Autocam Medical Offering Generous Compensation Package for CNC Machinists

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MURFREESBORO, TN—(OCTOBER 22, 2020)—Autocam Medical, a global contract manufacturer of precision surgical and medical components and devices, announced that they are looking to hire up to 10 full-time CNC machinists to work the night shift in their Murfreesboro location.

Applicants are required to have two or more years of CNC experience. They must also be capable of setting up and operating single and/or multiple spindle machines as well as monitoring and controlling the quality of machining practices by utilizing process control tools. Proficiency in maintaining production processes and working within the expected quality standards and established efficiencies are also necessary. Autocam Medical’s night shift runs from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Autocam Medical offers a clean work environment and a generous compensation package including premium-free health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, quarterly incentives, a 401K match of $3,000.00, and tuition reimbursement. The company also provides a shift pay differential for this position that increases the employee’s hourly base wage by 10 percent.

More in-depth information regarding this position may be found at: https://www.autocam-medical.com/careers

About Autocam Medical
Autocam Medical is a global contract manufacturer of precision-machined drill bits, drivers, screws, plates, cutting tools and other complex, highly engineered surgical implants, instruments and handpieces, as well as other device components. Clients are involved with instruments and devices used in procedures including the foot and ankle, hand and wrist, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, as well as ophthalmology and craniomaxillofacial procedures. The company offers a value-added approach to high-precision manufacturing with specialties in CNC milling, turning and cutter grinding. The company has achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification. They also have facilities in the U.S., China and Brazil.

DBUSINESS: Autocam Medical, AMP Lab Noted as Resource for Students and Entrepreneurs Pursuing Careers as Makers

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The process of launching a product or business as a maker doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

From a budding entrepreneur’s first exposure to engineering to career fairs to hands-on shops where students and early-stage developers can work on prototypes, Michigan offers a bevy of resources.

Continue reading at DBusiness…

WZZM13: Autocam Medical Looking to Hire Skilled Tradespeople

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Time to finish up our series on who’s hiring in West Michigan during the pandemic. Today’s company is a medical parts manufacturer in Kentwood. They were a growing company to begin with, and they’re looking to grow more.

Autocam Medical Devices does exactly what their name implies.

“Manufacturing for really a variety of different applications. A lot of surgical, trauma-related,” says GM John Kennedy.

As you’d imagine, during the COVID-19 fight, they’ve focused some of that work.

“Reaching and working with a number of customers on taking on additional ventilator-related work. A project going on with the University of Michigan with a ventilator-splitting device,” says Kennedy.

And they have plenty of job openings, looking for people to help them with that work. Their pay is dictated by the job and experience.

“It varies pretty widely depending on whether you’er a skilled machinist or an engineer,” says Kennedy.

They’re wearing masks and doing temperature checks, doing everything they can to keep the place safe. They’re also expressing their gratitude for the workers they have.

Continue reading at WZZM13…

TODAY’S MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS: News: Cobots, carbon offsets, apprenticeships, digital mfg. training

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Since yesterday was Valentine’s Day I had a story up about Abbott’s Fully Implantable Left Ventricular Assist System that has earned FDA breakthrough device designation. Today, I’m serving up some cobot news from Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots (MIR), covering a few new hires at America Makes, and wanted to let you know about Fastems’ Digital Manufacturing solutions that requires no physical automation system to simulate, educate, or introduce a factory automation system to employees.

Now, let’s give a shout out to two other companies featured this weekend. First up is Xometry for going green and launching its carbon offset program to reduce the environmental impact of its shipped packages.

Kudos also go to Autocam Medical who presented nine students with certificates of completion for their CNC Machinist Apprentice Program during a January 16, 2020, ceremony at Western Michigan University’s AMP Lab in Grand Rapids. We need a trained workforce and these steps are what will support manufacturing today and in the future.

Continue reading at Today’s Medical Developments…

BONEZONE: Autocam Medical Presents Engineering Scholarships to University Students

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Autocam Medical awarded engineering scholarships to three Grand Valley State University students.

Autocam Medical President and CEO and former university Board of Trustees member, John C. Kennedy, established the scholarship program to encourage and educate students about changes that have occurred in advanced manufacturing.

“The field has evolved significantly over the past couple of decades,” he said. “Many students have only had a minimal amount of exposure to manufacturing. It is our hope that this scholarship raises the awareness, and enhances the perception, of advanced manufacturing among college students.”

The competitive scholarship is open to full-time Grand Valley State students entering their sophomore year in the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing. Students are selected for their academic merit and ability to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards. They also must declare a major in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Manufacturing & Engineering, and/or Interdisciplinary Engineering (with a focus on Manufacturing Engineering).

As part of the process, students may also to participate in three paid co-ops with Autocam Medical during the summer of their first, second and third years.

The three student recipients are Michael Flickenger, Eric Braun and Zach Lobbestael.

Continue reading at BONEZONE…

High-Tech Equipment from Autocam Medical Installed in WMU AMP Lab

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Autocam Medical, a contract manufacturer of precision surgical and medical components and devices announced three new pieces of their manufacturing equipment were installed in Western Michigan University’s (WMU) regional state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Laboratory (AMP Lab).

