August 2007 Edition
2007 Readers’ Choice Awards
By readers’ responses to companies and products appearing in MAN, you voted for your favorites. Here are the winners and runners up in 10 metalworking categories.
The purpose of Modern Applications News is to provide solutions to metalworking businesses. Fulfilling that mission, we offer insights – through our editorial offerings – into how businesses face challenges, solve problems, and profit by the solutions they find.
However, although we keep our finger on the pulse of the metalworking industry, there is no better gauge of what interests our readership than how they – you – respond to what you see in the magazine. Toward that end, we have tracked reader responses in 10 categories during the 12-month period beginning in April 2006. The 10 categories are
- Abrasives
- CAD/CAM
- Cutting Tools
- Holemaking/Drilling/Boring/Tapping
- Lathes
- Machine Controls
- Machining Centers
- Measurement/Inspection
- Toolholding
- Workholding
After tallying responses, we determined the top company in each category as well as the runner-up. These are the companies you selected through your responses.
Abrasives
First Choice
Desmond-Stephan Manufacturing
P.O. Box 30
Urbana, OH 43078
p 937.653.7181
f 937.653.5511
Please (click here) for more information.
The abrasives category includes products ranging from grinding wheels to wheel dressers. In this segment, Desmond-Stephan Manufacturing, Urbana, OH, pulled the most inquiries. Desmond-Stephen offers a line of dressers from the star tooth cutter type to precision dressers. It also carries a wide range of scarifying cutters.
The runner-up in abrasives was United Grinding Technology, Miamisburg OH. It is a member of the Hamburg, Germany-based Schleifring group of companies and is a source for grinding machines from manufacturers, such as Studer, Schaudt, Mikrosa, Walter, Magerle, Jung, Ewag, and Blohm. It offers a range of support services such as application assistance, classroom and on-site training, and service and installation.
Second Choice
United Grinding Technology
510 Earl Blvd.
Miamisburg, OH 45342-6411
p 937.859.1975
f 937.859.1115
Please (click here) for more information.
CAD/CAM
First Choice
Gibbs and Associates
323 Science Drive
Moorpark, CA 93021
p 805.523.0004 800.654.9399
f 805.523.0006
Please (click here) for more information.
As software associated with the metalworking industry grows in importance, so has the software market. Design and machine control applications, for the purpose of this category, are gathered under the rubric of CAD/CAM.
Gibbs and Associates, Moorpark, CA, received the most reader inquiries. The company’s product, GibbsCAM, is a CAD/CAM solution used by Fortune 500 companies, such as Boeing, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin, as well as job shops. The second choice among readers was Mastercam from CNC Software Inc., Tolland, CT. Mastercam is also a CAD/CAM application. CNC Software is one of the oldest companies in the PC-based CAD/CAM industry. The company provides affordable software designed for the machinist and the engineer.
Second Choice
MasterCAM/CNC Software Inc.
671 Old Post Road
Tolland, CT 06084
p 860.875.5006 800.228.2877
f 860.872.1565
Please (click here) for more information.
Cutting Tools
First Choice
Seco Tools Inc.
11177 E. Eight Mile Road
Warren, MI 48089
p 586.497.5000
f 586.497.5602
Please (click here) for more information.
Cutting tools are mainstays of the metalworking industry, used on a wide variety of machines in a broad spectrum of applications. Seco Tools, Inc., Warren, MI, placed first among reader inquiries. It is part of the Seco Tools AB global organization. The company dates back to 1925, when a General Electric scientist began experimenting with tungsten carbide. The Carboloy Department of G.E. was formed three years later to produce and market cemented carbide technology. The department was later acquired by Seco and provides solutions for milling, turning, holemaking, and threading applications.
The company that succeeded in gathering the next highest number of reader responses was Ingersoll Cutting Tools, Rockford, IL. Ingersoll pioneered the development of indexable carbide endmills, filing its first patent for a cutting tool in 1889.
Second Choice
Ingersoll Cutting Tools
845 South Lyford Road
Rockford, IL 61108-2749
p 815.387.6600
f 815.387.6968
Please (click here) for more information.
Holemaking Drilling Boring Tapping
First Choice
Darex Corp.
210 East Hersey St.
P.O. Box 730
Ashland, OR 97520
p 541.488.2224 800.547.0222
f 541.488.2229
Please (click here) for more information.
