For a number of years, the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association’s (WMIA) Educational Foundation has awarded scholarships to those who want to study, and eventually pursue a career in, wood technology, machinery, and related fields. To date, the Foundation has provided nearly $350,000 to assist talented students with furthering their educational and career goals.

During this year’s Woodworking Industry Conference, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees selected 12 college students to receive a total of $18,500 in scholarships. This was a difficult decision, as a record number of scholarship applications were received, and a record number of female students, 14, applied for scholarships this year, with 9 receiving awards.

2016 also marked the first year of a scholarship “pilot program,” in which WMIA provided a fixed amount of scholarship funds to several schools, and they were able to determine how many scholarships to award, and in what amounts. Three schools—Pittsburg State University, Hennepin Technical College, and the New England School of Architectural Woodworking—participated in the pilot program, awarding a total of $18,000 in scholarships.
The Foundation’s total award in 2016 was $36,500.

The 2016 scholarship recipients are:
• Anthony Ataee, Seattle, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Curt Barnett, Manchester, CT – New England School of Architectural Woodworking;
• Amanda Bjornstrom, Seattle, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Estee Clifford, Seattle, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Emily Culver, Danville, PA – Cranbrook Academy of Art;
• Lacy Draper, Seattle, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Chase Eller, Carrollton, TX – Pittsburg State University;
• Sam Galliart, Hutchinson, KS – Pittsburg State University;
• Jonathan Hamilton, Carrollton, TX – Pittsburg State University;
• Brianna Kimek, Iselin, NJ – North Carolina State University;
• Kathleen Montgomery, Kanata, ON, Canada – Conestoga College;
• Madeline Newton, Garner, NC – North Carolina State University;
​• Daniel Norton, Ramsey, MN – Hennepin Technical College;
• Emmanuel Onen, Kent, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Jeffrey Ragle, Belchertown, MA – New England School of Architectural Woodworking;
• Eli Rosenblum-Stephens, Brooklyn, NY – Burlington College;
• Moriah Ross, Meade, KS – Pittsburg State University;
• Yarrow Rotskoff, Seattle, WA – Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center;
• Daniel St. John, Amherst, MA – Burlington College; and
• Mark Welle, Milford, IA – Pittsburg State University

“In assessing the Scholarship Award applicants, WMIA’s Education Committee uses a blend of criteria to search for the winners. Ranging from a student’s own expression of their passion to have a career in the wood industry, to their professor’s and employer’s references and opinions of the same, to their academic success, the evaluation is thorough and oriented to benefit the student winners and our industry alike,” remarked WMIA Education Committee Chairman Jason Howell, president of Weinig/HOLZ-HER. “This year’s scholarship applicant evaluations yielded awards totaling $36,500 to be dispersed to 20 high quality candidates. WMIA is very proud of this annual deliverable to our industry and with this year’s award it brings our Scholarship Foundation total to nearly $350,000!”

The WMIA Educational Foundation is supported by contributions from business groups and individuals in the woodworking industry, and the International Woodworking Fair (IWF). Contributions can be accepted at any time and in any amount, and are tax deductible. WMIA recognizes major contributors to the educational foundation with a special engraved plaque at the annual Woodworking Industry Conference. Major contributors are those persons, companies, or organizations contributing a one-time or total donation of $1,500 or more. For information on contributing to the WMIA Educational Foundation, contact Larry Hoffer at lhoffer@wmia.org.

About WMIA
The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) is a trade association representing importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America. Founded in 1977, WMIA is the recognized voice of importers and distributors and a vital communications link between suppliers and the many manufacturers of wood products in North America. For more information, visit www.wmia.org.

For the first time ever, the Urban Wood Movement will make its presence felt at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta.

The Full Circle Urban Forestry Network is organizing a free 90-minute seminar, “Urban Wood Utilization: Making Wood Products and Profits from Landscape Trees.” The session is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Attendees of this free session will learn:

• How to find sources of urban wood;
• The unique source local/buy local marketing appeal of urban wood products and the interesting stories they tell;
• The environmental advantages of utilizing urban wood; and
• An opportunity to get answers to their questions posed to a panel of seasoned urban wood product experts.

