United Kingdom – When a manufacturer of carbide cutting tools claims it can halve tooling costs by remanufacturing them to as new condition, up to seven times, customers might be forgiven for being skeptical. To get to the truth, Quickgrind is making a special trial offer.

Managing Director Ross Howell explains that, “We will take up to ten tools – whether they be Quickgrind or any other brand – and remanufacture them for a total price of just ~$37 (£25). We want customers to see for themselves that our unique QuickEdge remanufacturing process is something completely different from traditional ‘regrinding’. They will discover that the remanufactured tools perform as well as new tools – and in some cases even better.”

QuickEdge is part of an alternative tooling philosophy described by Quickgrind as total solution engineering. This includes a tooling performance consultancy service – to identify or create the perfect tool for each job and advise on how to use it most profitably – and a cost-cutting system for tool management.

“We understand that some companies may feel the improvements we claim are too good to be true, so we’re giving them a chance to put us to the test. We have a strong reputation internationally for increasing customers’ productivity and maximizing their profitability, but in the U.K., it has proved harder to persuade people that there’s a better approach to tooling. Those who take up our offer will soon see how Quickgrind’s innovations can give their business a unique cutting edge.”

The special offer applies to as many as 10 identical 6mm to 16mm tools. For more information, contact Quickgrind at enquiries@quickgrind.com.

Source: Quickgrind

Washington, D.C. –- The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released the April 2015 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Designed to collect leadership data, the index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $903 billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 70.7, easing from the 4-year high of 72.1 in March.

When asked about the outlook for the future, MCI-EFI survey respondent Valerie Hayes Jester, president, Brandywine Capital Associates Inc., said, “We have seen an increase in requests for equipment financing this month. We attribute this demand to increased confidence in the economy and potential concern that interest rates may begin to rise in the fourth quarter. Our economy has shown tremendous resilience in these last years and that has influenced the mindset of those that need to purchase equipment for businesses. Capital and credit windows are at historic points; business owners know that this time is a good one to invest.”

April 2015 survey results
The overall MCI-EFI is 70.7, an easing from the March index of 72.1.

• When asked to assess their business conditions over the next four months, 44.4% of executives responding said they believe business conditions will improve over the next four months, down from 50% in March. 55.6% of respondents believe business conditions will remain the same over the next four months, up from 50% in March. None believes business conditions will worsen, unchanged from the previous month.
• 48.2% of survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase over the next four months, up from 41.7% in March. 51.9% believe demand will “remain the same” during the same four-month time period, down from 58.3% the previous month. None believes demand will decline, unchanged from March. 
• 25.9% of executives expect more access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions over the next four months, up slightly from 25% in March. 74.1% of survey respondents indicate they expect the “same” access to capital to fund business, down slightly from 75% in March. None expect “less” access to capital, unchanged from the previous month. 
• When asked, 51.9% of the executives reported they expect to hire more employees over the next four months, a decrease from 70.8% in March. 48.2% expect no change in headcount over the next four months, up from 25% last month. None expects to hire fewer employees, down from 4.2% who expected fewer in March.
• 7.4% of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” down from 12.5% last month. 92.6% of the leadership evaluate the current U.S. economy as “fair,” up from 87.5% in March. None rates it as “poor,” unchanged from the previous month.
• 40.7% of the survey respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will get “better” over the next six months, a decrease from 45.8% who believed so in March. 55.6% of survey respondents indicate they believe the U.S. economy will “stay the same” over the next six months, an increase 54.2% in March. 3.7% believe economic conditions in the U.S. will worsen over the next six months, an increase from none who believed so last month. 
• In April, 59.3% of respondents indicate they believe their company will increase spending on business development activities during the next six months, an increase from 58.3% in March. 40.7% believe there will be “no change” in business development spending, a decrease from 41.7% last month. None believes there will be a decrease in spending, unchanged from last month. 

Why an MCI-EFI?
Confidence in the U.S. economy and the capital markets is a critical driver to the equipment finance industry. Throughout history, when confidence increases, consumers and businesses are more apt to acquire more consumer goods, equipment and durables, and invest at prevailing prices. When confidence decreases, spending and risk-taking tend to fall. Investors are said to be confident when the news about the future is good and stock prices are rising. 

Who participates in the MCI-EFI?
The respondents are comprised of a wide cross section of industry executives, including large-ticket, middle-market and small-ticket banks, independents and captive equipment finance companies. The MCI-EFI uses the same pool of 50 organization leaders to respond monthly to ensure the survey’s integrity. Since the same organizations provide the data from month to month, the results constitute a consistent barometer of the industry's confidence.

How is the MCI-EFI designed?
The survey consists of seven questions and an area for comments, asking the respondents’ opinions about the following:

1. Current business conditions
2. Expected product demand over the next four months
3. Access to capital over the next four months
4. Future employment conditions 
5. Evaluation of the current U.S. economy
6. U.S. economic conditions over the next six months
7. Business development spending expectations
8. Open-ended question for comment

How may I access the MCI-EFI?
Survey results are posted on the Foundation website, http://www.leasefoundation.org/research/mci/, included in the Foundation Forecast newsletter and included in press releases. Survey respondent demographics and additional information about the MCI are also available at the link above.

