SW SOUTHWEST M ANUFACTURING N EWS Serving Since 1965 Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana & New Mexico Feature Editorial Quality Control & Measurement 3D Inspection Robot Cell 3DQI can detect defects less than half the width of a human hair. See Page 6 Vol. 56 No. 3 March 2021 See Online DIGITAL EDITIONS at www.mfgnewsweb.com Fastems to Deliver Laser Cleaner Robot for F-35 Lightning II Wing Assembly Line F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Image source and copyright: Lockheed Martin. Used with permission. MindSphere World Establishes North American Chapter In partnership with leading manu-facturers and technology firms, Mind-Sphere World has announced the formation of its newest chapter in North America. “As one of the world’s pre-mier IoT user associations, MindSphere World has expanded its scope to include the United States, Canada and Mexico in order to help accelerate the adoption of Industrial IoT and drive the digital transformation of manufacturing in the region,” said a spokesperson. Founding Board of Directors mem-bers for this new chapter include repre-sentatives from Deloitte, Fiat Chrysler Continued on Page 54 Education/Training CNC Machining Workforce Development Solution Fastems is delivering two Automated Structure Laser Cleaner (AutoSLC) units for the F-35 Lightning II Wing Line. The delivery of the new project is estimated to be completed near the end of 2021. Fastems’ AutoSLC solution is based on a robotized system, which is equipped with a laser ablation scan head designed to automatically remove primers and other protective coatings from F-35 wing components. “Laser ab-lation provides a pristine surface to which nutplates can be mechanically Continued on Page 54 Midland Industries Acquires Champion Brass Midland Industries has announced the acquisition of Champion Brass, a DeS-oto, TX-based distributor of brass fittings, valves, barbs and other related products that are sold through distributors and qualified OEMs throughout the United States. “The acquisition of Champion strengthens our team and product offer-ing as we continue to build a best-in-class platform in the specialty distribution and manufacturing industry,” said John Ger-ber, CEO of Midland. “We welcome John Miller and his team to the Midland family and look forward to learning from their Continued on Page 54 Machining Simulation for Workforce Development has expanded to provide CNC training. See Page 20 Applying Technology Manufacturer Closes the Skills Gap Conversational programming control feature helps Qualitex quickly train operators. See Page 28 Computer Aided Technology Expands to Texas Additive Manufacturing Expanded Metal 3D Printing Materials Library Desktop Metal now offers copper for the Studio System 3D printing system. See Page 34 Simmons Establishes New Technical Center Computer Aided Technology, Inc. (CATI), a provider of software, 3D print-ing, 3D scanning and metrology, PDM and PLM, design automation and imple-mentation solutions, is expanding its U.S. sales and services footprint by open-ing an office in Fort Worth, Texas. “The new facility, located at 9800 Hillwood Parkway, Suite 140, brings CATI’s industry-leading expertise to the Lone Star State and complements the Continued on Page 54 Simmons Machine Tool Corporation has announced the establishment of the Niles Technical Application Center (NTAC) at its manufacturing facility and headquarters in Albany, NY. The center will be the platform for offering Niles-Simmons machines to North American customers. Simmons is now responsible for all product sales and support of Niles-Sim-mons machinery to non-automotive customers in North America for indus-tries such as aerospace, defense, railway and machinery manufacturers. Continued on Page 54 Material Handling Bio-Inspired Gripping System Adhesive gripper with ADHESO technology is customized to the individual application. See Page 48 Subscription Changes: To make name, address subscription changes contact: • Phone: 800-375-8488 • Fax: 817-488-7813 • E-mail: info@mfgnewsweb.com • www.mfgnewsweb.com CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Gross Publications, Inc. SOUTHWEST MANUFACTURING NEWS P.O. Box 847 Grapevine, Texas 76099-0847 U.S.A. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE DALLAS, TX PERMIT 4245 People in the News Page 44 Advertiser Index Page 43 PAID
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