Category: News

FOR RELEASE: December 2, 2013

PMI™ at 57.3%

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report’s information reflects the entire United States, while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of November 2013.

New Orders, Production and Employment Growing
Inventories Growing
Supplier Deliveries Slowing

(Tempe, Arizona) — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in November for the sixth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 54th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business^®.

The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. “The PMI™ registered 57.3 percent, an increase of 0.9 percentage point from October’s reading of 56.4 percent. The PMI™ has increased progressively each month since June, with November’s reading reflecting the highest PMI™ in 2013. The New Orders Index increased in November by 3 percentage points to 63.6 percent, and the Production Index increased by 2 percentage points to 62.8 percent. The Employment Index registered 56.5 percent, an increase of 3.3 percentage points compared to October’s reading of 53.2 percent. This reflects the highest reading since April 2012 when the Employment Index registered 56.8 percent. With 15 of 18 manufacturing industries reporting growth in November relative to October, the positive growth trend characterizing the second half of 2013 is continuing.”

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 15 are reporting growth in November in the following order: Plastics & Rubber Products; Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. The three industries reporting contraction in November are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; and Machinery.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING …

• “Seasonal demand has not decreased at the typical pace.” (Primary Metals)
• “Incoming order rate remaining strong.” (Fabricated Metal Products)
• “Outlook for the remainder of the year and into 2014 is trending positive.” (Chemical Products)
• “Overall business climate is good. Business is steady.” (Transportation Equipment)
• “Sequestration and cutbacks in defense spending continue to impact business.” (Computer & Electronic Products)
• “Market continues to be stronger than normal for this time of year.” (Wood Products)
• “Getting much busier toward the end of the year.” (Furniture & Related Products)
• “Seeing consistent uptick in demand.” (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
• “Federal debt, deficit and inefficiency are causing a level of caution and uncertainty.” (Machinery)
• “Ordering for 2014 seems to be increasing in comparison to the past six months.” (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

*Number of months moving in current direction.

Click HERE for full report.

Consumer confidence climbed last week to a four-month high as an improving job market and holiday discounts put Americans in the mood to shop. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index (SPX) rose to minus 27.4 in the period ended Dec. 22, the fifth straight gain, from minus 29.4. Other figures showed applications for unemployment benefits declined more than forecast last week to 338,000. The report on sentiment also showed a gauge of whether it’s a good time to make purchases advanced to the second-highest level since 2007, signaling a pickup in the spending that accounts for almost 70 percent of the economy. Americans stayed upbeat about economic prospects amid more job opportunities, higher home values and record stock prices. “Consumers are feeling a bit more buoyant heading into the new year,” said Omair Sharif, an economist at RBS Securities Inc. inStamford, Connecticut, who projected 340,000 claims. “This isn’t surprising, given better labor-market data and low inflation.Consumer spending is going to be pretty robust in the fourth quarter.”

The Labor Department said today in Washington that first-time claims for jobless benefits dropped by 42,000 in the week ended Dec. 21. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey called for 345,000 new applications. The figures, which followed a 75,000 increase in the previous two weeks combined, underscore the difficulty in smoothing out the fluctuations that typically occur during the year-end holidays, an agency official said as the report was released.

Stock Prices

Stocks climbed, extending an all-time high for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. The S&P 500 increased 0.5 percent to 1,842.02 at the close in New York. All three components of the weekly Bloomberg comfort index (COMFCOMF) — finances, views of the economy and the buying climate — improved last week, today’s report showed. “Consumer sentiment has made a round trip back to pre-government shutdown highs, largely due to modestly improved economic data, including job growth and stable gasoline prices,” said Joseph Brusuelas, a senior economist at Bloomberg LP in New York. Consumers are less pessimistic about the outlook for the economy after lawmakers struck a deal last week that will ease the next round of spending cuts known as sequestration. The bill marked the first bipartisan budget produced by a divided Congress in 27 years. The buying-climate index jumped to minus 31.8, the highest since the week ended May 5, from minus 35.5.

