In August, cutting tool orders were on the rise, Spartanburg Steel turned to automation, and two events are making their big comebacks. Continue reading our news round-up to learn more about what’s happening in the industry this month.

Cutting Tool Orders on the Rise

June 2022 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $175.9 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was up 0.3% from May’s $175.4 million and up 2.2% when compared with the $172.1 million reported for June 2021. With a year-to-date total of $1.1 billion, 2022 is up 7.9% when compared to the same time period in 2021.

For more information on these numbers and all data in this report click here.

Spartanburg Steel automates a five-press tandem line

Spartanburg Steel Products Inc. in Spartanburg, S.C., manufactures pressed metal parts, components, and complex assemblies mainly for cars, trucks, and agricultural machinery.

To meet its customer’s needs, improve safety, make manufacturing more efficient, shorten cycle times and increase flexibility, Spartanburg Steel decided in 2017 to automate one of its existing tandem lines with five large presses that were manually operated at the time. As the company already had a relationship with AP&T North America, they turned to them for an automation solution. 

The proposal was accepted and in April 2018, Spartanburg Steel placed its order. A year and a half later, the equipment was installed and integrated, and the now fully automated line is up and running.

For more information on these new machines check out the full article here.

Two Events Return in September

About a month from now, two established manufacturing-related events return from a long hiatus. The first is IMTS, which returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place after a four-year hiatus. The second is the North American International Auto Show.

IMTS was last held in 2018. The show was canceled in 2020 amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years later, the 2022 edition is scheduled for Sept. 12-17.

The North American International Auto Show is more complicated. For many years, the Auto Show was held in January. But automakers, especially international automakers, became less enthusiastic about the venue. As a result, the organizers of the show opted to move the event to warmer months. Finally, this year, the show is scheduled for Sept. 14, right in the middle of IMTS. The public show is Sept. 17-25.

For all of the details and instructions on how to register for both events click here.

Contact Custom Tool & Grinding

We hope you enjoyed our August roundup! Now learn more about how we can help you with your tools, request a quote from us here.