History of Milltronics, USA
1973
Founded in Richfield, Minnesota
Founded in Richfield, Minnesota by Gary Welch, an electrical engineer from Control Data Corporation as Industrial Information Controls (IIC), a manufacturer of microprocessor-based controls for machine tools
1977
Tree Machine Tool
Tree Machine Tool of Racine, Wisconsin becomes largest control customer
1980
Four Partners Join
Four partners join Gary Welch to expand the business, including Tim Rashleger, the former National Sales Manager of Tree Machine Tool
1980
Spartan Control
Spartan control developed, offered as an OEM CNC to machine tool builders
1983
Milltronics Manufacturing
Milltronics Manufacturing becomes machine tool brand name, first product is called Partner II.
1984
1st Centurion Control
• 1st Centurion control (called Centurion 3) introduced with LED display, magnetic tape storage and RS-232 communications. • Company moves to facility in Eden Prairie, Minnesota
1985
Centurion 4 Debuts
Centurion 4 debuts as multiple circuit boards are combined into one to increase reliability, help menus added
1987
Software Introduced
• FastCAM offline software introduced, allowing desktop programming • Digiscan digitizing software introduced, allows customers to easily digitize molds and other parts using a machine tool
1988
Milltronics moves to Chanhassen
Milltronics moves to building in Chanhassen, Minnesota
1990
Partner 1 Announced
Partner 1 announced, first machine completely built by Milltronics
1990
Centurion V Control Debuts
Centurion V control debuts, 1st PC-based control with 286 processor and graphics
1993
MillSlideTM is Patented
MillSlideTM, unique Z-axis travel for knee mills is patented
1994
T -Series Makes Debut
T -Series, first tool room combo lathes with Milltronics control makes debut
1995
BR Series Bridge Machines Developed
BR Series bridge machines developed, offering customers economical large travel bridge style machines
1996
Milltronics Moves to Waconia
• Milltronics moves to new building in Waconia, Minnesota • VM Series of vertical machining centers launched • First generation MB Series quill head tool room mills are introduced • First generation ML Series combo lathes introduced
1998
First generation RH Series Introduced
First generation RH Series rigid head tool room mills are introduced
2000
Tim Rashleger Becomes Owner
Tim Rashleger buys out other partners and becomes sole owner
2001
First SL Series Introduced (SL6)
First SL Series slant bed CNC lathe introduced (SL6)
2002
Centurion 7 Control Offered
Centurion 7 control offered, first use of fiber optic cable and flat panel LCD monitor
2004
Thermal Compensation Available
Thermal compensation available on VM Series machines
2006
Inline Spindle Offered & 7200 Series Control Launched
• Inline spindle (IL machines) are offered for the first time • 7200 Series control launched, first “active high” interface logic
2007
#50 taper XP Series Machines Debut
• 10,000 machine delivered to Waconia High School • #50 taper XP Series machines debut
2007
Liberty Diversified Industries (LDI) purchases Milltronics from Tim Rashleger
Liberty Diversified Industries (LDI) purchases Milltronics from Tim Rashleger
2008
8200 Series Control Goes into Production
8200 Series control goes into production, Linux based control with Solid Model Graphics and USB support
2011
Thermal Head Mapping Introduced
Thermal head mapping introduced for VMIL and BRIL machines
2015
Hurco Companies, Inc. Acquires Milltronics
Hurco Companies, Inc. acquires Milltronics from LDI
2016
9000 Series Control Makes Debut
9000 Series control makes debut, first Windows® control with touch screen and solid state hard drive
2016
Affordable VM GP Series Announced
Affordable VM GP Series announced
2016
Next Generation Performance Inline IL Series Machines
Next generation performance inline IL Series machines
2017
Upgraded Extra Power (#50 taper) Machines Debut
Upgraded Extra Power (#50 taper) XP Series machines debut
2017
New VK4-II CNC Launched
New VK4-II CNC knee mill with patented MillSlideTM launched
2017
Next generation SL Series Debut
Next generation SL Series CNC slant bed lathes debut with SL8