As of the morning of April 14, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is officially one association and its new website is live at www.automate.org.

A3, which represents more than 1,100 member companies active in the automation industry, combines nearly 50 years of leadership and strong relationships within the robotics, machine vision, motion control & motors, and artificial intelligence communities to create the leading automation trade association. Under the new A3 brand, anyone interested in automation can take full advantage of the new web site—from education and safety, connecting with new customers and suppliers, training, getting started, and more. Additionally, with just one membership, companies looking to maximize their involvement will have access to even more benefits.

For those asking why the change, and how will combining the existing associations—the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, Motion Control and Motors Association (MCMA) and A3 Mexico—into one A3 help organizations looking to benefit from automation?

According to A3 President Jeff Burnstein, “As we grew through the years, it became increasingly difficult to explain how the individual associations differed from each other, why companies had to join multiple associations, and why they remained separate at all in a world where companies are looking for automation solutions that often involve all of these technologies and more.

“Look at all the technology advances that did not exist when we first started out as the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) in 1974: mobile and collaborative robots, smart cameras, embedded vision systems, deep learning, simulation, remote operation, AR/VR technologies, sophisticated grippers, 3D printers, and more.

“So, four years ago, board members of the individual associations met in Atlanta and decided that the challenges faced by each group were the same. They recommended that we explore merging into one front-facing brand that would attract companies not just in our current technology spaces but also in areas like artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and other automation technologies underrepresented in our association. The technology world is changing, and we had to change along with it.

“The culmination of that effort is our united Association for Advancing Automation. Anyone interested in how to successfully apply automation technologies, from small companies just starting their journey, to experienced users expanding their applications, has a new home. This new home features a robust offering of valuable benefits for automation suppliers, integrators, users, consulting firms, technical schools, universities, start-ups and more.

“Come join us as we learn to use automation to make the world a better place.”

For more information, visit www.automate.org.

The ASQ Inspection Division has selected ECM Global Measurement Solutions’ metrology engineer, Jon McLaughlin, as the 2021 Chuck Carter International Inspector of the Year. McLaughlin will be acknowledged at an award ceremony to be held later this year.

Starting fresh out of college as an entry-level dimensional inspection position, Jon McLaughlin now has over six years of service with ECM Global Measurement Solutions, a globally recognized full-service contract measurement company specializing in 3D scanning and modeling, reverse engineering & design, instrument calibrations and integration & alignment services. McLaughlin has worked in every aspect of the company: in-house inspection, on-site inspections, and calibrations, both in-house and in the field. Well-versed in portable metrology equipment and software, he has successfully used laser trackers, articulated arm CMMs, and long-range laser scanners to measure parts, assemblies, vehicles, and architectural structures. In software, he is proficient with Polyworks Inspector, CAM2, and Geomagic. McLaughlin has also mastered NRK’s Spatial Analyzer software. His education, skills, and experience have enabled him to complete 3D inspections across a wide range of industries – power generation, shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive, microwave reflector, and military support.

McLaughlin graduated for the University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He is one of roughly two hundred Level 1 Metrologists certified by the Coordinate Metrology Society.

The Division’s International Inspector of the Year Award is bestowed annually to an individual who spends more than 50% of his or her time in inspection, test, audit, calibration, etc., functions to assure conformance to engineering, manufacturing, quality and customer standards or requirements.

Nominees for this award are judged against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge, qualifications, background and experience.

2. Ability to represent the customer in on-line or final inspection test, audit, calibration, etc.

3. Ability to assist and motivate peers and other workers, supervision, departments, etc., to produce conforming products or services while improving productivity through reduced costs.

4. Ability to train others in inspection methodology and techniques, calibration, defect prevention, failure analysis, data recording, documentation, cost reduction, statistical applications, etc.

5. Professionally development via certifications, technical and quality courses, teaching, technical papers, etc.

The Inspection Division has offered the Inspector of the Year Award since 1974. For a list of the previous award recipients, an award application, or additional information about the ASQ Inspection Division and the award visit https://my.asq.org/communities/files/folder/158/217.

U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders totaled $377.6 million in February 2021, a 17.8% increase from January 2021 and a 34.2% increase over February 2020, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. The year-to-date total was $698.2 million, representing a 22.4% increase over the first two months of 2020.