This category covers products used to produce holes in materials. It ranges from drill bits to indexed reamers and the products to support the devices used to cut holes.
The Darex Corp., Ashland, OR, the first choice in this segment, doesn’t make equipment to produce holes, but rather provides machines to keep drill bits at their best. Darex offers a line of drill-sharpening equipment ranging from small models in the $1,000 range to production equipment costing about $27,000.
The honorable mention in this portion of the industry is Hougen Manufacturing, Inc., Swartz Creek, MI. The company was established in 1959 by E. Douglas Hougen. The firm is known for its Rotabroach annular cutter, patented in 1969.
Second Choice
STR Solutions
P.O. Box 16
Bloomingdale, NJ 07403
p 973.283.4545
f 603.484.5706
Please (click here) for more information.
Lathes
First Choice
Modern Machine Tool Co.
2005 Losey
Jackson, MI 49203
p 517.788.9120
f 517.788.2668
Please (click here) for more information.
Lathes are the oldest metalworking tools used in industry. As one of the “master” tools, they were one of the first tools capable of creating other tools and are indispensable to industry. The first choice of readers in this product section is the Modern Machine Tool Co., Jackson, MI. The company manufactures CNC-controlled automatic bar, tube, and pipe feeders, and cutoff machines using conventional lathe tooling, laser, or plasma cutoff mechanisms. It has a reputation for manual and automatic lathe-type cut-off machines and automatic feeders. Following Modern Machine Tool in reader inquiries is Haas Automation Inc., Oxnard, CA, one of the largest lathe and machine tool companies in the U.S. Founded in 1983, Haas Automation manufactures a full line of CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, rotary tables, and 5C indexers. The company employs more than 1,000 people in its 1 million ft2 facility.
Second Choice
Haas Automation Inc.
2800 Sturgis Road
Oxnard, CA 93030
p 805.278.1800 800.331.6746
f 805.278.8540
Please (click here) for more information.
Machine Controls
First Choice
Siemens Energy & Automation
Machine Tool Business
390 Kent Ave.
Elk Grove, IL 60007-1902
p 800.879.8079
f 847.437.0784
Please (click here) for more information.
Machine control is a relatively new concept in the machining industry, first originating as numerical control of machining – NC – and evolving into computer numerical controls – CNC.
Siemens Energy & Automation, Elk Grove, IL, pulled the most interest from readers. Part of the Siemens conglomerate, Siemens Energy & Automation provides a wide variety of machine controls: CNC for basic machines, digital CNC for dynamic machining, PC-based CNC, and drives and motors.
Readers were also interested in Southwestern Industries, Rancho Dominguez, CA. Southwestern Industries’ products range from knee-mills to software, but what interested MAN readers was the company’s ProtoTRAK CNC line. Founded in 1963, the company has a 130,000 ft2 facility and offers factory-direct sales.
Second Choice
Southwestern Industries
2615 Homestead Place
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
p 310.608.4422
f 310.764.2668
Please (click here) for more information.
Machining Centers
First Choice
Hurco Companies Inc.
One Technology Way
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0180
p 317.293.5309 800.634.2416
f 317.328.2812
Please (click here) for more information.
Machining centers are the “do-all” of industrial machining, and, as such, are a valuable component in the job shop’s arsenal. The readers’ primary choice in this area is Hurco Companies Inc., Indianapolis, IN. Founded in 1968, Hurco designs and produces interactive computer controls, software, and computerized machine systems for the worldwide metal-cutting and metal-forming industries. Its proprietary computer control systems and software products are sold primarily as integral components of its computerized machine tool products.
The second choice in responses to machining center inquiries is Mazak Corp., the North American manufacturing, sales, and support arm of Yamazaki Mazak Corporation, Oguchi, Japan. It manufactures machine tools and systems for the precision machining of metal parts, including CNC turning centers, horizontal and vertical machining centers, multi-tasking machining centers, and turnkey cells. It also offers software solutions for lean, efficient manufacturing operations.
Second Choice
Mazak Corp.
P.O. Box 970
8025 Production Drive
Florence, KY 41042
p 859.342.1700
f 859.342.1456
Please (click here) for more information.
Measurement/Inspection
First Choice
RAM Optical Instrumentation
1175 North St.
Rochester, NY 14621
p 585.758.1300 877.764.6397
f 585.506.4307
Please (click here) for more information.
