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Sir David McMurtry, Renishaw Co-Founder, Passes Away

With profound sadness, Renishaw announced the death of its co-founder and non-executive director, Sir David McMurtry. 

Sir David founded Renishaw in 1973 with John Deer, a fellow Rolls-Royce engineer, to commercialize the 3D touch-trigger probe for coordinate measuring machines. He had invented the probe the previous year to solve measurement problems faced in the manufacture of the Olympus engines that powered the Concorde supersonic aircraft. A brilliant engineer, he was employed at Rolls-Royce plc, Bristol, for 17 years, where he rose to become Deputy Chief Designer and their youngest ever Assistant Chief of Engine Design. He was responsible for 47 patents at Rolls-Royce and went on to be named on over 200 patents for Renishaw innovations.

With Sir David at the helm, Renishaw revolutionized the development of coordinate measuring machines, shopfloor metrology and process control. Today it is hard to imagine a machine shop of any size without tool setting and inspection probes that automate laborious and complex setting and measurement tasks, yet in the 1970s, ideas for such applications were truly visionary. Sir David also led the company’s diversification into other areas of metrology, manufacturing and automation, from encoders and calibration systems to neurosurgery and additive manufacturing. His lateral thinking and capacity to deal with scientific concepts from multiple disciplines was truly legendary.

Today, the company that he co-founded over 50 years ago is a globally respected business, employing over 5,000 people in 36 countries. Sir David said that from the start he and John set out to create a company that was different to most others – different in how it applied technology to real world problems, in how it invested for the long term, in how it manufactured rather than outsourced, and in how it treated customers and local communities as partners. The culture that he and John created remains today and is very much present in Renishaw’s values and especially that of integrity, where the company takes decisions for the right reasons and not just because that is what is expected.

Despite everything that he had achieved, Sir David was a reserved man who avoided publicity, and who was more comfortable sharing his insights with young engineers than making public speeches. He did however receive huge recognition from around the world for his achievements, including Japan and the USA, where he received awards that had historically only been presented to citizens of those countries. His Knighthood was awarded “for services to Design and Innovation” and he was appointed a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) in 1989. He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

His list of awards is too numerous to list individually, but some of the most noteworthy were from outside the UK, including the 7th ND Marketing Award in 1990, where Sir David was the first non-Japanese winner of this prestigious award given to outstanding executives in the metal forming industry. In 2008, the official magazine of the US Society of Manufacturing Engineers also honored him as a ‘Master of Manufacturing’, the first time that this recognition had been given to a non-US citizen.

In 2013 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the economy of the Bristol city region and at the National Business Awards he was honored with The Telegraph award for a Decade of Business Achievement, the first head of an engineering business to be granted this award. The Institute of Physics jointly awarded its 2012 Swan Medal to Sir David and John Deer for their role in founding Renishaw and leading it to become one of the world's principal manufacturers of metrology equipment. In April 2014, during the MACH exhibition, Sir David was also awarded the inaugural MWP Lifetime Achievement Award which honours an individual who has made a significant contribution to the UK’s manufacturing industry. In 2019, The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) awarded Sir David the James Watt International Gold Medal for his outstanding contribution to mechanical engineering, the highest award that the industry can bestow and that a mechanical engineer can receive.

Sir David will be greatly missed by so many, including the generations of Renishaw engineers who he inspired and mentored. The manufacturing industry has lost a great innovator and many at Renishaw have lost a father figure and a friend.

For more information, visit www.renishaw.com.

Rethink Robotics Announces Female Leadership Team Poised to Execute Growth Strategy

Following a successful launch of the company’s new product portfolio at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Rethink Robotics Inc. recently named a new all-female leadership team. Effective immediately, Julia Astrid Riemenschneider has been appointed chief executive officer and Franziska Lorenz chief operations officer. With these appointments, Rethink Robotics becomes the first and only player in the field of collaborative robotics with two women at the helm.

In these new roles, top priorities for Riemenschneider and Lorenz will be to deliver pioneering technologies in collaborative robots, oversee the installation of Rethink Robotics’ North American headquarters, and expansion of the team. By the end of 2025, the company plans to triple its team size, open a U.S. headquarters, and relocate robot production from Europe to the United States.

