Machine-Tool Makers Go Back To Basics At Westec

March 6, 2008
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.

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