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Metrologic Group, Horus Metrology Sign Partnership Agreement in Mexico 

Metrologic Group, a software company specializing in 3D metrology and quality control, has signed a partnership agreement with Horus Metrology. 

,Horus Metrology’s solid expertise in on-site measurement and automation in Mexico, combined with Metrologic Group's universal software solutions, enables it to offer customized, turnkey solutions to companies wishing to automate their inspection processes. “Horus Metrology a natural choice, as we had already worked with them in the past with very positive results," explains Rémi Vernay, Integrator Network Manager at Metrologic Group. “Their recognized expertise in 3D inspection and process automation, as well as their presence in both Mexico and the USA, were decisive factors. Thanks to this strategic alliance, we are bringing 3D measurements even closer to the heart of production. At a time when optimizing the manufacturing chain is an absolute priority, we are providing our customers with the concrete, innovative answers they expect. We are more than ever ready to meet their most ambitious challenges. And I'm extremely proud to have Horus as a privileged partner."  

Horus Metrology is a recognized and valued player on the American market, and for several years has been developing its partnership with 3C Metrology, Metrologic Group's official reseller in Mexico. "Having collaborated over the last few years on projects of various sizes, the formalization of this alliance brings us greater competitiveness by uniting the commercial and technical strengths of both companies. Horus Metrology, whose staff have extensive experience in dimensional metrology and automation, is a strategic partner for the development of the Mexican market,” continues Marta Cantabrana, General Manager of 3C Metrology, Metrologic Group's official reseller in Mexico. 

“Our alliance with Metrologic Group is part of our growth strategy integrating state-of-the-art hardware with software in constant innovation," concludes Rodrigo Sedano, commercial director of Horus Metrology. 

This new partnership enables Metrologic Group to support all its current and future customers wishing to automate their inspection processes or increase the speed of their measurement cycles. It enables us to offer them a complete, customized service that is both high-quality and technically simple to manage, with a single point of contact.  

For more information, visit www.metrologic.group. 

Gleason Corporation Acquires Intra Group of Companies 

Gleason Corporation announced it has acquired 100% of the shares of the Intra Group of Companies with its headquarters in Westland, Michigan. Intra is a global industry leader offering a broad range of custom measurement technology including single flank gear testing equipment and is a supplier of high precision gears and components to many of the world's leading aerospace and defense companies. 

The acquisition includes the entities of Intra Corporation and Intra Technical Services, LLC in Westland, Michigan; Intra Limited in Hitchin, United Kingdom; Intra Aerospace LLC in Rancho Cucamonga, California as well as its affiliated sales and service companies.  

John J. Perrotti, Gleason Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Intra’s established range of metrology solutions for propulsion systems including for NVH analysis complements Gleason’s existing gear metrology products and will bring exciting opportunities for future joint developments and further market expansion.  In addition, we see opportunities across many other aspects of our respective businesses ranging from precision machining, workholding, automation and more.” 

Perrotti further stated, “This strategic addition to our portfolio fits nicely with our mission of Total Gear Solutions and the Design-Manufacture-Measure ecosystem fundamental to that mission, while at the same time expanding our presence in market segments which promise future growth.”  

John Battista Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Intra Companies commented, “We have been a family business for 48 years and we see Gleason in terms of its similar culture and values along with its well-known global brand and range of technology to be the ideal successor to take the Intra Group to the next level of performance.”    

John Battista III, President of the Intra Companies, said, “I am excited to join the Gleason leadership team and work collaboratively to realize the full potential of our combined companies for the benefit of our customers, employees and other partners. We will continue forward with the same operating organization and are diligently working together to achieve a seamless integration. Any changes regarding company names, banking and other administrative details will be provided in separate communications to those respective partners.” 

For more information, visit www.gleason.com. 

GE Appliances Reshoring Again

On June 26, GE Appliances, a Haier Company, announced a $490 million investment to reshore production of washers and washer/dryers from China, creating 800 new full-time jobs in 2027. The Reshoring Initiative offered to highlight this announcement because of GE Appliance’s historic role launching, documenting and making credible U.S. reshoring. 

The Reshoring initiative was founded in 2010. In 2012, despite my best efforts, reshoring was still a trickle that no one had heard of.  Then I, and I believe hundreds of thousands of others, read Charles Fishman’s article “The Insourcing Boom” in the December 2012 issue of The Atlantic. In great detail, Charles described how GE Appliances reshored appliance production from China to Appliance Park, which employed “a tenth of the people in its heyday.” The article reviewed a broad range of benefits GE Appliances achieved by reshoring. Most memorable to me was the benefit of having manufacturing near engineering. The assembly team and engineering cooperated to simplify appliance design to reduce component cost and assembly time to make U.S. assembly competitive. Even though the Chinese manufacturing cost was still substantially lower, the U.S. total cost was lower due to inventory costs and delivery issues. For years, I quoted the article in my presentations.  

With this announcement and several earlier investments, Kevin Nolan, CEO GE Appliances, has walked his talk: “I’ve always said, this is just economics, people are going to realize that the savings they thought they had aren’t real, and it’s going to be better and cheaper to make them here.” 

Congratulations to GE Appliances! 

Over 2 million reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs have been announced since 2010.

−From Harry Moser, president, Reshoring Initiative. 

For more information, visit www.ReshoreNow.org. 

FRAMOS, Toradex Strengthen Partnership to Simplify Embedded Vision Development   

Embedded system engineers and architects, as well as technical team leads in robotics, IoT, medical, and industrial applications, can now benefit from a simplified approach to building embedded systems with vision capabilities: FRAMOS and Toradex are deepening their partnership.  

Specifically, FRAMOS and Toradex have built a seamless integration between the FSM:GO family of optical sensor modules and the Verdin iMX8M Plus SoM, both for the Yocto Project and for Torizon. Engineers can now more easily integrate validated camera modules and image sensors with Toradex’s NXP-based SoMs, reducing development time and complexity. Both companies also provide detailed documentation, useful demos and coordinated support.  

In addition to driver support for Toradex's Verdin iMX8M Plus, which already supports the full line of FRAMOS FSM:GO camera modules, work is currently underway to integrate drivers for the Verdin iMX95 BSP. Both companies offer long-term availability for the integrated products.  

