Methods “Metal Storm 2014” Event a Resounding Success
On June 11th and 12th, Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, automation and accessories, hosted Metal Storm 2014, a major open house / show. The event took place at the company’s recently expanded, renovated headquarters and corporate technology center at 71 Union Avenue in Sudbury, Massachusetts. In terms of attendance, technology and variety, Metal Storm is one of the most notable and growing venues of its kind in the U.S. In addition, to do their part in addressing the shortage of skilled manufacturing workers in the U.S., Methods hosted nearly 150 Massachusetts vocational technology students at their headquarters on June 13, providing demos, tours and discussions on today’s broad array of opportunities for youth in precision manufacturing. When the storm clouds subsided, attendance tallied over 1,500 for the three day period.
“While regional manufacturing industry shows have either faded or folded, our Metal Storm event has grown to the extent that it now rivals the attendance of a regional trade show,” beamed Bryon Deysher, Methods Machine Tools President & CEO. Metal Storm 2014 featured over 50 machines under power, including 15 new systems that were rolled out, some of them making their North American debut at the event. Attendees saw live demonstrations on machines such as the new YASDA Precision Machining Centers, new KIWA-Japan Horizontal Machining Centers, Nakamura-Tome Multitasking Turning Centers, FEELER High Performance Milling and Turning Centers, FANUC RoboDrill 5-Axis Vertical Machining Centers, FANUC Wire EDM Machines, Current EDM Drilling Machines and VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators. Methods also debuted their new SIGMA TANDEM 6A palletized vertical machining center that provides in one platform tremendous flexibility for job shops and OEMs. SIGMA is one of four quality Italian machine tool builders (SIGMA, JOBS, Sachman and Rambaudi) that Methods is introducing in the U.S.
“Metal Storm is a great opportunity to closely connect and build confidence with our customers, distributors and machine partners,” continued Deysher. “We had manufacturing attendees from all across the country who were able to review their applications and witness firsthand the wide range of new machines, technology and automation solutions we had on display.”
Jamie Hanson, Methods’ Director of Corporate Development added, “We received a lot of positive feedback from attendees who were as impressed with the new machining and automation solutions as they were with the conference sessions, which ranged from ‘Geometric Dimension and Tolerancing’ to ‘Design for Manufacturing and Assembly’, presented by the former leader of the Sikorsky Aircraft DfMA team.”
Among the show’s many highlights were Methods new line of YASDA’s Precision Machining Centers, which officially made their first U.S. show appearance at Metal Storm. YASDA Machines on display included the new H40i-PC24 5-Axis High Precision Machining Center for exceptional repeatability and accuracy, and the new YBM 640V3 and YBM 950V 3-Axis CNC Vertical Jig Borers which provide high-speed, precision boring and milling operations for superior accuracy in mold, die and complex component manufacturing. A newly expanded line of KIWA Horizontal Machining Centers was also introduced at Metal Storm. With the new KIWA KMH Series, the competitively priced KIWA line now has pallet sizes ranging from 300 mm to 1,250 mm.
Several Nakamura Lathes were showcased, including the new AS-200 High Performance Multitasking Turning Center featuring a single spindle, single turret in a heavy duty and compact machine for exceptional value. Now available to Nakamura users, a new FANUC control with WINDOWS 8.0 software provides an easy-to-use, powerful touch screen with access to full programming and troubleshooting manuals on a large 19-inch screen. New FEELER models included the FT-250SY 4-Axis Turning Center that made its North American debut at the event as well as the new SBM 2000 Universal Milling Machine with articulated head and integrated 4th Axis. The FEELER High Performance line includes Vertical Machining Centers, Turning Centers including Vertical Turning Lathes and Bridge / Boring Mills, all of which were demonstrated at Metal Storm.
Numerous FANUC D-Series RoboDrills were under power at Metal Storm, with demonstrations including the Pallet Changer model with a 4th Axis shuttle package and a D21LiA 5-Axis machine featuring the latest RTT-112 Tilt/Rotary Axis linear table from Tsudakoma. There was a demonstration of the FANUC DDR-T Linear 4th Axis with tailstock and trunion fixture. FANUC RoboCut EDM machines featured PCD and anti-recast cuts and demonstrated the capabilities of the latest version of Automatic Wire Feed Systems. For improved accuracy on the 4th Axis cut, new FANUC Taper Cut Compensation capability was demonstrated on Wire EDM’s, an industry first. And making its debut at Metal Storm, Methods featured the new, easy-to-use FANUC-built single-access rotary table, the lowest priced rotary table available today. Current EDM demonstrated Drilling of small holes.
Several pre-engineered automation solutions were demonstrated at Metal Storm including the popular RoboDrill JobShop Cell for efficient part loading / unloading. A RoboDrill Twin Cell featuring two FANUC RoboDrills being serviced by a single robot and optimizing loading / unloading time was also under power. The Methods Lathe JobShop Cell featured the new single spindle Nakamura AS-200 in a pre-engineered, flexible cell. For large parts, the Nakamura NTJX was set-up in a cell with capacity to load up to 60 lbs. of blanks into and out of the NTJX.
Attendees also participated in an interactive “Learn the Robot” demonstration, a simple way to show how robotics apply to machining. Metrology solutions included demonstrations of Carl Zeiss CMM’s and surface / roundness checking machines, and the VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator 300, 500 and new 700 Series. The VisionGauge 700 Series is a full 5-Axis inspection and measurement system developed for the aerospace industry.
Attendees also participated in leading-edge technical seminars throughout the two-day event, conducted by manufacturing industry experts in automotive, aerospace, automation on key topics including EDM solutions, CAMplete Turn / Mill Technology & Selecting the Right Turning Machine, Choosing the Best Automation Solution, 5-Axis Inspection, Turnkey Engineering Solutions, and more. In addition, a full contingent of vendors of software, tooling, workholding and other accessories exhibited at Metal Storm.
Metal Storm attendees were treated to a fully catered lunch and Metal Storm shirt memento.
Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 55 years, providing extensive applications engineering support, installation, parts, service and training through a network of large state-of-the-art technology centers and dealers throughout North America. For more information about Metal Storm 2014, please contact Methods at 65 Union Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776, TEL: (978) 443-5388, FAX: (978) 440-9405, Email: sales@methodsmachine.com