the AM
justification is based on simplicity and
ease. “We know it costs less, takes less
time and requires less effort. We know
that it yields operational time savings on
the floor, so we just do it,” Gannon said.
fixtures, check gauges, and inspection
fixtures. “There are so many on the
floor, I stopped counting long ago,”
said Gannon. In the quality assurance
lab, he found on CMM fixture that is
typical in the inspection process. He
projects that this fixture will save Thogus
$23,625 by eliminating seven hours
from the inspection process for each
batch. Conservatively, Gannon expects
10 similar situations each year for a
total savings of $230,000. With results
like these, Thogus has easily justified its
investment in RP+Ms six FDM additive
manufacturing machines.
As Digi, Oreck, and Thogus / RP+M
have shown, financial justification of
a new AM system based solely on jigs
and fixtures can be quite easy and the
outcome quite profitable. The important
elements of these justifications are to
equate the ease and simplicity of AM
with more fixtures put into service. Then
carry the savings out to the production
floor to calculate labor reduction and
profit gains from getting product on the
shelves sooner. PM
References available upon request at
[email protected].
B KYLE is the vice president of strategic
development at the Saint Paul Port Authority
in Saint Paul, Minn. She can be reached at
[email protected].
Injection molding nozzles organized
in an additively manufactured
workholder to make them accessible
to press operators.
Thogus also uses AM-made workpiece holders on robotic arms, assembly
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 23
HALES MACHINE TOOL, INC.
763-553-1711 | www.halesmachinetool.com
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
Learn, Work, Earn
IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
by Anne Willaert, MnAMP State Director
The Minnesota Department
of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED) has projected
that over 1,500 manufacturing jobs will
be available in Minnesota each year for
the next 10 years. However, economic
and demographic trends have produced
a shortage of skilled technicians that
threaten sustained manufacturing
sector growth throughout the state.
To address this need, 12
geographically-dispersed community
colleges and two universities from the
Minnesota State College and University
System (MnSCU) formed the Minnesota
Advanced Manufacturing Partnership
(MnAMP) consortium.
MnAMP was created to help close the
"skills gap" in Minnesota by implementing
a structure for advanced manufacturing
education that builds on South Central
College President Dr. Annette Parker’s
work on President Obama’s Advanced
Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) 2.0
Steering Committee. This is a cross sector
national effort to secure U.S. leadership
in the emerging technologies that create
high-quality manufacturing jobs and
enhance America’s global competitiveness.
In September 2014, the U.S.
Department of Labor announced the round
four recipients of the Trade Adjustment
Assistance Community College and Career
Training (TAACCCT) Grants Program—
with South Central College receiving
$15 million for advanced manufacturing
education. To align training and fill jobs
across the state of Minnesota, MnAMP will
use this funding to establish and deliver the
Learn, Work, Earn project.
MnAMP’s overarching goal is to
implement a restructured academic
framework in advanced manufacturing
that emphasizes a statewide standardized
core curriculum, employer-driven
apprenticeships, and cooperative education
opportunities that lead to industryrecognized credentials in manufacturing.
The Learn, Work, Earn project focuses
on career pathways in advanced
manufacturing specific to mechatronics,
machining, and welding. Participants
will earn stackable, portable industryrecognized credentials while simultaneously
working in the industry. They will also have
the ability to enter academic programs at
multiple points based on assessment results
that match individual skills.
Manufacturing executives are
optimistic about future growth, but
"they continue to have difficulty finding
qualified workers to remain competitive
and sustain their growth," according to
the 2014 State of Manufacturing Survey
from Enterprise Minnesota. Gaps were
identified in the state’s current education
and training programs through various
focus groups that engaged employers
and educational partners. Based on best
practices and evidence-based research, the
MnAMP consortium developed the Learn,
continued
MINNESOTA ADVANCED
MANUFACTURING
PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS
Century College
Dakota County Technical College
Lake Superior College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community
and Technical College
Minnesota West Community
and Technical College
Normandale Community College
Northland Community & Technical College
Ridgewater College
Riverland Community College
Saint Paul College
South Central College
360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering
ATE Regional Center of Excellence
(Bemidji State University)
Minnesota Center for Engineering
& Manufacturing Excellence
(Minnesota State University, Mankato)
HAIMER
Tool Dynamic:
Highest balancing quality –
Innovatively simple yet
light years ahead.
Balancing Technology
Tooling Technology
Shrinking Technology
Measuring Instruments
Haimer USA, LLC | 134 E. Hill Street | Villa Park, IL 60181 | Phone: +1-630-833-1500 | Email: [email protected] | www.haimer-usa.com
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 25
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
Work, Earn project to meet both employer
and student needs across the state.
The evidenced-based components of the
Learn, Work, Earn project include four
main objectives:
1. Create seamless career pathways in
advanced manufacturing that offer
stackable and latticed industryrecognized credentials by:
Implementing a core curriculum
that directly aligns with the Certified
Production Technician Certification
awarded by Manufacturing Skills
Standards Council
Developing a consistent, competencybased approach to award credit
for prior learning that aligns with
national industry standards
2. Create/Update academic programs
in advanced manufacturing
to match employer needs and
industry-recognized credentials by:
Aligning curriculum with the National
Association of Manufacturers’
endorsed credentials (NCRC, MSSC,
NIMS, PMMI, and AWS)
Engaging employers, faculty, and
other stakeholders in development
of course content, coursework, and
learning experiences
3. Develop long-term collaborative
partnership with manufacturing
employers by:
Establishing employer-driven
apprenticeships and cooperative
education programs
Enhancing the image of
manufacturing and raising awareness
of high-wage jobs.
4. Improve job placement and
retention through learner support
and wrap around services by:
Implementing a plan that
emphasizes intrusive advising and
job-placement services
Improving basic academic skills
through integrated education and
occupational English services
The advantages and long term
sustainability efforts from this grant
will support manufacturing growth and
increase manufacturers’ ability to be
competitive statewide, nationally, and
globally. Learn, Work, Earn will align
the state education system and better
prepare Minnesotans for jobs that are in
high demand. MnAMP brings industry,
state leadership, public education, and
manufacturing associations together
to develop educational concepts that
will produce a highly-skilled workforce
to meet the demands of tomorrow’s
industry needs.
For more information on Learn,
Work, Earn, contact MnAMP
state director Anne Willaert at
[email protected]. PM
ANNE WILLAERT is the MnAMP state director.
She can be reached at
[email protected].
26 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
33%
NEGATIVELY
AFFECTED
27,000 JOBS
Minnesota manufacturing businesses
say their bottom line or their ability to
meet their growth plan in the coming
year will be negatively affected by the
shortage of qualified workers.
are posted by MN
manufacturing
businesses
SOURCE: Wanted Analytics,
August – November 2014
Connecting influencers,
educators, and manufacturers
with resources to develop the
future workforce
ONLY
2%
OF HIGH
SCHOOL
STUDENTS
SURVEYED
SELECTED MANUFACTURING
AS A CAREER OF INTEREST
SOURCE: Students Path
Online and Hands-on Education through
8 enrolling colleges
LECTURE is 100% ONLINE
with weekend intensive labs at college
partner sites for hands-on skills building
Explore our website
Share our Teacher Toolkit
Connect with more students using our Adopt-A-School Guide
•
•
•
•
Production Technologies
Automation Technologies
Welding Technology
Machine Technologist
TOUR OF MANUFACTURING Over 250 businesses have opened their doors for over 16,000 people
ROBOTICS Building middle school and high school students’ STEM skills and connecting them to high-tech manufacturing
360’s IMPACT
IS REAL
THE MANUFACTURING
TALENT REVOLUTION IS NOW.