“February was the fourth-straight month of year-over-year gains in manufacturing technology orders, signaling the recent strength is likely the beginning of a sustained recovery following the 2020 recession,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT. “There was a surprising uptick in February orders from the oil and gas industry despite the weather-related turmoil in the South-Central and Southeast regions, which typically drive the sector. Medical equipment manufacturers markedly increased orders in February, likely the result of increased hospital capacity allowing delayed elective procedures to be scheduled.

“Increased consumer demand throughout the economy is evidenced by an increase in total spending. In January 2020, before pandemic-induced shutdowns, total consumer spending was nearly $15 trillion. After falling during the pandemic, consumer spending rebounded in the beginning of 2021 beyond the pre-pandemic level.

“From discussions we’ve had with manufacturers, it seems clear that companies that were more bullish in their forecasts kept their inventories at a higher level and invested more heavily in capital equipment, and those who found ways to shorten their supply chains to ensure that they could fill orders kept pace with demand and drove February’s phenomenal numbers.”

For more information, visit www.amtonline.org.

JAI has appointed Michael Lisby Jensen as its new CEO. Jorgen Andersen takes over the role as chairman of the board.

The appointment of Michael Lisby Jensen marks a further step in JAI’s growth strategy, centered around the tremendous opportunities of the fast-developing Machine Vision market and JAI’s unique capabilities built up over more than half a century.

Besides holding a Bachelor of Engineering and an executive MBA, Michael brings many years of experience from several global leading technology companies, lately acting as CEO/GM of CAPRES and MicroSense, under KLA Inc.

A major focus across Michael’s positions has been to drive commercial growth and excellence across deep technical organizations globally, and he is truly impressed by JAI’s organizational competencies and the long-established customer relations that are second to none in the industry.

Michael Lisby Jensen said, “The machine vision market provides tremendous opportunity for growth, and I am absolutely thrilled to become part of the drive to release all of JAI’s potential”.

For more information, visit www.jai.com.

The L.S. Starrett Company has announced the appointment of Jim VandeHei as director of sales, Starrett Metrology Systems. In this newly created role, VandeHei’s primary responsibility will be North American sales of the company’s vision systems, optical measuring projectors and force measurement systems.

“I am very pleased to announce that Jim is joining Starrett,” said David Allen, vice president of Starrett Metrology Systems. “His extensive sales management and sales process skills will be key to furthering the growth of our metrology equipment products in the North American marketplace.”

VandeHei has led and developed multi-channel sales teams for more than 28 years, including over 20 years of metrology sales and commercial operations management for Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Carl Zeiss IMT Corp., and DW Fritz Automation. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Degree, in addition to a Professional Development Certificate for Executive Sales Management. He lives with his family in the Chicago area.

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

Zeiss has awarded the first two schools in its Science Classroom Outreach Program for Educators (SCOPEs) Grant, a monthly national grant to help support K-12 science teachers facing the challenge of educating students through distance learning. The National SCOPEs Grant recipients are Shelby Igleheart from Central High School (Phoenix, AZ) and Jennifer Hatch from Medomak High School (Waldoboro, ME).

To ensure the success of this national program, Zeiss first launched a regional program for schools near the North American corporate office in White Plains, NY. Regional SCOPEs Grant recipients are Kristin Melillo of Iona Preparatory Lower School (New Rochelle, NY); Nicole Farish of Tappan Zee High School (Orangeburg, NY); Chezdis Sanchez-Bors of Port Chester Middle School (Rye Brook, NY); Jeanine Hall of Hendrick Hudson High School (Montrose, NY); and Benjamin Drexel of Scarsdale High School (Scarsdale, NY).

The SCOPEs grant program covers a complete Zeiss classroom microscope package with an optical microscope, digital camera, and software. Recipients can choose from two microscope models, the new Zeiss Primostar 3 or Zeiss Stemi 305. Winners are selected each month from among all applications received. Those not awarded a grant are automatically re-entered for consideration in subsequent months. To date, teachers from over 30 states have applied for the grant.

