Contact us today:
(847) 934-4500
tdaro@bernardandcompany.com
Contact us today:
(847) 934-4500
tdaro@bernardandcompany.com
Guill Tool & Engineering, the global leader in extrusion tooling, attended the K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany from October 8th to the 15th. Guill’s technical sales engineer shared his thoughts on the companies they met at the show, the international extruders they’ve partnered with, intriguing applications as well as what caught his attention. Additionally, the company’s European sales manager discussed the role of Guill Tool Europe.
Visitors at the Guill booth
Known as the world’s premier plastics trade fair, K brings together global pioneers from the plastics and rubber industry. Located in Hall 1, booth C90, Guill Tool & Engineering’s team included Peter Leary, Technical Sales Engineer, Extrusion Division, Jacob Marcure, Design Engineer and Gerjan ter Wal, Sales Manager in Europe.
Commenting on the companies met at the show Leary said, “We met a wide range of companies across the extrusion and plastics industry including wire and cable manufacturers, medical tubing producers, compounding specialists and machinery OEMs. There was also a strong representation from raw material suppliers, large pipe extrusion and automation/controls providers, which gave us valuable insights into emerging technologies and potential partnerships.”
From left, Gerjan, Peter and Jake
Guill interacted with extruders and processers from all over the world, including Europe, Asia and the Americas. Leary added, “A handful were existing customers stopping by to discuss current projects, but we also met a large number of new potential partners interested in Guill’s precision crosshead and tooling capabilities.” The company has contacts in China, Mexico, India, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, the UK, Australia and Algeria. Additional countries include Sweden, Japan, France, Finland, Chile, Poland, Singapore, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Brazil, Kenya and Switzerland.
Several applications stood out to Leary, notably multilayer medical tubing and advanced materials for sustainable production. He observed notable interest in tools that handle recycled or bio-based polymers while maintaining tight tolerances and flow balance.
Leary was impressed with the scale and diversity of the K Show. “One highlight was seeing the increasing integration of digital process monitoring and AI-driven control systems.”
Regarding Guill Tool Europe, ter Wal said that one of the goals expressed by visitors was to optimize their extrusion process and that the European office can help ensure smooth communication and planning for new production solutions.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Baldock, Sales Manager, Extrusion
Guill Tool & Engineering
10 Pike Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
USA
Phone: 401-465-5526
tbaldock@guill.com
E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood has expanded their E-Z Fin™ brass threaded inserts for soft wood, thermoplastics and thermoset plastics.
Also known as Finserts, they offer a blend of strength and precision for thermoset plastics. Designed with one, two or three OD fins that distribute stress over a greater surface area to minimize the possibility of cracking and protect against thread erosion, Finserts are available with internal thread sizes ranging from #6 to 5/16.
Finserts for thermoplastics are specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with thermoplastic components, ensuring a reliable bond that can withstand the demands of various applications.
Installation in thermoset plastics requires nothing more than a straightforward press-in action. The design ensures a smooth insertion process, making them ideal for a variety of applications.
Installing Finserts into thermoplastics is a straightforward process that ensures components benefit from enhanced durability and thread integrity. Designed to be installed “cold”, the brass threaded inserts are pressed into placing using anything from a simple hand tool to an arbor press.
When used for thermoset plastics, their innovative design significantly reduces the risk of damage like splintering, a common issue. They are synonymous with durability, providing a firm, lasting connection that enhances the longevity of the plastic products they are used in. Easy installation saves time and effort. These inserts are suitable for a wide range of applications within the thermoset plastic industry, from small-scale projects to large industrial uses.
The brass threaded inserts for thermoplastics ensure a secure, tight fit that significantly reduces the risk of thread stripping. In addition, Finserts are engineered to distribute load evenly, minimizing stress on the base material and extending the lifespan of the component. Their compatibility with a wide range of thermoplastics enhances design flexibility, enabling the use of lighter, more cost-effective materials without compromising strength.
