DMG / Mori Seiki Blog

iDays 2012 Success

DMG / Mori Seiki USA’s annual Innovation Days at the company’s American headquarters concluded on May 10 with exceptional results. During the three days of the event, thirty-six machines were demonstrated and over a dozen US premieres were highlighted, including the MILLTAP 700, DMU 65 monoBLOCK® and DMF 260/11.

President Obama Visits DMG Customer, Rolls-Royce Crosspointe

New communication protocols will help manufacturers connect the dots

These days, it's assumed that your personal computer will communicate effortlessly with your printer, keyboard, external hard drive, MP3 player and an assortment of other electronics.

Knowledge is Power

In 2010, DMG / Mori Seiki University (DMSU) delivered a mind-boggling 30,000 hours of training and 9,000 course completions. The program's strategy includes instructor-led classroom training; on-the-job installation and operation guidance; and “Education on Demand” (EOD)—a collection of dozens of state-of-the-art online courses. Here are some DMSU highlights.

Insatiable innovators

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 manufacturing economy.

Smooth operator

Meeting the demand for complex geometries, tiny sizes and flawless surface finishes isn't easy—but the new NTX2000 mill-turn center is up to the challenge.

New technologies take the pain out of dental manufacturing

When it comes to dental manufacturing, it's easy to bite off more than one can chew. It's a sector in which tough-to-machine materials meet microscopic, one-of-a-kind specifications and stringent, medical-grade requirements—presenting a seriously daunting machining task.

Get ready for iDays 2012.

Big events deserve early announcements! Innovation Days 2012, May 8-10, will be here sooner than you think. This three-day whirlwind of technology demonstrations, expert seminars and valuable one-on-one consultation drew more than 2,000 attendees last year—and we're planning for another winning event this year.

Finding the X-Factor

Insiders close to the project called it “Mission Impossible”: Create a new generation of machines with enhancements to every aspect of operation. From the very beginning, expectations for the new X-Class Series—which features most major Mori Seiki machines—were sky high.

Prove yourself: How to demonstrate shop capability

When competition is fierce, differentiating your shop is crucial. Convincing a potential customer that you're the one for the job takes not only a deep knowledge of what your organization can do, but also a solid understanding of your prospects' immediate needs, future goals and pain points.

New kid on the monoBLOCK

Introduced to the German market in November 2010, this hotly anticipated universal milling center impressed Innovation Days guests with its production quality, compact footprint and unbeatable value.

Gildemeister Announces the ULTRASONIC 65 monoBLOCK

Mori Seiki has started taking orders for the ULTRASONIC 65 monoBLOCK® equipped with ultrasonic machining functions and the LASERTEC 65 Shape equipped with laser machining functions. Both machines are designed based on the DMU 65 monoBLOCK® 5-axis control machining center made by Mori Seiki's collaboration partner, GILDEMEISTER AG of Germany.

Prost to Pfronten

In scenic Pfronten, Germany, the mountain air is fresh—and the manufacturing insights are even fresher.

Training for the Future

After a recent respite from years of brutal economic conditions, business owners are breathing a sign of relief. The recession battered U.S. manufacturers so hard, in fact, that many haven't had the time—or the energy—to ponder the next challenge: A significant skilled-labor shortage.

Kick Into High Gear

Even on the most crowded show floor, it's hard to miss a massive five-axis machining center with a 344-inch footprint and a 17,000-pound workpiece capacity. But at Innovation Days 2010, the imposing size and reflective sheen of the DMU 210 P duoBLOCK® weren't its only draws.

Straitline: Cycle Efficiency

Automated machining processes enable this maker of high-performance mountain bike parts to manufacture efficiently with minimal staff.

Iga Innovation Days 2011 Triumph

Iga Innovation Days 2011 was held from November 17 - 19, attracting over 7,000 visitors. Attendees were thrilled by the exhibition of next generation machines, such as ultrasonic and laser offerings, as well as conventional machine tools appropriate for a wide range of industries.

See our innovative spinning tool—straight from the DMG / Mori Seiki Machining Technology Laboratory—in action

A revolutionary new spinning-tool technology, developed in conjunction with Kennametal at the DMG / Mori Seiki USA Machine Technology Laboratory, will change the way machinist view turning operations.