Economy View

The gauge assessing Americans’ views on the current state of the economy rose to minus 56.8 from minus 56.9 the prior week. The measure of consumers’ views on their personal finances advanced to 6.4, the highest since early August, from 4.2. In a sign the job market is making progress, confidence among the unemployed improved to its highest level since January 2008, the report showed. Payrolls expanded by 203,000 workers in November after a 200,000 gain in October, according to the latest Labor Department figures. The jobless rate fell to a five-year low of 7 percent. Record stock prices are improving household finances and building confidence, particularly among upper-income Americans. Sentiment among those making more than $100,000 a year has averaged 12.4 so far in 2013, compared with a 0.9 average last year. For those making between $50,000 and $75,000, confidence is at its strongest since May. The S&P 500 Index has surged about 29 percent so far this year.

Housing Market

Momentum in the housing market may also be helping to sustain consumers’ spirits. Purchases of new homes exceeded projections in November, holding near a five-year high, and gains in building permit applications show demand will be sustained through the start of 2014.

New-home sales declined 2.1 percent to a 464,000 annualized pace, following a revised 474,000 rate in October that was the strongest since July 2008, figures from the Commerce Department showed earlier this week. The median forecast of 75 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 440,000. Building permits eased by 3.1 percent in November from the prior month to a 1.01 million rate, Commerce Department data showed last week. October’s 1.04 million level was the highest since June 2008. Homebuilders such as Los Angeles-based KB Home (KBH) see a rise in interest rates as a short-term “pause” for buyer demand that won’t prevent an acceleration in the housing recovery next year, Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Mezger said on a Dec. 19 earnings call.

Personal Spending

Retailer discounting is also brightening consumers’ moods and translating into more demand. Commerce Department data show personal spending increased 0.5 percent last month after a 0.4 percent gain in October that was larger than previously estimated. Car dealers have also seen increased demand. Auto sales climbed to a 16.3 million annualized rate in November, the highest since May 2007, according to data from Ward’s Automotive Group. The pickup in the economy helps explain why Federal Reserve officials last week decided to trim monthly bond purchases to $75 billion from $85 billion starting in January. It marked the first step toward unwinding the unprecedented stimulus that Chairman Ben S. Bernanke put in place to help the economy recover from the worst recession since the 1930s. Policy makers also said the target for the benchmark interest rate will probably remain near zero “well past” the time the jobless rate reaches 6.5 percent.

To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Jamrisko in Washington atmjamrisko@bloomberg.net; Shobhana Chandra in Washington atschandra1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Wellisz at cwellisz@bloomberg.net

Chicago, IL — November 22, 2013– FABTECH, the largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in North America, announced today that its recently completed show in Chicago set records for numbers of attendees and exhibitors as well as for floor space.   A total of 40,667 attendees visited 1,573 exhibitors to see live equipment demonstrations, compare products side-by-side to find cost-saving solutions at product displays spread across 650,000 square feet of exhibits at McCormick Place.  Attendees also benefited from the FABTECH educational conference held simultaneously with the four-day expo that included an unprecedented number of expert-led sessions on some of the hottest topics in manufacturing.

“While breaking our own records is impressive, most important were the reports we received from attendees and exhibitors,” said John Catalano, FABTECH show co-manager.   “Attendees were impressed with the record size and scope of the show and the number of new products and innovative technologies on display.   Exhibitors were enthusiastic and report that sales activity was brisk and leads were plentiful.”

FABTECH attendees and exhibitors in Chicago also raised more than $15,000 for the victims of the severe storms and tornados that devastated Washington, Illinois and other areas of the state on November 17th.  The five FABTECH co-sponsors made a financial commitment to start the campaign with all funds collected going to the American Red Cross to help victims of the storms.

“We send our condolences to the residents of Illinois, our host state for FABTECH 2013, and we know that many are struggling to recover from the physical and economic damage caused by these storms that hit on a set-up day for the show,” said Catalano.  “Some of our exhibitors and attendees were directly impacted by this tragedy, and we wanted to show our support.  We are continuing to collect donations www.crowdrise.com/fabtechexpocares and encourage the manufacturing community to contribute.”

FABTECH 2013 in Chicago sets the tone for the upcoming year of international programming by the FABTECH Partners.  FABTECH Canada, will take place March 18-20, 2014 at the Toronto Congress Centre.  On April 10-12, the inaugural FABTECH India, co-located with the India Institute of Welding’s Weld India Exhibition, will take place in New Delhi.  On May 6-8, 2014, FABTECH Mexico will take place at the Centro Banamex in Mexico City.