Originally founded in 2008, Rethink Robotics achieved international recognition with its innovative collaborative robots named Baxter and Sawyer. The newly introduced product line now includes collaborative robots in payloads ranging from 7 to 30 kg, two autonomous mobile robots (AMR), and a mobile manipulator (MMR) platform. The robots are designed for increased precision, speed, and reliability, making them highly capable for industrial applications.

As CEO, Riemenschneider, M.Sc., is responsible for managing all customer-facing related departments, including marketing, sales, business development, product development, and application engineering. Riemenschneider brings more than 10 years of business development experience in industrial automation. Prior to Rethink Robotics, Riemenschneider worked for United Robotics Group in Europe and the United States, growing the business development organization. Previously, she worked in the United States for an international sensor manufacturer, following Europe-based business development roles with a machine vision manufacturer, and collaborative robot market leader Universal Robots.

“There is huge opportunity for our products in the North American manufacturing market, and we are excited to be working on our first installations as we grow our network of partners, distributors, and integrators,” said Riemenschneider. “I am honored to be in the position to lead a team that will challenge the status quo, help manufacturers solve challenges through automation, and empower our business partners for sustainable growth.”

Franziska Lorenz, previously responsible for corporate development and compliance at HAHN Automation Group, United Robotics Group, and Schenck Process Group, holds a master's degree in international business administration. She brings extensive international experience from her studies and professional work in Italy, Spain, and Mexico. Recently, Lorenz spent 18 months at Robotnik, a manufacturer of in- and outdoor mobile robots in Valencia, Spain, successfully managing their integration in the group.

Lorenz has managed numerous company acquisitions and is an expert in developing strategies and implementing organizational structures. Additionally, she brings extensive administrative expertise to her role. In her new role as chief operations officer, Lorenz will be managing HR, finance, production, and service and is looking forward to creating a diverse team as the foundation of success. “With Rethink Robotics being based in the U.S., we are excited to create high-tech American jobs. It is our goal to provide opportunities for motivated and experienced talents to rethink and employ collaborative robots to help solve today’s manufacturing challenges.”

"As a newly U.S.-based company, Rethink Robotics is thrilled to contribute to the creation of high-tech American jobs. Our mission is to offer opportunities for skilled and driven professionals to innovate with collaborative robots, addressing the challenges faced by modern manufacturing. The new Rethink Robotics leadership team brings significant industry knowledge and strong business acumen,” said Thomas Hähn, founder of HAHN Automation Group and United Robotics Group, and Rethink Robotics’ president. “With Riemenschneider and Lorenz in these leadership roles, we are well-positioned to execute this fast growth phase as a leading robotics provider.”

For more information, visit www.rethinkrobotics.com.

September 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $188.7 Million, Up 0.7% Year-to-Date

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 $188.7 million in September 2024. Orders decreased 10% from August 2024 and were down 6.3% from September 2023. Year-to-date shipments totaled $1.86 billion, up 0.7% from shipments made in the first nine months of 2023. The year-to-date growth rate has declined every month since April 2024.

“Despite the success and positive energy from IMTS for most exhibitors in Chicago, tooling continues to track at a slower pace,” noted Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group. “Staying consistent with the latest Purchasing Manager’s Index of less than 50, cutting tool consumption is still quite flat, indicating most shops are not running at full capacity. Inflation, interest rates, raw material costs, and pre-election uncertainty put many projects on hold. I do not think we will see any significant improvements until after the first quarter of 2025, when spindle utilization is expected to increase.”

Mark Killion, director of U.S. Industries at Oxford Economics, said: “September shipments were hurt by the machinists union strike at Boeing, eating into one of the largest sources of recent cutting tool demand. In addition, typical seasonal weakness was compounded by retrenchment in output of other customer sectors, such as business equipment, materials, and supplies for construction.”

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 www.amtonline.org.

Sandvik Coromant Appoints Henry VP of Marketing for the Americas

Sandvik Coromant announced the appointment of Thomas Henry as the new vice president of marketing for the Americas.