For more information, please contact:
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, Director of Sales & Marketing
E-Z LOK
240 E. Rosecrans Ave
Gardena, CA 90248
USA
Phone: 310-323-5613 x221
klindsly@ezlok.com
www.ezlok.com
E-Z LOK is a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood. Inserts for metal include solid wall and helical wire-thread inserts, while inserts for plastic feature press-in and ultrasonic/heat stake designs. Those for wood are die-cast zinc alloy in hex drives for softwood and
brass knife threads for hardwood. A variety of kits are available and feature installation tools, drill bits etc.
E-Z LOK is a third-generation family owned and operated company. Founded in 1956, it primarily sells North American OEM’s, end users and the DIY market through local, regional and national industrial distributors.
Powered by the SINUMERIK ONE CNC platform and Ingersoll’s MasterPrint® industrial 3D printer, a new generation of deployable machines is bringing additive and subtractive manufacturing directly to the point of use.
Siemens and Ingersoll, a 133-year-old Rockford, Illinois builder of high-quality, large-format machine tool solutions, have enjoyed a long-standing relationship of business cooperation, engineering dynamism and executed achievements in automated machine technology. That tradition continues today with Ingersoll’s new generation of its “machine in a box” concept, the MasterPrint® Deployable, designed to be an application-specific, portable machine tool, featuring the company’s unique combination of high-speed additive manufacturing and precise 5-axis milling. MasterPrint® Deployable is compactly housed in two 20-foot containers and allows Ingersoll’s customer to send the unit to its point of use as a free-standing manufacturing entity, with all the necessary hardware, software and tools onboard to complete a specific function.
Powered by the digital-native SINUMERIK ONE CNC, MasterPrint® Deployable “opens the possible,” as Zach Gray, Additive Business Development Manager at Siemens, notes. “We were challenged by Ingersoll, as we always are, to think outside the box and yes, that’s a pun, in this case, given the nature of the final machine.” For the initial project, the machine needed to incorporate an additive material extruder, designed by a third party, with full environmental and motion control, plus a gantry and milling head for material removal and finishing, with full capability for onsite adaptation to various conditions and climates.
As Jason Melcher, Vice President and Sales Director of Composite and Additive Technology at Ingersoll, comments, “On the first project, we knew very little about the application, as it was confidential, so we had the empty space of a Conex box as our starting point.” The Conex box is a commercially available item, heavily altered by Ingersoll. The innovation comes with the alterations to make this structure and space a plausible environment capable of carrying a large industrial 3D printer, CNC milling machine, controls and power supply to the point of use. Melcher continues, “Cooperation with our key suppliers was vital on this project and we knew we could rely on our years of experience with Siemens to assist us. As usual, our Siemens partners had less concern about the end-product and put greater emphasis on the process. This gave us confidence that we could journey together in the creation of this unique machine.”
In future applications, the same MasterPrint® Deployable technology might be used with thermoplastic or metal additive materials, applied through cold spray, Directed Energy Deposition (DED), blown powder, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), friction stir or other technologies, then milled on the same machine to produce the final part. A Deployable Automated Composite solution is also possible. Applications could range from aerospace and defense to energy, R&D and even disaster relief uses in very hostile environments. Also, through the power of the CNC, robotics can also be integrated and controlled. Keeping the machine technically competent under all such circumstances is a challenge for both the Ingersoll and Siemens teams. That’s where the “future ready” technology of SINUMERIK ONE really shine. With its high-fidelity digital twin technology, the entire process can be programmed and visualized with real time operation virtually, before the machine is built. This provides Ingersoll the ability to offer the MasterPrint® Deployable solution for various applications, across a wide range of industries, including the marine industry and residential construction.
Andrew Ramirez, Siemens Account Manager for Ingersoll, adds, “Our relationship with this customer presents us new and exciting challenges all the time, and that’s very rewarding … and fun, because we can leverage our technical knowledge and collaborate with our engineering teams to address the job at hand. When it works as well as it does on MasterPrint® Deployable, that’s very satisfying as an account manager who gets to see innovative solutions come to life.”
Melcher echoes that thought, “We know Siemens has decades of experience in CNC, software development and problem-solving in the machine tool world. They bring a very open-ended attitude to our needs and, together, we produce solutions that benefit our Ingersoll customers in many ways.” In this case, it was necessary to have modifications made to the process and the combination of Ingersoll machine technology and engineering, with the Siemens control environment helps to produce a functional and flexible ecosystem for manufacturing in the field. The Siemens SINUMERIK ONE CNC, Melcher notes, incorporates all the variables and can work up solutions, prove them out virtually, then produce a functioning machine, with the added benefit of accepting variables onsite and adapting the control parameters to manage them.