The five FABTECH co-sponsors represent a wide variety of expertise and include: SME, the American Welding Society (AWS), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), and the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI).  Together, these associations bring unmatched technical proficiency and industry insight to FABTECH. Read more about FABTECH’s co-sponsors here.

FABTECH 2014 will be held on November 11-13, 2014 in Atlanta, GA.  Additional information can be found at www.fabtechexpo.com.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment climbed to 82.5 from 75.1 in November. Economists in a Bloomberg survey called for 83, according to the median projection. The preliminary December reading was 82.5.

A pickup in employment, higher property values and stock-market gains are bolstering household wealth and underpinning sentiment. Another report today showed the improvement is translating into more consumer purchases, which account for almost 70 percent of the economy.

“Moods are getting better and we’re starting to see consumers get a little more active,” said Michael Moran, chief economist at Daiwa Capital Markets America Inc. in New York, who correctly predicted the confidence index. “Job growth is a little stronger, lower gasoline helps a bit and there’s also pent-up demand. It’s suggesting a pickup in fourth-quarter consumer spending.”

Estimates in the Bloomberg survey ranged from 77 to 85. The index averaged 89 in the five years leading up to the slump that began in December 2007, and 64.2 during the 18-month recession that ended in June 2009.

Consumer Spending

Other figures today showed personal spending increased 0.5 percent in November after a 0.4 percent gain that was larger than initially reported, according to the Commerce Department. After adjusting the data for inflation, purchases also climbed 0.5 percent, the biggest advance since February 2012.

Stocks rose, with benchmark indexes extending all-time highs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.5 percent to 1,826.42 at 10:40 a.m. in New York.

The Michigan sentiment survey’s current conditions index, which takes stock of Americans’ view of their personal finances, rose to a five-month high of 98.6 in December, from 88 in November.

The measure of expectations six months from now increased to 72.1 from 66.8 last month.

Americans expect an inflation rate of 3 percent over the next year, compared with 2.9 percent in the prior month. Over the next five years, they expect a 2.7 percent rate of inflation, down from 2.9 percent seen in November.

Cheaper Gasoline

Cheaper fuel is providing relief to households. The cost of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline averaged $3.25 in the first 20 days of December, compared with the 2013 high of $3.79 reached on Feb. 26.

Today’s Michigan survey figures are consistent with other confidence measures reported recently. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index (COMFCOMF) for the week ended Dec. 15 jumped to the highest level since September.

Property values are one source of comfort for homeowners. The S&P/Case-Shiller national home-price gauge rose 11.2 percent in the third quarter from the same period in 2012, the biggest year-over-year advance since the first three months of 2006, the latest available data showed.

Equity prices are buoying Americans’ wealth, with the S&P 500 up 27 percent this year through last week.

Job Growth

Payrolls expanded by 203,000 workers in November after a 200,000 gain in October, and the jobless rate fell to a five-year low of 7 percent, according to Labor Department figures.

The improvement in the economy and job market helps explain why the Federal Reserve decided to begin reducing stimulus. The central bank on Dec. 18 said it will trim monthly bond purchases to $75 billion from $85 billion starting in January.

Sustained gains in consumer confidence are fueling purchases and benefiting companies such as Neiman Marcus Group LLC. Retail sales in November climbed by the most in five months, Commerce Department figures showed on Dec. 12.

Neiman Marcus Chief Executive Officer Karen Katz said the feedback from the Dallas-based retailer’s sales staff was that shoppers are spending this holiday season, and the most affluent consumers are “feeling good” about their finances.

“We are in constant communication with our sellers, they’re telling us that they’re just feeling like the customers are coming in really ready to shop,” Katz said on a Dec. 18 earnings call with analysts. “If we offer them kind of unique merchandise, really regardless of the category, they’re really open to spending money.”

Demand for cars continues to firm. Auto sales advanced to a 16.3 million annualized rate in November, the highest since May 2007, according to data from Ward’s Automotive Group.

To contact the reporter on this story: Shobhana Chandra in Washington at schandra1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Wellisz at cwellisz@bloomberg.net

ADP’s estimate of private-sector job gains for November was the highest for any month since last November.

Businesses added 215,000 jobs in November, payroll processor ADP said Wednesday, fueling hopes that the government’s closely watched employment report this week will continue a recent string of solid gains.