Evaluation kits from both companies help developers prototype faster and accelerate time to market, especially for AI-enabled edge applications like drones and industrial IoT devices. For example, drones can be developed that take razor-sharp, high-resolution aerial images that are processed and evaluated directly in the field and whose data is sent over-the-air (OTA) to a central cloud instance.  

“The partnership between FRAMOS and Toradex will not only inspire embedded system engineers, but above all the applications they build,” says Nathan Dinning, Head of Product Management at FRAMOS.  

“With FRAMOS, we have found a strong partner to help our customers achieve advanced imaging capabilities for their embedded systems,” says Carlos Gonzalez Mancebo, Head of Partnerships at Toradex.  

For more information, visit https://go.framos.com/e/857823/partner-toradex-/3r7jkh/2223133265/h/_Unqibgf7nkVMRSL60YtxSJ2a2Qt6sJZMPKZPmptDcQ. 

Wabtec Finalizes Acquisition of Evident’s Inspection Technologies Division  

Wabtec Corporation announced that it completed the acquisition of Evident’s Inspection Technologies division (Inspection Technologies), formerly part of the Scientific Solutions Division of Olympus Corporation, a leader in Non-Destructive Testing, Remote Visual Inspection and Analytical Instruments solutions for mission critical assets. This acquisition strengthens Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business with inspection technologies that enhance customer productivity, reliability, and safety, while also positioning the company for accelerated, profitable growth.  

“Today, we are a stronger company with the addition of Inspection Technologies,” said Rafael Santana, president and CEO of Wabtec. “The acquisition expands and strengthens our Digital Intelligence business, with advanced products and services for the Company’s rail, mining, and industrial sectors, while broadening our reach into other high-growth, high-margin end-markets. It enhances Wabtec's existing portfolio, is accretive to key financial metrics, and aligns with the company's long-term vision to lead the industry in innovation for our customers.”  

The strategic acquisition helps accelerate Wabtec's growth trajectory and meets the increasing demand for advanced diagnostic technologies. It also aligns with Wabtec’s stated growth drivers, including accelerating the innovation of scalable technologies, increasing the installed base, expanding high-margin recurring revenues, and driving continuous operational improvements. Additionally, acquiring Inspection Technologies expands Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence business growth opportunities and recurring revenue, effectively doubling the size of its total addressable market (TAM) from approximately $8 billion to $16 billion, while enhancing its ability to deliver innovative solutions to a broader range of customers.  

“Inspection Technologies’ product portfolio strongly complements our existing digital technologies, while adding advanced automated inspection capabilities in a space where data acquisition, analytics, and automation are critical,” said Nalin Jain, president of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Group. “It will accelerate the development of scalable technologies by integrating advanced analytics, sensors, and AI technology to deliver enhanced predictive maintenance capabilities to our customers. Evident Inspection Technology employees have done a fantastic job in delivering these innovative technologies and I am looking forward to welcoming them to the Wabtec family.”    

Wabtec acquired Evident’s Inspection Technologies division for $1.78 billion (~$1.68 billion after tax benefits). The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand, newly issued term notes, plus term loans and short-term borrowing under the company’s credit agreement. The transaction is anticipated to provide immediate shareholder value with a high single-digit revenue growth outlook, accretive Adjusted EBIT margins and accretive return on invested capital (ROIC) over time.  Additionally, the acquisition is projected to be slightly accretive to Adjusted EPS in the second half of 2025.  The purchase price reflects an estimated multiple of 12.0x projected 2025 EBITDA adjusted for transaction and separation costs, anticipated tax benefits, and projected run-rate cost synergies of $25 million. The company intends to incorporate the revenue and EPS impact of this acquisition into its Full Year Financial Guidance during its Q2 Earnings call.   

For more information, visit http://www.wabteccorp.com or ims.evidentscientific.com. 

Man of Steel: Missouri S&T Graduate Confirms New Methods to Reduce Steel Defects  

When ultra-strong steel parts are made for vehicles, military equipment and heavy manufacturing, a single crack or distortion during production can lead to costly delays and wasted materials. A recent Missouri University of Science and Technology Ph.D. graduate says his research offers new methods to potentially reduce these issues. 

“Cracking and warping during the heat treatment, or controlled heating and cooling, of steel has long been a major headache for manufacturers and can cost billions of dollars each year,” says Dr. Kingsley Amatanweze, who defended his Ph.D. dissertation and graduated this spring. “My research focused on improving the induction melting, pouring and cooling of steel to make the process more reliable and enhance the properties of the final product — and the results were exciting.” 

Amatanweze, of Nigeria, primarily researched an ultrahigh-strength, lightweight steel alloy that includes chromium, molybdenum and nickel. His advisor was Dr. Laura Bartlett, S&T’s Robert V. Wolf Associate Professor of Metallurgical Engineering and Foundry Educational Foundation Key Professor of Metalcasting Technology. 

Amatanweze examined how parts are hardened during the final stage of production, known as quenching, and compared a water-spray quench method developed at S&T to the traditional immersion process involving oil or water and found that the spray technique provided more even cooling and reduced the risk of cracks — especially in parts with complex shapes. 

“Based on our results, this spray method is a promising alternative for industries that want stronger parts with fewer defects and for manufacturers looking to cut waste and improve efficiency,” he says. “Using water is also cleaner, safer and more sustainable than using oil.” 

Amatanweze also worked on methods to produce cleaner, higher-quality steel castings during other manufacturing stages. For the melting stage, he identified how adding a dome cover and increasing the volume of argon gas over the molten steel can limit nitrogen absorption, which can cause tiny gas pockets and weaken the final product. 

He fine-tuned the timing for adding alloys to steel and reduced how long the steel remains molten after reaching the target temperature, which also helps to minimize nitrogen gas absorption. 

For the mold-filling stage, he researched new designs for the gating, or channels that guide liquid steel into molds, to reduce turbulence and trap impurities. 

“What’s so fascinating about materials science is how this field has been around for thousands of years in different forms, yet we’re still finding new and incredible ways to make a real difference in 2025,” he says. “I especially love metallurgical engineering because it touches nearly every part of modern life — from infrastructure and vehicles to buildings and advanced technology.” 

Amatanweze’s passion for his field led to international recognition when he was selected as a student member of ASM International’s board of trustees in 2023 and earned the 2024 ASM Best Student Paper Award for his research. 

ASM International is a professional association for materials engineers and scientists. It was previously known as the American Society for Metals. 

