Following the announcement that it has been chosen by Concept Laser GmbH as the exclusive UK and Republic of Ireland distributor for Concept Laser’s additive manufacturing systems, ES Technology has announced the sale of the first M2 machine to Airbus UK, which becomes the first UK based customer. The aircraft manufacturer will be using the M2 in its material and process projects as part of the company's research and development activities in Bristol. The machine will be on display at the forthcoming TCT exhibition in October, and will then after be directly shipped to the customer for installation.
The M2 LaserCUSING CAD-to-metal machine, has the capability to build component parts and tools in Aluminium and Titanium. The M2 machine can also produce parts in various other materials including, Stainless Steel, Inconel 718, Cobalt Chrome, and DIN standard Tool Steels.
With a build capacity of 250mm X 250mm X 280mm, and build layers from 0.020–0.050mm the machine offers the quality and accuracy expected for the production of finished parts. The M2 machine is one of a suite of machines available from Concept Laser, which provide cost-effective rapid manufacturing solutions for a range of component sizes.
Visit ES Technology Limited and Concept Laser GmbH, on Stand E20 / F17 at TCT – 21st and 22nd October 2008 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Dowding Pursues Wind Turbine Machining with Massive MAG Machine Tools
A long-time contract supplier of fabricated and machined components to a wide range of companies, Dowding Industries is making the leap to large-part production and the transition to the alternative energy economy. It announced today at the International Manufacturing Technology Show the purchase of two massive machining systems from MAG Industrial Automation Systems for production of wind turbine components and large, critical parts for other big-machine makers. A MAG Cincinnati U5-1500 five-axis profiler and a MAG Giddings & Lewis PT 1800 horizontal boring mill are the centerpieces of a new state-of-the-art 35,000 sq. ft. machining facility in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. It is operated by a subsidiary, Dowding Machining. Both machines were delivered earlier this summer and are finishing installation and prove-out.
A family-owned company, Dowding in 2006 began looking for opportunities to grow while avoiding the region's industrial downturn. It was particularly attracted to the potential for wind turbines and alternative energy, according to Jeff Metts, Dowding Machining President. "We saw an opportunity to be part of the 'new energy' solution."
MAG did extensive application and time studies based on wind generator part prints provided by Dowding, according to Jim Foust, sales engineer for VMC Technologies, MAG's channel partner in Michigan. "The detail and thoroughness of the reports were overwhelming," he said. "The studies included machine recommendations, fixturing, set-ups, tooling, cycle times and earnings per hour. MAG addressed the risks and unknowns, giving Dowding the comfort level, as newcomers to large part machining, to make such a major commitment," he stressed.
"All our MAG machines - Fadal, Cincinnati and G&L - are built here in the U.S.," said Metts. "That is another important factor for us. We looked at many different machine tool companies to 'hook our wagon to' so to speak. We were convinced our success was right here in the U.S.A."
While Dowding targeted the wind turbine market, it has already picked up orders from leading construction equipment and mining machinery manufacturers. "This is a case of 'build it and they will come'," said Foust. "If you can machine big parts, there are a number of industries ready to do business with you." In fact, MAG itself will be using Dowding to produce components for large machine tools.
With the new large-part machining facility, Dowding is leading Michigan industries in the transition to alternative energy and the new economy. The new facility will create more than 350 new jobs in Michigan. Assistance was offered through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the city of Eaton Rapids is considering a 12-year abatement to support the program. During a visit to the new facility, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said, "This new manufacturing facility will create good jobs for Michigan workers and anchor Dowding's presence in Eaton Rapids for years to come."
About MAG Industrial Automation Systems
MAG Industrial Automation Systems is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable-goods industry, worldwide, with a large portfolio of highly-recognized and well-respected brands. With manufacturing operations on five continents, MAG ranks as a leader in the global metalworking capital equipment market.
A family-owned company, Dowding in 2006 began looking for opportunities to grow while avoiding the region's industrial downturn. It was particularly attracted to the potential for wind turbines and alternative energy, according to Jeff Metts, Dowding Machining President. "We saw an opportunity to be part of the 'new energy' solution."
MAG did extensive application and time studies based on wind generator part prints provided by Dowding, according to Jim Foust, sales engineer for VMC Technologies, MAG's channel partner in Michigan. "The detail and thoroughness of the reports were overwhelming," he said. "The studies included machine recommendations, fixturing, set-ups, tooling, cycle times and earnings per hour. MAG addressed the risks and unknowns, giving Dowding the comfort level, as newcomers to large part machining, to make such a major commitment," he stressed.