HELP US MEET
THE CHALLENGE.
2,000+ more technicians are available
through our work
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March | April 2015
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30 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
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March | April 2015
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PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 31
QUALIT Y MAT TERS
Thumbs Up for
UNDERSTANDING SURFACE FINISH ANALYSIS
by Keith Summers
The educated thumbnail of an
experienced machinist gradually has
given way to an “alphabet soup” of surface
finish parameters from contact and noncontact surface analysis systems capable
of measuring to 1 millionth of an inch. To
some, this may seem as if technology has
been taken to an unnecessary extreme;
however, the changes can be traced to
actual needs in regular practice.
A great example of this occurred
at Unity Tool, Inc., in Dayton, Minn.
Unity is a contract manufacturer that
specializes in medical device components
requiring tight tolerances and exacting
workmanship. A component part
they had made for some time was
experiencing assembly and functional
problems for their customer.
The component was part of an
assembly that had rotating and sliding
motion; adherence to tolerances and
surface finish were critical. Analysis
by Unity’s ISO 9001:2008 and ISO
13485:2003 certified quality system
showed that the component was well
within its stated requirements. A meeting
with their customer resulted in a design
change, calling for a lower Ra (roughness
average value) for the part. Tooling
and process changes were made, and
subsequent parts passed at the more
demanding Ra level.
However, the problems being
experienced in assembly and function
did not improve to a satisfactory level.
An even lower surface finish value was
established and once again tooling
and process changes were made—and
subsequent parts passed at the even
more demanding Ra level. The problem
still persisted, and an in-depth analysis
showed all parts meeting the 5 microinch Ra requirement with a very
curious pattern of passing and failing:
a part with 4.5 Ra would pass and a
part with a 4.0 would fail. There was
no relationship between the smoother
32 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
FIGURE 1 - Ra: "Average Roughness"
Ra: 2.5um
Ra: 2.5um
Ra: 2.5um
FIGURE 2 - Describing a surface by its functional characteristics
Surface depth from highest peak to lowest valley.
finish and part functionality. When a
part would fail, it was determined that
the light lubricant used on the mating
surfaces had a very short functional life.
The lubricant was not breaking down—
it just did not maintain its properties in
the application over time.
Around this time, Mike Van Essen,
general manager at Unity, attended
a “Lunch and Learn” seminar at
Productivity Quality, Inc., on the basics
of surface finish analysis—and a few
new ideas about solving the problem
emerged. The eventual solution proved
to be: “Alphabet Soup to the Rescue!”
The Ra value used by the customer
controlled the average roughness;
however, the actual shape of the surface
could vary widely and still produce the
same Ra value because of “averaging.”
Consider the three examples Figure
1: all with the exact same .0025 mm
sponsored by |
continued
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QUALIT Y MAT TERS
Ra value. The top example has a few
deep valleys and a mostly smooth,
continuous surface at the top. The
valleys provide a place for lubrication
to gather, but they were few and far
between. The center example shows
lots of evenly spaced valleys—great for
lubrication holding. However, the thin
narrow peaks rapidly will wear away,
opening up tolerances between the
mating surfaces. The third surface may
be the best for this application: valleys
for lubrication holding and enough
material at the top surface to ensure
proper wear characteristics.
Unity, working with their customer,
George Hatcher from Productivity
Quality, and Mitutoyo’s surface and form
team, examined the use of Rk surface
finish values. Rk consists of 3 values:
Rpk, describing the peaks that will be
the first item to wear away during the
break in period; Rk, which describes
the depth of the functional surface that
will gradually wear during the products
entire life cycle; and Rvk, describing the
valleys that hold lubrication. Figure 2
shows the wear life of a substance and
the application of these parameters.
By identifying the requirements
for the surface using these three
parameters, a surface that had the
needed wear and lubrication holding
properties could be specified.
To verify this analysis and prove
product conformance, Unity invested in
a more capable surface analysis system
that could go beyond just Ra. In place of
their handheld, portable profilometer,
Unity acquired a Mitutoyo SJ 401 surface
analysis system on a bench top stand.
By using these parameters to guide
tooling and process decisions, a new
surface was produced that met the
customer’s needs for function and
durability. During the break-in period,
the highest peaks of the surface quickly
would wear away; yet, not to the point
where the surface failed to meet its
size and location requirements. The
material just below the peaks insured
a long functional life with gradual
wear, and the valleys at the bottom of
the surface held needed lubrication to
insure smooth operation throughout the
product’s life.
Most would have to agree—it would
have taken one highly educated thumb
nail to solve this problem! PM
KEITH SUMMERS is president at Productivity
Quality Inc. He can be reached at
[email protected].
34 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
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by Melissa DeBilzan
Agricultural Equipment
Manufacturers Harvest Weaker Sales
By 2030, there will be 8 billion mouths to feed on Earth. Demand for meat, grains, fruits,
and vegetables will increase by 60 percent. Yet, sales of agricultural equipment have been
relatively slow in recent months, which could have a trickle effect on job shops that supply
parts to agricultural OEMs.
Agricultural equipment consists of
farm field and farmstead machinery
used for the production of crops and
agricultural livestock. About 1,000
companies manufacture agricultural
equipment in the United States, including
many here the Midwest. They include
AGCO, which has a plant in Jackson,
Minn.; John Deere, headquartered in
Moline, Ill.; Case New Holland, which has
a plant in Benson, Minn.; and Mustang
Manufacturing Company, Inc., (formerly
Owatonna Manufacturing Company),
which has facilities in Madison, Wis., and
Yankton, S.D.
The price tag of agricultural equipment
varies widely. A tractor that covers a 400acre field could cost a farmer between
$40,000 and $200,000, while a grain
harvesting combine costs about $400,000.
Though new technology often
yields a high return on investment,
many farmers are delaying upgrades—
making the 2015 sales forecast for farm
equipment a bit cloudy.
According to the Association of
Equipment Manufacturers, U.S. farm
tractor sales were down 5.8 percent in
November of 2014, compared to the year
prior. Self-propelled combines were down
a whopping 56 percent compared to the
same time last year.
Dreary sales have forced many
agricultural equipment OEMs with
manufacturing locations in the Midwest
to make some tough business decisions.
AGCO, one of the largest agricultural
equipment manufacturers in the world,
saw their annual sales bloom 8 percent to
a record $10.8 billion in 2013. However,
demand for such equipment withered in
2014, with net sales dropping 8 percent
over the first nine months of the year. The
company didn't expect fourth quarter
results to be much better, projecting a 10
percent drop in net sales and a 15 percent
decline in production for the year.
In an effort to yield a better crop next
year, AGCO said their current focus is
on improving efficiencies, streamlining
vendors, shrinking inventories, and
reducing its workforce.
In November of 2014, AGCO cut 43
employees from their manufacturing
facility in Jackson, Minn., where the
industry's first self-propelled sprayer was
produced several years ago. Just over
1,000 people currently work at the facility.
AGCO said that they experienced
significant declines in sales of highhorsepower tractors, combines, and
sprayers in North America last year.
Sales also were down in other parts of
the world—including Europe, France,
Germany, and Brazil.
