Contract Manufacturing – IndMacDig | Industrial Machinery Digest https://industrialmachinerydigest.com The Industry's Most Extensive Industiral Digest Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:56:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/newIMDWeb-100x100.png Contract Manufacturing – IndMacDig | Industrial Machinery Digest https://industrialmachinerydigest.com 32 32 meviy Expands Inch Gauge Sheet Metal Capabilities, Now Supporting Parts up to 59 Inches (1,500mm) https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/metalworking/contract-manufacturing/meviy-expands-inch-gauge-sheet-metal-capabilities-now-supporting-parts-up-to-59-inches-1500mm/ Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:56:29 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=139556

meviy, the on-demand custom parts manufacturing service developed by MISUMI Group, Inc., is excited to announce a major enhancement to its sheet metal quoting and sourcing capabilities. Engineers, product designers, and sourcing teams can now instantly generate quotes for inch thickness gauge sheet metal parts up to 59 Inches (1,500mm) in length, enabling faster and more efficient procurement of large-format components.

Important Note: This capability currently applies only to inch gauge sheet metal. Metric thickness sheet metal sizing remains unchanged at this time.

With this expansion, meviy continues to simplify the sourcing process for complex sheet metal assemblies, including enclosures, panels, chassis, and brackets, while maintaining precision, speed, and scalability.

Accelerating Large-Format Sheet Metal Production
The updated platform allows engineers to upload CAD data and instantly receive pricing and lead times, eliminating the delays associated with traditional manual quoting. By supporting larger part dimensions, meviy enables companies to handle more complex designs while meeting aggressive production schedules.

Key Highlights of the Update:

* Expanded Inch Gauge Sheet Metal Capabilities: Upload inch gauge sheet metal designs up to 59 inches (1,500 mm) in length, enabling support for large-format components and oversized assemblies.
* Automated Quoting Engine: Instant pricing and lead times.
* Comprehensive Material Options: Supports Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Low Carbon Steel to meet diverse manufacturing needs.
Wide Gauge Range: From thin 26-gauge sheets to heavy-duty 0.5000” thickness, depending on material selection.

To explore the full details of meviy’s expanded sheet metal capabilities and how it streamlines your sourcing process, click here.

About meviy

From concept to reality, meviy enables on-demand sourcing of quality custom parts. As one of the most reliable online manufacturing services in North America, meviy allows you to receive instant quotes for your mechanical parts by simply uploading 3D CAD data, eliminating the need for 2D drawings. Supporting sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining, including milling and turning, meviy has streamlined workflows for over 160,000 mechanical designers and purchasers worldwide.

For more information about meviy, please go to www.meviy.com

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meviy Expands CNC Milling Capabilities with New Grinding and Surface Polishing & Buffing Services https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/metalworking/contract-manufacturing/meviy-expands-cnc-milling-capabilities-with-new-grinding-and-surface-polishing-buffing-services/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 15:56:32 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=139222 meviy, the on-demand custom parts manufacturing service developed by MISUMI Group, Inc., is excited to announce the launch of Grinding and Surface Polishing and Buffing(SPBF) services for CNC Milling, offering engineers greater precision and higher surface finish capabilities for critical applications.

With the introduction of Grinding and SPBF, meviy continues to empower design engineers with faster, more reliable, and more comprehensive part production—seamlessly integrated into its instant quoting and manufacturing platform.Highlights of the New Services:Surface Roughness as low as Ra0.4 can be specified and automatically quotedCompatible Materials: Steel, Stainless Steel, and AluminumIncompatible With: Pre-polished bar materials, resin materials, phosphate coatings, and matte black anodized finishesGrinding Specifications:Surface Roughness Range: Ra0.4 – Ra3.2Max Dimensions: 600mm (L) × 400mm (W) × 70mm (T)Inner corners may require corner reliefsSPBF Specifications:Surface Roughness Range: Ra0.4 – Ra3.2Max Dimensions: 600mm (L) × 400mm (W) × 70mm (T)Lead Time:Add 4 additional days for parts requiring Grinding or SPBFExpedited delivery is not available for these finishing optionsFor more information about Grinding and SPBF services for CNC Milling, click here.To learn how to specify Grinding and SPBF on your parts, click here.For quality and inspection information, click here.

