Page 26 - MetalForming March 2016

Machine Control and Plant Automation Solutions
Helm-Pak® Features Include:
• PLC based redundant clutch brake control
• Meet or exceed ANSI and OSHA safety requirements
• PLS, die monitoring, brake stop time monitoring and servo feed interface
• Parts, batch and maintenance timers
• Job recipe storage
• Ethernet communication
• Helm browser based WebviewTM networking software
• Downtime and Signature Analysis
Backplane connected tonnage monitoring using Helm strain gage input modules licensed by Rockwell Automation®
Various PLC platforms and operator interfaces available
Keeping Your Process On Course Since 1962
Helm Instrument Co., Inc.
361 West Dussel Drive • Maumee, OH 43537
Phone: 419-893-4356 • Fax: 419-893-1371
email: sales@helminstrument.com • www.helminstrument.com
24 MetalForming/March 2016
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Lowry claims as his pride and joy his leadership role with the PMA Educa- tional Foundation (PMAEF). Top on his list of accomplishments: working with PMAEF executive director Dave Sansone to return the foundation back to core mission of fundraising and issu- ing grants to further the metalforming industry.
“PMA launched the foundation in 1996,” says Lowry, “and raised $1.2 mil- lion. Since that time it’s provided more than $1.5 million in grants.”
Among its most recent funded proj- ects, PMAEF awarded a grant in 2013 to support the PMA Metalforming Employee Orientation (MEO) program, slated for completion in mid-2016. The program will be used by HR managers and other supervisors as a first-day-on- the-job, interactive orientation for new-hire employees and full- or part- time temporary workers. It will assist employees in understanding and adjusting to a new job in terms of responsibilities, compliance and expectations. The MEO program pro- vides a welcoming sense of belonging and highlights critical behaviors, prac- tices and standards in order to mini- mize turnover, maximize new-hire retention, provide safe access to the shop floor, introduce plant operations and culture, and expedite better time productivity.
In the past year, PMAEF awarded grants totaling $70,500. This includes $1000 grants to each of nine PMA dis- tricts. These grants support local work- force-development programs, for prospective and incumbent metal- forming employees, most supporting programs at local schools.
For example, in Tennessee, the PMAEF grant supported the Experi- mental Vehicles Program at Middle Tennessee State University, and an industry certification at John Overton High School. In New England, a grant supported the Clark County Manufac- turing Collaborative to promote man- ufacturing opportunities, provide core manufacturing-skill training and help with job-placement programs. Grants also supported robotics teams and pro-