Rich Christianson, communications director of the Illinois Wood Utilization Team and former long-time editor of Woodworking Network, will moderate a panel of three urban wood entrepreneurs. They will discuss their personal passions and experiences of creating products and profits by using landscape and community trees felled by disease, storm damage, old age and other causes. Each of their presentations will shed light on opportunities to repurpose urban wood otherwise destined for the chipper or landfill to make high-quality lumber, slabs, furniture, flooring and other wood products.
​
Panelists include:

• Jennifer Alger of Far West Forest Products of Sheridan, CA, helps market the family business that specializes in reclaimed wood including lumber the company mills from the area’s urban forest. Ninety percent of the lumber sold by the company comes from within a 500-mile radius of its Sheridan facility. Far West Forest Products also serves as a dealer for Wood-Mizer portable sawmills and blades and offers blade re-sharpening services.
  
• Rick Siewert, who along with his wife, Cindy, owns Wood from the Hood of Minneapolis, MN. Wood from the Hood. Siewert also is the owner of Siewert Cabinet & Fixture, a high-tech, 35-man architectural millwork company. Siewert Cabinet is a past winner of the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association’s coveted Innovator of the Year Award and a long-time active member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute including past member of the AWI Board of Directors.
• Dwayne Sperber, owner of Wudeward Urban Forest Products of Milwaukee, WI, has worked tirelessly to build awareness and markets for the abundance of wood from urban trees. Sperber is a founding partner of Wisconsin Urban Wood, a nonprofit focused on building networks of people and businesses that links material streams and availability of quality urban wood products and services across the state. He also is an appointed member of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council.

Wood-Mizer LLC of Indianapolis, IN, a manufacturer of portable sawmills, sawblades and other wood processing equipment and accessories, has signed on as a major sponsor of the program.
Darryl Floyd, COO of Wood-Mizer, noted that his company was a pioneer in the urban wood movement. “Since 1982 Wood-Mizer portable sawmill owners have turned their logs into lumber for woodworking projects and business profits. With Wood-Mizer’s thin-kerf blade technology, diseased and dying city trees can find new life in a piece of furniture that could have otherwise gone to waste. Throughout the past decade, Wood-Mizer has seen a major influx of successful businesses who are utilizing urban sourced wood for their sawmilling operations and we are proud to manufacture a product that enables small businesses to be profitable with an underutilized resource. While Wood-Mizer has been educating woodworkers about the positive environmental and economic impact of urban wood for years, the Urban Wood Seminar at IWF 2016 will be another step forward in saving more trees from going into the waste stream.”
 
While the seminar is being presented free of charge, attendees must register to guarantee a seat at the program. Learn more and register at www.IWFAtlanta.com/Education/nbs6.
 
For information about becoming a seminar sponsor and general inquiries, contact Rich Christianson at 773-822-6750; richc.illinoisurbanwood@gmail.com.

About the International Woodworking Fair
The International Woodworking Fair, owned by the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association and the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, is North America’s largest woodworking event. IWF 2016 is scheduled for August 24-27, 2016 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. It is the “must attend” show for supplies, manufacturing and processing of materials for the furniture, cabinetry, flooring, door and window, plastics, solid surfacing and machine tooling industries. IWF 2014 attracted more than 23,000 woodworking professionals and industry suppliers from the U.S., Canada and beyond. Learn more at iwfatlanta.com.

About the Full Circle Urban Forestry Network
The Full Circle Urban Forestry Network operates from funding provided by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern, State and Private Forestry Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program. The four state partners include:

• Illinois Wood Utilization Team;
• Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation and Development Council;
• Missouri Department of Conservation; and
• Wisconsin Urban Wood and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

 
About the USDA Forest Service
The Full Circle Urban Forestry Network’s IWF urban wood seminar is made possible through grant funding by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
 

Convert your desk or table into a sit-to-stand workstation in seconds, thanks to the revolutionary Sit2Stand from Richelieu. Designed to meet the rapidly changing needs of today’s office workers, Richelieu offers the latest in ergonomic office solutions that provides an ideal mix of ease, versatility and aesthetics.

The Sit2Stand can be customized to create the perfect workspace by allowing a smooth transition between a conventional desk and a stand-up workstation. In addition to easy installation, Sit2Stand is effortlessly adjustable in height; accommodating the majority of individual heights.

The Sit2Stand supports various configurations of single and dual monitors or in combination with a laptop. Its small footprint frees up desk space and a slide in and out work surface allows for note-taking.