About meviy

From concept to reality, meviy enables on-demand sourcing of quality custom parts. As one of the most reliable online manufacturing services in North America, meviy allows you to receive instant quotes for your mechanical parts by simply uploading 3D CAD data, eliminating the need for 2D drawings. Supporting sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining, including milling and turning, meviy has streamlined workflows for over 160,000 mechanical designers and purchasers worldwide.

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Wauseon Machine Sets New Standard for Quality and Reliability Through Elite Industry Certifications https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/metalworking/contract-manufacturing/wauseon-machine-sets-new-standard-for-quality-and-reliability-through-elite-industry-certifications/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:04:31 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=139128 Wauseon Machine, a leading provider of integrated automation solutions, is proud to highlight its continued commitment to quality, safety, and reliability through its achievement of industry-leading certifications and its team of certified professionals. With roots dating back to 1983 as a small machine shop specializing in high-quality tooling, Wauseon Machine has maintained this dedication to excellence as part of its core DNA throughout its growth and evolution. By prioritizing these standards, Wauseon Machine delivers reliable automation, craftsmanship, and assembly equipment, solidifying its position as a leader in the manufacturing industry. Wauseon Machine is proud to obtain the A3 certification, UL Certification, ISO Recertification, and prioritizes employing TUV Certified Engineers

At the forefront of Wauseon Machine’s credentials is the A3 certification from the Association for Advancing Automation, widely recognized as the gold standard in the robotics industry. This prestigious certification involves a rigorous on-site audit of processes, systems, and personnel to ensure companies meet the highest standards for safety and quality in robotic automation. A3 certification is a benchmark for evaluating technical and robotic safety acumen as well as overall business excellence.

WauseonTo achieve this certification, Wauseon Machine’s team undergoes comprehensive on-site auditing, including practical assessments of key personnel. This process certifies the company’s processes, systems, and staff, ensuring the highest quality of work. Notably, out of over 2,000 integrators in the United States, only 42 have earned the distinction of being A3 certified robotic integrators.

The A3 certification provides assurance to customers, especially those new to Wauseon Machine, of the company’s proven ability to deliver high-quality work, on time, with excellent craftsmanship. It demonstrates Wauseon Machine’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in robotic integration and automation solutions.

Wauseon Machine is committed to employing TUV certified engineers and technicians, enhancing its commitment to quality and safety. TUV certification, based on rigorous EU standards, ensures safety and quality assurance beyond standard safety panels, encompassing the entire machine. While TUV is a global standard, it allows Wauseon Machine to reach into EU and international companies and is strongly recognized in Europe and Asia within machinery, automotive, electronics, and medical devices. With certified professionals in-house, Wauseon Machine can design intrinsically safer and superior systems while shortening lead times through internal certification management.

In addition to A3 and TUV certifications, Wauseon Machine is capable of constructing electrical panels for their assemblies that meet rigorous safety standards. The UL certification is crucial for larger customers who require assurance of properly wired, safe, and high-quality electrical components within Wauseon Machine’s assemblies. This certification, which adheres to the UL 508A standard, focuses on safety aspects related to shock, fire, and failure prevention. By obtaining UL certification, Wauseon Machine demonstrates its commitment to producing control panels that meet the highest industry standards for safety and quality.

Wauseon Machine also emphasizes its commitment to quality through ISO recertification. ISO certification signifies that Wauseon Machine adheres to a documented process that includes standard practices, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, customer confidence, and continuous improvement. By maintaining ISO standards, Wauseon Machine ensures predictable outcomes and effective risk management for its customers. By adhering to these certifications, Wauseon Machine not only differentiates itself from competitors but also demonstrates its commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and safe solutions to its customers worldwide.

For more information on the A3 certification, click this link. To learn more about Wauseon Machine, head over to the homepage.

About Wauseon Machine

Wauseon Machine is your single-source partner for automation solutions, tube forming technologies, precision machining, and fabrication. WM started as a small contract machine shop in 1983 and is proud to be celebrating its 40th year in business. WM has five separate focus plants located in Wauseon, Ohio , Delta, Ohio and Greenville, South Carolina. By combining our advanced knowledge and engineering expertise with state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, we are able to craft the right solution for your unique needs.

