Sheet Metal Stamping Simulation

The new Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Web site, http://www.pma.org, brings a world of value to metalforming professionals looking to quickly find solutions to business and industry challenges, locate technical training and engage in peer-to-peer collaboration.

PMA has overhauled the entire navigation of its Web site into a simplified, easy-to-use structure. A rebuilt search feature allows visitors not only to search within PMA resources, but also to search throughout the metalforming industry, filtering out unrelated content typical of generic searches. 

Multipress Inc., a Columbus, OH manufacturer with a 50-year history of producing custom presses for the metalworking industry, was recently contacted by a customer with a requirement for a 50-ton deep-draw press. In this new application the customer specifications included:

Closed-loop proportional servo control of pressure for hold down (clamping) tooling to allow for variable pressure settings throughout the press work stroke for precise metal flow through the die when forming;

• Infinitely adjustable closed loop control of position and velocity of the pressing cylinder in pressing parts through the forming die;
• Manual joystick control of the pressing cylinder for both manual tooling setup and part adjustment during part prototyping; and
• Programmable communications with the press' supervisory PLC.

IF THE founders of Global Harvest Precision (GHP) had their way, the word 'no' would be removed from the dictionary. The company aims to be the industry's best metal stamping contractor, while continuing to manufacture high-quality parts at low prices. And it uses its flexibility as an SME to provide any and every kind of equipment a customer may need.

The company was founded in December 2002 by former machinists Tony Cheng and Lim Bee Hua. The two had prior experience in the industry with Ee Cheng Metal- Works, which began in 1972 but collapsed in 2000 after it continued to suffer from the 1997 economic crisis. Learning from this setback, the duo made a comeback with GHP; taking with them the team, experience, contacts and partners from their previous company.

When Gloria Georger stopped before what looked like massive rolls of duct tape, so did her entourage of mostly male middle managers.

"Not everyone likes to come in here and work in the noisy, oily environment that we have," Georger said above the din of crashing metal. As if part of a synchronized dance, giant robotic presses were hammering the rolls of steel into automobile doors, hoods and fenders.

Thank you to everyone that came and visited us at both MetalForm Mexico and Eastec. It has been a hectic few weeks for us travelling all over the country side to do these shows and meet with new (and existing clients). Don't forget, we will also be at Fabtech later on this year.

Chattanooga's drive to land Volkswagen had hit a pothole.

In May 2008, VW site selectors visiting the city had told local economic developers that Enterprise South industrial park was third in a three-city sweepstakes for a new $1 billion assembly plant.

Just hours later -- two years ago this week -- the decision was made to mobilize city and Hamilton County work forces and start to clear the wooded tract so VW officials could better see the property.

Tesla Motors has acquired the recently closed NUMMI factory in Fremont, California were they will be begin manufacturing their Model S sedan and the other future vehicle models. The NUMMI plant was closed in April of 2010 by Toyota who had the Corolla and Tacoma automobiles manufactured at this plant.

According to a report in the L.A. Times, city officials from Downey, California are disappointed about Tesla Motors acquiring the Northern California location. The Southern California city officials were hoping that Tesla Motors would have signed a lease agreement this Friday for a closed facility location that used to manufacturer space shuttle parts.

Maruti Suzuki India has denied reports suggesting usage of the Volkswagen manufacturing unit near Chakan. Volkswagen has a 19.9% stake in Japanese auto maker Suzuki. Citing current circumstances, Business Standard reported Maruti Suzuki India using VW’s unit near Pune to manufacture their own vehicles.

Flanked by dozens of auto workers at Ford Motor Co.’s Claycomo plant, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Tuesday urged the General Assembly to pass legislation to provide the automaker incentives to bring a new vehicle to the plant.

Nixon made his pitch for the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act as the legislature’s current session is set to end Friday evening.

Last year, when the U.S. Department of Energy was doling out its first batch of massive low-interest loan guarantees to car companies under the banner of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Program, it very blatantly left out General Motors and Chrysler — almost entirely due to their miserable financial situations.

But it seems both companies have turned things around enough to qualify for forthcoming rounds of federal stimulus funding, according to DOE senior advisor Matt Rogers. The department is even working closely with the relevant groups to make sure their applications for the money are up to snuff. Obviously, the government has a stake in seeing these companies gear up production of their greener vehicles — particularly GM’s Chevy Volt, which has been positioned as one of the most consumer-friendly options in this field.

Greetings from Mexico City. 

We're at the end the the second day here at MetalForm, and so far the response we have received has been outstanding. The people here seem to really understand how simulation can benefit them in their business. It seems that Mexico will become a huge growth area for our company, and we are excited about the prospects in the very near future.

Auto giant Ford Motor Co. (F) plans to produce 80,000 to 90,000 units of its new Fiesta model this year at its plant in Cuautitlan, outside Mexico City, Ford de Mexico Chief Executive Eduardo Serrano said Tuesday.

The majority of the cars, which Ford launched in Europe in Asia about 18 months ago, will be exported to the U.S. and Canada, officials said at an event celebrating the end of an extensive renovation of the plant.

About 400 jobs will be added at Chrysler Group LLC's casting and transmission plants in Kokomo, Ind., as part of a $43 million investment announced today.

Of the new positions, as many as 379 will be recalls of laid-off Chrysler workers and 20 new hires will be for supervisory positions, the company said.

Two of the key administration figures that led General Motors and Chrysler through bankruptcy last year said Monday that the companies have made significant progress in turning around their operations.

Ron Bloom, senior manufacturing adviser to President Barack Obama, said the administration is pleased with the management of the two companies and is "hopeful, cautious ... not yet confident" that they'll fully recover.

An international scandal erupted in early 1993 when Volkswagen A.G. enticed Jose Ignacio Lopez de Arriortua to walk off of his job as head of General Motors worldwide purchasing.

A native of Spain, he had cut a wide swath in Detroit inspiring fear and awe among longtime GM suppliers. At GM, Lopez served at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and while at VW he was given a four-year contract valued at $20 million. A master of “lean manufacturing,” Lopez took seven GM executives with him. This so enraged GM that it took immediate legal action. The company asked a German court to issue an order restraining VW from raiding their employees in Europe.