Why classroom training is no longer teacher's pet

The concept of online education is nothing new—but its merits are only now being fully recognized. Once regarded as a less-than-desirable alternative to classroom learning, this now $34-billion industry shows no signs of slowing. In fact, it's estimated that by 2019, 50 percent of all university classes will be online.

A Little Automation Goes a Long Way

Bob Courville wants manufacturers to know that when it comes to his pallet pool systems, they can simply get their feet wet—or dive into the automation deep end. We sat down with Courville— who helps DMG / Mori Seiki USA customers identify opportunities to automate their processes for a better bottom line—to learn how a little automation can go a long way.

Pure Technology: EMO 2011

EMO 2011 in Hannover was a resounding success. From September 19- 24, Mori Seiki and GILDEMEISTER AG hosted a joint exhibit space in Hall 2 that spanned almost the entire space. Mori Seiki and DMG jointly exhibited nearly 100 machines including Mori Seiki's next-generation X-class series and 25 new models from both companies. The exhibit served as an opportunity to provide innovative machining and manufacturing solutions to customers, while offering an inviting space in which to network with other manufacturers.

Didn't make it to imX? We'e got the valuable insights you missed.

imX 2011 has come to a close—and we have a recap of the educational exhibitions that were only on display at this unique conference. Thousands of manufacturing executives and influencers attended the invite-only imX event to learn from and collaborate with the show's eight Experience Partners: leading machine, tooling, accessory and software suppliers.

Scholarship fund supports Japanese students

Supporting Japanese students from the earthquake-affected region is the aim of the new DMG / Mori Seiki Scholarship fund.

No. 50 Taper Spindle Now Available for X-Class NVX5000 Machine

Mori Seiki is now taking orders for the NVX5000 Series of high-precision vertical machining centers with a No. 50 taper spindle variation. The NVX5000 Series provides options and applications equivalent to those of the NV5000 Series (that sold more than 8,000 units) while achieving high levels of rigidity, thermal displacement stability and energy saving. And now, in addition to the No. 40 taper spindle specifications that were previously offered, Mori Seiki will expand the product line-up with a No. 50 taper spindle.

DMU 60 eVo 5-Axis Machining Center Launched

The DMU 60 eVo is the newest model in DMG’s successful eVo Series – having already sold more than 3,000 units throughout the world. In recent years, there has been growing demand for manufacturing complex workpieces, particularly in the aircraft and medical equipment industries. Mori Seiki and DMG, the world’s largest manufacturers of 5-Axis machines, have launched the DMU 60 eVo in order to meet this demand.

It's time to connect at imX

Don’t miss the exclusive event sure to propel your business forward. The DMG / Mori Seiki USA exhibition at imX is all about enhancing connections. Not just connecting machine tools, accessories and software for more profitable manufacturing–but promoting a deeper dialogue between our experts and our most important customers.

DMG / Mori Seiki USA and Ellison Technologies Open Houston Technical Center

A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the evening of June 20, 2011 to mark the opening of a new joint technical center in Houston that will showcase DMG and Mori Seiki machine tools and technology for the energy and oil field industries. The official, three-day grand opening event of the Technical Center followed, with visits by over five hundred attendees.

Mori Seiki Breaks Ground on North American Manufacturing Plant

On June 22, 2011, Mori Seiki broke ground on a 200,000-square foot factory to be situated on 14.5 acres in Davis, California. The plant will be Mori Seiki’s first manufacturing facility in North America, and will employee between 100-150 personnel.

Rock Valley College Promotes Manufacturing with KidWorks

Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL boosts local manufacturing knowledge with a program called KidWorks. Read the story and check out the video that features the Mori Seiki DuraTurn Series equipment.

Mori Seiki Announces Plans for North American Manufacturing

Mori Seiki is pleased to announce a new development initiative that would bring machine tool manufacturing to North America. Groundbreaking on the new plant in Davis, CA will take place on June 22, 2011.