The ADP survey, along with decent-to-strong reports on the broader economy and home sales, painted a portrait of an economy that’s largely shrugging off the effects of the government shutdown and ongoing budget battles in Congress,

The increase in private payrolls was the most in a year and soundly beat economists’ consensus forecast that 165,000 jobs were added. Economists anticipate that the Labor Department on Friday will report about 180,000 employment gains in its survey, which tallies net additions among businesses as well as federal, state and local governments.

The two jobs reports broadly track similar trends, but ADP has had mixed success in forecasting the Labor tally. ADP, for instance, said businesses added 130,000 jobs in October, while Labor reported 212,000 and 204,000 gains overall, including government positions.

In November, small businesses added 102,000 jobs; large companies, 65,000; and midsize ones, 48,000, ADP reported.

Trade, transportation and utilities led job gains with 45,000. Professional and business services added 38,000. Construction and manufacturing companies, two critical sources of middle-wage jobs, each added 18,000.

“Employers across all industries and company sizes looked through the political battle in Washington. If anything, job growth appears to be picking up,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, which helps ADP compile the survey.

Monthly job growth averaged a better-than-expected 202,000 from August through October, according to Labor’s figures. The labor market and the economy have proved resilient despite the 16-day government shutdown in October and the prospect of another budget standoff in Congress in the next six weeks.

In a separate report on economic activity from early October to mid-November, the Federal Reserve said the shutdown dampened manufacturing and tourism in some areas, and many retailers had a tepid outlook for the holiday sales season.

The economy expanded at a modest to moderate pace as housing and the auto and technology industries continued to support a pickup in activity, the Fed said in its Beige Book.

Named for the color of its cover, the report, released every six weeks, provides an anecdotal snapshot of the economy. The latest edition could be pivotal because it will help the Fed decide whether to dial down its financial stimulus at its Dec. 17-18 meeting.

Economic activity expanded moderately in the New York, Atlanta, Cleveland, Richmond, St. Louis, Minneapolis and Dallas Fed bank districts. Modest growth was reported in Philadelphia, Chicago, Kansas City and San Francisco, the report said.

The housing recovery, though, remains a bright spot. New home sales rose 25% in October, suggesting that the critical sector continues to gain strength. Builders sold homes at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 444,000 in October after a revised estimate of 354,000 for September, the Census Bureau said. That beat economists’ projections of 425,000 for October.

 (Paul Davidson, USA TODAY 6:41 p.m. EST December 4, 2013)

Manufacturing Sector Grows At Fastest Pace In More Than Two Years.

Reuters (12/3, Mutikani) reports that the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index rose from 56.4 in October to 57.3 in November, its highest reading in two and a half years. A reading above 50.0 indicates that the sector is expanding. Economists had expected November’s reading to come in at 55.0. Reuters says that the numbers are the latest indication that the economy is gaining strength, which may encourage the Fed to begin tapering its bond-buying programs.

The AP (12/3, Rugaber) reports one component of the ISM index, a measure of hiring, increased “to its highest level in nearly 18 months.” Export orders also rose to its highest level in about two years.

Bloomberg News (12/3, Jamrisko) reports the increase in exports reflects “a rebound in the world economy that’s translating into more production and hiring.” Factories in the US are outpacing their competitors overseas, according to Bloomberg News. Deere & Co. and other companies “benefit from a domestic housing recovery that’s spurred demand for construction equipment, appliances and furniture.”

McClatchy (12/3, Lee) notes that while some economists see the “report as overstating the rebound in manufacturing; other measures of industrial production and sales have been less glowing.” However, most of the indicators show a generally improving trend for the manufacturing sector in the US, “which could give a good boost to U.S. economic and employment growth.”

Markit Final November Index Of Manufacturing Rose To 54.7. Reuters (12/3, Mutikani) reports the Markit Economics final November index of manufacturing rose to 54.7 from 51.8 in October, its highest reading since 2011. “The economy is moving forward at a moderate to strong pace,” said Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. “This is additional evidence that the economic outlook is positive enough and expected to continue long enough and that the Fed might actually taper in December.”

Bloomberg News (12/3, Jamrisko) also covers the story.

Midwest Manufacturing Grew In November. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (12/3, Depass) reports the Mid-America Business Conditions Index, showed a reading of 51.2 in November from 50 in October. The index, which measures manufacturing Kansas, Missouri and seven other states, “showed a big jump in employment and exports and a drop in inflationary pressures.”