Amatanweze says he has always been excited to promote the importance of metallurgical engineering, but having Bartlett as his advisor helped take his enthusiasm to a new level.  

“She is amazing with public outreach and explaining to everyone the importance of our field and the work we do,” he says. “I had such supportive professors at Missouri S&T who truly care about their students and about preparing us to hit the ground running after earning our degrees.”  

For more information, visit www.mst.edu. For more about Missouri S&T’s metallurgical engineering programs, visit mse.mst.edu.  

Kitov AI, FANUC America Announce Strategic Partnership in AI-Driven Smart Manufacturing 

FANUC America Corporation and Kitov AI, Inc., announce a strategic partnership to transform manufacturing automation with intelligent, AI-enhanced solutions. 

This collaboration unites FANUC America’s robotic systems and automation expertise with Kitov AI’s advanced machine vision and deep learning technologies. The partnership aims to deliver integrated solutions that optimize quality control, increase production efficiency, and address the evolving needs of industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing. 

By combining Kitov AI’s AI-powered visual inspection systems, which excel in detecting defects and ensuring precision through 3D vision and machine learning, with FANUC America’s versatile robotic platforms, the partnership enables manufacturers to achieve seamless automation and superior quality assurance. These solutions will streamline complex production processes, reduce downtime, and enhance operational flexibility in dynamic manufacturing environments. 

Bob Wasilesky, President of Kitov AI Inc., stated, “This partnership with FANUC America is a game-changer for the industry. By integrating our AI-driven inspection and robot path planning capabilities with FANUC’s world-class robotics, we are empowering manufacturers to achieve unprecedented levels of quality and productivity. Together, we are redefining the future of smart manufacturing.” 

The collaboration will focus on developing tailored solutions for automated quality inspection, assembly validation, and dimensional metrology, with an emphasis on scalability and ease of integration.  

FANUC America and Kitov AI unveiled their joint solutions at the OptiPro Open House in Ontario, NY, on June 11th. Visitors experienced live demonstrations of the integrated robotic and AI inspection systems and explore how this partnership is driving innovation in manufacturing.  

“We are thrilled to partner with Kitov AI to bring cutting-edge automation solutions to our customers,” said Ben Walters, District Sales Manager(NY/PA) of FANUC America’s Robotics Division. “Kitov AI’s innovative vision technology complements our robotic systems, enabling us to provide manufacturers with smarter, more efficient tools to meet the demands of modern production.”  

For more information, visit www.kitov.ai or www.fanucamerica.com. 

Medical Manufacturing Technologies Announces Strategic Acquisition of Comco 

Medical Manufacturing Technologies (MMT), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management and a leading global provider of automated, process-driven medical device manufacturing solutions, announced the acquisition of Comco, a recognized leader in the micro-precision sandblasting sector. This strategic move is set to significantly enhance MMT’s abrasive technology offerings while vastly expanding its microblasting capabilities. 

Established in 1965, Comco is a leading company in the microblasting space, a technique utilized for deburring, texturing, cleaning, and modifying part surfaces. As the creators of the award-winning MicroBlaster®, Comco has gained the trust of industry professionals in medical manufacturing, microelectronics, precision machining, and aerospace, positioning itself as the premier partner for microblasting solutions. 

Robbie Atkinson, CEO of MMT, said, “We are thrilled to expand our range of comprehensive manufacturing solutions with the acquisition of Comco. This new partnership will strengthen our position as a trusted end-to-end provider of medical and specialized industrial manufacturing services and solutions worldwide.” He continued, “Comco’s commitment to quality products, exceptional customer support, and outstanding technical assistance aligns perfectly with MMT’s dedication to innovation and customer care, ultimately helping customers achieve success.” 

Comco’s MicroBlaster® operates by uniformly mixing clean, dry air with abrasive particles as small as 17.5 microns. The mixture is propelled through a nozzle tip at high velocity, resulting in a tightly focused and easily controlled abrasive stream. This state-of-the-art technology enables consistent microblasting parameters, ensuring a high level of repeatability and providing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly manufacturing method. 

“We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with MMT, a trusted leader in automated, process-driven manufacturing,” stated Colin Weightman, President of Comco. “By combining our unique strengths and expertise, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that will enhance the customer experience and propel the manufacturing industry towards new heights of success.” 

Weightman will assume the role of Technical Sales Director, contributing to the growth of MMT’s abrasive technologies while also strengthening partnerships and promoting ongoing innovation with microblasting to solve manufacturing challenges. 

For more information, visit mmt-inc.com or comcoinc.com.  

High QA Joins InnovMetric PolyWorks Digital Thread Partnership 

High QA has joined InnovMetric’s PolyWorks Digital Thread Program. This strategic partnership empowers manufacturers of all sizes to bridge the gap between 2D inspection quality requirements planning and 3D metrology, enabling a truly end-to-end Digital Thread across the quality lifecycle.  

By eliminating silos between quality and manufacturing teams, High QA and InnovMetric are uniting inspection quality requirements planning with real-world 3D measurements in a single, automated, lifecycle-connected workflow. The result is seamless, real-time data flow that preserves traceability, enhances collaboration, and delivers time savings of over 90%—all while maintaining full integrity from design through production and reporting. 

“We are pleased that High QA has become one of our digital thread partners,” says Marc Soucy, President of InnovMetric. “PolyWorks is an open solution that integrates seamlessly with High QA’s Inspection Manager,” making it easier for manufacturers to streamline their quality processes.  

“Together with InnovMetric, we are weaving a digital thread that connects manufacturers’ quality and manufacturing teams and empowers them to work smarter, faster, and with greater accuracy than ever,” adds Sam Golan, Founder and CEO of High QA. 

High QA’s “One-Click” auto-ballooning and GD&T extraction tools integrate directly with PolyWorks|Inspector™, eliminating manual entry and enabling fast, reliable transfer of dimensional requirements. The result: fewer errors, faster workflows, and accelerated metrology programming for every part. 

Results captured in PolyWorks|DataLoop™ flow directly into High QA, ensuring full data integrity and alignment. Users can seamlessly leverage trusted measurement data for advanced reporting, analysis, and submission tools—without the risk or effort of manual re-entry. 

Users of both systems benefit from a connected experience. PolyWorks users can access High QA’s auto-ballooned drawings, inspection plans, and reporting tools, while High QA users can retrieve detailed measurement results from DataLoop, enabling clear insights into pass/fail quality tests.  