Source: The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

Micro 3D printing middle ear prostheses to bring music to the ears of hearing loss sufferers.

Baltimore, Maryland – Potomac Photonics, who has had a number of collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], has been invited to participate in the 2015 NASA Technology Day on the Hill tomorrow, April 29, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The interactive event shows how American investment in space technology has enabled NASA-funded companies to make a difference here on earth.

Potomac will be showing samples of the many types of medical device and biotech products that have been developed and manufactured as an outgrowth of NASA contracts. These include Potomac's early work for NASA through the Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] program that is intended to help small businesses come out with new products while providing R&D for the sponsoring Federal government agency. The SBIR grant funded research that was instrumental in developing the company's core competencies in laser micromachining that are now used to manufacture many different types of products in a variety of markets.

Since that initial collaboration, NASA has contracted with Potomac to make parts for the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST). For the ASTRO-H satellite project highly precise marks were laser engraved on filter carriers. Working with NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL), Potomac also micro-marked miniature custom connectors for the Solar Probe Plus. These are all examples of how the company continues to utilize the R&D NASA originally funded in ongoing applications for space exploration.

Potomac's recent commercial innovations for localized cancer treatment and a device to fight cervical cancer are possible because of the technological advancement made for NASA contracts. Products in the medical device and biotech markets are now changing people's lives with complex digital fabrication originally used for the agency's own space exploration program.

The expo takes place in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building and includes a reception of light hors d'oeuvres. Special guest NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman will also be on hand to speak about his mission to the International Space Station, where he spent 165 days in space. The free event is open to the public but registration is required.

Source: Potomac Photonics

Washington, DC – Last week, National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) officials announced a commitment to help equip the nation’s front line precision manufacturing workforce with the skills they need to advance in their careers. NIMS will work with employers, education providers, workforce development organizations, and other stakeholders to expand Competency-Based Apprenticeships in which students and workers can gain the skills, experience, and credentials they need for success in in-demand jobs.

As part of the commitment, NIMS will develop and disseminate an Apprenticeship Blueprint to help companies expedite implementation of customized apprenticeships that meet their talent needs. NIMS will also set a goal to issue 1,000 industry-recognized credentials to individuals in Apprenticeship programs. Through outreach to stakeholders, NIMS will provide a package of tools, resources, and technical assistance to support stakeholder efforts to establish or expand their use of apprenticeships.

The White House highlighted the commitment as part of its Upskill Summit today, which gathered 150 employers, labor leaders, foundations, non-profits, educators and tech innovators from across America who are focused on equipping workers of all ages with the skills they need to advance in their careers. NIMS Executive Director, James Wall, and Roderick Jones, NIMS Board member and Senior Advisor, DMG Mori Seiki USA, attended the Summit.

“As manufacturing becomes more complex, technology-driven and innovative, companies, workers, and students need to keep up with evolving industry standards and job requirements so they can get ahead in their careers,” said James Wall, executive director, NIMS. “Our Competency-Based Apprenticeship System helps companies advance front line workers into higher-skilled jobs through high-quality, customized training in which participants earn both national industry certifications and company-specific credentials.”

The NIMS Competency-Based Apprenticeship helps companies:

Recruit and advance skilled individuals to the precision manufacturing industries by offering opportunities to “work and learn” towards a valuable career

Prepare the next generation of employees by providing a strong foundation of skills that are critical for them to advance in careers

Ensure workers have the right skills, meeting industry-wide and company-specific standards and requirements needed for long-term success

Build a customized training program that leverages national industry-recognized credentials to make on-the-job training more efficient and advanced

For more information about the NIMS Competency-Based Apprenticeship System, visit nimsready.org/the-new-apprenticeship/.

DMG Mori Seiki USA also made a multifaceted commitment to upskill its workforce as part of the Summit. In 2015, the company will invest in new hires of all levels by starting a training program that will include three weeks of training, in which it will send its employees to Japan and Germany to learn its corporate culture and passion for manufacturing. The program is aimed to increase employee engagement and retention as well as provide advanced skill training for USA production and quality control workers. The company will also launch a Management Education Program for leaders, supervisors, and managers; a tiered compensation program for factory workers that will lay out a clear path for upward mobility via an initial skills assessment and the establishment of skills targets; a program to encourage earning of NIMS skill credentials with 300 direct field technicians and other employees; and expansion of existing apprenticeships for Service Engineers to Application Engineers by launching at least one new class in 2015, 2016 and 2017. DMG Mori Seiki USA will also start a second shift so that employees have more choice in when they work so that they can access learning and development opportunities.

“Education is a business imperative for us,” said Rod Jones, senior advisor, DMG Mori Seiki USA. “Offering continuous opportunities for our employees to upgrade their skills not only helps them advance, but increases morale, safety, credibility, and pride in our company.”

Source: National Institute for Metalworking Skills