New President Appointed to Lead DMG / Mori Seiki USA

Mark Mohr has been appointed President, DMG / Mori Seiki USA. In his new role at the Hoffman Estates, IL Headquarters, Mohr will oversee operations of all Technical Centers across the country to optimize the value of the DMG and Mori Seiki collaboration in America.

DMG / Mori Seiki USA and Ellison Technologies Open Houston Technical Center

A new joint technical center in Houston will showcase DMG and Mori Seiki machine tools and technology for the energy and oil field industries. The official grand opening will be held June 21 & 22 in Houston. For more details and to register, visit www.etgrandopening.com.

iDays Student Day A Success

Educational outreach efforts play a key part in promoting manufacturing career paths. As such, in cooperation with the Golden Corridor Manufacturing Group and the Village of Hoffman Estates, DMG / Mori Seiki USA presented a program to students from District 214 to provide information on and promote careers in the manufacturing community.

Japan Earthquake Update

As a company with deep roots in Japan, we at DMG / Mori Seiki USA would like to offer our deepest condolences to those affected by the recent and devastating earthquake.

DMC 125 FD on full display at Rolls-Royce Crosspointe plant opening

On May 2, Rolls-Royce held the grand opening event for its new 180,000-square-foot “Crosspointe” plant, located near Petersburg, Va. As the company’s largest U.S. manufacturing facility, the plant has been an exciting undertaking...

Impressive technologies, good times abound at iDays 2011

After a whirlwind three days, Innovation Days 2011 has come to a close, leaving attendees to return home with fresh ideas on increasing their productivity and profits.

DMG / Mori Seiki USA: Official Technical Sponsor of Andretti Autosport

DMG / Mori Seiki USA is the official technical sponsor of Andretti Autosport. Andretti Autosport is led by racing legend Michael Andretti. The team stands as the winningest in Indy Racing League history and fields a series-high four entires in the IZOD IndyCar Series and two Firestone Indy Lights cars. Andretti Autosport boasts three IndyCar Series championships (2004, 2005 and 2007), two Firestone Indy Lights titles (2008 and 2009) and has won the Indianapolis 500 twice. Visitors to Andretti Autosport headquarters in Indianapolis, IN can see the DuraTurn 2550 MC, NV5000DCG and DMC 635 V eco machines producing high-quality, precision parts.

Mori Seiki Japan Operations and Pacific Coast of Tohoku Earthquake

DMG / Mori Seiki USA wishes to thank our many associates and manufacturing community friends for the heartfelt messages we have received regarding the plight of our Japanese colleagues in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Did you have a chance to Interconnect?

Interconnect is over, but we're still redefining manufacturing efficiency for a new age. April 7-8, dozens of manufacturers from around the country converged on the Mori Seiki Digital Technology Laboratory (DTL) in Davis, California to see the latest innovations to come out of this R&D hotbed.

DMG / Mori Seiki USA and Ellison Technologies Open Houston Technical Center

DMG / Mori Seiki USA Exhibits the DMU 50 eco Machine

DMG / Mori Seiki USA exhibited the DMU 50 eco CNC 5-axis control machining center for the first time in September’s tremendously successful International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS). The DMU 50 eco machine is designed to be the ideal 5-axis machine tool for…

From Out Of The Lab

Abandoning the old method and replacing it with a new and radically different method that hasn’t yet been considered— that is what “disruptive technology” is all about. In machining, examples of such disruptive technology might include: Mounting a button-shaped turning tool in a live toolholder so that the tool spins…

Shop enjoys 5-axis benefits without the cost

In January 2010, Modern Machine Shop featured an article about DMG / Mori Seiki machines, and how its distribution partner, Ellison, helped a customer get five-axis capabilities from three-axis machines. Ellison's expertise saved the customer money and helped them achieve higher productivity. Click to read the full article.

DMG / Mori Seiki USA Announces the Winners of the 2010 Innovation of the Americas Contest

The winners of the 2010 Innovation of the Americas cutting contest were announced at a dinner reception in their honor that took place during the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. The contest was designed to recognize talented machinists in the metalworking industry; they…

Seeing Machining in Japan

In late October/early November 2010, DMG/Mori Seiki hosted a press junket to Japan to visit Mori’s Iga and Nara manufacturing campuses as well the 25th edition of JIMTOF, the Japan International Machine Tool Fair. This is the first JIMTOF since the business collaboration between Mori Seiki and DMG was established. The joint JIMTOF booth featured...