For more information, visit https://www.highqa.com/. 

Blum-Novotest Opens New Competence Center  
in Erlanger, KY 

Blum-Novotest, Inc., recently opened the new Blum-Novotest Competence Center (BNCC) in Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati. It is one of four global competence centers for Blum-Novotest. The NKY facility provides a modern hub of technical information, resources and know-how for the Americas. It serves as a regional procurement center to quickly answer the specific market requirements. The United States is often viewed as the technological showcase of the world. Manufacturing industries are constantly improving competitiveness with a high level of automation and by integrating state of the art measuring and testing technologies into their process. The Blum-Novotest measuring systems are ideally positioned to enable “lights out manufacturing” in job shop operations as well as in harsh, high-production facilities.  

“With the Competence Centers, the Blum-Novotest mission is to consolidate its global expertise to provide fast and efficient measuring solutions to the local industries," says Lilian Barraud, Blum-Novotest Inc. President / Regional Manager Americas. “The BNCC delivers results with a highly qualified regional team and a fully equipped technical center with the capacity to pilot software development for relevant machine controls.  We will be able to provide needs-based process consulting and optimization.  The BNCC expansion has also enabled us to optimize our supply chain process and add the ability to perform local repairs and assemblies.” 

The BNCC addition is an expansion to the North Americas Headquarters at 1368 Cox Avenue, Erlanger, KY, located near the Cincinnati airport.  

For more information, visit www.blum-novotest.com. 

Hexagon Unveils Octave Name for Potential 2026 Company Spin-Off 

As Hexagon AB prepares for the potential spin-off of Hexagon's Asset Lifecycle Intelligence and Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial divisions and related businesses, the company has announced that the new business will operate as Octave. This new name communicates the company's intent to increase, accelerate, and optimise customer outcomes. 

As previously announced, in addition to Hexagon's existing Asset Lifecycle Intelligence and Safety, Infrastructure and Geospatial divisions, Octave will also include ETQ (currently operating under the Manufacturing Intelligence division) and Bricsys (currently operating under the Geosystems division). 

This new business will be a pureplay software and SaaS company focused on helping customers make smarter, more data-driven decisions across their organisation. Octave's portfolio will help customers design, build, operate and protect assets more effectively, enabling clearer insights and better incident response.  

"As we prepare for the potential separation from Hexagon AB, Octave will be a powerful identity to reflect the significant growth opportunity," said Mattias Stenberg, current President of Hexagon's Asset Lifecycle Intelligence and Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial divisions and incoming Octave Chief Executive Officer. "As a separate, stand-alone company Octave will have the depth, scale, and expertise necessary to capitalise on software and services opportunities across the industrial and public sector spaces and deliver intelligence at scale." 

Collectively, Octave had approximately 7,200 employees as of December 31, 2024, and revenues of approximately EUR 1,448 million with an adjusted operating margin (EBIT1) of approximately 31% for the year ended December 31, 2024, before consideration of standalone costs and using IFRS accounting standards.[1] 

If approved by relevant stakeholders, it is the Hexagon Board's current expectation that the separation and listing process will be completed in the first half of 2026. Hexagon will provide additional information on the cost of the separation process and other key matters in due course. 

The separation, spin-off and listing remain subject to this ongoing process and final approval of the Hexagon Board and shareholders, as well as being subject to other conditions, consents and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurances that a separation, spin-off or listing will occur. 

For more information, visit octave.com.  

April 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $212.8M, Up 2.7% From March 

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $212.8 million in April 2025. Orders increased 2.7% from March 2025 but were down 2.8% from April 2024. Year-to-date shipments totaled $818.3 million, a drop of 5.1% from the same period in 2024. 

“Tariff negotiations change every week without clear direction, stagnating key market segments for our products,” said Steve Boyer, president of USCTI. “Industries like aerospace and automotive, which are heavy users of our products, have been lagging due to uncertainty regarding raw materials, inventories, and acquisition costs of components for assembly. The uncertainties have led to declines in year-over-year orders and delayed what most of us expected would be a considerable uptick for the first half of this year. Gaining traction in the second half of 2025 will be significantly impacted by the speed at which clarity is gained, and manufacturing can be ramped up once that’s achieved.” 

The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process, the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels. 

For more information, visit amtonline.org. 

The ASSEMBLY Show Announces Keynote Speaker, Opens Registration for 2025 Event in Rosemont, IL 

Together with the New Quality Deck and Co-Located with SMTA International, Joanna Cooper, general manager of Daimler Truck North America, will deliver the keynote address at The ASSEMBLY Show, taking place October 21-23, 2025, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.   

The ASSEMBLY Show is the leading trade event for assembly technology, connecting professionals with the latest equipment, solutions, and innovations. The program features hands-on product demos, expert-led educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a dynamic exhibit floor showcasing top suppliers and technologies driving the industry forward. Register for free today to attend the Expo Hall and Keynote.  

The keynote, sponsored by Promess, will take place on Wednesday, October 22, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Cooper will discuss “The Competitive Edge” and share firsthand insights into cultivating a sustainable and agile culture of innovation. Drawing from real-world experience, she unpacks the challenges faced and lessons learned while leading transformation in a complex, technology-driven manufacturing environment. From harnessing AI to stabilizing assembly operations, Joanna demonstrates how digital tools are not only revolutionizing products but also redefining decision-making, how teams are engaged, and how operations are run. 

“Joanna Cooper’s leadership at Daimler Truck North America is a powerful example of how innovation and agility can shape the future of manufacturing,” said John Sprovieri, Editor in Chief of ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of The ASSEMBLY Show. “Her keynote will set the tone for three days of forward-thinking conversations, hands-on demos, and strategic networking.” 

A respected industry leader, Cooper serves on the Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing and was recently named one of Women in Trucking’s “Top Women to Watch in Transportation.” Her career is defined by a dedication to operational excellence, inclusive leadership, and advocacy for women in industry. Following her keynote, Cooper will join an audience Q&A session.  

In addition to the keynote, attendees at the ASSEMBLY Show will have access to the Exhibit Hall, featuring 200+ exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge assembly technologies. Participating companies include Gold Sponsor Promess; Silver Sponsor UJIGAMI; and Bronze Sponsors Du-Pas by TorQTec, WEISS and IPS.   