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Neptune Aviation Upgrades Machine Shop to Meet Internal Demands, Expand External Customer Base https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/metalworking/contract-manufacturing/neptune-aviation-upgrades-machine-shop-to-meet-internal-demands-expand-external-customer-base/ Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:34:17 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=139074
Neptune Aviation Services, a leader in aerial firefighting and aviation services, has installed new equipment at its Missoula-based headquarters to expand its capacity to manufacture critical parts and precision components for the aviation and aerospace industries, as well as other market segments in the future. With a significant investment in new machining technology, Neptune is strengthening its ability to produce complex, mission-critical components in-house, positioning itself as a competitive player in both aviation and space industry supply chains.
Neptune Aviation is the first company in Montana to install a Hermle C 400 Gen 2, a state-of-the-art 5-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machining center known for exceptional accuracy, versatility, and efficiency in producing complex aerospace-grade components.
“This is more than a simple equipment upgrade, it’s a major leap forward for our organization,” said Clifford Lynn, Director of Maintenance at Neptune Aviation. “Until now, our machine shops main focus has been on supporting internal needs. With this investment, we’re expanding our capabilities to reduce reliance on outside suppliers and to open the door to future revenue opportunities. The Hermle C 400 gives us the advanced functionality to produce highly complex, precision parts for our own aircraft, and customers across the broader aviation industry and beyond.”
Reviewing internal needs, the Hermle C 400 is being added at an ideal time for Neptune Aviation, which announced in late 2024 that it has begun transitioning its airtanker platform from its current fleet of BAe 146 aircraft to the Airbus A319—a larger aircraft with greater capacity for fuel and fire retardant drops, as well as more advanced design. With the new equipment in place, Neptune will be able to manufacture many of the components needed for routine maintenance and repairs in-house, reducing reliance on outside vendors and accelerating both development and maintenance timelines.
“All the parts needed for the A319 are highly customized and specific to Neptune, since we are the only airtanker company utilizing the A319 for aerial firefighting operations. Being able to build these parts in-house means we avoid the delays and costs of outsourcing the project to a third-party machine shop, helping us to complete maintenance much more quickly,” said Pierre Blouin Support Shop Manager.
Outlining the company’s strategy moving forward, Blouin said that in addition to making their own parts, Neptune will develop parts for three tiers of external customers. The most immediate will be for repair stations serving the aviation industry, for which they have already responded to multiple requests for proposals. Next, Neptune plans to pursue opportunities in the aerospace industry, including organizations, such as NASA and private companies. Longer term, the company aims to enter the contract manufacturing space, producing high-volume parts for a broader industrial customer base.
Neptune’s capabilities enable them to serve clients requiring anything from a single custom part to small batch runs. What sets Neptune apart is their extensive quality assurance expertise as a certified repair station, allowing them to provide all the necessary documentation aerospace customers require. This ensures that every part, whether made one-off, or in large batches, meets strict aerospace standards and is fully supported with paperwork that repair stations and manufacturers rely on, making Neptune a trusted partner for precision parts production.
“We’re committed to expanding both our capabilities and our team,” said Seth Cohen, Neptune Aviation Machine Shop Lead. “This investment in the Hermle C 400 is just the beginning. We plan to continue upgrading our equipment and growing the machine shop. We’re also actively hiring skilled machinists to help us take full advantage of what this platform can do. As I like to say, you can’t bring in a great race car driver if all you’ve got are jalopies. With this machine, we’re building a shop that’s ready to compete at the highest level.”

For more information about Neptune Aviation Services and its airtanker operations, visit www.neptuneaviation.com.

About Neptune Aviation Services

Neptune Aviation Services is based in Missoula, Montana. Neptune serves an expanding customer base offering aircraft maintenance, aircraft management, avionics, nondestructive testing, machine shop services, training, inspections and certifications, and fixed-base operations. As the primary provider of aerial firefighting services to the United States Forest Service for more than 30 years, Neptune Aviation is known for its aviation industry experience, expertise, and reliability.
Neptune Aviation employs more than 225 dedicated, hard-working, and talented individuals.

For more information, visit www.neptuneaviation.com.

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meviy Adds D2 Tool Steel for CNC Milling https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/imd/meviy-adds-d2-tool-steel-for-cnc-milling/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:07:09 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=138617

meviy, the on-demand custom parts manufacturing service developed by MISUMI Group, Inc., is excited to announce the release of D2 Tool Steel as a new material option for CNC Milling. This addition further expands meviy’s capabilities for delivering durable, high-performance components for tooling, die-making, and structural applications. 