With over 25 years of leadership experience in the metal-cutting and industrial distribution sectors, Henry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. He joins the Americas team after serving as the global channel marketing manager, where he was instrumental in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies and digital transformations.

In his new role, Henry will be responsible for establishing and achieving the strategic objectives of the sales area, ensuring the use of appropriate marketing channels and developing prosperous marketing activities to support sales growth. His focus will also include executing successful product launches and leading a balanced mix of marketing communication and brand activities.

“This new role represents exciting new opportunities to interact and engage with customers in meaningful ways,” said Henry. “Successful marketing today hinges on delivering personalized experiences that resonate with customers, being present where they are and offering content in the formats they prefer. I look forward to leading our team of digital marketing professionals as we continue to deliver on the Sandvik Coromant brand promise and take a leading position into the future.”

Henry's career highlights include significant achievements, such as the development of a new global channel partner program and receiving the Top Achiever in Excellence of Leadership and Change Management award in 2017.

“Thomas’ appointment will further strengthen our market position and enhance customer engagement across the Americas,” said Veronica Messersmith, president of Sandvik Coromant Americas. “His proven leadership abilities and comprehensive understanding of manufacturing will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and lead in this industry.”

For more information, visit www.sandvik.coromant.com.

America Makes Welcomes Dr. Herderick as New EWD Director

America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, welcomes Edward D. Herderick, Ph.D., as its new Director of Education and Workforce Development (EWD). He is responsible for providing strategy and program management leadership in EWD for customer project initiatives, conducting business development, and providing subject matter expertise in EWD-related project efforts.

Dr. Herderick has nearly 20 years of experience in implementing industrial additive manufacturing from metals to ceramics to polymers. During his tenure as the Vice President for Science and Technology Development at NSL Analytical in Cleveland, OH, he played a pivotal role in the company's growth, particularly with a focus on services in the additive manufacturing (AM) and allied aerospace manufacturing industries.

Before his time at NSL Analytical, Dr. Herderick served as the Director of Additive Manufacturing at The Ohio State University Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence where he was responsible for leading efforts to grow additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities and programs across campus in partnership with students, staff, and external stakeholders. This included both industrial applications and the launch of the Medical Manufacturing and Modeling (M4) medical-focused additive and medical device development team in collaboration with a joint clinical and engineering team.

"America Makes is excited to welcome Ed to our leadership team," said John Wilczynski, Executive Director of America Makes. "He has long supported the Institute and our mission, and we've built a strong relationship over the years. Dr. Herderick’s extensive career experience and expertise will be instrumental in advancing our EWD initiatives, particularly in expanding workforce opportunities and addressing the critical skills gap needed to grow the additive manufacturing industry."

Dr. Herderick, who received his Materials Science and Engineering doctoral degree from The Ohio State University, stated he is eager to not only make an impact within America Makes and its membership, but also the greater additive manufacturing (AM) ecosystem.

“I am thrilled to join the America Makes team as EWD Director and look forward to building on a successful foundation of programs,” stated Dr. Herderick. “Supporting people in their educational and career journeys is a lifelong passion and this is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of the additive manufacturing industry.”

The America Makes EWD portfolio currently spans a wide range of initiatives, including community outreach, K-12 engagement, post-secondary courses, and warfighter training. Additionally, the portfolio encompasses several DoD training programs, apprenticeship pathways, and the validation of industry-recognized credentials. America Makes is dedicated to advancing career pathways in AM and fostering community engagement across diverse stakeholders. As a dynamic partner in the AM ecosystem, America Makes leads projects, expands scale and scope, sets strategic direction, and develops programs to meet evolving needs.

For more information, visit https://www.americamakes.us/.

September 2024 Manufacturing Technology Orders Jump as IMTS Returns to Chicago

Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $450.6 million in September 2024. These orders for metalworking machinery increased 24% from August 2024 and increased 14.6% over September 2023 orders. Year-to-date orders reached $3.35 billion, a decline of 7.7% compared to the first three quarters of 2023.