The trade show will once again be co-located with SMTA International, the premier event for professionals in the electronics manufacturing industry. Your ASSEMBLY Show registration grants access to SMTA’s exhibit hall.   

New for 2025, the show floor will feature the QUALITY Deck, presented by Quality magazine. This dedicated area will showcase quality manufacturing technology suppliers specializing in solutions for product quality and process improvement. Highlighting the critical role of quality control, the QUALITY Deck will help manufacturers improve consistency, efficiency, and overall product performance.  

The 2025 ASSEMBLY Show will offer several networking events, including the Taste of Rosemont Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall, sponsored by UJIGAMI, taking place on Tuesday, October 21. A networking reception on Wednesday evening offers attendees and exhibitors the chance to relax with great food and music while making new connections. Thursday morning features the Breakfast Mingle on the show floor. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The ASSEMBLY Show will once again hold Pink Out Day on Thursday, October 23, and match all donations to support the Susan G. Komen foundation.  

Registration for The ASSEMBLY Show is now open. Attendees can explore the latest technologies, network with top-tier suppliers, and gain insights from industry leaders driving change across the manufacturing landscape. Free registration for the Expo Hall and Keynote is available until September 13. Save $50 on the Tuesday Conference Package + Expo, which includes a full day of sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities before the exhibit hall opens on Tuesday evening.  

For more information, visit www.assemblymag.com. 

Hexagon Unveils Autonomous Metrology Suite 

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has announced the launch of Autonomous Metrology Suite, software developed on its cloud-based Nexus platform that is designed to transform quality control across manufacturing industries worldwide. By removing all coding from coordinate measuring machine (CMM) workflows, it helps manufacturers speed up critical R&D and manufacturing processes as experienced metrologists become harder to find.   

Manufacturers across automotive, aerospace and general engineering report the same pressures: shorter product lifecycles and frequent design revisions have increased the need for high-accuracy measurement, but there are fewer skilled CMM programmers and quality data is scattered and underutilized. These issues slow new-part introduction and make it difficult to repeat good results shift after shift.    

Hexagon’s Autonomous Metrology Suite tackles the problem head-on. A digital twin of every connected CMM synchronizes seamlessly with its physical counterpart, so the correct inspection program always reaches the right machine, helping to eliminate possible human error. All quality, utilization and environmental information flows straight to a cloud dashboard, creating a continuous digital thread supporting data-driven decisions on the shop floor.   

All applications in the suite share a consistent modern and intuitive web interface that guides both new and expert users through the process, helping to democratize the creation of CMM programs and reduce the level of skills required to interact with the solution. Depending on complexity, programming could be reduced from days to hours, following which the program deployment to one or more CMMs, execution and reporting can be fully automated from a single interface.   

These efficiency gains are driven by a set of tightly integrated applications built on Hexagon’s Nexus platform, automating and streamlining the entire metrology workflow. Metrology Mentor guarantees consistent inspection methods from plant to plant, eliminating a risk that two operators measure the same part in different ways. The suite enables Hexagon’s existing Global S, Tigo and MAESTRO CMMs to join the same digital workflow, meaning existing investments continue to pay dividends, with support planned for 3rd party hardware.   

The Autonomous Metrology Suite is available to pilot customers now

, with full commercial availability this year that includes on-premise software to synchronize programs, CMM digital twins and reports with Nexus, and execute CMM programs without the explicit requirement for metrology software as PC-DMIS. Future suite developments will further simply the rapid acquisition, analysis and application of metrology data within manufacturing processes utilizing the Nexus platform’s open connectivity, automation and collaboration capabilities.   

For more information, visit hexagon.com. 

Promess Announces Promotion of Lytle to President 

Promess Incorporated announced the promotion of John Lytle to the role of president. 

John succeeds Glenn Nausley, who has served as President since 2011. Glenn will transition into the role of Chief Operating Officer, while Larry Stockline continues as Chief Executive Officer. 

John Lytle has been a vital part of Promess since joining the company in 2002. In his previous role as Engineering Manager, he played a crucial role in advancing the company’s application engineering, product development, and culture, working closely with Glenn and Larry to drive innovation and growth. His leadership has helped position Promess as a trusted name in the industry, and the company is excited to enter this new chapter with John at the helm. 

“We are thrilled to see John step into this role,” said Larry Stockline, CEO of Promess Inc. “His expertise and dedication have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to the future of Promess under his leadership.” 

For more information, visit www.promessinc.com. 

Jomphe Appointed Divisional VP of Creaform Engineering and Crank Software 

Creaform, a business of AMETEK, Inc., announced the appointment of Martin Jomphe as Division Vice President (DVP) of Creaform Engineering and Crank Software, effective immediately. This strategic leadership role positions Martin at the helm of two dynamic teams, uniting expertise in robust engineering capabilities and embedded GUI to deliver unparalleled value to clients around the world. 

Martin Jomphe, with over two decades of experience in engineering management and strategic development, has played a pivotal role in Creaform Engineering Services’ growth, overseeing the product development & engineering services division’s strategic plan and doubling its revenue as Business Development Manager. In 2022, he transitioned to lead Crank Software, where he spearheaded advancements in embedded graphical user interface (GUI) solutions across industries such as home automation, and automotive, empowering R&D teams to accelerate product development and achieve higher ROI. 

As DVP, Martin will oversee strategy, operations and revenue across both organizations. Martin’s vision is to consolidate strengths and leverage shared expertise to enhance service delivery. This approach aims to position Creaform as a product engineering service powerhouse, driving innovation and strategic growth for its clients. 

“Martin Jomphe embodies the core values of passion, innovation, and determination that define our company. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our teams and elevate our ability to meet our clients’ evolving needs,” explains Fanny Truchon, President of Creaform. 

Martin’s leadership philosophy centers on authenticity, integrity, and delivering meaningful value to clients. “At Creaform Engineering, we succeed when our clients succeed,” said Martin Jomphe, before adding that “this role is a chance to keep listening closely, leading with intent, and helping our partners innovate with confidence.” 

For more information, visit creaform3d.com. 

MVTec, Siemens Expand Technological Cooperation  

MVTec Software GmbH and Siemens are expanding their technological cooperation in the field of industrial automation. To reinforce their increasingly close collaboration, Siemens joined the MVTec Technology Partner Program in May 2025.  