"All our MAG machines - Fadal, Cincinnati and G&L - are built here in the U.S.," said Metts. "That is another important factor for us. We looked at many different machine tool companies to 'hook our wagon to' so to speak. We were convinced our success was right here in the U.S.A."
While Dowding targeted the wind turbine market, it has already picked up orders from leading construction equipment and mining machinery manufacturers. "This is a case of 'build it and they will come'," said Foust. "If you can machine big parts, there are a number of industries ready to do business with you." In fact, MAG itself will be using Dowding to produce components for large machine tools.
With the new large-part machining facility, Dowding is leading Michigan industries in the transition to alternative energy and the new economy. The new facility will create more than 350 new jobs in Michigan. Assistance was offered through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the city of Eaton Rapids is considering a 12-year abatement to support the program. During a visit to the new facility, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said, "This new manufacturing facility will create good jobs for Michigan workers and anchor Dowding's presence in Eaton Rapids for years to come."
About MAG Industrial Automation Systems
MAG Industrial Automation Systems is a leading machine tool and systems company serving the durable-goods industry, worldwide, with a large portfolio of highly-recognized and well-respected brands. With manufacturing operations on five continents, MAG ranks as a leader in the global metalworking capital equipment market.
JANA Fails to Invests into Shenyang Machine Tool (Group)
Guan Xin, board secretary with Shenyang Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 000410), a listed arm of Shenyang Machine Tool Group, confirmed the story, adding that the main reason was that the deal did not gained approval from concerned Chinese authorities. However, industry experts do not think so. In their opinion, it was the US fund's capital shortage that led to the failure in cooperation.
Founded in 2001, JANA is a large-sized hedge fund with over USD 7 billion under management. Companies it bought into included Valero, Time Warner Inc., Ingersoll-Rand Co. and etc. Unlike other US hedge funds, JANA mainly earns profits via restructuring business of target companies. So far, it has invested as much as USD 20 billion in companies worldwide, with a compound 24% yearly return on investment. Stung by the US subprime crisis, hedge funds worldwide reduced their investment sizes in markets overseas to a largest extent. And there is no exception to the US hedge fund.
Founded in December 1995, Shenyang Machine Tool Group is one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in China. In order to fuel expansion, it made a decision to introduce strategic investors. And in April 2007, it put a 49 percent stake on sale via the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange. It first planned that a 30 percent stake would be sold for CNY 1.01 billion; and then, the remaining 19 percent stake would be sold for CNY 640 million.
JANA, a San Francisco-based hedge fund, defeated top Chinese engineering machinery manufacturer Sany Group Co., Ltd. and finally put the 30 percent stake in Shenyang Machine Tool Group into its own bag in last June. The fund, which also expected to acquire the other 19 percent stake, had been preparing documents for a second bidding till January this year. Notably, it hoped that the Chinese government could agree to its plan to restructure Shenyang Machine Tool Group with other two companies.
Founded in 2001, JANA is a large-sized hedge fund with over USD 7 billion under management. Companies it bought into included Valero, Time Warner Inc., Ingersoll-Rand Co. and etc. Unlike other US hedge funds, JANA mainly earns profits via restructuring business of target companies. So far, it has invested as much as USD 20 billion in companies worldwide, with a compound 24% yearly return on investment. Stung by the US subprime crisis, hedge funds worldwide reduced their investment sizes in markets overseas to a largest extent. And there is no exception to the US hedge fund.
Founded in December 1995, Shenyang Machine Tool Group is one of the largest machine tool manufacturers in China. In order to fuel expansion, it made a decision to introduce strategic investors. And in April 2007, it put a 49 percent stake on sale via the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange. It first planned that a 30 percent stake would be sold for CNY 1.01 billion; and then, the remaining 19 percent stake would be sold for CNY 640 million.
JANA, a San Francisco-based hedge fund, defeated top Chinese engineering machinery manufacturer Sany Group Co., Ltd. and finally put the 30 percent stake in Shenyang Machine Tool Group into its own bag in last June. The fund, which also expected to acquire the other 19 percent stake, had been preparing documents for a second bidding till January this year. Notably, it hoped that the Chinese government could agree to its plan to restructure Shenyang Machine Tool Group with other two companies.