Similarly, John Deere had their
best year ever in 2013, delivering a
record income for the third year in a
row. However, they also experienced a
decline in equipment sales in 2014, and
are bracing for an even bigger dip in
2015. Last August, the company laid off
600 workers at plants in Illinois, Iowa,
and Kansas.
continued
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 37
FEATURE STORY
On the other hand, companies with
a more diverse sector base seem to be
faring a little better. The Toro Co., a
worldwide manufacturer of outdoor
equipment, reported a net sales increase
of 6.4 percent for their fiscal year ending
October 31, 2014. Similarly, sales at
Caterpillar, Inc., a company which
makes a variety of field equipment, is
expected to be up slightly in 2015.
If demand for food continues to grow,
what is the driving force behind sagging
agricultural equipment sales? Farm
income is the leading influence, both
domestically and around the world. The
revenue that farmers receive from selling
the commodity crops they grow is the
principal component of farm income.
Unfortunately, commodity prices—
particularly corn and soybeans—
dropped dramatically in 2014 due to
overproduction. Abundant yields drive
low prices, significantly affecting farmers'
profitability, since the crop ends up
costing more to produce than can be
may be softened to the extent that many
farmers in the United States and other
developed countries are likely to have
cash on hand and relatively low debt after
several years of strong income growth.
realized in the sale price. Low commodity
prices plagued the United States, Western
Europe, and Brazil last year.
As such, farm income (along with
sales) was down in 2014. Even before
the planting season began, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture predicted
that farm income would sink to levels
not seen in the last four years because of
falling commodity prices.
Another reason farmers may have
lagged in buying equipment is that
they can no longer take advantage of a
generous tax break. In 2013, they could
write off $500,000 worth of equipment,
compared to just $25,000 in 2014.
Some experts believe the agriculture
economy is entering a two- to three-year
period of relatively low profitability and
slow equipment sales will continue. The
USDA expects farm income to bottom
out in 2015, followed by a moderate rise
in the years to come.
The federal government believes the
blow to agricultural equipment sales
Planting seeds for future growth
Despite the fact that agricultural
equipment sales have been soggy, OEMs
are investing and outfitting machines
with the latest technology and are
optimistic about future growth.
Most people are familiar with the term
precision manufacturing; now, precision
agriculture is taking over the agriculture
field. Increasingly, farmers are operating
their farms like modern manufacturing
facilities to improve productivity.
Precision agriculture involves linking
GPS devices to machines in order to plant
the right number of seeds at the right
location with the right concentrations of
fertilizers and herbicides. The University of
Minnesota has created the first Precision
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38 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
FEATURE STORY
Today, many farmers use GPS-derived
products to enhance operations in their
farming businesses. Location information
is collected by GPS receivers for mapping
field boundaries, roads, irrigation systems,
and problem areas in crops such as weeds
or disease. Crop dusters equipped with GPS
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applying chemicals only where needed.
Other technologies also are cropping
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sensors to measure everything from
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field conditions; machine-to-machine
communication; and, yes, even 3D printing.
Fuse Technologies, launched by AGCO
in 2013, allows professional growers to
integrate seamlessly and connect all of
their farm equipment throughout the crop
cycle—regardless of the brand.
In addition to investing in new
technology, many OEMs are planning to
expand worldwide sales. Currently, most
U.S. agricultural equipment is exported to
other industrialized market economies,
such as Canada, Mexico, the European
Union, and developed economies in the
Pacific Basin. China and India—the world's
two largest agricultural economies—
represent promising long-term prospects.
In its latest annual report, AGCO
states that significant opportunity exists
to increase worldwide sales, noting an
immense amount of land in Russia,
Ukraine, and Kazakhstan being farmed
with inefficient machinery and inadequate
storage and handling capabilities.
Recognizing the significance of global
markets, AgriEvolution Alliance, a group
which advocates for global mechanization
of agriculture, forecasts a slight decrease
in agriculture equipment sales in 2015
before the next upswing, but notes that
industry output remains above the long‐
term average.
John Deere, like many of their
competitors, expects to see a sales
decrease in 2015 (about 15 percent), but
remains optimistic about their prospects
in the years ahead.
"Global trends based on population
growth and rising living standards remain
intact and are largely unaffected by
periodic swings in the farm economy,"
said chairman and CEO Sam Allen in the
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"At the same time, Deere’s plans for serving
a larger global customer base are making
good progress. As a result, we are confident
the company is positioned to earn solid
returns throughout the business cycle and
to realize substantial benefits from the
world’s growing need for food, shelter and
infrastructure in the years ahead.”
Like farming, agriculture equipment
sales are cyclical. A higher yield is just a
matter of time. PM
MELISSA DEBILZAN is a contributing writer for
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March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 39
SALES & MARKETING
Working with an Advertising and Marketing Agency
ADVICE FOR MANUFACTURERS
by Neal Linnihan and Sean Foy
product—like press brake tooling, for
example—requires business-to-business
marketing experience as well as specialized
knowledge of that particular market.
In this age of specialization, finding
an agency that truly understands a
manufacturer’s market challenge, their
industry, and their product and/or service
offering can provide a significant advantage.
As well as industry expertise,
an agency will have the marketing
knowledge, experience, and staff that
may not be available internally. Even with
internal marketing departments, many
manufacturers struggle with limited
budgets and resources.
While many manufacturers may
have limited capabilities in-house,
they still do not have the breadth of
specialized talents that are required to
build a powerful brand
effectively and really
help build the business.
Agencies can provide a
full staff of writers, digital
strategists, art directors,
videographers, media
buyers, public relations
specialists, and other
experts, which saves
manufacturers the time
and costs associated with
staffing these positions.
As well as staff and
expertise, advertising
agencies can offer a broad,
objective perspective of
overall goals, strategies,
and tactics that otherwise
might not be considered
internally. Working with
Productivity Inc is an authorized FANUC robotics integrator,
an agency with a solid
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demonstrates they know
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doesn’t—in these types of
[email protected]
specialized industries.
or 763.476.8600
Digital strategy is
Productivity Inc • 15150 25th Ave. N. • Plymouth, MN 55447 • 763.476.8600 • productivity.com
becoming a tremendous
Your brand, messaging, and
value propositions are vital to your
manufacturing company’s success.
Maybe you’ve leveraged these assets with
advertising and marketing efforts in the
past, but you just haven’t seen the results.
Or maybe you’ve seen the results, but the
budget just isn’t there anymore.
Working with an advertising and
marketing agency has numerous benefits
for manufacturers, and the trick to finding
the right relationship and best strategies
takes a little research. However, it can
garner a significant return on investment
(ROI) in the end.
The first step in finding the right agency
for your manufacturing business is to
look for an agency that understands and
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Marketing a technical manufacturing
Custom Automation
SOLUTIONS
40 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
force in successfully marketing specialized
companies in the manufacturing industry.
Because these types of strategies and tactics
are easy to track and evaluate, determining
ROI is much easier compared to traditional
advertising.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC), retargeting, search
engine optimization (SEO), and other
search engine marketing (SEM) tactics are
becoming increasingly more valuable to
manufacturers as they employ strategies to
reach customers in specialized markets.
Entering into the digital realm can
be a leap for some manufacturers who
are accustomed to a more traditional
advertising and marketing plan. But with
an integrated approach, digital strategy can
help companies leverage traditional tactics
and provide a substantial and measurable
boost to your overall marketing.
An agency that produces quality work
with effective results will help showcase
your brand, message, products, and
services in a light above the competition.
Working with an agency that knows your
business and understands the challenges
of manufacturers gives you an edge over
an agency that may be good at what they
do, but may not understand the nuances
of specialized industries.
