Changes at the board!

The board of directors of Kennametal Inc., has appointed Christopher (Chris) Rossi as president and chief executive officer and has named him a director. Chris succeeds Ron De Feo whom the board has appointed executive chairman of the board. Both appointments are effective August 1, 2017.

Chris Rossi

“With more than 30 years of leadership experience, Chris has delivered sustainable results across a breadth of functions including operations, marketing and sales, R&D, product management, supply chain and technology innovation,” said Lawrence W. Stranghoener, Kennametal chairman of the board of directors. “We expect Chris will bring continuity to the transformation presently underway at the company while evolving a strategy and vision for the future that will continue to deliver results for our customers, team members and shareholders.”

“We want to thank Ron De Feo for the dramatic progress he has made to reposition Kennametal over the past 18 months,” Stranghoener continued. “Ron will work closely with Chris to ensure a smooth transition for all our stakeholders and we appreciate his continuing leadership.”

Rossi previously served as the chief executive officer of Dresser-Rand at Siemens from September 2015 through May 2017. Prior to that, Rossi held numerous leadership positions at Dresser-Rand Group Inc., its affiliates and predecessor companies since he joined in 1987, including executive vice president of global operations, vice president of technology and business development and executive vice president of global aftermarket sales. Rossi holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech and an MBA in corporate finance and operations management from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.

Ron De Feo

“I am excited to join a company with such well-respected brands and a legacy of continuous innovation and customer commitment,” commented Rossi. “I look forward to working together with the Kennametal team across the globe to continue building a strong future for the company, our customers, its shareholders and our communities.”

“We look forward to the perspective Chris’ experience will bring to lead Kennametal into the next chapter of its transformation,” commented Ron De Feo, current Kennametal president and CEO. “It has been my pleasure to lead the Kennametal team over the past 18 months and together we have made great strides in positioning the company for a successful future.”

Flow tuning excellence.

Fuel system manufacturers seeking the best fuel performance require flexible high-flow grinding and high-flow test capabilities to achieve finely tuned orifices in numerous design variations.

Comparison 

Kennametal MICROFLOW

versus 

Hydro Erosive Grinding

To this end, Kennametal Precision Surface Solutions® is announcing EXTRUDE HONE™ MF PROGRESS™, the next generation of flow tuning and flow measurement featuring a flow targeting accuracy to +/-1% aimed at orifices 100-350 μm in parts less than 30 mm in diameter and flow rates up to 5 L/min. “Additionally, MF PROGRESS delivers another exclusive added value that we call Flexibility Through Modularity,” says Sharath Shankaregowda, Kennametal Precision Surface Solutions MICROFLOW product manager. “Customers benefit from a self-contained modular construction for each process (grinding, flush, flow testing, etc.) and configurable hardware (manifolds, frequency drives, etc.)”

Customers are saying adding such advanced process options can help ensure components meet ever more stringent government regulations. From CAFÉ in North America, EURO6 and expected EURO7 in Europe, and PRC standards in Asia, all focused on reducing CO2 emissions, EXTRUDE HONE™ MF PROGRESS provides the perfect next step in upgraded manufacturing and finishing. In addition, this all takes place in a 25% reduced machine footprint, 50% less tool wear compared to previous-generation equipment, and depending on the application the output can be increased by up to 100%.

MICROFLOW Explained

•  MICROFLOW is the real-time monitored flow of abrasive media through small passages, such as fuel-injector spray holes.
•  It achieves specific, repeatable processing results, including edge radius, micro-hole size and surface finish. These changes to small-hole geometry improve part function and performance.
•  Media flows in one direction, similar to part operation.
•  Increased flow is attributed to subtly changing the geometry of the opening entrance (opening exit usually is not affected).
•  MICROFLOW processing involves pressure drop, flow rate, geometry, and fluid properties; machine design and dynamics; workpiece characteristics; media properties and processing procedures.
•  Exclusive range of standard and customized MICROFLOW media with specific properties perform a step beyond classical hydro erosive liquid.