Key Benefits:
Built for high-wear, high-cycle applications
Maintains dimensional accuracy under load and temperature variations
Delivers tight tolerance performance in precision milled parts
Offers excellent edge retention and material toughness
Typical Applications:
Tooling base plates and die components
Structural and load-bearing parts
Locating and alignment features
Jigs, fixtures, and high-precision assemblies
Technical Specifications:
Maximum Part Size: 300 mm × 300 mm × 60 mm
Finish: Standard milled finish
Optional Treatments: Heat treatment and surface finishes available on request

 

To learn more about CNC Milling with D2 Tool Steel, click here.

About meviy

From concept to reality, meviy enables on-demand sourcing of quality custom parts. As one of the most reliable online manufacturing services in North America, meviy allows you to receive instant quotes for your mechanical parts by simply uploading 3D CAD data, eliminating the need for 2D drawings. Supporting sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining, including milling and turning, meviy has streamlined workflows for over 160,000 mechanical designers and purchasers worldwide.

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TJ Davies Manufactures Custom Machine Components and Retention Knobs with Industry Leading Lead-Times https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/quality/tj-davies-manufactures-custom-machine-components-and-retention-knobs-with-industry-leading-lead-times/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 19:12:26 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=106663 T.J. Davies Co., Inc., an industry leading manufacturer of retention knobs, can make custom machine components for older machines where parts are hard to obtain or are no longer available. Their engineering staff can work from detailed drawings or reverse engineer from supplied parts, using a digital optical comparator to accurately measure dimensions. Parts made of American-made 8620 alloy steel which has a high tensile strength to withstand strong centrifugal force, high load force, high feed rate, and difficult to machine material. All dimensions of retention knobs can be customized, including length, diameter, thickness of collars, dimensions between collar and knob end, thread size, and more. Additionally, customers can specify a coolant hole, taper style, and whether O-rings are required. Custom made retention knobs are sized to fit the machine tool and spindle or toolholder to maximize the toolholders performance and cutting tool life and extend the life of existing machine tool assets. A fill-in-the-blanks form is provided at https://tjdavies.com/quote-request/ to simplify the process. Typical lead time for custom retention knobs is 3-4 weeks.

“Typically, we have 2 – 3 custom jobs going at any one time,” said TJ Davies President Sherry Davies. “Customers like our short lead-times, so we get a lot of custom work. They also appreciate how our quality keeps older equipment productive and profitable.”

All TJ Davies custom retention knobs are manufactured from All knobs are machined in-house with single point threading to Imperial (Class 2A UNC) or Metric (Class G6) standards. After threading is completed, each component is heat treated to 58-62 HRC then treated with hot black oxide to military specifications for protection against corrosion. Each retention knob is magnetic particle tested and then pull tested to 2.5 times the pulling force of the drawbar it is designed for.

The use of 8620 ensures that the components will work harden over time, rather than becoming brittle as is the case with the use 9310 alloy steel. Single point threading ensures that the threads are balanced (lead-in/lead-out at 180 degrees) which is very difficult to achieve when rolling threads. Full depth is also attained for each thread. Because all machining is done with a single set-up, concentricity is achieved.

Each component is heat treated to a case depth of .020 to .030. No carb is applied to coolant through hole to ensure there is no shrinkage. Core hardness of 40HRC is standard. All retention knob surfaces (not just mating surfaces) have a precision finish of 32 RMA micro or better, ISO grade 6N. Certifications are maintained for each step and each batch to ensure traceability and quality control.

Overtightening can overly stress the retention knob, leading to premature failure, and can cause toolholder swelling and expansion. TJ Davies provides recommended torque guidelines with each retention knob shipped. Machine builder recommendations should always be used when available.

Sockets for the proper installation of retention knobs are available, individually or as a complete set of 4. All sockets and retention knobs are manufactured to exact specifications that exceed industry standards and are available through distributors nationwide.

For additional information on T.J. Davies retention knobs, pull studs, and sockets, visit www.tjdavies.com .

About T.J. Davies

Founded in 1965, T.J. Davies Company, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of retention knobs located in Mantua, Ohio. The vision of T.J. Davies Company, Inc. is to produce world-class, made-in-America retention knobs and to provide exceptional customer service. Veteran Founded, Certified Women Owned Business. Their products are available through a nationwide network of distributors.