A further testament to the Siemens value at Ingersoll, is training, according to Jason Melcher. “We’ve worked with all the major CNC control manufacturers and we’ve seen Siemens expand its technology, but also its training mindset. Today, they provide us training both on the operation of the control and the integration of it into the manufacturing process, something we can then share with our customers to get them running more efficiently from the start.”
On the MasterPrint® Deployable application, Zach Gray cites three key concerns.
SINUMERIK ONE plays a central role in the transformation of machine tools in the age of Industry 4.0, outperforming previous generations of controllers in terms of PLC and CNC machine operation, cutting speed, data capture and processing power. With its integrated SIMATIC S7-1500F PLC, the SINUMERIK ONE control offers up to 10 times faster PLC cycle times. Thanks to the PLC, SINUMERIK ONE is now fully integrated into the Siemens TIA Portal engineering framework, enabling standardization of all engineering tasks for operators of larger format machines. This generation of Siemens CNC is fully compatible with the previous SINUMERIK 840D sl controller generation in terms of programming and operation. This made the changeover to SINUMERIK ONE more seamless for Ingersoll and, as Jason Melcher notes, the training supplied by Siemens made the process faster and easier for Ingersoll and its first customer for MasterPrint® Deployable.
With SINUMERIK ONE, Siemens offers CNC technology that easily creates and works with digital twins of machine tools. Work preparation teams and engineering departments can also benefit from the digital twin. Siemens offers a comprehensive user interface for SINUMERIK ONE that enables convenient, flexible and efficient operation of machine tools across all machining technologies, including additive, subtractive and, in this case, both, as well as composites with chopped carbon fibers.
While under development at Ingersoll, the unit was powered by standard factory 480V power. The transformer supplied “in the box” connected to the customer’s on-site generator in the field for immediate startup, according to Jason Melcher.
On the topic of the overall benefits of the relationship with Siemens, Jason Melcher says, “We wanted to produce the largest possible workspace in the footprint provided by our customer. Siemens was very helpful, as they always are, in not letting us overreach the capabilities of the control and its processes. That’s the optimum contribution a partner can make and, combined with their technology and training, we are confident we derived the best solution for the customer’s application and their logistics.”
From the Siemens side, Zach Gray concludes, “This MasterPrint® Deployable application was an exciting challenge for Andrew (Ramirez) and me. With all the other technologies we know we can incorporate into this Ingersoll concept, including robotics, it really does open the possible up for our customer and us.”
Website:
usa.siemens.com/ingersoll
Guill Tool, the global leader in extrusion tooling, announces its 10-Day Program. This program applies to eligible tips and dies that will be shipped within 10 business days of receiving the purchase order from the customer.
Guill high-quality precision tips and dies have been manufactured in the U.S. for over 65 years. All Guill extrusion tools are produced using certified and documented quality steel material, specifically qualified for the polymer to be extruded. Furthermore, Guill designs tips and dies for any application the customer requires. These feature multi-lumen, stripe, multiple stripe, wire and cable, hose, pipe, tube, fiber optic, blown film, corrugated tube and profile. Dies include face seal, shouldered, snap-together, floating, die plate, interchangeable die plate and custom dies. Available tips include single and multi-lumen, threaded style, snap-together, fixed-center shoulder, profile, tapered style and custom.
To learn which tools are eligible for the program, check with the company or local Guill sales representative. For all other parts, company personnel will review the customer’s drawing to determine eligibility for the program.
Eligible tips and dies for this program must have a diameter less than 1.5” and a length less than 4.75.”
Guill proudly manufactures its products in the U.S. under the quality standards of ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Baldock, Sales Manager, Extrusion
Guill Tool & Engineering
10 Pike Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
USA
Phone: 401-465-5526
tbaldock@guill.com
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, Director of Sales & Marketing, recently shared his thoughts on several topics pertaining to the fastener industry, including current trends, new designs, additive manufacturing, the manufacturer and distributor relationship, as well as the company’s most innovative product.