Orders in September 2024 were at the highest level of the year and 5.1% above an average September. While this may be a good sign for an industry looking to find bottom after nearly three years of decline, the optimism comes with a major caveat, as orders were 9.1% lower than in an average IMTS September. Orders tend to peak for the year in September of even years, when IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere, is held in Chicago. However, this year’s lower-than-average order level may be due to many show attendees planning for longer investment timelines.

• Contract machine shops, the largest customer segment for manufacturing technology orders, increased their orders to the highest level since March 2023. These job shops are a major bellwether for the wider industry, as sudden demand from this segment indicates that OEMs are increasing orders from them to meet additional needs on capacity. This demand, if it remains elevated, would typically lead to later investments across customer industries.
• The aerospace sector pulled back orders by nearly a third from August 2023. This comes as no surprise because the Boeing machinist strike caused major disruptions to the industry’s output beginning in the latter half of September 2024. Since the strike lasted for the entirety of October 2024, we can expect a similar drop-off in orders in next month’s report. Throughout the strike, new orders from airlines continued to roll in, and with the strike ending in November, the industry is positioned to finish the year with additional investments should capacity utilization quickly return to its pre-strike level.
• Orders from the automotive sector have lagged for most of 2024. This changed in September, when manufacturers of automotive transmissions increased orders to their highest level since August 2023. This investment is not surprising, as automakers have been reassessing their outlook for the electric vehicle market throughout much of the year.

Through most of 2024, manufacturers hesitated to invest in manufacturing technology due to concerns over heightened interest rates and November’s U.S. presidential election. In September, the Federal Reserve cut rates after a year of its “higher for longer” monetary strategy to reduce inflation. We may not see the effects of this development until the October 2024 data is released; and the effects of a further rate cut, as well as the effects of the presidential election, may not be seen until the November data is released.

While these political and economic events may prove consequential to buying decisions, another major factor that could spur additional investment in the remaining few months of 2024 is the next step in the phase-out of the bonus depreciation allowance from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017. While investments in capital equipment are subject to 60% additional depreciation in 2024, that bonus will decrease to 40% in 2025. As the gap in orders between 2023 and 2024 have narrowed over the last two months, the reduction in headwinds puts the manufacturing technology industry in position to end the year strong.

For more information, visit www.amtonline.org.

A3 Appeals to President-Elect Trump to Support U.S. Manufacturing and High-Paying Jobs

On November 12, 2024, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) posted the following letter to its web site and LinkedIn page:

To: President-Elect Donald Trump

From: Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

We congratulate you on your election as the 47th President of the United States of America. As an association dedicated to leadership in automation, we very much appreciate your emphasis on strengthening American manufacturing.

We call on you as the president-elect to keep the U.S. competitive in automation and robotics and to sustain our people in well-paid employment opportunities. The U.S. lags behind many countries in automation, contributing to the loss of 46,000 manufacturing jobs in October alone. While much emphasis has been placed on American leadership in AI, the fact is we are falling behind our adversaries and competitors in the real, physical world applications of AI, such as robotics.  Without leadership in the physical manifestation of AI – robotics – the US will not only lose the robotics race, but also the AI race.

To reclaim US leadership in automation and robotics, we believe our country needs a national strategy, one that not only supports automation technology innovation but clearly addresses the serious supply chain problem of providing a sufficient workforce of technicians and engineers for the robotics and automation industries.

We call on the U.S. government to partner with the robotics and automation industry to share how these technologies are used to bring back jobs to the U.S. and to increase worker productivity and safety. We also need the government to boost workforce training, robotics education and career inspiration. 

Robotics and other forms of automation will ultimately enable countries to be more competitive economically and in national security and hire more people in specialized capacities. We urge you to recognize the benefits automation brings to the U.S. workforce, manufacturing and overall prosperity. 

We look forward to working together, as industry and government, to help our businesses and citizens succeed in today’s competitive and increasingly automated workforce.

Sincerely,
Jeff Burnstein
President
Association for Advancing Automation

For more information, visit https://www.automate.org/editorials/a3-appeals-to-president-elect-trump-to-support-u-s-manufacturing-and-high-paying-jobs.