For additional information visit www.tjdavies.com, email to sales@tjdavies.com, call (440) 248-5510, or write T.J. Davies Co., Inc., 11823 Ohio Route 44, Mantua, OH, 44255.

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Wauseon Machine to Showcase Precision Machining and Fabrication Capabilities at Design 2Part Shows (D2P) in Texas https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/fabrication/wauseon-machine-to-showcase-precision-machining-and-fabrication-capabilities-at-design-2part-shows-d2p-in-texas/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:19:33 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=78933 Wauseon Machine, Inc. (WM), a leading provider of automation solutions, tube forming technologies, precision machining, and fabrication, announces its participation in the upcoming Design 2Part Shows (D2P) in Irving, Texas, from March 13-14, 2024. D2P is renowned for providing immediate business opportunities. Moreover, as the only trade show in the region exclusively featuring exhibitors specializing in design and contract manufacturing services, D2P offers a unique platform for networking and collaboration.
At the event, Wauseon Machine will highlight its robust precision machining and fabrication capabilities. With over 100 CNC machines and a network of preferred partners specializing in metal fabrication, Wauseon Machine delivers unparalleled value to its customers. Services include laser and die cutting, bending, forming, welding, coating, and assembly, catering to both low and high-volume production needs.
Located in the central business hub of Irving, the Irving Convention Center offers easy access and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a conducive environment for fruitful networking among industry experts. “We are thrilled to participate in the D2P conference and showcase our cutting-edge capabilities in precision machining and fabrication,” says William Johnson, VP Operations at Wauseon Machine. “Our team looks forward to connecting with other attendees and demonstrating how our expertise can drive success for their future projects.”
Visit Wauseon Machine at booth #203 at the D2P conference to learn more about their comprehensive manufacturing solutions.
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Kyle Teeter Appointed Plant Manager at Mack’s Statesville, N.C. Facility https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/safety-maintenance/kyle-teeter-appointed-plant-manager-at-macks-statesville-n-c-facility/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:46:43 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=78692 Mack Molding, a leading custom plastic injection molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services, announced Kyle Teeter has been appointed Plant Manager of the Company’s Statesville, N.C., facility.

“With more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing operations, engineering and quality roles, Kyle brings a particular expertise in cross-functional team management,” said Mack South President Bryan Campbell. “Additionally, his background in safety, employee engagement and customer satisfaction make him a versatile leader prepared to guide the Statesville team to success as they bring our customers’ programs into production.”

Prior to Mack, Teeter served as plant manager for Parker Hannifin’s Precision Fluidics Division in Mooresville, N.C., where he was responsible for all site-wide functional activities, including production, quality assurance, engineering, supply chains, EHS and HR. Teeter built leadership and engineering skills in roles of increasing responsibility at Parker Hannifin such as applications engineer, design engineer, sustaining engineering lead and plant quality manager. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he earned bachelor of science degrees in biomedical and biological engineering. He has a 6 Sigma Green Belt and is a certified auditor for ISO 9001 and 13485.

Account Management and Engineering Teams Grow

Mack
Devon Knight

Mack’s Southern Division also is announcing new appointments to the Sales and Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering, teams at the Company’s Inman, S.C., plant. Devon Knight has joined the Mack South Sales and Engineering team as a Program Manager. Knight brings 10 years of experience in project management to the role, along with strong communication and organization skills. She most recently worked as a packaging support engineer for Spartech, LLC, in Greenville, S.C., where she provided technical and commercial support for customers, including facilitating communication with internal team members. Knight gained previous project management experience as a project manager for new product development with D&W Fine Pack and as a commercial and engineering project coordinator with Jarden Plastic Solutions, both in Greenville. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C.

Jonathon Shafer

Jonathan Shafer also has been appointed as a Southern Division Program Manager, bringing 20 years of transportation and heavy equipment experience to the role. Prior to Mack, he served as global factory project manager and supplier performance engineer with Caterpillar in Greer, S.C. He previously built project management and engineering experience with SABIC and BWXT in Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Navistar in Lisle, Ill. Shafer has a master’s degree in business administration from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., as well as a bachelor’s degree in computer integrated manufacturing from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. He is a 6 Sigma DMAIC Black Belt and IATF 16949 internal auditor, and holds American Society for Quality and Society of Manufacturing Engineers certifications.