Discussing insert trends, he noted that there is an increased demand specifically for inserts used in plastics and additive materials. This is attributed to the rise of 3D printing/prototyping and the movement towards lightweight materials.
While new designs may be needed today, Lindsly-Roach believes that “…many times existing designs and products are able to work in new materials.” This is true for carbon fiber and composite materials, as thread cutting type inserts traditionally used in plastic/wood can work.
The impact of additive manufacturing on E-Z LOK can’t be overstated, as it’s lead to continued expansion of inserts for plastics/additive materials as well as creating new ones.
Regarding the nature of the manufacturer and distributor relationship, he stated that the relationship hasn’t changed much and that E-Z LOK and many other manufacturers rely heavily on distribution partners to ensure their products get to market.
Lastly, Lindsly-Roach commented that the company’s most important product remains the one that E-Z LOK was founded on nearly 70 years ago: the threaded solid wall inserts for metal, also known as E-Z LOK inserts. “This product is easier to install, and higher performance than the helical coil type inserts. It also presents a good middle ground of price versus performance when looking at it compared to key locking inserts for metal.”
For more information, please contact:
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, Director of Sales & Marketing
E-Z LOK
240 E. Rosecrans Ave
Gardena, CA 90248
USA
Phone: 310-323-5613 x221
klindsly@ezlok.com
www.ezlok.com
E-Z LOK is a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood. Inserts for metal include solid wall and helical wire-thread inserts, while inserts for plastic feature press-in and ultrasonic/heat stake designs. Those for wood are die-cast zinc alloy in hex drives for softwood and brass knife threads for hardwood. A variety of kits are available and feature installation tools, drill bits etc.
E-Z LOK is a third-generation family owned and operated company. Founded in 1956, it primarily sells North American OEM’s, end users and the DIY market through local, regional and national industrial distributors.
At EMO 2025, Siemens will introduce Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner, a groundbreaking software solution that will fundamentally transform shop floor-oriented CNC programming. This innovative software combines cutting-edge 3D analysis technologies with programming right on the CNC control, maximizing efficiency, precision, and quality in production. Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner is part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and enhances it with advanced technologies for process optimization in manufacturing.
Programming right on the control
The solution is distinguished by its direct integration into Sinumerik Operate, which allows users to create and optimize programs on the control. Seamlessly transferring geometric information from 3D CAD models into programs eliminates the need for cumbersome and error-prone manual input. This function saves significant time and costs while minimizing sources of error.
Efficiency and quality thanks to automatic data transfer
The 3D Scanner offers customized suggestions for manufacturing strategies based on geometric features. This function not only leads to enormous time and cost savings, but it also allows better parameterization of machining cycles. This prevents programming errors, which means consistently high quality in production. By integrating Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner, machine manufacturers can increase the attractiveness of their products in a competitive market and convince customers through measurable efficiency and quality advantages in production.
Collaboration with DMG MORI
The software’s successful pilot with machine manufacturer DMG MORI demonstrated that the 3D Scanner is a powerful complement for optimizing manufacturing processes and can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems. Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner is integrated as a standard option in all DMG MORI machines equipped with Sinumerik One. The software will be available for purchase starting in autumn.
Availability and support
Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner is offered as a perpetual license for real machine tools and also as an option for their digital twin based on Run MyVirtual Machine. Experienced service providers offer support with comprehensive consulting as well as implementation. This ensures seamless integration of the software into modern production environments.
With Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner, Siemens reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of the manufacturing industry with advanced technologies and efficient solutions. The software sets new standards in CNC programming and enables manufacturing companies to make higher-quality products with more efficient production processes.
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Siemens Digital Industries (DI) empowers companies of all sizes within the process and discrete manufacturing industries to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformation across the entire value chain. Siemens’ cutting-edge automation and software portfolio revolutionizes the design, realization and optimization of products and production. And with Siemens Xcelerator – the open digital business platform – this process is made even easier, faster, and scalable. Together with our partners and ecosystem, Siemens Digital Industries enables customers to become a sustainable Digital Enterprise. Siemens Digital Industries has a workforce of around 70,000 people worldwide.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.
In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €75.9 billion and net income of €9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.