Designed with long-term use and extreme durability in mind, the new Zeiss Primostar 3, a robust yet compact classroom microscope, offered as part of the grant features an integrated HD streaming camera in conjunction with the iPad and Windows App Labscope. The shared interface between the teacher and the student allows for immediate confirmation that the specimen is viewed correctly. This system has the capabilities to be expanded to a full digital classroom of network-connected microscopes where a teacher can see all the active images from each microscope in the tablet or PC. The Zeiss Primostar 3 provides students with a digital-native way to examine specimens under a microscope.

SCOPEs grant winners can also opt for the Zeiss Stemi 305 compact Greenough stereo microscope with 5:1 zoom. With the Zeiss Stemi 305, three-dimensional samples can be observed with no preparation required. The easy-to-use microscope offers full integration with long-living LED illumination for reflected and transmitted light and documentation.

For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/scopesgrant.

.Vision Engineering Inc. donates 76,400 meals to Feeding America as a result of the Mantis Feeds America Campaign, in celebration of the 40 year anniversary of their U.S. headquarters. The campaign began on February 6th and was scheduled to last for 40 days. Due to the overwhelming response, Vision Engineering Inc. extended the campaign until March 31st. The number of meals raised is a result of the company donating $40 for every Mantis stereo microscope system sold from February 6th – March 31st.

“We chose Feeding America because food banks across the United States are facing an increased demand due to the economic effects of Covid-19. Our goal was to raise at least 60,000 meals and we are delighted to have exceeded our target. With the support of our customers and partners we are hoping to help many people put food on their table,” states Richard Nagel, vice president sales and marketing, Vision Engineering.

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

The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, announces a $2.25 million grant from the Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc., to support and expand the work of Heroes MAKE America, an MI initiative that builds connections and career paths between the military community and the manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers consistently identify the lack of qualified workers as the biggest challenge they face. The results of a 2018 study on the skills gap in manufacturing identify a widening gap between the jobs that need to be filled and the skilled talent pool capable of filling them. Through 2028, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled, and 2.4 million are expected to go unfilled due to the skills gap.

Heroes MAKE America’s signature training program arms participants with the skills and certifications needed to find and excel in manufacturing careers. Through in-person and remote training, Heroes directly works with and supports members of the greater military community transition to their next mission in manufacturing. This grant allows the Heroes initiative to further enhance and deploy its proven workforce initiatives that address the growing manufacturing skills gap. Heroes MAKE America, a Department of Defense–approved SkillBridge program, is open to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses.

“When we launched Heroes MAKE America, we set out to create an initiative that went above and beyond to support transitioning service members, veterans and their families. Heroes isn’t just about helping our participants earn in-demand qualifications and industry-specific certifications; it is about helping to connect them to the manufacturing industry and, in turn, prepare them to find and excel in a lucrative career in manufacturing,” said MI Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “We are honored to serve the military community through Heroes and are thrilled by the support of the Caterpillar Foundation. This grant will allow us to expand our great work and serve more members of this important community.”

Caterpillar Foundation’s three-year grant will fund two key focus areas:

• Evolution of Heroes training to include the latest in virtual reality technology to support the greater military community regardless of physical location

• Expansion of training pathways to broaden the skillsets supporting the workforce demands in modern manufacturing

Heroes is working with TRANSFR, a New York City–based tech startup, to incorporate hands-on simulation trainings to enhance curriculum delivered in partnership with local community colleges.

“Caterpillar is proud of the support provided to veterans and their families through the Caterpillar Foundation’s donation to the Heroes MAKE America program,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. “I am pleased the Foundation can help make this world-class skills training program available to all members of the global military community and connect them to careers in manufacturing.”

To adjust to today’s world, the MI launched Heroes Connect, a virtual platform that allows talent from the military community to directly engage with manufacturers who are hiring. In-person tours have been a cornerstone of the Heroes program, and Heroes Connect permits participants to still get that essential introduction to manufacturing leaders and other veterans already successful in the industry. Even as Heroes restarts in-person tours, Heroes Connect will remain a vital part of the initiative and will continue with the support of the Caterpillar Foundation.

Through this grant, virtual participants will be able to receive the same holistic support and networking connections that are hallmarks of the Heroes program, including transition guidance and placement support, as well as direct relationships with manufacturers. The pairing of the virtual training and the expansion of Heroes Connect will ensure participants get the full support they need to transition successfully to their next career.