Mack
Cate Lewis

Inman’s Manufacturing Engineering team has welcomed Cate Lewis as a Manufacturing Engineer. Lewis is a recent graduate of Clemson University, in Clemson, S.C., where she received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to Mack, Lewis gained valuable manufacturing engineering experience as an intern with Crane Instrumentation and Sampling in Spartanburg, S.C., where she worked on the design and development of a deburring cobot system, as well as work order automation, fixture design and shop floor layouts. She also previously served as a mechanical / electronic intern with the Clemson University Professional Internship and Co-Op Program, managing product development of a robotic cotton harvester designed for small farms.

“Devon, Jonathan and Cate are strong additions to our team,” Campbell said, “bringing an excellent mix of experience and fresh perspectives.”

About Mack Molding

Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics designprototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, full-service machining and medical device manufacturing. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately-owned business that operates 12 facilities throughout the world. Will Kendall is President and CEO.

For more information, go to www.mack.com.

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MicroCare Welcomes Lu Anne Green as the New Chief Operating Officer https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/safety-maintenance/microcare-welcomes-lu-anne-green-as-the-new-chief-operating-officer/ Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:53:02 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=78176 MicroCare is pleased to announce the appointment of Lu Anne Green as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). With a history of excellence in manufacturing and operational leadership, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this pivotal position. Green’s impressive career spans multiple industries, and she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to quality and efficiency in manufacturing and operations.

Green’s background includes notable roles such as Chief Operating Officer at ELG Alloys, Principal at a Private Wholesale Food Distributor, and Senior Vice President of Global Operations at ICU Medical. Her skill set includes LEAN, Six Sigma, quality control, systems integration, profit & loss management, supply chain optimization, contract manufacturing, inventory reduction, global sourcing, logistics, and multi-site operations. Green’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Western New England University.

As the newly appointed COO at MicroCare, Green will play a vital role in the company’s ongoing commitment to manufacturing excellence and operational efficiency. She will be responsible for overseeing all manufacturing operations across MicroCare’s Connecticut-based operating locations, with a focus on planning and prioritizing customer, employee, and manufacturing requirements. Green’s experience in developing and implementing processes to improve operational performance, strengthen customer and vendor relationships, and mitigate health, safety, and environment risks will be invaluable in her new role.

In her capacity as Chief Operating Officer, Green will also collaborate closely with the executive team to develop and optimize organizational capabilities in alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. Her expertise in supply chain management, global sourcing, and contract manufacturing will contribute to MicroCare’s ability to meet its performance targets and drive manufacturing and operational capabilities to match sales activity.

Commenting on this appointment, Tom Tattersall, MicroCare CEO, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Lu Anne Green to the MicroCare team as our Chief Operating Officer. Her experience in various industries and her track record of implementing LEAN, Six Sigma principles, and quality control measures will be instrumental in further elevating our manufacturing and operational capabilities. We are confident that Lu Anne’s expertise will help us deliver even better solutions to our customers and continue our commitment to excellence.”

With Lu Anne Green’s appointment as the Chief Operating Officer, MicroCare is poised to enhance its position as a leading provider of manufacturing solutions in its industry. Her leadership will contribute significantly to the company’s growth and operational success, and she will be a key member of the MicroCare senior executive team.

About MicroCare, LLC

MicroCare, LLC is a globally recognized provider of critical cleaning, coating, lubrication, and infection prevention solutions for a wide range of industries. With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and customer satisfaction, MicroCare delivers superior products that meet and exceed industry regulatory requirements. By combining expertise with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, MicroCare provides effective, dependable, and environmentally friendly solutions to customers.

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SpiTrex Orthopedics Selects Flexxbotics for Robot-Driven Manufacturing https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/quality/spitrex-orthopedics-selects-flexxbotics-for-robot-driven-manufacturing/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:43:27 +0000 https://industrialmachinerydigest.com/?p=77906

Flexxbotics, delivering workcell digitalization for robot-driven manufacturing, announced that SpiTrex Orthopedics (SpiTrex), a leader in global medical device contract manufacturing, has selected the Flexxbotics solution for robot-driven manufacturing with autonomous process control in its FOBA laser marking machine workcells.

The Flexxbotics solution enables robots to communicate directly with the FOBA laser marking system and change jobs in real-time and within sequence, reducing changeover time to 10 minutes, twice a week. The robots also connect with the vision system verifying the laser marking on each part to autonomously sort based on the results ensuring closed-loop quality for higher yields.