​The system’s clean lines and convenient rear cable management deliver compelling style without sacrifice. Available in two finishes, black or white, Sit2Stand will blend with any office decor.

Visit our Website at www.richelieu.com for additional information on our complete line of ergonomic solutions for the office.

About Richelieu
Richelieu has operated in North America for over 45 years, serving more than 70,000 clients with nearly 100,000 products across a multitude of categories. With its vast array of specialized items manufactured by two subsidiaries, Richelieu is at the forefront of design, style and innovation for 21st century lifestyles. 

A number of new and enhanced items in the latest release of Alphacam software provide improvements with automation, machining and feature extraction. Alphacam 2016 R2 also contains a range of general improvements, along with new user interface commands for faster and simpler ways of working.      

For example, Alphacam Clipboard enables entities to be cut, copied and pasted in the Drawing Area between different versions of the software open on the same PC. An additional option has been added for pre-drilled holes as the entry type on waveform roughing operations.

A new method has been added for extracting contours in work planes – by selecting faces to create the work plane for the extraction direction. “This improved feature extraction on user-selected multiple angled faces, is a real time-saver,” says EMEA Sales Manager Michael Pettit. “Feature Extraction has also been enhanced using an updated algorithm for finding contours.”

Some machining dialogs now have a new tab containing specific options for either 2D or 3D lead-in and lead-out paths, and there is also an option to save and open user-configured lead settings in addition to the defaults. “It’s now possible to copy all settings both ways between the lead-in and lead-out section.”

A new option achieves tool angle direction entry into a part when machining features such as grooves and slots. Selecting Sloping / Ramp Angle in the Lead-In/Out dialogs accesses this new function.  “When this checkbox is ticked it can be set to the same angle as the tool in the aggregate holder.” And there are changes to the separate, standalone, dialogs used for editing the leads of existing operations. Both the 2D and 3D versions of these dialogs – which are accessed by right clicking in the Project Manager – now have an apply button, for previewing leads before accepting changes.

“The Project Manager’s Insert page now contains commands for automatically inserting files in user-configured positions when they’re dragged into the Drawing Area. And additional dialogs create ‘new’ and ‘edit existing’ configurations can be selected from either the screen or user layers, specifying one or more snap points.

A new surface machining pattern has been added to the advanced 5-axis cycle. Flowline creates a toolpath aligned to either the U or V direction of the machining surface. “The user can determine the toolpath’s style, choosing the direction of the surface parameter lines. As only a single face is required, calculation is extremely fast.” A typical application for Flowline is where a specific surface texture, or grain, is required.

​Still with 5-axis, the progress bar showing machining has been improved to give more feedback during complex toolpath calculations.

Automation Manager
A number of updates to Alphacam’s powerful Automation Manager include changes to Job Settings, Machining Order, Layer Mapping, and added support for nesting small parts into defined zones.

Job Settings: When adding new files to a job, Automation Manager sets parameters for Layer Mapping Setup, Material and Machining Order to ‘From Job’ by default. They can be overwritten if necessary, for a particular file.

Machining Order: The new Machining Order tab replaces the former Tool Ordering tab, defining the order of machining operations. The order lists are associated with layer mapping setups and machining styles...and multiple machining lists can be configured.

Layer Mapping: A New Drawing Layer command button has been added to the ribbon bar in the Layer Mapping Setup tab enabling users to create layers manually, and add layer names without having to import them from a drawing. 

DXF/DWG Import Support For Z Levels From Parallel Planes: The Layer Mapping Setup tab has a new import option for DXF, DWG and Alphacam drawings and functions, meaning that parts which would have had work planes are simplified to Auto Z, and can be nested correctly.   

Added Support For Nesting Small Parts Into Defined Zones: After drawing a sheet and adding it to the sheet database, parts can be defined as small parts for nesting zones by using the new Small Nested Part option in the Processing tab.

Geometry
Among many changes to how Alphacam 2016 R2 handles geometry, new ribbon bar command buttons have been added to the Parametric Sketcher dialog, enabling users to associate an image with Parametric Sketches (.aeps) and Variables (.aepsvars). The associated images will be displayed in the Project Manager’s Insert page. Another benefit is that the dialog displayed when using the Run Parametric Sketch command is resizeable, and a toggle button switches between the associated image and preview.