As mentioned in Norman Bleier’s column this month [Controlling Interest, p. 17], the ability to produce parts to accurate dimensions time after time so the same part type could be interchangeable was the basis for what would become known as the American System of Manufacture. Being able to measure and inspect parts to make sure they conform to specifications is an integral part of that system.
RAM Optical Instrumentation, Rochester, NY, drew the most reader responses. Since its founding in 1981, the company provides video inspection systems. Gathering the second highest number of queries was Ono Sokki Technology Inc., Addison, IL. The company specializes in speed measurement, dimensional measurement, acoustics, signal analysis, automotive solutions, and torque.
Second Choice
Ono Sokki Technology Inc.
2171 Executive Drive
Suite 400
Addison, IL 60101
p 630.627.9700
f 630.627.0004
Please (click here) for more information.
Toolholding
Tie:
Fitz-Rite Products, Inc.
1122 Naughton
Troy, MI 48083
p 800.835.2643
f 248.528.1581
Please (click here) for more information.
In discussing the power of levers, Archimedes stated that given a place to stand, he could move the world. The same goes for toolholders: while it is the cutting tool that removes stock, it is the toolholder that provides the “place to stand” to get things accomplished. Toolholders transmit the power of the machine to the tool.
The company that generated the most interest among readers in toolholding was Fitz-Rite Products, Inc., Troy, MI. The company manufactures CAT V-flange toolholders and retention knobs and has been doing so for 20 years. The holders are made from mill-certified, hardened alloy steel with ground tapers that exceed current industry standards. It provides custom balancing for high-speed applications.
Universal/DeVlieg Microbore LLC, Saginaw, MI, is the runner-up. The company was created in 2006 after New DeVlieg Bullard II filed for bankruptcy. The Mistequay Group of companies purchased the intellectual property and inventory of the former Tooling Systems Division of DeVlieg Bullard, Inc. Universal Engineering toolholders, DeVlieg Microbore boring tool products, and the Microset tool presetter product lines are available from the company.
Universal/DeVlieg Microbore LLC
1156 N Niagara Street
Saginaw, MI 48605-1367
p 989.752.7700
f 989.753.9199
Please (click here) for more information.
Workholding
First Choice
Carr Lane
4200 Carr Lane Court
Saint Louis, MO 63119
p 314.647.6200
f 314.647.5736
Please (click here) for more information.
Workholding is the Ying to Toolholding’s Yang. Unless stock is held steadily and accurately, tooholding accuracy doesn’t matter.
By voting with their requests for information, MAN readers chose Carr Lane Manufacturing Co., St. Louis, MO, as their top pick. Started in 1952, the company provides a large selection of tooling components, clamps, fixturing, and related workholding products. Known primarily for clamps, knobs, jigs, and fixture components, Carr Lane carries more than 100,000 items, including toggle clamps, plungers, modular fixturing, drill bushings, and power workholding.
Hard on the heels of the first pick is Lyndex-Nikken Inc., Mundelein, IL. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Japanese company, Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd. The company began in 1979 as a supplier of 5C and R8 collets. Lyndex-Nikken’s formal product line categories includes standard products, advanced products, rotary tables, custom tools, holemaking products, presetters, and live tools.
Second Choice
Lyndex - Nikken Inc.
1468 Armour Blvd.
Mundelein, IL 60060
p 847.367.4800
800.543.6237
f 847.367.4815
Please (click here) for more information.
It’s Your Choice, Vote
Each time you, MAN’s readers,
take the time to respond to the link at
the end of an article or advertisement,
you are “voting” for a product in our
Readers’ Choice Awards. By showing
your interest in a product or company,
you are establishing what interests
you the most.
In that same vein, we at MAN,
want to hear from you about our first
Readers’ Choice Awards ranking.
What did you like and what would
you like changed? Have we covered
all of the categories in which you have
an interest or which ones would you
like to add?
Take a moment to write us, either
on paper or via e-mail, so we can be
sure that the 2008 Readers’ Choice
Awards is even more accurate.
What do you think?
Will the information in this article increase efficiency or save time, money, or effort? Let us know by e-mail from our website at
www.ModernApplicationsNews.com or e-mail the editor at
pnofel@nelsonpub.com.