The equipment is just one example of Autocam Medical’s commitment to creating a skilled workforce. They are also a key partner in the AMP program, which is focused on encouraging and facilitating the development of students pursuing careers in engineering and manufacturing. In addition, they participate in a CNC Machinist Apprentice program in which they send workers to college to receive training in computer numerical control (CNC) machining. Students that complete 728 hours of classroom instruction while maintaining a full work schedule receive their journeyman’s card in CNC Machining and 27 college credits towards an associate’s degree.

Now students in the program will have access to some specialized equipment. The AMP lab equipment, a CNC 5 Axis Mill, a Swiss lathe, and a 3D metal printer, will provide engineering students and current engineers and designers with an opportunity to experience the high-tech devices needed to develop and test new products and prototypes. “We are primarily focused on the medical industry, so the machines are designed to make smaller parts,” said John Kennedy IV, General Manager at Autocam Medical.

For example, the CNC 5 Axis Mill is used to make metal orthopedic devices such as ankle replacements, shoulder implants, hip sockets, and trauma plates for stabilizing broken bones. The Swiss lathe is designed to make long and slender round components for different uses. The 3D metal printer can print ready-to-finish objects.

In addition to the opportunity to use the specialized equipment, students will also be able to receive valuable input from industry experts at the lab. “Engineering students that have a concept that is a little bit more technical than what they have the ability to do on the Web, can come down here and say, ‘I have this great idea can you guys help me figure out how to make this?,’ while they learn more about advanced machining,” said John Kennedy IV, General Manager at Autocam Medical.

The facility is located on the bottom two floors of WMU’s building at 200 Ionia Avenue SW in Grand Rapids. Students begin their learning in the apprentice lab and classroom and then move down to the lower level, where the new equipment from Autocam Medical is located for hands-on experience. In addition to providing students with the tools they need to bring their concepts to fruition, the location of the Autocam Medical equipment in the lab’s lower level allows passersby to have a birds-eye view of the machines from the sidewalk above.

“This type of visibility will allow people to see manufacturing in process,” said John Kennedy IV. “It will also help raise the profile of advanced manufacturing in downtown Grand Rapids and draw more people into skilled trade careers. Manufacturers are struggling to fill these positions with well-trained workers who can become productive immediately. The AMP Lab helps close that gap.”

Autocam Medical’s President, John Kennedy, has played a primary role in this unique partnership between private industry and public institutions. He has helped connect Herman Miller and Paragon Die and Engineering to the program which includes several other area manufacturers and donors such as, Amway, Cascade Engineering, Flexco, Haworth, and Rockwell Automation. Besides WMU, the companies will be involved with Grand Rapids Community College, Ferris State University, and Aquinas College. As a result, the Lab becomes a resource for all of West Michigan and beyond.

Autocam Medical Recruits and Retains Top Talent with Empowering Work Culture

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Autocam Medical, a contract manufacturer of precision surgical and medical components and devices recently released a new video highlighting their unique work culture and the many ways they recruit and retain employees.

John Kennedy, President of Autocam Medical, says, “Our vision is to become the best contract manufacturer for medical devices in the world. The way in which we do that is by providing the highest quality, best delivery, and best value to our customers. We can’t do that without great people. The many ways in which we recruit and retain top talent is a big part of our focus.”

As Dennis Weihl, Value Stream Manager and seven-year employee of Autocam Medical, notes in the video, one of the many ways that Autocam Medical has made culture a top priority is through the education and opportunities that they offer their employees. “At most companies, if you don’t know it when you walk in the door, you’re not going to have that job,” he said. That’s not the case at Autocam Medical. “They encourage growing and learning at all levels. That’s what keeps me here, I continue to grow and learn every single day that I’m here,” he said.

In fact, 23 of the company’s 200 employees are in a sponsored apprenticeship right now. The program pays for 100% of educational expenses and provides them with a full-time job while they are going to school. Students that complete 728 hours of classroom instruction while maintaining a full work schedule receive their journeyman’s card in CNC Machining and 27 college credits towards an associate’s degree.

What’s more, those that are hired on by Autocam Medical may pursue additional education as along as it relates to their role with the company. The company offers a tuition reimbursement program after 30 days of employment. In addition to paying for 100% of the Qualified Educational Assistance Expenses incurred by a participant for tuition at an accredited college, the program also pays for 50% of their approved expenses for textbooks (up to $5,250 annually). This includes certificate and degree programs.

Besides investing in the formal education of their employees, the company also encourages on-the-job training and teamwork. There are no separate areas. Employees work in Area Improvement Teams (AIT’s) so they have the opportunity to work out on the floor together and learn from one another.
The teamwork approach helps employees “do the best job they can in the work they are doing,” and to discover and suggest processes that will allow the company to do things better, faster, and more cost effectively.

If you would like to learn more about Autocam Medical’s culture, visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8y0l1A6ZEg&feature=youtu.be