Aris Industries

WHAT:
FABTECH 2015, North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry, will bring 3D scanning technology to the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago on Sept. 16. Exact Metrology, a 3D scanning solutions company, will use its Surphaser technology – known for its high accuracy and scan data quality – to 3D scan the museum’s south lion by Edward L. Kemeys (1843-1907). The guardian lions have flanked the Art Institute’s iconic Michigan Avenue entrance for more than 100 years and have become a symbol of the museum and of the city.

Attendees will have the opportunity to witness Exact Metrology’s scanning technology firsthand and hear from industry leaders as they discuss the process and benefits of 3D scanning and printing. Additionally, speakers will provide a look at what other advanced manufacturing technology will be showcased at FABTECH 2015, taking place at Chicago’s McCormick Place, Nov. 9-12.

After the scan data is captured, Met-L-Flo will use it to print approximately 300 small-scale replicas of the lion, which will be on display and used as giveaways at FABTECH.

Following the brief press conference, representatives from FABTECH, the Art Institute, Exact Metrology and Met-L-Flo, Inc., will be available for interviews.

WHO:
Ed Youdell, president and CEO (FMA), FABTECH
Dean Solberg, vice president, Exact Metrology
Carl Dekker, president, Met-L-Flo, Inc.

WHEN:
Wednesday, Sept. 16
9 a.m. – Press to arrive; photo opportunities
9:20 a.m. – Press conference

WHERE:
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Il 60603-6110

Note: Press conference to take place on steps near the south lion, located in front of the Art Institute.

About FABTECH:
FABTECH is North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industry. The event provides a powerfully aligned hands-on, face-to-face business growth experience, attracting more than 1,500 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees. The event is made possible by its five co-sponsors, all of whom representing the varied and diverse makeup of the manufacturing industry. They include SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI). Read more about FABTECH’s co-sponsors here.

About the Art Institute of Chicago:
The Art Institute of Chicago collects, preserves and interprets works of art of the highest quality, representing the world’s diverse artistic traditions, for the inspiration and education of the public and in accordance with our profession’s highest ethical standards and practices.

About Exact Metrology:
Exact Metrology is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company that offers contract measurement & scanning services, metrology equipment solutions, and hardware & software rentals. Its goal is to provide customers with a specifically tailored solution to their measuring needs. To accomplish this, it offers more options, more products and more experience.

About Met-L-Flo Inc.:
Met-L-Flo, Inc., is a contract manufacturer specializing in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing services since 1991. It strives to partner with clients to implement innovative solutions for their product development and low volume production needs. Advanced applications of its technologies enable it to boost clients’ competitiveness and enhance product success. Its commitment to Quality is solidified in the company’s ITAR, ISO 9000 and AS 9100 Rev C Certifications.

As a leader in the industry, it prides itself on creating innovative, unconventional solutions that utilize both tool and tool-less applications. Products may be produced in metal, plastic, silicone, or wax including fiber reinforcement.

Alcoa Expands 3D Printing with $60 Million

With additive manufacturing (AM) taking the manufacturing industry by storm, Alcoa decided to invest $60 million into expanding its 3D manufacturing capabilities. The 3D technology the company is spending on is at a technical center in western Pennsylvania.

The Upper Burrell Township center will expand to accommodate Alcoa’s new technology that will utilize 3D printers to create parts, referred to as Ampliforge processes. Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa’s chairman and chief executive officer commented on the expansion saying, “Alcoa is investing in the next generation of 3D printing for aerospace and beyond.”

Although the new additive manufacturing program will mostly create the produce the parts, other forms of traditional manufacturing will be used to complete it. To read more about Alcoa’s plans to invest and expend its 3D printing technology click here.

The Internet of Things (Underwater)

Project Sunrise, powered by the EU, is attempting to take the Internet of Things (IoT) to a whole new (sea) level. With a budget of €4 million, the University of La Sapienza in Rome will guide and coordinate the research and technology.

The project took interest because it only makes sense when the earth in covered in over 70% of water. As many people know it is difficult to get a wifi signal when you’re in an underground garage, let alone the ocean. With the IoT capabilities in mind, researchers have decided upon a more suitable approach to maintain steadily transmitted signals underwater. They will use sound waves, instead of radio waves, to transmit data.

The idea of sound waves came from a simple minded way of thinking, what can “survive” underwater and still communicate? Whales. To find out more how Project Sunrise will utilize and imitate the same sound intelligence as whales to expand the landscape of the IoT click here.

Textile Plant to Open in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati region will have 80 new jobs by the end of 2018 when the Legend Athletic Wear LLC opens its first U.S based manufacturing plant. Legend Athletic Wear LLC, the North American subsidiary of Legend Sportswear Pty Ltd., was approved a five-year jo creation tax credit. The Tax credit is $78,000, which is 45%.

The co-owners of Legend Sportswear Pty Ltd, Dr. Tan Kek Looi and Min Qi, are excited to expand the reach of the textile plant to 80 new employees, and invest $1.4 million into the new facility. “I want to brand Legend in the U.S.A., and then take it to China, and I have all the confidence that the Ohio team will make Legend famous,” Looi said. Ohio was chosen as the location, above California and Oregon. To read more about the building of the textile plant, the same one Nike uses, click here.

EU Grants GE the Alstom Buyout

The EU has approved GE to purchase Alstom, the French energy company, for €12 billion. Previously to the GE acquisition, Alstom had agreed to sell some of their assets to an Italian opposing company. The EU anti-trust regulators were unsure of parting with the company and leaving it in the hands of GE. To the EU, this buyout could have meant the U.S. would have been left as the leader in gas-turbine sectors. GE and Siemens would be the largest companies left in this market.

Mark Hutchinson, the GE executive heading the Alstom buyout said, “We are very happy with this decision. We wanted to preserve the economic rationale for this transaction. We believe we have achieved that.” To find out more about the challenges and key deciding factors that played into the GE-Alstom acquisition, click here.