To date, Heroes MAKE America has graduated more than 450 participants from sites in Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. Graduates represent more than 110 different military specialties, with an average of 11.5 years in service and more than 45% from minority populations. The program has a 92% placement rate at more than 250 companies across 38 states since its launch in 2018.

For information, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/veterans/heroes-make-america.

Wohlers Associates, Inc., announced the publication of Wohlers Report 2021. This marks the 26th year of publishing the undisputed, industry-leading annual report on additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing.

The study provides trends, perspectives, and forecasts as a tool for decision making, education, and knowledge acceleration. The report gives readers new to AM a comprehensive understanding of the technology and industry. Veterans of the technology benefit from up-to-date information on growth, recent trends, and important developments worldwide.

The 375-page report discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the AM industry. Even with the pandemic, Wohlers Associates found industry expansion of 7.5% to nearly $12.8 billion in 2020. Growth was down considerably, compared to average growth of 27.4% over the previous 10 years.

Most established manufacturers of AM systems saw a decline in equipment sales, but many less-established companies grew in 2020. An increase in business by AM service providers supported industrywide growth. The following chart shows 7.1% growth from independent service providers worldwide, resulting in nearly $5.3 billion of revenue from this group.

Among the new and expanded features in Wohlers Report 2021:

• 3D printing of food, medicine, and electronics

• Pricing of metals and polymers and the hidden costs of AM

• Methods of AM part inspection

• Pandemic’s impact on the AM industry

• Compilation of expert reports from 34 countries

• Tables of AM systems, software tools, service providers, and third-party materials

The report includes commentary on 74 early-stage investments and 35 acquisitions and public offerings. AM startups and established companies have received substantial funding in the recent past. One example is Desktop Metal, which received $575 million as part of a merger with a special acquisitions company. After going public in December 2020, Desktop Metal’s market capitalization exceeded $7.5 billion in February 2021.

Wohlers Report 2021 was created with the support of 124 service providers, 113 manufacturers of AM machines, and 24 producers of third-party materials. Eighty-eight co-authors and contributors from 34 countries provided expert views and perspectives. This valuable input, coupled with the experience and data from Wohlers Associates, resulted in the most detailed and comprehensive body of work on AM available.

For more information, visit https://wohlersassociates.com/2021report.htm.

KULR Technology Group Inc. announced a long-term technology and developmental partnership with Andretti Technologies (ATEC), the advanced technology arm of Andretti Autosport, founded by Michael Andretti. As part of the alliance, KULR will establish a thermal management testing and design platform for high performance battery solutions with the highest safety ratings specially adapted to the rigorous technical requirements of Andretti’s global racing enterprise. Both partners will also focus on co-developing and co-marketing motorsports’ battery and safety technologies to automotive partners for mass market EV applications.

The aim of the KULR and Andretti Technologies partnership is a transfer of technical knowledge from aerospace to the racetrack through ATEC affiliated programs. Drawing upon KULR’s technical expertise building lightweight, high-performance thermal management solutions for space exploration, including the NICER instrument on the International Space Station, the Mercury Messenger and the SHERLOC instrument on the Mars Rover, ATEC plans to implement new cooling technology, battery cell architecture and testing methodologies for its high performance and high power applications within the global EV motorsports marketplace.

“We are in the early innings of the EV revolution,” said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR. “ATEC is a perfect partner for KULR to showcase our space-proven technology in the world of high performance motorsports. From here, we will deliver the absolute pinnacle in performance and the safest battery products for the mass EV markets.”

KULR also emphasized its ambitions for its passive propagation resistant (PPR) solutions within the Andretti Technologies battery storage and transportation safety roadmap. KULR’s passive propagation resistant packaging solutions for lithium batteries are critical at preventing cell to cell thermal runaway propagation which inhibits the fire and ejecta of a single battery cell from exiting the battery enclosure. The PPR architecture is also designed to absorb and mitigate rapid temperature changes in battery systems and keeps sensitive components within desired temperature ranges for their required specification. Avoiding any efficiency loss and/or serious damage to any system components results in a more sustainable, and environmentally sound, battery management system. This demand for sustainability played a major part in the new partnership with ATEC.