Collaboration is a big part of working
with an agency. The more an agency
knows about you and your business
challenges, the more they can help you
meet your goals and objectives.
People work with people they like.
An agency that is willing to sit down with
you, serve as an extension of your business
and truly take a partnership approach to
working together, is a huge asset. Like any
relationship—personal or professional—
when you like the people, you’re usually
pleased with the process and the results. PM
NEAL LINNIHAN AND SEAN FOY are
partners and owners of Linnihan Foy
Advertising in Minneapolis, Minn. They can
be contacted at [email protected] and
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Tel. +1 973 618 2500
[email protected]
www.DoosanMachineToolsUSA.com
Midwestern Technical Center
1701 F Howard Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007
Western Technical Center
488 W. Meats Avenue, Orange, CA 93865
Save the Date: May 5 - 8, 2015
HALES MACHINE TOOL
2015 OPEN
HOUSE
|
763-553-1711
www.halesmachinetool.com
MEMBER DIREC TORY
Lifetime Members
Dr. James Bensen
(218) 755-2950
[email protected]
Dave Yeager
(320) 564-3937
[email protected]
Aerotek
Anoka Technical College
Black Line Group
C-Axis Inc.
Aggressive Hydraulics, Inc.
Anoka-Ramsey
Community College
BlackHawk Industrial,
St. Cloud Division
CBIZ MHM, LLC
Applied Vacuum Technologies, Inc.
Blanski Peter Kronlage & Zoch, P.A.
APT CNC Inc.
Bodycote Thermal Processing
ARC (Advanced Research Corp.)
Boring Machine Corporation
Challenge Machine
& Manufacturing Inc.
Arrow Cryogenics, Inc.
Bowman Tool & Machining
Checker Machine, Inc.
Associated Bank
Braas Company
Cheetah Precision, Inc.
Atscott Manufacturing
Company, Inc.
Branch Manufacturing
Company, Inc.
Chuck's Grinding, Inc.
Aurora Micro Machine
Brenk Brothers, Inc.
Automated
Briggs and Morgan, P.A.
Dylan Ballantine
(763) 989-5801
[email protected]
Wes Maack
(763) 792-4000
[email protected]
Nick Graff
(763) 576-4700
[email protected]
Agility Machine Tool, Inc.
Jon Olson
(763) 433-1201
[email protected]
Agrimson Tool Company, Inc.
Perry Henderson
(952) 856-1082
[email protected]
Air Engineering & Supply, Inc.
Brian Mayo
(507) 931-5425
[email protected]
Mark Hockley
(612) 418-8743
[email protected]
Aitkin Iron Works, Inc.
Matthew Dugas
(651) 789-9000
[email protected]
Kenneth Johnson
(651) 633-1994
[email protected]
Alerus Financial
Curt Salo
(763) 780-3367
[email protected]
Alexandria Industries
Mike Atherley
(651) 306-1625
[email protected]
Dr. Fred Zimmerman
(952) 935-0678
[email protected]
Alumni
Dick Clifford
(612) 961-7175
[email protected]
Dave Fiedler
(763) 245-6771
[email protected]
Marv Peterson
(612) 867-5804
[email protected]
Rich Pogue
(612) 965-8604
[email protected]
360º Mfg & Applied Engineering,
ATE Regional Ctr of Excellence
Karen White
(218) 755-2208
[email protected]
401 Manufacturing Inc.
Mike Anderson
(763) 205-9040
[email protected]
A. Finkl & Sons Co.
Ted Gabel
(612) 724-8967
[email protected]
A-1 Engineering
Todd Craft
(763) 786-8710
[email protected]
ABA Water Systems, Inc.
Tim Weaver
(800) 257-1271
[email protected]
Abrasive Specialists, Inc.
Jaime Olsen
(763) 571-4111
[email protected]
Accu-Prompt, Inc.
Scott Hoffmann
(763) 783-1020 X16
[email protected]
Ace Cutter Grinding, Inc.
Kyle Anderson
(763) 314-0255
[email protected]
aCoupleofGurus.com LLC
Keith Schoolcraft
(612) 454-4878
[email protected]
AeroSystems Engineering
Datona Lo
(651) 220-1320
[email protected]
Brian Holcomb
(763) 792-8502
[email protected]
Gary Agrimson
(763) 566-3446
[email protected]
David Maurer
(612) 332-4181
[email protected]
Jeffrey Chatelle
(218) 927-2400
[email protected]
Lisa Moncrief
(952) 417-3768
[email protected]
Tom Jensen
(800) 568-6601
[email protected]
Alexandria Pro-Fab Co., Inc.
Donald Wilkins
(320) 852-7918
[email protected]
John Norris
(320) 629-2501
[email protected]
Scott Schmidt
(763) 550-0111
[email protected]
Ken Voigt
(320) 253-1020
[email protected]
Gary Turnquist, CPA
(763) 253-1138
[email protected]
Mike Cornelius
(952) 944-5500
[email protected]
Tom Chacon
(763) 786-0100
[email protected]
Angela Bowman
(507) 286-1400 X103
[email protected]
Matt Gallagher
(952) 937-8902
[email protected]
Tim Fairbanks
(651) 674-4441
[email protected]
Eric Hawkinson
(612) 376-1264
[email protected]
Central Lakes College-Staples
Christopher Hadfield
(218) 894-5172
[email protected]
Central McGowan, Inc.
Brian Semroska
(320) 252-5292
[email protected]
Carrie Betland
(763) 231-8400
[email protected]
Steve Lipinski
(763) 544-5000
[email protected]
Manfred Niedernhoefer
(651) 633-4566
[email protected]
Mike Reuter
(952) 361-4308
[email protected]
Cinch Connectivity Solutions
Jeff Norell
(507) 833-6515
[email protected]
Alexandria Technical
& Community College
Eric Nelson
(763) 452-2942
[email protected]
All Tech Machinery & Supply
Randy Squier
(763) 576-6946
[email protected]
Chuck Johnson
(612) 977-8680
[email protected]
Baillie Sales & Engineering, Inc.
Alliance Metrology, Inc.
Mark Baillie
(952) 546-2960
[email protected]
BTD Tooling Division
BankCherokee
CAB Construction
CNH Machine |
A True North Company
Barry & Sewall Industrial Supply
Carley Foundry, Inc.
Columbia Gear Corp.
AmeriStar Manufacturing Inc
Batten Tool & Machine, Inc.
Carlson Advisors, LLP
Columbia Precision Machine Corp.
Anderson Automatics, Inc.
BDO USA, LLP
Cass Screw Machine
Products Company
Comet Tool, Inc.
Laura Urban, Ph.D.
(888) 234-1313
[email protected]
Tom Sobetski
(612) 423-4663
[email protected]
Bryn Hartwig
(763) 493-0026
[email protected]
American Machine
& Gundrilling Co., Inc.
Chuck Berg, Jr.
(763) 425-3830
[email protected]
Alesha Sacco
(507) 625-1515
[email protected]
Doug Anderson
(763) 533-2206
[email protected]
Anderson Dahlen, Inc.
David Knoll
(763) 852-4700
[email protected]
Andrew Tool
& Machining Company
Bruce Hanson
(763) 559-0402
[email protected]
Anertec & Gandy Company
Douglas Snorek
(507) 444-0092
[email protected]
42 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
Roger Hamilton
(651) 291-6263
[email protected]
Steve Olson
(612) 331-6170
[email protected]
Dan Batten
(952) 942-9198
[email protected]
Chris Link
(952) 842-9689
[email protected]
Craig Rix
(952) 469-2423
[email protected]
Karla Hansen
(507) 625-2233
[email protected]
Kevin Stensrud
(763) 205-8933
[email protected]
Melvin Enger
(763) 535-8150
[email protected]
Beaver Machine & Tool Inc.