The Kansas City (MO) Star (12/3, Rosen) also covers the story.

From Daily Executive Briefing 12/3/2013

The MG Factory

AR 530 is the new section bending machine manufactured by MG SRL, Italy that completes the already large range of models of plate and section bending rolls the company can take pride in its 54 years of life. The AR530 is the biggest section bending machine ever built; it is a giant 29.5′ x 29.5′, almost 26′ high, 340 tons, 220 HP with 1900 ton torque. The AR530 can bend standard and special profiles; Ts and channels, beams, round and square tubes and pipes. Wide flange beams up to 40″ can be bent the hard way!

A Guinness World Record!

It has been commissioned by an Italian company called Tromba Maurizio S.n.c. Tromba Maurizio S.n.c., located in Verona, is is very experienced in gargantuan bending for large building construction such as the Innsbruck Ski Jump, the Mestre Hospital and the Johannesburg 2010 Soccer World Championship Stadium. “Another important job we have made is the backbone of the Italian Genova – Ventimiglia tunnel for the high speed train,” says Mr. Maurizio Tromba, co-owner of the company together with Mr. Andrea, Mr. Nicola Tromba, and Mrs. Lauretta Binato. “We built about 1800 Tons of beams with sections from 7″ to 8.6”. All made on MG machines, 15 hours a day for 14 months production! This has definitely been a machine testing.”

Tromba Maurizio S.n.c., established in 1967 for the fabrication of flanges used for the closing of heater hatches, has made prominent technological innovations through the years responding to the demand of the market for the deformation of always bigger elements. After constant investments, they own now several MG branded bending machines; a complete fleet among which model AR 360 was the largest capacity one, outclassed today by AR 530, the largest capacity ever. “With the AR 360, even if big,” Mr. Tromba goes on, “we could not satisfy some of the new market requests demanding larger sections bending, due to the machine’s physical limits. Now, with AR 530, we will be able to compete on a new market segment.”

“We produce over 300 machines, produced and started up every year,” states Massimo Roccia, who is the co-owner of MG SRL together with Mr. Francesco Barca and Mr. Giorgio Giraudo. “This is an innovative project we have added to our already differentiated range of products. It has been a challenge lasting for two years, from the initial project to the final test and I can say it will count us among the best industrial solutions in the world.” MG SRL is a flexible company always ready to pursue new solutions. MG offers its machines all over the world. It focuses on the constant attention to the customer’s needs and offers products targeted precisely to each client’s requirements.

A cooperation based on trust

It’s rather interesting that in Italian the word trust is translated with “fiducia” that comes directly from the Latin word “fides”. The second meaning of fides is “rope”. And it is truly a figurative rope that ties these two companies together in this case. Anyone who climbs mountains knows how important it is to be tied to the rest of the group. The cooperation between Tromba and MG has been going on since 2002 and this new big machine, AR530, has been realized thanks to mutual research and support between the two companies. “This comparison,” Mr. Tromba continues, “definitely conveys how our relationship with MG is. We have always been MG customers and have always found in MG people listening to our requirements and being attentive to our needs, able to give us the answers to new performance demands.” “This rope is not only between us and our customers,” adds Massimo Roccia, “it involves our suppliers, as well. It is the success of a close-knit team of workers aiming for the same goal. Everyone has contributed with ideas, projects, and technological know-how in order to build this machine.”

Guinness features

AR 530 stands out for its modular design in order to best optimize the assembly of the machine. Its design makes it also easy for packaging and freight handling. The main frame is made of very strong electro-welded steel, on which two modules of respectively 54 and 64 Tons are assembled. This machine has been built following the unique manufacturing tenets which are typical for MG, such as the planetary movement of the bending rolls, which, thanks to the hydraulic cylinders, reduces frictions to a minimum and can be considered an anti-deflection system. In fact, the planetary approach of the two bending rolls towards the main shaft, which is fixed in the center, allows a perfect bending with very short flat edges. The hydraulic side guides have a tri-dimensional movement. Therefore the bending rolls will adapt to the profile and follow it completely in the curve forming. “Our Direct Drive system,” says Massimo Roccia, “which has replaced all low-efficiency components such as belts or chains with a direct axis driving, allows the entire machine’s torque to go into the bending and does not lose torque between the various gears.”