Continue readingGuill Tool, global leader in extrusion tooling, has expanded its lab capabilities to better serve the global extrusion market with the creation of Guill Labs. The labs include the company’s state-of-the-art rheology lab and a facility focused entirely on the extrusion process.
Guill’s existing rheology lab measures the flow characteristics of plastics and rubber to predict how a customer’s material will flow through the company’s extrusion dies before production. Tooling geometry is virtually optimized, and the project can be viewed in 3D CAD. Machines used include a rotational rheometer, scanning calorimeter, thermal conductivity meter and a new CT scanner.
The rotational rheometer quickly generates visco-elastic data for polymer melts, precisely capturing polymer melt properties. Test temperature ranges between ambient and 300°C. The lab’s scanning calorimeter characterizes the thermal properties of a polymer sample, such as crystallization temperature, glass transition temperature and head capacity of the sample. Knowing these thermal properties permits the simulation of shear heating and hot and cold spots in the flow area. The thermal conductivity meter is used to determine the thermal conductivity of the polymer sample across a range of temperatures.
This in-house lab provides faster turnaround on test results, reducing delays during the design process and offering better control over the testing parameters. The result is a high-quality part delivered on time.
The new test extrusion facility features various pieces of equipment including two Killion 1.25″ extruders, an RDN 2.0 PVS vacuum tank, one Keyence LS9000 dual axis laser gauge, two Dri Air ARID-X 10 30lb capacity driers, a custom-built tubing puller and an Accurate Thermal Systems FTBLL47 fluidized bath. In addition, the test lab permits single and co-extrusion capabilities with its tried-and-true die designs. Access to exotic extrusion processes such as rotary die extrusion of filament and tubular end-products are also available.
Supporting extrusion trials, the test lab also offers extrusion training, die cleaning services, sample inspection, and end-product testing. Guill’s fluidized bath has a 50°C-605°C temperature range and a working volume of 15.7” x 47.”
Customers can test materials, dies and actual extrusion run time… all on Guill premises.
For more information, please contact:
Tom Baldock, Sales Manager, Extrusion
Guill Tool & Engineering
10 Pike Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
USA
Phone: 401-465-5526
tbaldock@guill.com
Platinum Tooling, the importer and master distributor of live tools, angle heads, Swiss machine products, knurling and marking tools manufactured by various international suppliers, just announced the release of their new product catalog.
The company’s premium lines include live tools and angle heads from Heimatec, Swiss-type collets/guide bushings from Tecnicrafts, mechanical, air and motor spindles from Henninger and QUICK® knurling and marking tools from Hommel + Keller. Additional products are shrink fit tool holders and machines from Rineck, specialty and adaptive guide bushings from Dunner and broaching tools from REV.
Manufacturing tools for the most popular machine tool builders, Heimatec supplies precision live and static tools in all sizes, ranging from the smallest Swiss-type CNC lathes to the largest live tool lathes. Their angle heads are manufactured to handle the most difficult applications; hence they are ideal for drilling, tapping and milling operations.
Tecnicrafts Swiss-type collets and guide bushings are available in standard and ultra-precision grades with a runout accuracy of 5 microns or less. Bore profiles include round, square, hexagon, rectangle and custom. Guide bushings are chamfered in the back bore and slit to provide smooth guiding and unwanted marks.
Available as air, mechanical spindle and high frequency motor, Henninger speed increasers help maximize productivity by achieving a higher cutting tool rpm that is required for certain applications in today’s marketplace.
The Hommel + Keller QUICK® line offers premium quality knurling and marking tools with special consideration for customer requirements. For both form knurling and cut knurling, QUICK® fulfills the most stringent quality standards and masters difficult tasks, while marking tools make it possible to mark workpieces in seconds on a variety of surfaces and part geometries.
Rineck offers standard and custom shrink fit tool holders with various connections including CAT, HSK, BT, SK, PSC and straight shank extensions. Rineck shrink fit machines are equipped with an elevation cooling system. Heated tools can be moved to a cooling tank with the push of a button. The machine’s smart design keeps accessories stored but close at hand during operation.