Steve Wise
(763) 535-0501
[email protected]
Bemis Healthcare Packaging, Inc.
Noam Newman
(612) 347-9347
[email protected]
Bermo Inc.
Dave Brown
(763) 795-1537
[email protected]
Bizal Manufacturing Co.
Jim Walker
(612) 212-9783
[email protected]
Jay Groth
(763) 535-2204
[email protected]
Leigh Asleson
(507) 625-1131
[email protected]
Nancy Hartman
(763) 786-7676
[email protected]
Mike Bizal, Jr.
(763) 571-4030
[email protected]
March | April 2015
Jeff Brenk
(763) 784-5621
[email protected]
Jeff Haley
(763) 478-8982
[email protected]
Cassidy Turley
Castle Metals
Castrol Industrial NA
Cirrus Aircraft
Suzi Dillon
(218) 788-3375
[email protected]
Cities Advanced Machinery
Harry Youtsos
(952) 944-6060
[email protected]
Steve Swain
(763) 572-0662
[email protected]
Jim Hill
(320) 356-7301
[email protected]
Gilbert Baldwin
(952) 890-1003
[email protected]
Jim Freitag
(952) 935-3798
[email protected]
Command Tooling Systems LLC
Bahti Hanedar
(763) 576-6910
[email protected]
Concept Machine Tool Sales, Inc.
Craig Conlon
(763) 559-1975
[email protected]
Condux International
Doug Mulder
(507) 387-8063
[email protected]
Construction Results Corporation
Mark Snyder
(763) 559-1100
[email protected]
MEMBER DIREC TORY
Continental Engr. & Mfg., Inc.
Domaille Engineering LLC
Fluid Management Incorporated
Hoff Online Auctions
Kaeser Compressors, Inc.
Corchran, Inc
Dotson Iron Castings
Fox Valley Metrology
Houck Machine Company
Kato Engineering Inc.
CorTrust Bank
Douglas Finishing
Fraisa USA, Inc.
Huot Manufacturing Company
KayHarris Real Estate Consultants
Craft, Pattern & Mold
DS&B Certified Public Accountants,
Consultants & Advisors
Frandsen Bank & Trust
Hutchinson Manufacturing, Inc.
KDV
Froehling Anderson
ICA Corporation
KLC Financial, Inc.
Glenn Metalcraft, Inc.
IFS-Industrial Fabrication
Services, Inc.
Korin Electronics Repair & Assembly
Eric Andersen
(952) 448-4771
[email protected]
Tom Westphal
(507) 833-0229
[email protected]
Tim Swanson
(651) 289-5000
[email protected]
Anthony Cremers
(763) 675-3169
[email protected]
Don Hickerson
(507) 281-0275
[email protected]
Mark Maas
(507) 345-5018
[email protected]
Jeff Powers
(320) 762-6235
[email protected]
CRTechnical
Clint Seehusen
(612) 630-5084
[email protected]
Custom Mold & Design LLC
E. J. Daigle
(612) 381-8172
[email protected]
D & B Plating Company
Dale Hanken
(763) 425-5005
[email protected]
D/F Machine Specialties, Inc.
Steve Kalina
(763) 792-1278
[email protected]
Dahlquist Machine Inc.
Julie Ulrich
(763) 784-7400
[email protected]
Tom Wolden
(763) 560-6015
[email protected]
Bruce Cerepak
(763) 535-2334
[email protected]
Vince Wheeler
(763) 784-8038
[email protected]
Steve Moerke
(507) 625-6200
[email protected]
Jeff Dahlquist
(763) 755-7575
[email protected]
Dakota County Technical College
Larry Lewis
(651) 423-8276
[email protected]
Datum-A-Industries, Inc.
Eric Geyen
(763) 479-1133
[email protected]
David Olson Sales Co., Inc.
Clinton Olson
(612) 722-9523
[email protected]
Dayton Rogers of Minnesota, LLC
John Madsen
(763) 717-6340
[email protected]
Deco Tool Supply Co.
Kevin Corrigan
(763) 537-7762
[email protected]
Diamond Tool & Engineering, Inc.
Kent Smith
(218) 924-4024
[email protected]
Die Technology, Inc.
Dale Skoog
(763) 424-9677
[email protected]
Digital Tool & Automation
Dave Ackland
(763) 421-0400
[email protected]
DMG MORI Ellison Technologies
Dale Mortier
(763) 545-9699
[email protected]
DMS Corporation
Derek Nichols
(651) 452-1017
[email protected]
Dunwoody College of Technology
Duo-Tec Tool Company
Dynamic Group
Eagle Tool & Design Co.
Eckberg, Lammers, Briggs,
Wolff & Vierling, PLLC
Michael McCain
(651) 351-2102
[email protected]
Engineered Finishing Corp.
Danforth Messerly
(763) 785-9278
[email protected]
Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.
John Connelly
(612) 373-2900
[email protected]
Epicor Software Corporation
Christine Hansen
(952) 417-5161
[email protected]
Erickson Metals of MN, Inc.
Luke Harned
(763) 785-2340
[email protected]
ERMC
Todd McChesney
(763) 441-1581
[email protected]
Exact JobBOSS
Michael Stadelman
(952) 837-1513
[email protected]
Excelsior Tool Company, Inc.
Gary Lostetter
(763) 479-3355
[email protected]
Roger Novitzki
(612) 378-2580
[email protected]
Julie Moravec
(651) 600-2992
[email protected]
Mathieu Tapp
(651) 636-8488
[email protected]
Eric Gundersen
(651) 407-5726
[email protected]
Gary Dosdall
(952) 979-3100
[email protected]
Joseph Glenn
(763) 389-5355
[email protected]
Dennis Hoff
(612) 234-8006
[email protected]
Steve Kingdon
(763) 566-3792
[email protected]
Tom Daggett
(320) 587-4653
[email protected]
Steve Hoaglund
(763) 428-2800
[email protected]
Graco Inc.
Granger Machine, Inc.
Jesse Schelitzche
(952) 922-9311
[email protected]
H & F Manufacturing, Inc.
Rob Clark
(763) 717-7016 X 1119
[email protected]
Haberman Machine, Inc.
Brett Wharton
(952) 334-5507
[email protected]
Hales Machine Tool, Inc.
Mike Antolik
(952) 474-2628
[email protected]
Heather Bittle
(612) 623-6431
[email protected]
Mike Parker
(763) 444-3725
[email protected]
Steve Farniok
(763) 493-5606
[email protected]
Scott Ness
(651) 777-4511
[email protected]
Dan Hales
(763) 553-1711
[email protected]
Hamilton & Monroe, LLC
Chad Marquardt
(952) 303-4099 X101
[email protected]
Hamre Designs LLC
Paul Hamre
(651) 261-4673
[email protected]
Hard Chrome, Inc.
Dick Walters
(612) 788-9451
[email protected]
Steve Magnuson
(952) 473-5485 X 119
[email protected]
Lake Superior College
Max Udovich
(218) 733-7631
[email protected]
Lakeland Tool & Engineering, Inc.
Marty Sweerin
(763) 422-8866
[email protected]
LaMott Enterprises, Inc.
