Mori Tapped As Supplier to WorldSkills Competition

Machine tool builder Mori Seiki has been selected to serve as an official supplier to the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition. Scheduled for September 1-7 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the biennial competition was created to promote increased technical proficiency within participating countries. More than 10,000 young engineers have attended the event throughout its history, and this year, more than 1,000 participants from 51 countries will compete for top honors. All participants have won competitive preliminary contests to qualify for a spot at the event.

More than two dozen Mori Seiki machines will be tested rigorously during the competition’s milling and turning events. Additionally, competitors in these events and Team Manufacturing challenge events will receive advanced Mori Seiki online operator training through the company’s Education On Demand program.

Among the machines on which participants will showcase their skills are the DuraVertical5100 VMC and the DuraTurn2050 lathe. Equipped with a 40-taper, high-torque, 10,000-rpm spindle, the VMC is designed to machine high-precision parts with 6 micron (0.0002 inch) positioning accuracy. The lathe features a rigid body to minimize vibration as well as roller guides for stable machining. It includes 12 tool stations and offers a maximum rapid traverse rate of 944.9 ipm across both the X and Z axes.

Dr. Masahiko Mori, company president, says it is a “great honor” to be selected as an official supplier to the competition for the second consecutive time. “Workforce development continues to be a challenge in manufacturing,” he says. “Events like these promote the capabilities of talented young people and offer them the opportunity to benefit from the latest technologies.”