A manufacturer of guide bushings for Swiss-type CNC lathes, Dunner manufacturers bronze, ceramic and titane (Meehanite®) guide bushings for customer machining needs. All guide bushings are ready for machine use with finished internal surfaces and geometries designed to offer the best result with nominal size material.
REV broaching tools are ideal for machining simple keyways or internal and external profiles, both teeth and splines. Common profiles, including square and hexagon, are easily achieved and custom profiles are available.
For further information, please contact:
Preben Hansen, President
PLATINUM TOOLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
16 E. Piper Lane
Suite 128
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone: 847-749-0633
Fax: 847-749-2445
Email: phansen@platinumtooling.com
Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, serves its growing North American customer base with an extensive inventory of machine tool accessories. Its experienced staff is dedicated to providing the most innovative tooling and technology. Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. serves the auto, aero, medical, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEMs, through its network of manufacturers’ representatives. Platinum Tooling is the importer of Heimatec live tools and angle heads, Henninger speeders, Tecnicrafts Swiss-type collets and guide bushings, Hommel + Keller QUICK knurling and marking tools, REV broaching tools and Dunner specialty and adaptive guide bushing systems in North America. In addition, Platinum Tooling represents Rineck Shrink Fit Tooling in the United States and Mexico.
E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood, has hired a new sales representative firm in the Southwest area.
Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Desert Distribution covers Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. The entire line of E-Z LOK products will be sold by the Desert team comprising Jo Ann Morris, David Palmquist and John Wachman. Desert currently handles a wide assortment of fastener lines.
Jo Ann Morris
Jo Ann Morris, the company’s Managing Partner, studied Business at Arizona State University. She has 32 years of experience in the fastener industry, working with fastener distributors, manufacturers and OEMs. Morris’ first job was at Copper State Bolt & Nut Company, as their Regional Sales Manager. She started working at Desert Distribution in 2014 as a Sales Business Development representative. Morris also serves as Marketing Director for the Fastener Training Institute.
David Palmquist is the Sales Manager in California. He has 27 years of fastener experience in manufacturing, outside processing and application engineering. Palmquist previously worked at ND Industries, serving as Manager and General Manager.
John Wachman is the Founding Partner, having started the company in 2001 to provide professional sales representation for engineered fastener and component suppliers.
David Palmquist
Discussing what led Desert Distribution to partner with E-Z LOK, Morris said, “Our core strength is selling proprietary, engineered components and fasteners to all markets. E-Z LOK’s unique designs on inserts to repair threads supplement and complement our other products.” Palmquist added that E-Z LOK offers a quality product that fills a void in the market. Wachman was attracted to E-Z LOK quality and service. He added, “We are impressed with their management team’s honest approach to addressing customer needs.”
Desert Distribution offers sales support, product training and OEM development to distributors, manufacturers and end users, including DIY businesses.
The responsibilities of these sales representatives include generating new business, product training and sales support, marketing and application support on behalf of the manufacturers the company represents.
John Wachman
Morris and Palmquist enjoy working with the team at E-Z LOK and anticipate bringing growth, new brand awareness and business opportunities to their new principal.
Wachman wants to increase E-Z LOK’s business by bringing in new customers to provide sustainable growth.
Regarding his thoughts on this new partnership, E-Z LOK Director of Sales & Marketing, Kyle Lindsly-Roach said, “We are excited to partner with Desert Distribution for the Southwest territory. John, Jo, and David have long been involved in the fastener industry and bring a wealth of knowledge and connections in the growing Southwest market. We look forward to the opportunity to work together and continue to grow the territory.”
For more information, please contact:
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, Director of Sales & Marketing
E-Z LOK
240 E. Rosecrans Ave
Gardena, CA 90248
USA
Phone: 310-323-5613 x221
klindsly@ezlok.com
www.ezlok.com
E-Z LOK is a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic and wood. Inserts for metal include solid wall and helical wire-thread inserts, while inserts for plastic feature press-in and ultrasonic/heat stake designs. Those for wood are die-cast zinc alloy in hex drives for softwood and
brass knife threads for hardwood. A variety of kits are available and feature installation tools, drill bits etc.
E-Z LOK is a third-generation family owned and operated company. Founded in 1956, it primarily sells North American OEM’s, end users and the DIY market through local, regional and national industrial distributors.
