American Machinist articles from February 2005

American Machinist archives from February 2005

Automation is key to global competitiveness.(From The Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Automation isn't a new concept. AMERICAN MACHINIST has been discussing the topic since its infancy. We're even in the Baby Boomer Edition of Trivia Pursuit ("What word, derived from the Greek for self-acting, first appeared in the August 21,...

Recommendation destroys marketplace.(We've Got Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... In reference to your December editorial ("We can't afford complacency," p. 8), those who are recommending offshore production and outsourcing are destroying their markets. In 2002, the per capita income of the U.S. was about $31,459, and...

Researchers get a "feel" for machine control.(Technology Trends)
February 1, 2005... Haptics is hot at Georgia Tech's Mechanical Engineering Department. Researchers there are exploring how haptic feedback gives machine operators a "feel" for controlling mechanical devices such as earthmoving equipment, automobiles, and...

Smart machine project gains partner.(Technology Trends)
February 1, 2005... Improving the performance of factory equipment is the goal of the National Center for Manufacturing Science's Smart Machine Pilot Project (SMPP). The project, which already counts a number of businesses and government agencies as members, has...

Finishing wheel is a smooth operator.(Technology Trends)
February 1, 2005... A new finishing and deburring wheel delivers satin finishes on critical parts such as turbine blades and orthopedic implants. Key to the performance of the Scotch-Brite SF wheel is a special combination of a convolute construction with a resin...

It's a truck--no it's a lifter.(Technology Trends)
February 1, 2005... New forklift mounting sleeves convert fork trucks into vacuum-powered lifters, according to manufacturer Anver Corp., Hudson, Mass. Reportedly, the hybrid system has a 2,200-lb capacity and handles all types of sheet, plate, and large panels....

Micromachining design competition taking entries.(Technology Trends)
February 1, 2005... A design competition focusing on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) will give eight university students the chance to have their micro-electromechanical designs fabricated for free, using SUMMiT V, an advanced silicon-surface micromachining...

Boring-system catalog.(Company News)
February 1, 2005... A 76-page catalog from Criterion Machine Works covers precision boring systems ranging in diameters from 0.50 to 21.5 in. for the production floor and tool rooms. The publication also highlights boring heads, boring bars, boring tools, and the...

Promotions at workholding company.(Company News)
February 1, 2005... NorthTech Workholding's new vice president of engineering and operations is Tim Winard, who was engineering manager. He will oversee the company's engineering and operations teams and set the strategic course for the custom workholding design,...

New leader at information firm.(Company News)
February 1, 2005... Jeffrey R. Tarr is now president and COO of Information Handling Services (IHS), a provider of content-integration and decision-support tools, technical standards, codes and product specifications, and parts-management and logistics solutions....

U.S. cutting tool institute billings index.(Company News)
February 1, 2005... U.S. CUTTING TOOL INSTITUTE BILLINGS INDEX Index for October '03-September '04 October $132,331,224 121.3% November $116,384,449 107.1% December $121,200,994 111.7% January ...

Tooling for small-part machining.(Cutting Products)
February 1, 2005... CoroCut XS tooling is for turned components with diameters as small as 0.039 in. XS inserts perform tight-tolerance grooving, threading, parting, and turning, and all are compatible with the same toolholder for these operations. Corocut XS has...

End mill for aluminum.(Cutting Products)
February 1, 2005... Tri-Power Ski-Carb is a three-flute carbide end mill for aluminum. Its flute form increases chip-load per flute to 1.3 to 1.6x that of a two-flute tool. The increased chip load and additional flute reportedly deliver productivity improvements...

90[degrees] corner milling.(Cutting Products)
February 1, 2005... Univex Premium Series square-shoulder mills have high-positive geometries and unequal pitches for 90[degrees] corner milling. They deliver high feedrates, and through-the-tool coolant supply evacuates chips and increases tool life. The...

Replaceable-tip drills.(Cutting Products)
February 1, 2005... The Gen2 T-A replaceable-tip drilling system comes in two carbide grades with AM200 coating in diameters from 0.437 to 1.375 in. Gen2 T-A inserts fit existing T-A drilling-system holders and feature Torx Plus screws for high holding power. ...

Sodick unit develops motion controller.(Business Trends)
February 1, 2005... Sodick America, San Jose, Calif., the R&D subsidiary of EDM producer Sodick Ltd., has developed a motion control board for its EDMs and high-speed mills. The K-SMC board maximizes positioning and cutting accuracy of machine tool...