“The alliance with KULR provides ATEC additional technical resources to accelerate engineering and scale battery system development in a sustainable way,” says Roger Griffiths, chief technology officer of Andretti Technologies, “while also allowing us access to KULR’s hardware expertise to help compete with the largest OEMs in the most competitive motorsport races on the planet.”

For more information, visit www.KULRTechnology.com.

KULR Technology Group Inc. announced a long-term technology and developmental partnership with Andretti Technologies (ATEC), the advanced technology arm of Andretti Autosport, founded by Michael Andretti. As part of the alliance, KULR will establish a thermal management testing and design platform for high performance battery solutions with the highest safety ratings specially adapted to the rigorous technical requirements of Andretti’s global racing enterprise. Both partners will also focus on co-developing and co-marketing motorsports’ battery and safety technologies to automotive partners for mass market EV applications.

Concept Machine has closed on its acquisition of B.C. MacDonald & Co. and its subsidiary, Metrology Center. Concept Machine sells and services specialty machine tools, measuring and gaging equipment, and additive manufacturing equipment along with related consumables across six states. B.C. MacDonald sells and services measuring and gaging equipment, specialized cutting tools, and cutting fluids and coolants across four states.

The acquisition positions both companies for growth. Together, the combined company reaches nine states including Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. With nearly 100 team members and deep functional expertise in automation, machining, precision measurement, and additive manufacturing, the combined company serves as a one-stop shop for aerospace, medical device, heavy machinery, general industrial and defense industries and their tiers.

“Acquiring B.C. MacDonald makes Concept a stronger partner for our customers and suppliers,” said Andrew Hecker, CEO of Concept Machine. “With B.C. MacDonald’s rich history, strong team, complementary geography and product lines, and a similar dedication to delivering the right solutions for its customers as Concept, this is a great match. We are investing for growth.”

U.S. manufacturers rely on precision measuring equipment to produce engineered products with ever-tighter tolerances. Both Concept and B.C. MacDonald provide these to customers, along with value-added training, service and support. Both also support a continued trend in automation, whether partial or fully lights out, helping manufacturers retain or reshore operations in the US.

“Through three generations B.C. MacDonald & Co has worked hard to be better and the acquisition by Concept Machine will assure our customers, employees and suppliers we have achieved this for yet another generation,” says Reggie MacDonald, president of B.C. MacDonald & Co. “Concept Machine’s solid reputation in machine tools, metrology, perishable tooling and services is complemented by B.C. MacDonald in this Midwest market and our customers and suppliers will benefit from our combined talents.”

Concept Machine and B.C. MacDonald have commenced informing customers and suppliers of the combination and plan future announcements supporting their combined growth plans.

For more information, visit www.conceptmachine.com.

Alluxa Inc. developed specialty optical filters used aboard the Perseverance Rover, which landed safely on Mars on February 18, 2021. Alluxa’s special notch filter is optimized for high performance over a wide angle range in order to provide in-band light to the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) imager.

Alluxa’s filters help enable non-contact detection and characterization of organics and minerals on Mar’s surface. Developed in conjunction with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA, the SHERLOC instrument, part of the Perseverance payload, is a Deep UV (DUV) resonance Raman and fluorescence spectrometer that will scan for past life on Mars and help identify rock samples for possible return to Earth.

SHERLOC operates at the end of rover’s robotic arm, using two distinct detection modes that include two types of UV light spectroscopy, plus a versatile camera. According to Luther Beegle, principal scientist and investigator at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, “It can detect an important class of carbon molecules with high sensitivity, and it also identifies minerals that provide information about ancient aqueous environments.”

Mike Scobey, chief executive officer at Alluxa, notes, “All of us at Alluxa are delighted to have worked hand-in-hand with JPL to develop a specialized notch filter with ultra high transmission, which will aid in groundbreaking discoveries on Mars via the Perseverance Rover’s SHERLOC imager. We are proud to have been part of this historic mission.”

For more information on the SHERLOC context imager, Click Here.

For more on the fluorescence spectrometer, Click Here.

More also can be found at www.alluxa.com.