Substantial increase of 30% in production resulting from large workspace, cutting capabilities and new generation Heidenhain CNC onboard
Wixom, Michigan- Zimmermann, Inc. has installed and commissioned its FZU37 portal milling machine, with a 5m x 4m x 1.5m workpiece capacity, at Century Tool, a major tool and die manufacturer in Fenton, Michigan and part of the Tooling Tech Group. The machine has already proven its worth, according to the customer’s Director of Manufacturing, Tom Bradford, who notes, “The table size, speed and accuracy of this Zimmermann machine have already increased our capabilities by 30% or more.” Bradford and the operator on the machine, David Hawes, further note the benefits of the Heidenhain TNC7 control, one of the first machine tool installations in America for this advanced CNC, as a key factor in production planning, CAD/CAM integration, cycle performance and data logging. The CNC also features a visual simulator of the cutting path for cycle validation and in-process monitoring.
According to Cornelius Kiesel, President of Zimmermann, Inc., his company was approached for the discussion of a new machine, which would be replacing an existing, smaller machine that was no longer in operation, plus expand the capabilities of other machines on the floor at Century. “We determined the spec of the new machine and its tasks for Finishing and Semi-Finishing. The primary goal was to cut down the immense number of hours for such processes on the very large workpieces at Century, while enabling them to run the roughing process on their existing equipment.”
Kiesel continues, “To keep things simple, we selected the FZU37 machine, so the foundation of the replacement machine could be filled up to make it flush without a major foundation rework. After several conversations and a few adjustments on the accessories, we were able to lock in the layout. These layout improvements allowed us to go even wider for a total of 5000mm x 4000mm x 1500mm (197” x 157” x 59”) of travel, which was 79% more travel in the same amount of floor space. The FZU37 was subsequently ordered with the state-of-the-art spec for an advanced machine shop such as Century, including our Tool Changer, Top Cover, mist extraction, high-pressure coolant, Tool Laser, Touch Probe and more. Century Tool also wanted to step up their control to the new generation Heidenhain TNC7.”
Lastly, Kiesel notes, “Zimmermann also integrated an extended Spindle housing for deeper cavities plus the side walls were raised to create enough clearance and the machine table reinforced for the challenging molds our customer expected to be produced on this machine. When all these machine parameters got worked out and finalized, we completed the machine rather quickly, commissioned it, did the training onsite and helped Tom and his team start up.” Tom Bradford cited Alfio Campagna, project manager for Zimmermann, for his critical help in getting the machine into production at Century, as this was the first Zimmermann portal mill purchased by the moldmaker.
Bradford also commended the Heidenhain team, who provided three days of training on the CNC at their Chicago location and two more onsite at Century. Operator Hawes commented that he had substantial experience on Heidenhain controls, so the training went quickly for him, though the new control has numerous new features, including its Smart Programming, a graphical programming feature that allows the user to draw contours directly onto the touchscreen, after which the CNC converts the result into a Klartext (German for clear text) program. Century uses Visi as its main CAD program and Tebis as its CAM software and Bradford noted the seamless matching of these programs with the onboard CNC software to configure programs and posts made startup and run a smoother process.
In addition, the new CNC offers the user its Component Monitoring feature, which can protect the spindle bearing from overloading, while also detecting increased component wear in the drive train, all while the machine is running. This feature provides valuable data for predictive maintenance and evaluation of the process capability of the machine. This is vital at Century, who uses the Zimmermann machine exclusively for large, one-off mold prep, often removing over 90% of the material from a workpiece, over multiple days of machining.
Also, the ergonomics of the CNC are extremely user-friendly. Screen layouts and touchpad controls can be adapted to suit user preferences.
Finally, the intuitive contour programming is enabled by symbolic gestures on the touchscreen. Since Klartext remains the main format for files and exporting from the Heidenhain control, existing NC programs can continue in use.
Currently, the Zimmermann machine at Century is running on two shifts, often remotely tended in a low-light or lights-out mode.
Tom Bradford comments on the Zimmermann machine performance. “We do a lot of large tools for compression molding of composites and other substrates. We work for a variety of industries, from automotive to heavy truck, off-highway to agriculture, power sports to infrastructure such as water tanks. Century specializes in Class-A exterior body panels, so the surface finish is critical. During the very long runs we do on the Zimmermann, maintaining tight tolerances is key and the machine plus its onboard control technology make that happen for us.”