Renishaw Receives Industry Partner Award at Davis Technical College Foundation’s Annual Life-Changer Luncheon

Renishaw was recognized for committing its expertise to the CNC Machining program, as well as a host of the company's advanced manufacturing equipment. The program offers students the opportunity to apply hands-on learning to prepare them to meet industry needs in their respective fields.

Renishaw received the Industry Partner Award at Davis Technical College Foundation’s Annual Life Changer Luncheon on October 3, 2024. Each year, the ceremony honors the foundation partners for their significant contributions to Davis Tech and their unwavering commitment to education. The Davis Tech CNC Machining program enhances the lives of students as they prepare for a career in the industrial workforce. Through its partnerships, Davis Tech engages industry, educational and community members to provide shared opportunities for all.

CNC Machining Program students utilize industry-standard tools, equipment, and procedures as entry-level machinists.They study blueprint reading, inspection, part design, CNC operation, and CNC programming. The program offers training in basic turning and milling processes, related math skills, precision measuring tools, and mechanical inspection methods to produce precision parts with extremely close tolerances. Students are provided with a learning environment similar to what they will encounter in small shops and large production firms throughout the country.

Students learn part measurement on Renishaw Equator™ gauging systems, part variation using a 5-axis REVOÒ CMM measuring system, conduct machine health checks using the QC20-W wireless ballbar system and learn how to set up machines with Renishaw machine tool probes and styli. “We see the importance of addressing the manufacturing skills gap and this is a natural way for us to get involved,” said Denis Zayia, president, Renishaw, Inc.

During the event, Davis Technical College Foundation celebrated 25 years of supporting students and students shared stories of how their lives were changed by their hands-on experiences. The Foundation has been a vital force in supporting technical education through scholarships, equipment, and financial resources. This ensures students have access to cutting-edge tools and training.

“Over the last 25 years, Davis Technical College Foundation, and its many donors, have contributed over $3 million in scholarships to help students achieve their education goals and secure successful careers,” said Foundation Director Lindsey Rees. “We couldn’t have the huge impact that we do without the support and major contributions from Renishaw and all of our program partners.” 

For information, visit www.davistech.edu or www.renishaw.com/en/data-driven-manufacturing.

Exact Metrology Announces New Partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Exact Metrology announced a strategic partnership with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, a division of Hexagon. This collaboration will expand Exact Metrology's offerings in coordinate metrology, further strengthening its commitment to delivering innovative metrology instruments and software to industries including aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, industrial manufacturing, and clean energy.

Under the partnership, Exact Metrology becomes the Midwest’s primary reseller of several lines of Hexagon’s coordinate metrology tools, including highly accurate portable laser trackers and measuring arms, and stationary Bridge CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines). The areas served by Exact Metrology include Northern Illinois, Eastern Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Dean Solberg, vice president of equipment sales at Exact Metrology, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to join forces with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to offer the best coordinate metrology solutions to clients seeking to elevate their quality control processes. The collaboration not only expands our product portfolio but also enhances our ability to service clients effectively. By combining Hexagon’s advanced technologies with our metrology expertise, we are confident in delivering exceptional value to our customers.”

Paul Rogers, president and CEO for the Americas and Asia Pacific at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, also shared his thoughts on the new alliance, saying, “At Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, exceeding customer expectations is our priority. As we continue to grow in the Americas, we aim to be a comprehensive technology partner for manufacturers, providing them with hands-on support whenever they need it. Partnering with Exact Metrology, which has a strong presence in the Midwest manufacturing market and a diverse client base across industries like automotive, aerospace, defense, and medical devices, strengthens our ability to support manufacturers throughout the region. Exact Metrology’s expertise in metrology equipment and software, coupled with their commitment to customer service, will bring significant value to our shared customers.”

This partnership combines Exact Metrology’s deep market knowledge and technical skills with Hexagon’s state-of-the-art metrology solutions, allowing customers to benefit from enhanced services, support, and access to the latest advancements in coordinate metrology.

For more information, visit www.hexagon.com/mi.