Former FD man works on food machine for NASA
A former Fort Dodge man is trying to perfect a machine that may someday help feed astronauts on Mars and starving people around the globe.
Scott Fortune, who now lives in Cresco, has a prototype device in his machine shop that reduces soybeans and peanuts to oil and an edible substance. The ultimate goal is to shrink it to one the size of a pair of staplers that can make six pounds of food and oil in an hour.
''The whole project is about finding alternative ways to feed people whether they're on Mars or on Earth,'' he said. ''The emphasis started on feeding astronauts, but the implications are even greater here on Earth.''
Fortune, who worked for 20 years in the local gypsum industry, said this effort is the largest engineering project he's been involved in.
He landed in the midst of the project after working for Celotex, Georgia-Pacific Corp. and Smithway Motor Xpress. When he left Fort Dodge in 2003, he went to work for Triple F Inc., a Des Moines company involved in the food machine job. When that company got into financial trouble, Fortune bought Upper Iowa Tool and Die in Cresco, which was doing all the metal work for the project. He purchased that company in November 2007.
Since putting astronauts on Mars is the next big goal for NASA, scientists for the space agency and Purdue University are seeking a way to feed them. Packing a lunch on the spaceship isn't possible because the trip to the red planet will take six months.
Fortune said the spacecraft would carry enough food for the voyage to Mars and the return to Earth. But the astronauts will have to grow their own food during the months they're on the red planet.
''Once they arrive on the planet, they have to become self-sufficient,'' he said.
He said current plans call for the astronauts to raise soybeans and peanuts in special greenhouses.
The machine Fortune is working on would be used after those crops are harvested.
He said the astronauts will put the beans or peanuts in the machine. After processing is completed, oil and a paste-like substance will be discharged.
The solid substance, which Fortune said would have the consistency of oatmeal forced through a tube, would be edible by itself. It could also be mixed with other ingredients to make a meal.
That process could have benefits much closer to home than Mars.
Fortune said the machine could eventually churn out food for people in Third World countries where starvation is always a threat.
''This has the ability to help people feed themselves,'' he said.
Fortune noted that the device intended to produce more food for people is being developed in Cresco, the hometown of Norman Borlaug, the scientist who created high yield varieties of rice and other crops that are credited with averting starvation for millions across the world.
Scott Fortune, who now lives in Cresco, has a prototype device in his machine shop that reduces soybeans and peanuts to oil and an edible substance. The ultimate goal is to shrink it to one the size of a pair of staplers that can make six pounds of food and oil in an hour.
''The whole project is about finding alternative ways to feed people whether they're on Mars or on Earth,'' he said. ''The emphasis started on feeding astronauts, but the implications are even greater here on Earth.''
Fortune, who worked for 20 years in the local gypsum industry, said this effort is the largest engineering project he's been involved in.
He landed in the midst of the project after working for Celotex, Georgia-Pacific Corp. and Smithway Motor Xpress. When he left Fort Dodge in 2003, he went to work for Triple F Inc., a Des Moines company involved in the food machine job. When that company got into financial trouble, Fortune bought Upper Iowa Tool and Die in Cresco, which was doing all the metal work for the project. He purchased that company in November 2007.
Since putting astronauts on Mars is the next big goal for NASA, scientists for the space agency and Purdue University are seeking a way to feed them. Packing a lunch on the spaceship isn't possible because the trip to the red planet will take six months.
Fortune said the spacecraft would carry enough food for the voyage to Mars and the return to Earth. But the astronauts will have to grow their own food during the months they're on the red planet.
''Once they arrive on the planet, they have to become self-sufficient,'' he said.
He said current plans call for the astronauts to raise soybeans and peanuts in special greenhouses.
The machine Fortune is working on would be used after those crops are harvested.
He said the astronauts will put the beans or peanuts in the machine. After processing is completed, oil and a paste-like substance will be discharged.
The solid substance, which Fortune said would have the consistency of oatmeal forced through a tube, would be edible by itself. It could also be mixed with other ingredients to make a meal.
That process could have benefits much closer to home than Mars.
Fortune said the machine could eventually churn out food for people in Third World countries where starvation is always a threat.
''This has the ability to help people feed themselves,'' he said.
Fortune noted that the device intended to produce more food for people is being developed in Cresco, the hometown of Norman Borlaug, the scientist who created high yield varieties of rice and other crops that are credited with averting starvation for millions across the world.
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