Brian Czapla, Director of Sales at Century, adds, “The trend toward high-strength, lightweight composites and large dimensioned, unitized parts for auto and heavy truck make this machine a real asset in our operation.”
In use, the typical workpiece on the Zimmermann is P20 steel, the industry standard for molds, as well as various aluminum materials. HSK 63 and HSK 80 are the primary toolholder types, used for cutting and laser touch probing here. Standard carbide cutting tools and inserts are typical, as well.
Bradford further notes, “As a tooling source, we serve the Tier One and OEMs in the manufacturing space. We have a strong reputation in automotive and heavy truck and we’re looking to expand into aerospace and other consumer products as well. As Brian noted, our core strength in composite molds gives us a real advantage in entering these other markets. The Zimmermann machine helps us achieve superior RA finishes with consistent quality, even on much larger structures.”
Century Tool is part of the Tooling Tech Group. With roots that go back over 40 years, Tooling Tech Group (TTG) has grown to be a leading manufacturer of tooling in the United States. They provide solutions for thermoform molding, high compression composite molding, blow molding, rotational molding, die casting and stamping, as well as custom automation systems for assembly, joining and inspection applications in a variety of industrial sectors. TTG comprises Century Tool, Century Automation for post-molding materials handling and assembly strategies, Die Cad for tooling design & simulation, Majestic for production of stamping dies, Tooling Technology for turnkey cast & billet aluminum tooling solutions, Alpha Integration for assembly automation and G&H Tool & Mold for high-pressure die cast molds.
About Zimmermann
Zimmermann is based in Germany and is a leading global high-tech supplier of portal milling machines. These are characterized by huge workspaces, substantial machining dynamics and cutting performance. The company has its North American headquarters in Wixom, Michigan, near Detroit, where it operates a full tech center, offering engineering assistance, commissioning, parts and retrofit services, as well as multiple machines for demonstration purposes. Zimmermann Inc. is headed by President Cornelius Kiesel.
Zimmermann, founded in 1933 by Friedrich Zimmermann, now has over 200 employees worldwide. With its product range, our innovative company has one goal above all: to offer the right solution for our customers and thus be able to guarantee high economic efficiency. “Quality made in Germany and supported locally” is our motto. The company’s special machines are used worldwide in the automotive, aerospace, moldmaking, transportation, off-highway and mechanical engineering sectors.
About Century Tool
Our skill in machining complex geometries and exacting tolerances has positioned Century Tool as a premier composites mold supplier capable of meeting the exceptional surface quality required by manufacturers in the automotive, marine, agriculture, and other industries.
Our Team has mastered the production of molds capable of delivering excellent surface finishes required by Class-A exterior body panels. We have provided the tools used for high-visibility, high-demand vehicles like the Corvette, Jeep, and the Ford Bronco.
About Tooling Tech Group (parent company of Century Tool)
Tooling Tech Group has combined a growing number of industry-leading automation and tooling brands, pooling their collective knowledge and experience to support our efforts to design and build the most innovative automation and tooling solutions for our customers’ greatest manufacturing and product challenges.
Tooling Tech Group is the largest provider of tooling in the United States with 600+ employees, 12 modern facilities and over 1-million square feet of manufacturing space across five states.
We build custom tooling for a variety of applications including thermoforming, compression molding, blow molding, die casting, and stamping, as well as secondary equipment and automated solutions for these applications. We have experience in many industries including automotive, appliance, lawn and garden, agricultural, aerospace, marine, and off-road vehicle industries, among others.
For more information, please contact:
ZIMMERMANN INC.
30587 Century Drive
Wixom, MI 48393
Phone: 248-956-8511
www.zimmermann-inc.com
Ms. Lena Kiesel, Marketing Manager
lena@zimmermann-inc.com
Or
CENTURY TOOL
200 South Alloy Drive
Fenton, MI 48430
Phone: 810-629-0784
www.toolingtechgroup.com
Ms. Amy Stegmuller, Chief Commercial Officer
astegmuller@toolingtechgroup.com