PLANSEE Tungsten Alloys

French-based PLANSEE Tungsten Alloys / CIME BOCUZE is noted as an innovation leader in the sector of tungsten alloy high-performance materials, as used in the aerospace, and automotive sectors or for motorsport and medical technology. In the context of a capacity expansion last year, the French company chose DMG / Mori Seiki as a partner once again...

CERN research center

CERN: The European research centre for particle physics in Geneva invested in the CTX 510 eco as the flexible allrounder Universal Turning Machine. What happened in the moment of the Big Bang is possibly the last big puzzle in physics? Information on this mystery will soon be coming from a research project...

ROBO-MAT Ag

As an automation specialist ROBO-MAT AG uses the DMG / Mori Seiki DMC 635 V eco as efficient machining support in production. Since 1977, the Swiss Kleindöttingen based company, has been conceptualizing and building effective and effecient systems in-house...

Ningbo Huaye Machinery Manufacturing

The Ningbo Huaye Machinery Manufacturing Co. Ltd., with its headquarters in the Chinese Yinzhou, develops concepts and builds components and systems for electro-hydraulic controls. Hydraulic valves from the manufacturer can be used throughout the global industrial landscape...

American Optisurgical Inc. uses new DMG equipment to help patients see better

American Optisurgical Inc. products help people have a clearer view of life and their surroundings. The company makes ophthalmic instruments that allow surgeons to remove cataracts from peoples eyes. And with a new DMG / Mori Seiki CTX 310 eco V3 Turning Center, parts for these products can be produced...

Live Tooling Helps Shop Eliminate Workflow Issues

For many US manufacturers, the last several years have brought with them an array of difficult choices. Often, cheap overseas labor has caused customers to demand lower prices. In these situations, suppliers must often choose to redesign their products to lessen costs, reduce profits by lowering prices without decreasing costs,…

DIXI Rising

Le Locle, Switzerland (near Neuchatel), is the home of Dixi Machines. That has not changed. Dixi builds some of the most precise machine tools in the world. That has not changed. Its approach to manufacturing is characterized by traditional techniques such as hand-scraping of critical mating surfaces. That has not…

When to Combine Milling and Turning

Few companies immediately invest when new technology is introduced. There are a variety of reasons for this hesitation. Often, adoption is cost prohibitive when an innovative machine is first made available. There is a level of uncertainty as to how most new technologies will perform over time. While breakthroughs might…

Mastering the Metalcutting Macarena

The growing acceptance of 5-axis machines is prompting their use in unexpected ways. Here, a DMG / Mori Seiki NT3200 integrated turning and milling center performs 5-axis milling alone, with the machine’s tailstock used to support the part’s outboard end. Operating a 5-axis machine tool is the machine shop equivalent of…

Shops on a power trip

Even in his wildest dreams, “Big Ed” Green probably never imagined that his small backyard machine shop one day would be machining parts for a project that is designed to drastically reduce America’s dependency on foreign-supplied enriched uranium to fuel nuclear power plants. The project, run by United States Enrichment…

Couplings Are A Commodity

Every 30ft to 40ft of pipe requires a coupling on it that screws together with the next piece of pipe when drilling and installing pipelines in oil fields. So imagine how many couplings are needed when a company is drilling a 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 foot hole. Thousands! Eric Ward,…

Grinding puts machine tool manufacturer at the top

Noboru Watanabe says his grinding machines regularly keep tolerances to 0.3 microns. That claim, he said, instilled skepticism in machine tool makers and, Watanabe said, one of the biggest challenges his 23-year-old company faced was to convince its customers that his claims were real. Today, Taiyo Koki is known as…

Field Report from Japan

Taiyo Koki’s main factory in Nagaoka is very much aboveground and quite obviously a new building— it was completed just over 3 years ago. The company builds all of its grinding machines here, including its distinctive line of vertical grinders. Yet visibility is an issue. Neither the company’s identity nor…