EXTRUDE HONE™ MF PROGRESS is available in various inside station layouts: flow tuning, media reclaim, flush module, test module, marking, thanks to the system’s modular design and construction. It is easy to configure and easy to fit into modern production lines ready for robotic or other handling system automation. The machine also comes with expanded on-screen maintenance capabilities and improved filtration to further pump and valve life.

Reliability being at the heart of production control requirements, EXTRUDE HONE™ MF PROGRESS provides for online monitoring and control of all relevant parameters. The online feature is also beneficial in delivering remote process demonstrations and gathering resulting data.

Selecting the right tools!

Cloud-enabled digital tooling data and knowledge interfaces with state-of-the-art inventory control to optimize and energize shop productivity. Having tool availability confirmed during process planning can be a critical time-saving element for important jobs, avoiding downtime and expensive overnight shipping. Suppliers with NOVO and ToolBOSS have a distinct advantage.

Integrating ToolBOSS with NOVO optimizes both process planning and shop-floor operations, moving jobs from design to production as quickly as possible.

Driven by “Different Thinking is Better Thinking,” Kennametal continues to optimise the productivity-building potential of NOVO™ by launching a new service offering combining its premium vending solution, ToolBOSS™ and its cloud-enabled digital tooling and process knowledge vehicle NOVO™.

Market-Driven Solution
Manufacturing’s unrelenting pressure to remain competitive and control costs combined with the widening skills gap are shaping the present and future of how customers operate and manage machine shops today. Kennametal’s ToolBOSS with NOVO was inspired by the needs of machining customers seeking seamless real-time integration of their enterprise engineering systems (CAD/CAM systems) with their production floor. Recent research indicates up to 70% of manufacturing executives are focusing on plant-floor data initiatives to drive operational and business excellence, faster time to market, and immediate access to data from machines on the factory floor. ToolBOSS users on the cloud with the latest software version can now use NOVO™ to see if an item proposed for a process plan is already available in their ToolBOSS inventory. This makes plans and budgets more time- and cost-efficient. “By adding ToolBOSS credentials to their user profile, customers easily check the inventory in their local ToolBOSS units with their developing process plans,” says Daniel Gillig, Global Services ToolBOSS Manager at Kennametal. “They’re better able to visualize items already in their shop.”

Powerful Solutions Linked
The unique ToolBOSS – NOVO linkage will provide customers the ability to quickly ID the optimal tool (selecting from the industry’s latest technology), and assess corresponding tool availability; moving customers from design to shop floor in the shortest time possible with the most efficient cutting tool option. This linkage also makes it easier to order new tools, provide secure back up of data and conduct proactive diagnostic checks and updates to the ToolBOSS. “With these powerful solutions linked together”, explains John Jacko, Kennametal vice president and chief marketing officer, “our customers should expect a 20-50% time savings in quoting, programming, set-up, and machining processes compared to traditional fragmented approaches requiring high levels of skill in the areas of tool selection, application, and data integration.”

Industry Leading Partners
The connection of ToolBOSS and NOVO is enabled through partnership with the Machining Cloud GmbH and ToolBOSS Vending Solutions supply chain partner, Supply Point Systems (SPS). SPS is a world leader in the design and manufacture of secure, point-of-use inventory management systems, while Machining Cloud is a leader in the global manufacturing community providing a single-source of access to complete and up-to-date product data from leading manufacturers of cutting tools, machine tools and workholding.

Kennametal ToolBOSS Vending Solutions is planning a staged rollout of ToolBOSS – NOVO beginning in the United States, expanding to other world regions within the next 18 months. “This innovation builds on our premium vending solution, ToolBOSS, and provides the type of value-added service our customers demand – allowing them to be more efficient programing new jobs, as well as running those same jobs on the shop floor. Our vision is to leverage these types of digital solutions more and more to help our customers fully optimize their operations,” commented Jeswant Gill, Kennametal vice president and executive vice president, industrial segment.