The three double pre-bending motorized rolls allow the assembling of dies up to 43″ diameter, and are keyed to 21″ diameter shafts. The force of the two side shafts is 950 tons each, able to generate a total thrust of 1900 tons on the piece to be deformed, with 50.000 Kgm torque in rotation, thanks to the two hydraulic coaxial epicyclic motor-gear boxes. All components have a sealed permanent lubrication, which is another specialty of MG manufacturing principles, lasting for the life of the machine. “AR 530 is unique not only for its features but also for the electronic,” Massimo Roccia points out. “It is controlled by the CNC Touch Command EVO. This particular CNC control is made of two units; one is positioned on the electrical cabinet, the other one is on the control console. The two-units-CNC works wirelessly in protocol 802.11 on a real time operative system. It is not simply a PLC controller but an application with dedicated cards monitoring the bending cycle in real time.”

The CNC Touch Command EVO, developed by MG subsidiary Software Company Delsy, whose leader is Mr. Daniele Albenga, is already known all over the world for its unlimited capacity of saving programs, its integrated 3D graphic, 15″ touch screen, and tripled calculating capacity compared to the old versions. Even when controlling the AR530, a monster size machine, it remains user friendly. Developed on Linux platform, allows the operator to CAD generate any bending shape with the input of a few parameters and to load them directly from a DXF file into unlimited libraries. A geometric laser control system allows the CNC to read three points of the bending radius allowing on-line correction, if needed. On a profile bending machine of such extraordinary dimensions the laser system allows the making of very big radii, up to 72’. “It’s the first time the wireless technology is applied on such type of machines,” Mr. Roccia proudly says. “No cables or connecting wires obstruct the operators in the working space while they are checking the machine production.” Last but not least, when this giant is placed on its site in Verona, the machine itself will rotate. It will be put into a 16′ deep pit on a rotating platform. During the bending cycle of particularly long beams, the machine can rotate on its axis to avoid any obstacles that may be on the way.

“We built a 40′ diameter pit,” Maurizio Tromba describes, “which is impressive indeed! Being able to move the machine like this we will always find the most optimal working space.”
AR 530 will be used to bend very large beams. It will be able to bend a 1 mt thick beam the hard way! Until now these kinds of beams had to be cut in the middle, bent, and then welded to form the original piece. “In the deformation phase of such striking profiles, it’s necessary to preserve the core and not to twist it. We can do that using our technology called Traction Tooling which allows the core to remain perfectly straight and intact for the whole length.” Thanks to this new machine, Tromba Maurizio S.n.c. will stand out on the market for large structures buildings, for example the new 2015 Milan Expo, and also participate on tenders for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The AR530 will be used to build the future skyscraper Oculus in Manhattan, USA, together with the adjoining 590′ tall seagull structure by the near metro station.

In order to transport the AR530 twelve trucks were used, two of them with police convoy for exceptional loading. “The market requests,” Mr. Roccia concludes, “seem to be evolving towards larger products. If this trend is confirmed in the next few years, MG will definitely need more space for the construction of big machines. I have to say that we all felt a sense of emptiness when the last part of the AR530 was shipped. You know, we had all gotten used to have this giant towering over us!”

Translation from “MG firma un nuovo Guinness World Record” written by Claudio Tacchella.
www.tacchella.altervista.org

Images of AR530

To dismount, package and transport this giant, 12 trucks were necessary of which two were for exceptional freight.

The frame

AR 530 has a modular structure. The main frame is made with strong electro-welded steel.

To dismount, package and transport this giant, 12 trucks were necessary, of which two were for exceptional freight.

The machine will be put into a 5 mt deep pit on a turntable. This way the machine can rotate on its axis during the bending cycle of large and long beams.

The final result of this giant project is an example how great goals can be reached by a determined and passionate team.

With the Direct Drive solution all the machine’s torque goes into the bending, thus allowing energy saving.

The three motorized rolls that allow the assembling of dies 1100 mm in diameter are keyed to 540 mm diameter shafts.

The approach of forming rolls allows a perfect bending and shorter straight edges. The hydraulic side guides are of tri-dimensional movement to adapt to the different bending radii.

From left: Mr. Massimo Roccia, co-owner of MG SRL and Mr. Maurizio Tromba, co-owner of the Tromba Maurizio S.n.c.

It is the first time wireless technology is used on such a machine. Operators can easily move in the working space without having to avoid cables or wires.