Online U

Web-based machinist training has been in existence for more than a decade. But past experiences with Web-based training were likely frustrating, with pixilated graphics and training programming that was too slow, making it difficult to complete. So, why choose this method over others? The answer is simple. Compared to traditional…

Aero-style Machining Coming to Auto

Aero-style machining coming to auto: as the auto industry turns to materials that are certainly more exotic than the cast iron and aluminum that are familiar, the sorts of processes associated with aerospace manufacturing--albeit kicked up several notches--will find greater application. There used to be a big gulf between the…

Going Deep with a Four-Way Valve

NCC primarily produces hydraulic couplings for critical applications, including designs for extreme high-pressure/high-temperature environments. As oil and gas production goes deeper and deeper in the oceans, the need for systems to operate reliably in extreme environments poses new challenges and opportunities. NCC owns many of the patents on metal-seal technology,…

New Software Speeds Complex Machining Tasks

Gregory Hyatt is vice president of engineering and chief technical officer for DMG/Mori Seiki USA Inc. (Hoffman Estates, IL), a developer and builder of machine tools and machine controls. Manufacturing Engineering: How critical is software to machine tool users today? Gregory Hyatt: I would say it's very critical, but it's rather application…

Shop Rides on Do-it-yourself Attitude, Not Offshore Suppliers

Straitline Components is “obsessed” with doing everything itself, and from day one, the shop vowed not to ship any production offshore. That’s quite an uphill course to take considering that it manufactures aftermarket mountain bike components, an industry where 98 percent of part production is typically done offshore. Surprisingly though,…

Five-Axis Frenzy

The number of shops that have caught on to the benefits of 5-axis machine tools has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Still, there are many shops that, for the first time, are adopting 5-axis machining, and for them, choosing a machine can be a daunting prospect –…

Machining Re-imagined as a Lean Resource

Companies that implement the principles of lean manufacturing are often described as being on a journey—a journey that has a definite direction, but not a distinct endpoint. Everyone at Climax Portable Machine Tools in Newberg, Oregon, would probably agree with this description. They've been on a "lean journey" since 2006.…

Programming MTM Machines with Integrated Synchronization and Simulation

The introduction of sophisticated or complex machine tools is done with thoughtful planning. Builders usually ensure availability of software for their machines by developing or adapting their own, or by consulting CAM suppliers in advance of a machine’s introduction, to ensure immediate productivity. DMG / Mori Seiki USA, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, frequently…

Multitask Finishing

Heat treatment via grinding DMG / Mori Seiki and Tyrolit are developing Grind Hardening to heat treat parts via grinding with special wheels. DMG / Mori Seiki is working to commercialize the technology and reviewing applications for beta-testing sites. Parts manufacturers have identified the elimination of heat treatment as the single greatest opportunity for…

Machine Builders Draw a Bead to Determine Needs of their Customers

In the past, machine building followed the old ready, aim, fire scenario. Now it's more like ready, aim—listen, discuss, collaborate—fire. However, the only catch is this newer more cooperative method must be done faster than the old way.

Innovation Days to be held at Chicago Technical Center & Headquarters on May 3 - 5

DMG / Mori Seiki USA has announced the annual Innovation Days event will take place at the company’s Headquarters and Chicago Technical Center on May 3-5...

Mori Seiki Partners With Ellison Technologies in Canada

Mori Seiki announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Ellison Technologies to serve and support Canada, effective August 9, 2010. “Having Ellison Technologies as our new exclusive distributor in Canada will allow us to leverage our valued partnership and synergy…

Mori Seiki Ends Business Relationship with HiTec Machinery

Effective November 1, 2010, Mori Seiki has ended business relations with HiTec Machinery. All future Mori Seiki machine tool inquiries, applications, customer service issues and technical support will be handled directly by Mori Seiki Mexico...

DMG & Mori Seiki Announce Mexico Collaboration

DMG Mexico S.A. de C.V (a Member of the GILDEMEISTER Group, Germany) and Mori Seiki Mexico S.A. de C.V. (a member of MORI SEIKI Co. Ltd., Japan) announce a new business collaboration in Mexico starting January 1, 2011...