As a result of the collaboration, users who rely on Siemens hardware products and MVTec software products for their machine vision applications benefit from increased performance and seamless interaction between software and hardware. Current highlights of the cooperation include Siemens industrial PCs (IPCs), which can handle even the most demanding machine vision applications with MVTec HALCON, such as deep learning applications.  

"We are delighted to welcome Siemens, a heavyweight in the automation industry, to our technology partner program. With Siemens, we are expanding our partner program portfolio with an important component, namely powerful IPCs,“ explains Roman Moie, Product Owner at MVTec.  

Peter Berger, Product Portfolio Manager at Siemens, adds: “Our customers have been using MVTec software for a long time. With this partnership, we want to put the perfect interaction of these solutions with our robust Simatic industrial PCs on an even broader footing."  

MVTec is a leading global manufacturer of software for machine vision. The company offers the powerful standard software HALCON, the no-code software MERLIC, and the Deep Learning Tool for labeling image data. The Industrial Computing division of Siemens specializes on robust industrial PCs (SIMATIC IPCs). For special applications, the focus is on highly scalable box-, panel-, and rack PCs.  

Industrial PCs are often a crucial component for demanding machine vision applications. With the SIMATIC IPC BX-35A and BX-39A, Siemens provides its customers with industrial imaging devices that can perform all tasks such as anomaly detection, shape-based matching, object recognition, quality control, and optical character recognition (OCR).  

Among others, The NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ NX module, which is integrated into the SIMATIC IPC BX-35A, ensures perfect interaction with MVTec HALCON. The module acts as an AI accelerator, enabling deep learning inferences to be executed significantly faster. HALCON offers a whole range of deep learning methods for different tasks. As users can now use these methods more easily and with fewer resources, they are able to automate challenging and completely new applications with machine vision that were not possible before.  

Industry standards, uniform interfaces, as well as perfectly coordinated hardware and software products ensure that users can select exactly the components they need for their application. This makes it easy to create the optimal machine vision solution for each requirement. Promoting the interoperability and compatibility of components is the declared goal of the MVTec Technology Partner Program. The program is a joint initiative to promote strategic partnerships with innovative technology providers from various industries.  

"We have a long-standing partnership with Siemens. Our current collaboration focuses primarily on our MVTec HALCON software. We are also driving forward other joint projects with MERLIC. These include a plug-in for the Siemens SIMATIC PLC as well as MERLIC's inclusion in the Siemens Industrial Edge Ecosystem," concludes Roman Moie.  

For more information, visit www.mvtec.com or www.siemens.com/ipc. 

Coherix Unveils Service Program for Adhesive Dispensing Systems 

Michigan-based Coherix is introducing a service program to maintain robotic adhesive dispensing systems critically important in the manufacture of automotive and consumer electronics products. 

Coherix CARES is a customer-service program that provides training, technical assistance and on-site support to maintain complex robotic systems used in the application of adhesives and sealants in product manufacturing. 

Jared Rogers, the company’s applications engineering manager, helped develop Coherix CARES. He notes that while high-speed adhesive-dispensing systems are essential they also can be challenging, involve various system integrators with a variety of suppliers and can be difficult to maintain once installed on an assembly line. 

Coherix CARES initially will be offered to customers in North America followed by manufacturers in the Asia Pacific region and Europe later in 2026. A major Japanese automaker in the United States was the first Coherix customer to adopt the program last month for powertrain assembly lines. 

Coherix expects to enroll more than 15 percent of its customer base in the new program over the next several years. The company also plans to triple the number of field-application engineers and customer-service team members in the U.S. to meet program demand. 

The new Coherix program will be offered on an annual subscription basis. Costs will vary depending on the number of Coherix adhesive inspection systems involved as well as individual customer needs.  

Based on beta testing, Rogers believes an average subscription will range from $50,000 up to $200,000 and pay for itself in less than a year by minimizing scrap and rework costs, reducing downtime, optimizing cycle times, preventing quality spills and delivering continuous operational improvements. 

“Coherix CARES is much more than a service plan,” says Dwight Carlson, Coherix chairman and CEO. “It’s a proactive partnership that ensures that customer dispensing teams are equipped with the ability, tools and expert guidance needed to drive consistent, ongoing results.” 

The company currently provides 51 carmakers and 75 Tier One auto suppliers with more than 5,000 industry-leading 3D laser-based inspection systems worldwide.  

The new Coherix program offers a wide range of much-needed dispensing-system resources, including: 

• Onsite and remote support from Coherix engineers; 
• Regular dispensing-system evaluation reports; 
• Process recommendations for system improvement; 
• Training programs for customer personnel; 
• Installation of industry-first Coherix Data Analytics software; 
• System software and user-interface updates, and 
• Software maintenance and backup storage. 

Rogers points out that the company also provides a five-year warranty on its 3D laser-based inspection systems and currently offers workshops at its technical center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for automotive and consumer-electronics engineers to develop solutions for common adhesive-dispensing problems.  

The clinics are moderated by Terry Taylor, an engineer with nearly 30 years of dispensing-system experience. More than 200 engineers are expected to attend the program this year. 

“Customer service is a Coherix priority,” Rogers notes. “This new plan leverages the Coherix 3D system in conjunction with our advanced Data Analytics program to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the entire dispensing process to play an important role in reducing downtime, eliminating unnecessary waste and increasing productivity.” 

For more information, visit www.coherix.com. 

Seeq Appoints Scheppach CFO 

Seeq Corporation announced the appointment of Ray Scheppach as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), joining the Seeq executive leadership team. Scheppach will oversee all aspects of Seeq’s global financial operations, including financial strategy, reporting, risk management, treasury, tax, and long-term business planning. 

“We’re excited to welcome Ray to Seeq at a time of rapid growth and global expansion,” says Dr. Lisa Graham, CEO at Seeq. “His deep experience in scaling SaaS businesses and leading through high-growth phases will be instrumental as we continue to invest in innovation and value for our customers.” 

Scheppach brings more than 25 years of financial leadership experience in the software and SaaS sectors. Prior to Seeq, he served as CFO at iManage, a global legal-tech SaaS company. During his tenure, he played a key role in the company’s 2015 leveraged buyout from Hewlett Packard and helped drive over 7x revenue growth. His background includes extensive work building financial infrastructure to support enterprise-scale operations and strategic transformation. 

