New Amada high-tech center caters to manufacturers

A new center that features high-tech equipment for manufacturers has opened in Schaumburg.

Amada America Inc. opened its second North American Solution Center, which offers the latest technology in various types of equipment to help build everything from airplanes to appliances. It's Web site also offers a virtual tour: amada.com/site/default.asp?page=home.htm

"It's based on some of the concepts we have in our California center, but this one offers the next generation of equipment," said Mike Guerin, Amada chief executive officer and a former Palatine resident. He overseas the center as well as operations throughout North America, Canada and Mexico.

For about 35 years, Amada has offered high-tech solutions to its clients, including Caterpillar, John Deere, Boeing, Viking ranges and others. Amada also had operations in Mount Prospect and Rolling Meadows before opening the new $50 million building in Schaumburg.

The company's first center was built in Buena Park, Calif., during the 1980s. After 2001, a lot of that industry shifted to the Midwest and the company decided to open the second center.

So the company decided a few years ago to build in Schaumburg.

Amada has about 6,400 employees worldwide, including 60 in Schaumburg. They expect up to 2,000 visitors from now through December to see and experience the new technology there.

The specially designed rooms offer both demonstrations and education, including on its most intricate machines such as the F1 laser-cutting machine for sheet metal, Guerin said.

"These are also rooms where they can do business in," Guerin said of his customers. "There are hookups for them for computers and other devices. They are user-friendly."Surfing: AT&T Inc. (att.com/wireless) is offering Samsung's Epix smartphone, which has an optical mouse. It's located in the center between the right and left soft keys and is used by sweeping a finger over it. AT&T, which has its Midwest headquarters in Hoffman Estates, is selling it for about $200, after a mail-in rebate and with a two-year contract.

•Verizon Wireless (verizonwireless.com) boosted its coverage with a Cell on Wheels during the Tampa Bay Rays-Philadelphia Phillies' first World Series game Wednesday. The COW offers a 75-foot antenna and 11 dedicated voice and high-speed data channels to handle hundreds of phone calls at its location. This type of equipment is used by wireless networks at events that attract large crowds - such as the Super Bowl earlier this year - to help keep regular networks from getting jammed with too many calls at once from the excited fans.

•Lisle-based Molex Inc. (molex.com) has launched a line of next-generation switches, called CapSense, that provide sensors and can be used in appliances, medical and fitness equipment, gaming and vending machines, among others. The company said the new device solution can replace dozens of mechanical switches and controls.