Ingersoll adds capacity and technology in Rockford

A new era for American machining and manufacturing began with the Grand Opening and expansion of Ingersoll Machine Tools’ new manufacturing, assembly and testing centre in Rockford, Illinois.

The event was held on 21 July when Ingersoll’s chief executive officer, Jeffrey Ahrstrom was joined by many guests and representatives from across the full spectrum of American manufacturing for the inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the facilities.

Delegates attending the event had the opportunity to view innovative equipment including North America’s newest, largest, and most advanced 5-axis MasterMill machine, which will offer new capabilities and capacity for the company’s customers.

“We have completed construction of new buildings, refurbished existing facilities, and built our largest and most capable machine tool to date, to create a 40,000ft² Technical Centre and further our contracting abilities for our partners,” stated Ahrstrom. “Additionally, we have added extensive testing and measuring equipment, so that we can ensure the precision work performed, matches the demanding standards set by customers, such as the US Navy and the ground-breaking Giant Magellan Telescope.”

Chip Storie, chief executive officer of Camozzi Machine Tools Division, is excited about the prospects of the new Centre: “We will be helping drive the growth of American manufacturing, creating innovative private-public partnerships, and strengthening our economy. For the local community, this means creating jobs, advancing skills, and developing the next generation of manufacturing leadership.”

Lodovico Camozzi, president and CEO of the Camozzi Group added: “I am extremely proud to be here today. When we bought Ingersoll in 2003, we were already aware of the value of this company and the contributions to manufacturing the institution had made historically. By bringing our global resources together, we have achieved some great things. We have met major technological challenges, including the automated inspection, and wash robots of the Genoa bridge, and the Magellan telescope.

During the event it will be possible to see the most advanced manufacturing technologies, such as the MasterPrint Robotic Thermoplastic Hybrid Additive printing cell among which are claimed to be the world’s largest 3D metal printing and milling machines, and the Mongoose Hybrid and Hawk Multitasking Composite system configured for the space industry – all designed, built and supported in Rockford, Illinois. As such this will be a once in a generation event which will showcase the strength of American manufacturing and its ability to develop ever-greater capabilities for our shared future.

Ingersoll cooperates closely with the sister company, Camozzi Digital to develop state-of-the-art IIoT, Industry 4.0, big data, and cloud computing solutions to improve the performance and lower operating costs of its machine tools. Two platforms are available: IBNET, which allows the user to collect and store all production data, machine operating conditions, status and operating parameters and IBRM, which draws data from processors and sensors installed in critical parts of the machine to monitor key parameters, working conditions and the status of the Automation System to identify machine errors in real-time and to promptly inform the user.

www.camozzi.com

www.ingersoll.com