“Flexxbotics is the only robot machine tending software solution we found capable of delivering the precision, cycle-time and closed-loop compliance required,” said Brett Gopal, SpiTrex Orthopedics Senior Vice President of Operations. “We are impressed with Flexxbotics’ autonomous process control using robots, and the ability to close-the-loop by alerting upstream and downstream workcells of quality problems based on automated inspection results which is quite unique.” Flexxbotics directs the robots to use the COGNEX camera images to determine the pass/fail status of each part, and then sends alerts with the images to pre- and post-process workcells when nonconformance issues are detected that need correcting.

Flexxbotics changes jobs in real-time and within sequence, enabling job change-over at SpiTrex in less than 10 minutes, as opposed to requiring an hour or more of an engineer’s time to set-up the workcell when a new job is run. Brett Gopal explains, “The autonomous changeover process coupled with the closed feedback loop functionality enables us to produce extremely high tolerance parts through continuous flow which reduces the overall lead time by 20+%. Flexxbotics directly improves our throughput and ROC, which in turn increases profitability.”

SpiTrex selected Flexxbotics based on the following criteria:

  • Ability to autonomously configure the robot and the FOBA laser marker for each job that will run
  • Closed-loop in-line inspection with COGNEX vision system which directs the robot to sort parts based on the FOBA marking results and conformance to critical characteristics
  • Open connectivity and interoperability between robots, FOBA laser marking system and COGNEX vision systems, along with existing IT business systems
  • Interchangeable carousels with universal switching process to enable quick changeover for faster set-up times
  • Direct feed of workcell operations & inspection data into quality repository
  • Solution flexibility to start with initial workcells, get success quickly and scale to additional FOBA laser marking workcells factory-wide

Brett Gopal continues: “Rolling out Flexxbotics across all FOBA laser marking workcells results in a 10:1 machine-to-man ratio which enables continuous operation allowing us to ship more high quality parts even with labor shortage challenges making it a game-changer for our business. It was clear the benefit of Flexxbotics’ solution horizontally integrating from one FOBA machine to another. What made their solution extremely unique was their ability to vertically integrate to our pre-machining process, post process and IT systems.”

SpiTrex is an international contract manufacturer with specific focus on complex orthopedic implants for the Spine, Trauma, and Extremity markets (Spi.Tr.Ex). The company has a multi-site manufacturing footprint across North America and Europe.

Flexxbotics workcell digitalization is the backbone of the smart factory delivering autonomous process control for next generation machining environments utilizing robotics in the medical, aerospace and advanced industrial sectors. Flexxbotics breakthrough innovation, the unique FlexxCORE™ technology, seamlessly connects and coordinates robots with existing automation equipment, IT systems and people.

“We are proud to work with SpiTrex as they robot-enable manufacturing operations in their smart factories,” said Tyler Bouchard, Flexxbotics Co-founder & CEO. “We understand the necessity for the highest levels of precision while increasing output in advanced machining operations using robotics, particularly in sectors like medical, defense, aerospace and automotive. We believe that autonomous manufacturing cannot be achieved without autonomous process control which is why we are focused on robot-machine orchestration.”

ABOUT SPITREX ORTHOPEDICS

SpiTrex Orthopedics is an international contract manufacturer with a specific focus on complex orthopedic implants for the Spine, Trauma, and Extremity markets (Spi.Tr.Ex.). Our multi-site footprint consists of 4 manufacturing locations: SpiTrex CTE (Plymouth, IN), SpiTrex MDI (Lancaster, PA), SpiTrex 3D (Carlsbad, CA), and SpiTrex Switzerland (Le Locle, CH). They believe that together they can positively impact lives, that success comes from integrity, serving others, and a relentless quest for perfection, and that all problems can be solved with dedication, creative thinking, and personal care.

ABOUT FLEXXBOTICS

Flexxbotics workcell digitalization is the backbone of the Smart Factory delivering autonomous process control for next generation machining environments. Flexxbotics SaaS/hybrid solutions enable robot-driven manufacturing at scale. Flexxbotics breakthrough, the FlexxCORE™ technology, seamlessly connects and coordinates robots with existing automation equipment, IT systems and people. More powerful, flexible and open, Flexxbotics revolutionizes the use of robotics in complex production.

Visit www.flexxbotics.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn.

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