A group from Smiths Machine held meetings with colleagues from their major machine provider, DMG/MORI SEIKI, during the high-tech manufacturer’s Innovation Days earlier this month.

CCO Tim Smith, Engineering Manager Gerhard Hetzler, and CNC Specialist Jason Nichols held one-on-one meetings and took part in demonstrations of emerging technologies in turning and milling, ultra-high speed precision machining, and inspection during the event.

“DMG/MORI does a super job of concentrating the people and the innovations you most want to see in the space of one big show.  It was a great opportunity for us to interact with exhibitors in the areas of tooling, workholding, software and automation,” Tim Smith said. “Through our strong partnership with DMG/MORI, we stay on the cutting edge with regard to new methods and materials,” Mr. Smith said.

Engineering Manager Gerhard Hetzler speaks during
a Siemens presentation on innovative companies.

Gerhard Hetzler spoke as a part of a presentation by Siemens regarding how companies like Smiths Machine rely on constant innovation to remain at the top of their game. Mr. Hetzler discussed Smiths Machine’s use of innovative machinery combined with innovative CAD/CAM software to gain a strategic advantage.

The three day Chicago event also featured expert seminars in the automotive and aerospace production. DMG/MORI SEIKI is a leading provider of high-tech solutions for machining, turning and milling.

Smiths Machine recently purchased multiple seats of Siemens NX 8.5. After multiple demonstrations at the 2012 IMTS show, the Engineering team at Smiths Machine decided that NX was the right fit for the company’s needs.

NX offers advanced programming capabilities. This is ideal for the multi axis machining required by many of our demanding projects. The feature-based machining programming also reduces programming time by as much as 90 percent. Additionally, the NX CAM has a tightly integrated post processing system. The multiple levels of program validation include G code-driven simulations, eliminating the need to separate simulation packages.

Engineering Manager, Gerhard Hetzler said, ”Our team is excited about the new software. With our focus being on complex, precision parts, it only makes sense that we use a CAM software designed specifically for the efficiently processing demanding jobs.”

 To watch a video about the Siemens NX 8.5, click here.

For more information about the Siemens NX 8.5, click here.

Smiths Machine was proud to be a presenter at Siemens Industry Inc. booth E-5010 at IMTS 2012. The theme for Siemens at the 2012 show was “Productivity in Motion.” Siemens introduced new solutions and services for machine tool manufacturers and end users – including turnkey applications for job shops and specialty parts manufacturing.

Tim Smith and Gerhard Hetzler designed their presentation to demonstrate the benefits Smiths Machine has acquired from using Siemens products and how those products have provided Smiths with a decided competitive advantage. Currently, 95% of Smiths Machine’s 28 CNC machines are controlled by Siemens controls.

In the presentation, Smith explained how we have gained accuracy, efficiency and flexibility by using Siemens products. Hetzler elaborated by demonstrating two of features of the Siemens controls utilized most by Smiths Machine. The Siemens Cycle 800 for ISO-code programming and the TRAORI function inside the Siemens Controls to enable compensation movements of the involved cartesian axis help the company maintain a competitive advantage while machining specialty parts through the use of the machine control.

Tim Smith said “Siemens offers a variety of great products. We have always received great service from them and value our relationship. It was nice to have an opportunity to share with other end users what we have found works best.”

“Our strength is our ability to be innovative in our part processing. Our Engineers need to be aware of the latest technology and tools available in the industry.” says Smith.

The Smiths Machine team found many things at at the 2012 show that captured their interest. Engineering Manager, Gerhard Hetzler, and Process Engineers, Trinity Rich and Stryker Moffat used this show to learn more about the latest CAM software for 5-axis CNC machining. Tooling Engineer, Wade Oglesby, was able to see all the latest and greatest cutting tools. Tim Smith and Sales Manager, Mike Bruce focused their time at the show seeing some of the latest features of the new machines at work.

As Smith said, “We really enjoy going to IMTS every two years. We are constantly looking at our projects and customers, not only now, but five to ten years down the road to make sure we have the best tools to support them. This show provides us with all the information and products we need at one stop.”

For more information about the 2012 IMTS Wrap Up, click here.

As innovative leaders in our field, Smiths Machine has added additional capacity and efficiency to best meet our customers’ needs.

The DMG DMC 125 FD duoBLOCK is a 5 axis machine offering maximum rigidity and repeat accuracy. Its milling/turning table features DirectDrive technology for speeds up to 500rpm. It also features an A-axis for 5 axis simultaneous machining of angles up to negative-30 degree. The new addition also includes a pallet system to increase the efficiency of set up time.

We have found that the functionality of the DMG – DMC 125FD was an ideal match as we work to meet the needs of our increasing number of aerospace customers.

For more information about the DMG DMC 125 FD duoBLOCK, click here.

Tuscaloosa based Smiths Machine is one of the fastest growing companies in the world.

Alabama’s NBC13 goes inside the company that is growing jobs and equipping our men and women in uniform.

On September 29, GE Aviation held a Business Supplier Symposium at the Bryant Conference Center. The symposium’s purpose was to let businesses know how to become parts suppliers to GE Aviation, which makes jet engines and other aircraft components.Tim Smith was one of roughly 80 business representatives present and he feels there is great potential for more West Alabama companies to get into the aerospace industry.

Read the full article here.

Smiths Machine is proud to be featured in DMG/Mori Seiki’s 360° Stories.

Watching Vice President Tim Smith make his presentation to the standing-room-only crowd at the recent DMG / Mori Seiki USA Innovation Days event, it’s clear that he is excited about sharing “The Smiths Machine Philosophy.” No wonder: Smiths has experienced explosive growth during what has been a challenging time in manufacturing.

The “best practices” design of the company’s new facility in Cottondale, Ala., has proven so efficient, even Tim is somewhat surprised by Smiths’ ability to finish orders in record time— much to the enthusiasm of its customers.

Today, Smiths Machine LLC employs more than 100 highly skilled workers at its two plants, serving customers in the defense, aerospace, energy, automotive and commercial industries. The woman-owned, non-union company is ISO 9001:2008 and AS 9100 certified. In 2010, Smiths Machine made the Inc. Magazine 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

GE Aviation, a division of General Electric, announced in November that it would build a $45 million plant in Auburn that will make coatings for jet engines and employ 300 to 400 people. GE Aviation said at the time that it wanted to open the plant in 2012.

General Electric is looking to expand supplier network in West Alabama, and Smiths Machine is the one company currently serving the aerospace industry in this area.

GE Aviation Business Supplier Symposium will be held at the Bryant Conference Center on Sept. 29.

The symposium will give representatives from small and mid-sized area businesses a chance to meet with GE Aviation officials and find out if their companies can become part of the supplier network for one of the state’s newest companies.

Read more at TuscaloosaNews.com.