Steve LaMott
(763) 781-0001
[email protected]
John Lenz
(763) 421-0114
[email protected]
Lane Company
Dan Tall
(612) 379-2018
[email protected]
J. B. Testing, Inc.
Larkin Hoffman Daly
& Lindgren Ltd.
Jet Edge, Inc.
Mark Geier
(952) 835-3800
[email protected]
Linders Specialty Company, Inc.
JIT Manufacturing, Inc.
Dan Linders
(651) 488-0528
[email protected]
Gene Wehner
(763) 425-7995
[email protected]
Federated Insurance
Hibbing Fabricators, Inc.
K & G Manufacturing Co.
Sandy Bryant
(218) 262-5575
[email protected]
Lake Engineering, Inc.
J&J Machine, Inc.
Jones Metal Products Inc
Jeff Stevenson
(507) 455-5368
[email protected]
Brad Severson
(763) 546-0994
[email protected]
Lou Cowart
(763) 519-1527
[email protected]
HEXIS
Andrew Skoog
(612) 804-1143
[email protected]
Lake Air Metal Stamping LLC
ISC Companies Inc.
Fastenal Manufacturing
Tim Borkowski
(507) 453-8000
[email protected]
Joe LaBonne
(763) 434-6108
[email protected]
Daniel Meyer
(320) 656-1241
[email protected]
Heritage Construction
Companies, LLC
Andy Christensen
(763) 633-4080
[email protected]
La Machine Shop, Inc.
International Precision
Machining, Inc.
Falls Fabricating LLC
Mike Rott
(320) 632-2322
[email protected]
Steve Carlsen
(763) 572-4550
[email protected]
Industrial Waste Services, Inc.
Hennepin Technical College
Mike McGee
(763) 488-2648
[email protected]
Kurt Manufacturing Company Inc.
Industrial Tool Solutions
Nancy Lauseng
(763) 497-8700
[email protected]
Lindquist + Vennum LLP
Jonaco Machine LLC
Karla Vehrs
(612) 371-2449
[email protected]
Bill Russell
(952) 448-5544
[email protected]
Lion Engineering Plastics, Inc.
Toby Begnaud
(507) 625-4436
[email protected]
Bob Basiago
(507) 334-5501
[email protected]
March | April 2015
Gary Voggesser
(952) 563-6800
[email protected]
Tom Korin
(612) 889-6435
[email protected]
INCERTEC
Jeff Boisvert
(763) 795-9690
[email protected]
Kay Harris, CCIM, M.Ed.
(952) 915-4444
[email protected]
Spencer Thomas
(952) 224-4303
[email protected]
ImaGineering Machine Inc.
Hegman Machinery, LLC A Div. of Morris Group, Inc.
Douglas Spence
(763) 242-7867
[email protected]
Russell Scheller
(507) 345-2720
[email protected]
John Huot
(651) 646-1869
[email protected]
Matt Doherty
(507) 726-6000
[email protected]
Matt McCorkle
(855) 523-7373
[email protected]
Scott King
(952) 641-6300
[email protected]
Lion Precision
Don Martin
(651) 484-6544
[email protected]
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 43
MEMBER DIREC TORY
Litin Paper Company
John Hanson
(612) 607-5735
[email protected]
Lockton Companies
Bill Spence
(763) 512-8605
[email protected]
Lou-Rich, Inc.
Randy Eggum
(507) 377-5330
[email protected]
Lubrication Technologies, Inc.
Luke Bame
(651) 636-7990
[email protected]
Lyndex Nikken
Craig Schepers
(847) 367-4800
[email protected]
M. Vincent & Associates, Ltd.
David Hannah
(952) 884-7733
[email protected]
Machine Tool Supply Corp.
Troy Kerin
(651) 452-4400
[email protected]
Machining Technology
Laurent Deconinck
(763) 571-1772
[email protected]
Mack Engineering Corp.
Jennifer Salisbury
(612) 721-2471
[email protected]
Maintecx Machine Tool LLC
Rolf Biekert
(612) 886-3386
[email protected]
Manufacturing Solutions of MN Inc.
Jim Lemons
(651) 294-7790
[email protected]
Marr Valve Company,
a Div. of Specialty Mfg.
Chad Gregoire
(320) 564-4279
[email protected]
Martin Calibration Inc.
Rick Brion
(952) 882-1528
[email protected]
Massman Automation Designs, LLC
Jeff Bigger
(320) 554-3611
[email protected]
Master Tool & Die, Inc.
Tony Trabant
(651) 454-2536
[email protected]
Metal Craft Machine
& Engineering, Inc.
Trisha Mowry
(763) 441-1855
[email protected]
Metal Services of
Blooming Prairie, Inc.
Dennis Heimerman
(507) 583-2144
[email protected]
MHTA-Minnesota
High Tech Association
Andrew Wittenborg
(952) 230-4555
[email protected]
MICO, Inc.
John (Sonny) Suserud
(507) 625-6426
[email protected]
Micro Parts Inc.
Robert Nichols
(651) 452-1017
[email protected]
Micro-Matics Inc.
Rick Paulson
(763) 780-2700
[email protected]
Midland Technologies, Inc.
Susan Dubay
(763) 428-4229
[email protected]
Midwest CAM Solutions, Inc.
Richard Lord
(763) 560-6567
[email protected]
Precision Tool Technologies, Inc.
Omnitool, Inc.
PRI Robotics
On Time Delivery Service, Inc.
Principal Financial Group
Orca Machine Tools, Inc.
Pro Fabrication, Inc.
MRG Tool and Die Corp.
Otto Packaging Midwest-Pallet
Recycling Div.
Production Engineering Corp.
MultiSource Mfg LLC
Panther Precision Machine, Inc.
Nanotech Machinery Solutions, Inc.
Park Precision Machining Inc.
National Quality Assurance, USA
Parker Hannifin
Productivity Quality Inc /
Advanced Inspection Services LLC
NETTwork Mfg. Inc.
Pequot Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
Professional Instruments
Company, Inc.
Roger Holland
(507) 453-2700
[email protected]
Modified Tool, Inc.
John Kruse
(218) 763-6030
[email protected]
Mold-Tech, Inc.
Jon Lee
(763) 497-7500
[email protected]
Morrissey, Inc.
Steve Mealman
(952) 698-2310
[email protected]
Mike Gramse
(507) 334-1847
[email protected]
Gary Hadley
(952) 933-5550
[email protected]
Kevin Manion
(763) 425-6266
[email protected]
Midwest Steel Supply Company
Millerbernd Laser
Paul Huseby
(507) 233-2908
[email protected]
Milltronics CNC Machines
Jarmo Kumpula
(320) 234-0330
[email protected]
MINNCOR Industries
Ray Van Allen
(651) 778-3374
[email protected]
Brandon Walton
(612) 333-6868
[email protected]
Farid Currimbhoy
(612) 805-2474
[email protected]
Sara Dvorak
(952) 442-1410
[email protected]
Brenda Chandler
(651) 361-7500
[email protected]
Minnesota Business Magazine
Med-Tek, Inc.
Minnesota Grinding, Inc.
Meier Tool & Engineering, Inc.
Minnesota Waterjet, Inc.
Tom Murphy
(763) 427-6275
[email protected]
Olympic Steel, Inc.