“Seeq is at an exciting inflection point, with clear product-market fit and a strong, mission-driven culture,” says Scheppach. “I look forward to partnering with the team to support sustainable growth and deliver long-term value to our customers and stakeholders.” 

Scheppach holds a B.B.A. in finance from James Madison University and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a registered CPA and brings a strong foundation in corporate governance, financial discipline, and operational efficiency. 

Seeq enables companies to address key digital transformation through accelerated workforce and sustainability initiatives with AI-enabled analytics that unlock the value of industrial data. Engineers, scientists, and business leaders in manufacturing organizations use Seeq to rapidly analyze, predict, collaborate, and share insights to drive improved production outcomes. 

Seeq customers include organizations in the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, chemical, energy, power and utility, mining, food and beverage, pulp and paper, and other process industries. Investors in Seeq include Second Avenue Partners, Altira Group, Insight Partners, Sixth Street Growth, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures. 

Seeq is available worldwide through a global partner network of system integrators, which provides training and resale support for Seeq in over 40 countries, in addition to its direct sales teams in North America and Europe. 

With his extensive industry background and strategic financial leadership, Scheppach will help guide Seeq through its next phase of growth and execution. 

For more information, visit seeq.com. 

GM to Invest $4B in Its U.S. Manufacturing Plants 

General Motors announced plans to invest about $4 billion over the next two years in its domestic manufacturing plants to increase U.S. production of both gas and electric vehicles. 

The new investment will give GM the ability to assemble more than two million vehicles per year in the U.S. This announcement comes on the heels of the company’s recently announced plan to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda Propulsion plant near Buffalo, New York to support GM’s next-generation V-8 engine. 

Plants in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee will expand finished vehicle production of several of GM’s most popular vehicles: 

Orion Assembly, Orion Township, Michigan: GM will begin production of gas-powered full-size SUVs and light duty pickup trucks at Orion in early 2027 to help meet continued strong demand. As a result, GM’s Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan will be the dedicated assembly location for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Cadillac ESCALADE IQ, and GMC HUMMER EV pickup and SUV. 

Fairfax Assembly, Kansas City, Kansas: Fairfax Assembly will support production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox beginning in mid-2027. Sales of the recently redesigned Equinox were up more than 30% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025. Fairfax remains on track to begin building the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV by the end of this year. GM expects to make new future investments in Fairfax for GM’s next generation of affordable EVs. 

Spring Hill Manufacturing, Spring Hill, Tennessee: GM will add production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer at Spring Hill starting in 2027, alongside the Cadillac LYRIQ and VISTIQ EVs, and the Cadillac XT5. 

“We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise,” said Mary Barra, Chair and CEO. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S and to support American jobs. We're focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.” 

GM has a network of 50 U.S. manufacturing plants and parts facilities in 19 states, including 11 vehicle assembly plants. Nearly one million people in the U.S. depend on GM for their livelihood, including employees, suppliers, and dealers. 

“Today’s news goes well beyond the investment numbers — this is about hardworking Americans making vehicles they are proud to build and that customers are proud to own," said GM President Mark Reuss. "As you travel the country, you can see firsthand the scale of our manufacturing footprint and the positive economic impact on our communities and our country.” 

GM continues to post strong U.S. sales, gaining market share in both gas and electric vehicles. The company is on track to deliver its sixth consecutive year as the U.S. full-size pickup sales leader, and its 51st straight year leading in full-size SUVs. In the second half of 2024, GM became the #2 seller of electric vehicles in the U.S. market, thanks to its diverse portfolio of 13 EV models from Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. Chevrolet is now the fastest-growing EV brand and #2 among all EV brands in sales. 

GM’s 2025 capital spending guidance is unchanged at between $10 billion and $11 billion. Going forward, GM expects its annual capital spending will be in a range of $10 billion to $12 billion through 2027, reflecting increased investment in the U.S., the prioritization of key programs, and efficiency offsets. 

For more information, visit GM.com. 

Reshoring Initiative Releases 2024 Annual Report 

The Reshoring Initiative 2024 Annual Report shows that 244,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs were announced in 2024 via reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI), continuing the nation’s push to rebuild domestic production capacity. While early 2025 job announcements are trending lower, policy stability could quickly unlock another wave of reshoring-driven investment. 

Since 2010, over 2 million jobs have been announced as U.S. companies and foreign investors bring manufacturing closer to U.S. customers, driven by rising geopolitical risk, supply chain vulnerabilities, and growing bipartisan support for American industrial competitiveness. 

“Reindustrializing America is impossible without reshoring, FDI, and strong industrial policy,” said Harry Moser, President of the Reshoring Initiative. “Our data shows tremendous progress, but the U.S. must address workforce shortages and manufacturing cost disadvantages to maintain this momentum.” 

Key Findings from the Report: 

• 244,000 jobs were announced in 2024; 1.7 million jobs have been filled since 2010. 
• Reshoring by U.S. headquartered companies outpaced FDI by foreign headquartered companies by the largest margin on record in 2024. 
• High-tech industries are driving growth: 88% of 2024 jobs were in high or medium-high tech sectors, rising to 90% in early 2025. 
• Industries leading in 2024: Computer & Electronics, Electrical Equipment (including EV batteries and solar), and Transportation Equipment. 
• Texas, South Carolina, and Mississippi are top 2025 states for reshoring and FDI. 
• Asia remains the largest source of reshored + FDI jobs, while South Korea, China, and Germany led among individual countries. 
• Tariffs are now a key motivator: Cited in 454% more cases in 2025 vs. 2024. Government incentives cited 49% less as previous subsidies phase out. 
• Workforce constraints loom large: U.S. manufacturing apprenticeships rose 83% over the past decade, but far more skilled workers are needed to sustain reshoring growth. 

Early 2025 data projects a potential drop to 174,000 announced jobs for the year — but that figure could climb rapidly if firms gain confidence in the permanence of new tariff and industrial policies. Many large tentative announcements are contingent on clearer signals from the administration. 

Key risks: 

• Policy uncertainty is delaying investment decisions. 
• Potential retaliatory tariffs could dampen U.S. export opportunities. 
• Low-tech industries remain under-reshored, leaving U.S. supply chains vulnerable for mass-market consumer goods. 
• Without comprehensive reforms, U.S. manufacturing costs remain 10–50% higher than offshore competitors, driving most import decisions. 