Enhancements have been made to the Cut Spline/Polyline command for the machining of  sharp internal and external corners. A new option within the Panelling command function now automatically closes geometries in each panel by creating geometry elements along the panel edges.   

Processing time is reduced when creating a simplified version of a detailed model where roughing paths do not require a high level of detail. Using the 3D / STL Utilities / Simplify command, the number of facets in a model can be reduced as a percentage of facets in the original. “This simplified STL model either replaces the original, or is created in addition to it.”

About Vero Software
Headquartered in England, Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software radically enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market. The company’s world-renowned brands include Alphacam, Cabinet Vision, Edgecam, Machining STRATEGIST, PEPS, Radan, SMIRT, SURFCAM, WorkNC and VISI, along with the production control MRP system Javelin. Despite the diversity of application, these solutions have one thing in common: they all address the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing efficiencies and bring huge value to the operations in which they are deployed.

Vero has direct offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands, China, South Korea, Spain and India supplying products to more than 45 countries through its wholly owned subsidiaries and reseller network.
Vero is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.
​
For more information, please visit www.verosoftware.com.

Richelieu is constantly working on improving the way we live through the development of innovative products and solutions. Responding to the increasing demand from contractors, woodworkers, public institutions, architects and designers, Richelieu is the first company in North America to offer RoHS and BHMA certified for cabinet hardware and builder hardware.

Richelieu is proud to present our most popular models of RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant pulls free of hazardous substances such as lead and mercury. These classic and contemporary pulls available in six finishes and various dimensions are ideal for any residential, commercial or industrial project. Richelieu is pleased to offer specialty products that do not contain substances that can be harmful to individuals and the environment!

Richelieu adds the 2288 Series to its existing Expression Collection of contemporary metal pulls that meet standards for BHMA (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) requirements for durability, strength, performance and security. Available in two popular finishes – brushed nickel and chrome, this timeless modern pull combines durability and distinctiveness with the convenience of easy installation. For more information, visit www.richelieu.com

About Richelieu
​Richelieu has operated in North America for over 45 years, serving more than 70,000 clients with nearly 100,000 products across a multitude of categories. With its vast array of specialized items manufactured by two subsidiaries, Richelieu is at the forefront of design, style and innovation for 21st century lifestyles. 

Question: Our firm is in the process of interviewing candidates for an associate position. We have held phone interviews with several candidates and selected some of them for in-person interviews. One of the candidates selected for an in person interview has shared the following information with us: Thank you for confirming. Before we meet, I'd like to disclose a recent injury. Approximately 3 weeks ago while playing recreational basketball, I suffered a ruptured Achilles and subsequently had surgery performed. I have been using PTO from work since the injury and will be on doctor ordered leave for at least the next week or two. An Achilles rupture is a very serious injury and I will be facing anywhere from 4-6 months of rehab going forward. The description of the position seems like such a great opportunity that I didn't want to pass up the offer for a phone interview. I hope this will not hinder the process but I wanted to make sure you knew my situation up front. We have mentioned to all candidates that we seek to have the new position filled in the next 4 weeks. If the person is on medical leave, I'm not sure they will be able to come in to our office for an interview. How would you suggest we handle this situation?
 
Response: As you may be aware, disability discrimination laws prohibit employers from making employment decisions on the basis of a candidate's disability or other physical impairment, or indication that he may need to take job protected leave in the future, which may be the case here given the recent surgery and anticipated physical therapy. You indicate that an applicant had disclosed a medical issue that requires rehabilitation post-surgery. We would discourage the employer from disqualifying the candidate from the employment opportunity he seeks solely on this basis. That said, at the pre-hire stage, employers are not without rights relative to ensuring that candidates for employment are fit for the job they seek. Indeed, an employer CAN let candidates know what the essential job functions are for the position they seek including the timing of when such position is set to commence and then ask whether the candidates can perform them, with or without a reasonable accommodation. This must be a yes/no question and asked of all candidates for the same position. If he cannot do the job, you need go no further. But if he can do the job and indicates an accommodation may be necessary such as a delayed start date, the employer should engage him in an interactive discussion about whether such accommodation exists and is otherwise reasonable for the employer to provide. Keep in mind, though, that even if you lawfully ask such questions, if you seek to rescind a job offer (or refuse to make one) based on the discovery of a medical condition, such a decision, without more, would be violative of the ADA. Indeed, once you are on notice of an applicant's medical condition, he can accuse the employer of making subsequent decisions (including a decision not to extend an offer) on the basis of such information. And whether or not that is actually true, the possibility of the claim exists once the information is obtained. In this regard and as noted above, if a candidate is otherwise qualified for the position sought, it would not be lawful to disqualify him from employment (or make any other employment decision) based on the fact that he has a medical issue that would require him to be reasonably accommodated with time off in the future for physical therapy. However, ultimately, if it is not reasonable for the employer to delay the start date for 6 to 8 weeks, for example, regardless as to the reason for which the applicant has requested the delay then should the employer seek to rescind the offer (or fail to extend an offer) and it is later challenged, so long as the employer's reason for rescission (or failure to hire) is based solely on legitimate business reasons of needing the applicant to start immediately then the employer ought to be able to defend itself against any such potential discrimination claim.
 