Kevin Calgren
(612) 315-7100
[email protected]
Matsuura Machinery USA
Randy Duffy
(612) 789-3527
[email protected]
MN State College,
Southeast Technical
Midwest Machine Tool Supply
Minneapolis Community
& Tech. College
John Schwartz
(651) 289-9700
[email protected]
Kevin Ryan
(952) 933-0993
[email protected]
Aaron Netter
(320) 654-8352
[email protected]
Doug Eliason
(763) 571-3550 X29
[email protected]
Kim Munson
(612) 659-6093
[email protected]
Tamara Prato
(612) 548-3240
[email protected]
David Schranck
(763) 535-4445
[email protected]
Doug Leaser
(763) 427-9200 X204
[email protected]
44 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING
March | April 2015
Precision Punch & Plastic, Co. Inc.
Pat Mullins
(763) 780-1420
[email protected]
Kirsten Smith
(603) 818-9258
[email protected]
Eric Lipke
(320) 455-0535
[email protected]
NTM, Inc.
Jean Nelson
(651) 259-6963
[email protected]
Midwest Industrial
Tool Grinding, Inc.
Mate Precision Tooling
Joe Schneider
(763) 421-0230
[email protected]
Minnwest Bank Metro
Tom Ehlers
(763) 544-7100 X 70482
[email protected]
Walter Waffensmith
(763) 535-4240
[email protected]
Tim Holtan
(952) 884-4060
[email protected]
Theron Horn
(763) 494-9825
[email protected]
Drew Engleman
(651) 488-0474
[email protected]
Tom Olson
(763) 586-9651
[email protected]
Bob Tummel
(763) 754-8273
[email protected]
Carsa Spaude
(507) 233-2305
[email protected]
Michael Goerges
(218) 568-8069
[email protected]
Jim Goerges
(218) 454-0434 X1709
[email protected]
Scott Nelson
(763) 450-4381
[email protected]
Alyssa Kreutzfeldt
(651) 287-5469
[email protected]
Letetia Klebel
(507) 243-3441
[email protected]
Mike Albers
(612) 788-9123
[email protected]
Production Tool & Mfg, Inc.
Mark Boesch
(763) 559-5746
[email protected]
Productivity Inc
Greg Buck
(763) 476-8600
[email protected]
Keith Summers
(763) 249-8130
[email protected]
Perfection Grinding, Inc.
Paul Arneson
(952) 933-1222
[email protected]
Permac Industries
Brian Pascoe
(952) 361-5598 X 12
[email protected]
Nordic Components, Inc.
Pine Technical College
Troy Holien
(763) 712-1626
[email protected]
Northern Iron & Machine
Plastics International
Network Medics, Inc.
New Ulm Precision Tool, Inc.
Darell Stern
(763) 571-1052
[email protected]
Darlene Miller
(952) 894-7231
[email protected]
Julie Dillenburg
(320) 629-5112
[email protected]
Paul Carter
(952) 934-2303
[email protected]
Northland Screw Products, Inc.
Powder Coating Technologies, Inc.
Northstar Aerospace
Precise Products Corporation
Northwest Machine Technologies
Precision
Northwest Swiss-Matic, LLC
Precision Coatings, Inc.
NTI School of Technology /
Globe University
Precision Machine Tool
James Martinson
(763) 753-3628
[email protected]
Gary Corradi
(218) 966-2229
[email protected]
Tony Bailey
(763) 493-3660
[email protected]
Wade Halseth
(763) 544-4222
[email protected]
Lee Petersen
(651) 714-7377
[email protected]
Kent Kienitz
(763) 559-4779
[email protected]
Darrell Freitag
(612) 522-2141 X 125
[email protected]
Jamie Durand
(763) 784-1704
[email protected]
Linda Grundtner
(651) 641-0878
[email protected]
Phil Harry
(651) 717-8048
[email protected]
ProtoTek Engineering, Inc.
QDP Technologies, Inc.
Qualitek Engineering
& Manufacturing Inc.
Michael Nepsund
(763) 544-9507
[email protected]
Quality & Service Machine
Tool Company
Bill Lidfors
(952) 935-8616
[email protected]
Quality Contour
Bryan Bernloehr
(952) 985-5050
[email protected]
Quality Machine of IA, Inc. MN Div.
Tim Greene
(763) 560-3955
[email protected]
Quality Metals, Inc.
Jason King
(651) 645-5875
[email protected]
Quazar Capital Corporation
Bruce Behm
(763) 550-9000
[email protected]
ADVERTISERS'
INDEX
A B A Water Systems, Inc. ........... 17
www.abawatersystems.com
All Tech Machinery ................ 38, 39
www.alltechmachinery.com
Anoka Ramsey ............................. 28
www.anokatech.edu
Bemidji State / 360 ..................... 27
www.360mn.org
Carley Foundry, Inc. ..................... 4
www.carleyfoundry.com
Central Lakes College ................ 28
www.clcmn.edu
Dunwoody College
of Technology .............................. 29
www.dunwoody.edu
Federated Insurance............... 3 ,16
www.federatedinsurance.com
Haimer, USA ................................ 25
www.haimer-usa.com
Hegman Machinery ................... 19
www.hegmanmachinery.com
Hales Machine Tool, Inc.
................... 6, 9, 12, 20, 24, 35, 41, 46
www.halesmachinetool.com
Hennepin Technical College ........ 29
www.hennepintech.edu
Lake Community Bank .............. 16
www.lcbankmn.com
Lubrication Technologies, Inc. .... 34
www.lubetech.com
Midwest CAM Solutions, Inc. ...... 4
www.midwestcamsolutions.com
MRG Tool and Die ........................ 11
www.mrgtoolanddie.com
Normandale Community
College ......................................... 30
www.normandale.edu
Plastics International ................ BC
www.plasticsintl.com
Productivity Inc .............. IFC, 36, 40
www.productivity.com
MEMBER DIREC TORY
R & M Manufacturing Co. LLC
Solution Dynamics, Inc.
ThePurchasingDept LLC
Victory Tool, Inc.
Radan - Vero Software
South Central College
Thomas Engineering Company
VistaTek, LLC
Redpath and Company
S-T Industries, Inc.
Timesavers LLC
Volt Workforce Solutions
Replenex, Inc.
St. Cloud Tech & Comm College
Tooling Science, Inc.
Von Ruden Manufacturing, Inc.
Ridgewater College
St. Paul College-A Comm.
& Tech. College
Top Tool Company
V-TEK, International
Austin Peggy
Young
(507) 433-0602
[email protected]
States Manufacturing Corporation
Toyoda Machinery USA,
Upper Midwest Tech Center
W.P. & R.S. Mars Company
Riverside Manufacturing, Inc.
Stone Machinery, Inc.
TSI Plastics, Inc.
rms
SYNCHRONO
Tuv Sud America Inc.
Roberts Automatic Products, Inc.
T. Bryce & Associates, Inc.
Twin City EDM
& Manufacturing, Inc.
Todd Dyste
(763) 574-9225
[email protected]
Doug Wood
(651) 982-0100 X5502
[email protected]
Gloria McDonnell
(651) 426-7000
[email protected]
Tom Folska
(952) 943-4715
[email protected]
Dale Bomstad
(320) 234-8568
[email protected]
Riverland Community College-
Scott Robertson
(763) 274-2193
[email protected]
Lee Zachman
(763) 786-1520
[email protected]
Ted Roberts
(612) 384-3999
[email protected]
RTI Remmele Medical
Al Germscheid
(763) 263-2636
[email protected]
Saint Paul Port Authority
B. Kyle
(651) 204-6241
[email protected]
Sandvik Coromant
John Depies
(715) 410-1521
[email protected]
SCHUNK, Inc.