The Reshoring Initiative advocates for a true national industrial policy focused on: 

• Massive investment in skilled workforce development (modeled after German apprenticeships). 
• A 20% lower USD to improve global cost competitiveness. 
• Retention of immediate expensing of capital investments. 
• Smarter use of tariffs and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to drive lasting reshoring. 

“The U.S. can’t count on tariffs alone to restore its industrial leadership,” said Moser. “It must level the cost playing field and build a skilled workforce to truly compete and win globally.” 

For more information, visit www.ReshoreNow.org. Access the report at https://reshorenow.org/blog/u-s-manufacturing-reshoring-and-fdi-top-244-000-jobs-in-2024/. 

Renault Group Finalizes Strategic Partnership with Next Gen Robotics Company Wandercraft 

Renault Group and Wandercraft announced the closing of a minority investment by Renault Group in Wandercraft, the first company to develop, manufacture and market medical self-balancing exoskeletons. Building on its strong expertise in powerful and reliable exoskeletons, Wandercraft has developed an advanced platform for uses such as manufacturing. Renault Group invests together with Wandercraft’s existing shareholders and new investors. 

Through a commercial partnership agreement, Renault Group and Wandercraft aim to ensure the development of Calvin, a family of next generation robots, firstly for industrial uses. Calvin will allow Renault Group to relieve its workers from painful and non-ergonomics tasks, while reducing production time and thus gaining on productivity. At a later stage, this partnership will also include the industrialization of robots and exoskeletons by Renault Group in order to reduce costs through design-to-cost and scaling — two disciplines in which the automotive industry is well recognized. This will help Wandercraft to bring its new exoskeleton Eve on the market and open new business opportunities in robotics. 

"This partnership with Wandercraft is a forward-looking move. It will allow us to accelerate on automation and to develop robots for our specific auto industrial use, giving us the opportunity to concentrate our people on more value-adding tasks and alleviate operators from painful and non-ergonomics duties. It will drive productivity through the acceleration of production time and costs’ reduction. In the end, it makes a lot of sense to combine Wandercraft’s unique expertise and technology in exoskeletons and robots, with Renault Group’s strong industrial capacity and design-to-cost know-how to bring the production of robots at scale," said Thierry Charvet, Chief Industry and Quality Officer of Renault Group. 

“Renault Group’s investment marks a defining moment for Wandercraft. This partnership will boost our ability to build and scale high-impact, low-cost robotics that improve the everyday lives of real people—whether it’s helping individuals with disabilities walk or supporting industrial workers through automation — on the factory floor, in clinics and at home. We’re proud to combine our technology with Renault Group’s industrial excellence to deliver the next generation of mobile robotics,” said Matthieu Masselin, CEO and co-founder of Wandercraft. 

For more information, visit https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/ or https://en.wandercraft.eu. 

See Calvin-40 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YddS-aI097Q&list=PLFB0g9DNgk-2InDPZnJiYRKFzfKYubTmL 

InnovMetric Extends PolyWorks Through Collaboration with High QA, AutoForm, Duwe-3d 

InnovMetric announced a new PolyWorks® Digital Thread partnership program. In collaboration with software companies that develop and commercialize solutions for engineering, manufacturing, and quality, this new program aims to accelerate the digitalization of manufacturing processes. It achieves this by creating an interconnected network that drives dimensional inspection data interoperability from a single source of truth with effortless digital data flows between software applications.  

Manufacturing organizations must ensure that data flows from one software to another as they rely on best-in-class solutions from multiple vendors for the digitalization of their manufacturing processes. While functional, the typical file-based data exchanges used within the dimensional management process between engineering, manufacturing, and quality present major data-flow issues, including having multiple copies of the same dimensional inspection information in multiple locations. The PolyWorks digital thread enables partners to digitally interconnect their software solutions to the PolyWorks universal metrology software platform and centralized data management server. It also allows automating the data flows that deliver dimensional inspection inputs to quality and leverage digital twin instances as well as 3D measurement data outputs enterprisewide.  

“Our existing PolyWorks connectors cover a wide array of applications and processes and we plan to add more connectors in the future. However, the use of 3D measurement data is expanding, and the number of applications that could benefit from it is rising as well. So, we think that the task is too big to solely rest on our shoulders. This is why we have decided to partner with software companies to allow them to develop and commercialize digital connectors that exchange 3D measurement information between PolyWorks and their own solutions,” says Marc Soucy, President of InnovMetric. He concludes, “It was natural for us to take this decision, as we had already determined that PolyWorks would be an open solution.”  

InnovMetric’s first digital thread business partners: High QA, AutoForm, and Duwe-3d. 

For more information, visit https://www.innovmetric.com/, https://www.highqa.com/, https://www.autoform.com/en/, or https://www.duwe-3d.de/en/. 

Machinery Orders Continue Upswing Despite Typical April Decline 

New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $444.9 million in April 2025. This marked a 12.7% decline from March 2025 and a nearly 40% increase from April 2024. Machinery orders in 2025 placed through April totaled $1.69 billion, a 17.8% increase over the first four months of 2024. 

Typically, April machinery orders decline by 21% from March, which tends to see outsized order volumes due to many machinery manufacturers ending their fiscal year. This year’s March-April decline of 12.7% represents the lowest drop since April 2022. Some of this strong demand could be attributed to front-running the coming tariffs on imported goods and expectations of increased demand for domestically sourced manufactured goods and components. Despite declines in overall manufacturing output, machinery manufacturers increased production by 0.3% in April, continuing the upward trend that began in October 2024. 

Orders of manufacturing technology from contract machine shops showed signs of continuing demand, declining by only 6.3% from March to April 2025; the overall market fell by more than twice that number. Primary metal manufacturers increased orders to their highest level since February 2024. If the recent tariff increase on metals remains, orders from this sector could increase as domestic suppliers attempt to meet new demand with limited available capacity. Orders from aerospace manufacturers dropped by nearly half from their March 2025 levels but remained slightly above their 2024 monthly average. 

Demand held the industry’s upward momentum through April, and learning the true impact of recent tariff announcements could take some time due to their erratic implementation. The National Association of Manufacturers’ recently released Manufacturer’s Outlook Survey showed a steep decline in respondents reporting an optimistic economic outlook compared to their previous survey. Despite this waning optimism, the survey also reported that capital investments are still expected to rise modestly over the next 12 months, albeit at a lower level than projected earlier in the year. 

For more information, visit amtonline.org.