© 2014 Advisors Law Group, All Rights Reserved
To learn more about the Federated Employment Practices Network®, contact your local Federated Marketing Representative, or visit www.federatedinsurance.com.

​The Minneapolis/St. Paul regional event was held May 18-19, 2016.  This two-day event was jam-packed with activities starting early in morning and going until late in the evening.
 
The first day began at Anderson Corporation in Bayport, MN. Upon arrival, headsets and eye glasses were distributed, and then we walked in two separate groups through their 66-acre facility. It was most certainly a lot of walking, but well worth it. One take-away was their impressive re-use of their waste, scrap material and dust.
 
We then moved on to 3M and started out at their corporate Innovation Center. After a brief history lesson, we entered the exclusive World of Innovation, which is essentially a museum for 3M products. They are grouped by type of product (i.e., abrasives, advanced materials) and each display focuses on the science behind the technology. After some demonstrations and sufficient hands-on time, we transitioned to the CAM Center, which is their abrasives lab and wood shop. We enjoyed lunch and then a presentation on coated abrasives and the factors affecting finishing. This was followed by a tour of the wood shop and a demonstration of their profile sanders and the impact of proper dust collection on the sand quality. The visit concluded with seeing their robot in action.
 
Speaking of robots, our final stop of the day was Navy Island. The owner, Jeff Stone, has transformed his business from a plywood shop to a full-scale manufacturer of innovative acoustic panels. Jeff’s unique approach to manufacturing has resulted in tremendous growth for the company.  The use of robots for material handling throughout the plant combined with the fact that he makes his own proprietary machinery made for a very interesting plant tour.
 
The day concluded with a group dinner back at the hotel, which was followed by a presentation by Jack West of Federated Insurance about Distracted Driving. Finally, attendees were invited out in the parking lot for a look at Jeff Schrock’s trailer for his BenchWorx program to teach woodworking skills to kids in grades K-8.
 
On Thursday, we had an early start to travel to Lacrosse, WI, to visit WalzCraft. When we arrived, we were welcomed by Dick Walz who explained the company history and gave an overview about their production process. They operate 24 hours a day, 6 days a week – including an office staff that works third shift to cue orders for the next day’s production. Every job is custom made, and their only inventory is raw materials. They uniquely refer to lead times as “wait time” instead because that’s what the customer has to do.
 
Before lunch, we enjoyed two informative presentations. The first was given by Jeff Lewis of Allmoxy software, which focused on people, processes, and profit. The second speaker was Darin Johnson of Lockdowel, who also demonstrated their fasteners by quickly and efficiently assembling a cabinet.
 
After lunch, we went on the plant tour of WalzCraft, which was an extremely interesting and impressive operation.  Then we got back on the bus for the return trip to Minneapolis, with a stop for a plant tour and BBQ dinner at Northland Woodworks in Blaine, MN.
 
The CMA would like to recognize the sponsors of this event, as they make it affordable for attendees to participate. Aetna Plywood, along with Timber Products, Knape & Voght, and Arauco, sponsored the transportation for both days. Richelieu sponsored the dinner on Wednesday evening at the hotel. Brown Wood took care of the pasta buffet lunch we enjoyed at WalzCraft on Thursday, and the SCM Group contributed to the BBQ dinner that evening at Northland Woodworks.
 
Because we hit our limit of 30 attendees, we have decided to hold another event in the area next year.