Matt Steele
(800) 772-4865
[email protected]
Schwing America, Inc.
Arne King
(651) 653-5433
[email protected]
SCT (Scientific Cutting Tools)
Productivity Quality .................. 33
www.pqi.net
Todd White
(800) 383-2244 X 101
[email protected]
ProtoTek Engineering, Inc. ........ IBC
www.prototek-engineering.com
Setco
Ridgewater College ................... 30
www.ridgewater.edu
Smith Foundry Co. ...................... 11
www.smithfoundry.com
South Central College ................ 31
www.southcentral.edu
Walter R. Hammond Co. ............ 26
www.walterhammond.com
Jim Broz
(612) 719-3440
[email protected]
Silvertip Associates, Inc.
Dale Peterson
(763) 717-0773
[email protected]
Smith Foundry Company
Jim Pint
(612) 729-9395
[email protected]
Sodick, Inc.
Joel Manns
(651) 319-7259
[email protected]
Russ Bengtson
(952) 854-1415
[email protected]
Tom Kammer
(507) 389-7336
[email protected]
Melanie Johnson
(800) 326-2039
[email protected]
Bruce Peterson
(320) 308-6639
[email protected]
Cheryl Beaumier
(651) 846-1600
[email protected]
John Johnston
(763) 588-0536
[email protected]
Tom Drazkowski
(651) 778-8887
[email protected]
Pam Bednar
(651) 783-6145
[email protected]
Terry Bryce
(763) 449-9900
[email protected]
Tom McGovern
(612) 306-9586
[email protected]
Tim Aberwald
(763) 533-1501
[email protected]
Robert Williams
(763) 488-6600
[email protected]
TBEI / Crysteel Mfg
TC Clipper Company
Ben Minger
(612) 331-8895
[email protected]
TEAM Industries
Nicole Ellos
(763) 271-5218
[email protected]
Teamvantage Molding LLC
James Dolezal
(612) 823-2616
[email protected]
Technical Die-Casting, Inc.
Dennis Stoffels
(651) 462-4721
[email protected]
Technology Reps
Chris Muntz
(763) 428-2259
[email protected]
Jim Russ
(218) 694-3550
[email protected]
Tom Caron
(651) 464-3900
[email protected]
Randy Walters
(800) 525-3168
[email protected]
Mike Neeley
(651) 636-6966
[email protected]
The Specialty
Manufacturing Company
Ed Greene
(651) 762-4491
[email protected]
The Whittemore Co.
Kurt Wasieleski
(651) 331-8984
[email protected]
Weinacht & Associates
Kevin Weinacht
(618) 345-6565
[email protected]
Western Bank, National Association
Jeffry Wosje
(952) 857-4069
[email protected]
Lisa Van Dorpe
(651) 631-2487
[email protected]
Larry Bopp
(952) 894-1730
[email protected]
Mike Clipper
(952) 829-0545
[email protected]
Bob Mars
(952) 884-9388
[email protected]
Pat McCready
(763) 452-3635
[email protected]
Taylor Machine, Inc.
Joe Paulsen
(507) 726-2728
[email protected]
Christina James
(507) 345-0154
[email protected]
Laura Leet
(847) 404-8828
[email protected]
Max Fenna
(763) 780-9780
[email protected]
Rick Taylor
(763) 786-5949
[email protected]
Brandon Anderson
(763) 682-3122
[email protected]
Duane Kari
(763) 786-0030
[email protected]
T.D. Wright, Inc.
Allen Mishek
(651) 653-0400
[email protected]
Chad Dohlen
(612) 695-2714
[email protected]
Bryce Kleven
(763) 425-6001 X230
[email protected]
Steve Lindell
(763) 783-7808
[email protected]
David McEachern
(651) 227-1302
[email protected]
Frederick Simonson
(763) 323-8877
[email protected]
Western Spring Manufacturing
Alex Altstatt
(651) 224-1721
[email protected]
Wilson Tool International
Brian Robinson
(651) 286-6000
[email protected]
Twin City Gear Company
Winegar, Inc.
Tim Wenzel
(507) 835-3495
[email protected]
Twin City Honing, Inc.
Wolkerstorfer Co., Inc.
Kurt Weamer
(651) 636-0720
[email protected]
Twin City Plating Company
WSI Industries, Inc.
Benjamin Rashleger
(763) 295-9202
[email protected]
UMC, Inc.
Wyoming Machine, Inc.
Lori Tapani
(651) 462-4156
[email protected]
United Standards Lab, Inc.
Yeager Machine, Inc.
Mike Yeager
(952) 467-2800
[email protected]
Ursa Major
ZTECH Precision
Don Zoubek
(763) 635-0033
[email protected]
US Pipe Fabrication
Used Machinery Sales LLC
Jack Mendenhall
(763) 441-5152
[email protected]
Venture Bank
Kriss Griebenow
(763) 398-5822
[email protected]
Ver-tech
Mark Wernimont
(763) 509-7913
[email protected]
March | April 2015
PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 45
Doosan Infracore America
Optimal Solutions for the Future
NEW
Puma SMX3100
Turn-Mill Center
Turning Solutions Engineered and Built to
Perform under Pressure.
Vertical
Turning Centers
Horizontal
Turning Centers
Multitasking
Turning Centers
Large Capacity
Turning Centers
Doosan Infracore America Machine Tools
Corporate Office & Engineering Center
19A Chapin Road, Pine Brook, NJ 07058
Tel. +1 973 618 2500
[email protected]
www.DoosanMachineToolsUSA.com
Midwestern Technical Center
1701 F Howard Street, Elk Grove, IL 60007
Western Technical Center
488 W. Meats Avenue, Orange, CA 93865
Save the Date: May 5 - 8, 2015
HALES MACHINE TOOL
2015 OPEN
HOUSE
|
763-553-1711
www.halesmachinetool.com
World leader in CAD/CAM software, service and support.
Mastercam - Mill / Lathe / Wire / Router
Streamlined interface and comprehensive toolpath
strategies will have you cutting parts quickly.
Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS
Integrates the industry’s best modeling and CAM
software—now available to all Mastercam users.
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Programming for Swiss-style NC machines—
Mitsubishi, Tsugami, Citizen, Star, Fanuc and more.
PART INSPECTION MADE EASY
No metrology experience required. Software simplifies all operations.
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Rapid, accurate part quality verification anywhere in your shop.
Ultra-accurate six axis metrology and
simple Verisurf software.
Fast, easy 3D model based CMM inspection with
Verisurf AUTOMATE & Renishaw Equator.
Mastercam Sales, Support & Service / Rapid Inspection Tools
DNC & Machine Tool Communications
Schedule an onsite or webinar demo by calling 952.361.5598
www.ProtoTek-Engineering.com
|
Since 1993
Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Journal
5353 Wayzata Blvd.
Suite 350
Minneapolis, MN 55416
www.pm-mn.com
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Documation
FOOLED
BY THE OLD
“HIDDEN BALL”
TRICK AGAIN!
IS YOUR SUPPLIER
HIDING SOMETHING
FROM YOU?
DON’T BE FOOLED ... in this competitive market, many plastics
suppliers also have machining capabilities – just like you. They may
even be quoting the same clients and machining projects – gaining
sales leads and, potentially, your customers.
At Plastics International, we specialize in SUPPLYING
plastics … not MACHINING plastics.
Toll Free: 800.776.7769
Phone: 952.934.2303
Fax: 952.934.2314
www.plasticsintl.com