Machine-Tool Makers Go Back To Basics At Westec
Hammer-down might be a subtheme at the upcoming Westec machinetool and manufacturing show set to commence March 31 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Show goers
will be able to watch the production steps employing the basic machining
processes that go into manufacturing
a hammer. Equipment including
CNC mills, lathes, conventional
mills, and conventional lathes are
all part of the process. Instructors from the NTMA Training Centers of
Southern California will walk show goers
through the process, ready to answer
questions along the way.
The hammer demo is part of an attempt
at this year’s event to address a
need for skilled personnel able to work
with today’s metalworking and manufacturing
equipment. Programs at the
show will include expert trainers and
education providers with information
about training programs for machinists
and manufacturing engineers, programs
on lean manufacturing, high-speed machining,
and more. The California Employment
Training Panel (CA-ETP) will
also be present to talk about grants available
for employee training. This government
agency provides up to $120 million
in job training funds to employers
throughout the state of California.
Advancing this theme as well is a
career center at the show that will permit
posting resumes. Show organizers
say companies like Boeing, Northrup
Grumman, and Apple will have postings
for qualified and skilled individuals
for entry-level and higher positions.
A career fair is also scheduled where recruiters
and human-resource managers
may interview and hire on the spot.
Educational videos will round out
the learning experience at the show
with topics that include Lean manufacturing
and Lean culture, comparisons
of machining technologies, strategies
for improving tool life, composite materials,
direct manufacturing, and industrial
robotics.
This year’s event also features “geewhiz”
developments on display at the
Gallery of Manufacturing and Technology
Innovations. Among the things
to see there will be medical and surgical
breakthroughs with complex devices
and prototypes machined by the
equipment on the show floor. Among
the attractions are race cars and choppers,
the Bumblebee transformer created
by a local job shop, Jay Leno’s
latest innovative and energy-efficient
cars, and the Rickenbacker guitars that
helped shape the music industry.
Show events get started at 9 a.m.
March 31 through April 3.