New CEO for Gleason.(Business Trends)
February 1, 2005... A long-time board member has stepped into the CEO shoes of gear-machine manufacturer Gleason Corp., Rochester, following the resignation of President and CEO David J. Burns. John W. Guffey Jr., formerly chairman, president, and CEO of Coltec...

Personnel changes at UGT parent.(Business Trends)
February 1, 2005... Korber Schleifring GmbH has promoted Heinz Poklekowski to Co-CEO of recently purchased Walter Maschinenbau GmbH, Tubingen, Germany. Korber Schleifring's U.S. outlet is United Grinding Technologies (UGT) in Miamisburg, Ohio. Poklekowski was...

Machine tool consumption continues ahead of 2003.(Business Trends)
February 1, 2005... Demand, tax incentives, and need for increased capacity lifted November U.S. machine tool consumption according to The American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA) and AMT--The Association For Manufacturing Technology. November...

Balancing economic opportunity and strategic risk in China.(Government Matters)
February 1, 2005... China is increasingly the focus of U.S. trade and investment. It is also increasingly achieving the goal that its leaders have set for it - to become the manufacturing platform for the world. In December, IBM announced that it was selling...

Boring and milling machine stays the course.(Machine of the Month)
February 1, 2005... High precision, high torque, and fast feeds and speeds are the hallmarks of the SpeedRam 1000 floor-type boring and milling machine. According to manufacturer PAMA, machines as large as the SpeedRam are often plagued by deflection of the...

Software switch speeds programming.(User Review)
February 1, 2005... UK-based B.C. Barton Ltd., a provider of design and manufacturing solutions for hot and cold presswork and welded-fabrication products, recently migrated from Camtek's Peps Fab CAM software to JetCam Expert. The company did so as a result of...

Certified software.(Bits & Bytes)
February 1, 2005... As a recently approved "Certified Select Product for Solid Edge Version 16 software, GibbsCAM CAM software meets a high-level of interoperability between the two applications. End users can now choose to read Solid Edge model files directly or...

Shop-management add-on.(Bits & Bytes)
February 1, 2005... Quality Toolkit (QTK) version 8.0 is an add-on module for Exact JobBoss shop-management software for job shop, mixed mode, and custom manufacturers. With QTK, users create, link, track, and manage the lifecycles of quality activities and...

Software site.(Bits & Bytes)
February 1, 2005... Surfware's redesigned corporate website highlights new navigation and functionality, detailed product information, enhanced user features, and advanced sales-partner tools. Launched in conjunction with the site, the company's new corporate logo...

Device translation.(Bits & Bytes)
February 1, 2005... Reportedly the first device server acting as a universal translator, the DeviceMaster UP enables connectivity between any PLC and serial device residing on the factory floor using Profinet, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus/TCP protocols. The server is a...

Probing for Productivity: measure and cut on one machine? Today's advanced technology will be tomorrow's run-of-the-mill practice.(Factories Of The Future)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... While many shops are using in-process sensors to control their machining quality, some manufacturers are still cautious, fearing these systems will drive up their cycle times. But that's far from the truth, say the experts at Renishaw Inc.,...

System evacuates mold problems.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... Airtex is a full-service supplier of custom fuel-delivery systems and water pumps for OEMs, and Mid South Manufacturing of Marked Tree, Ariz., is one of its manufacturing and distribution centers. While discussing a proposed new job, a customer...

Software shifts team into five-axis machining.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... Unlike motorcycle racing teams that use bikes supplied by major manufacturers, Proton KR develops its own special designs at a facility outside Banbury, England. Relying on PowerMill CAM software, the team successfully accomplishes five-axis...

Shop sends out scanning work.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... General Electric (GE) Transportation switched from a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to laser scanning for inspecting aftermarket components for diesel engines and reduced the process time by 50%. However, due to its relatively small number...

Shop opts for new ERP.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... At machine shop AT Precision in Northbrook, Ill., an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is critical to successful business. That's why, when its first system failed to meet expectations, the company incorporated a new one that converts...

Accuracy drives cutting machine.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... GF Goodman & Son, a manufacturer of downstream cutting machines, wanted to improve the accuracy of its plastic-tube-cutting machines without major redesign. Cutting accuracy depends primarily on drive response because the machine's knife must...

CNC retrofit lifts machine productivity.(Case-Books)
February 1, 2005... A key machine tool at Eaton Corp.'s facility in Roxboro, N.C., is a Heald 1VL I.D. grinder for finishing the company's automotive hydraulic lifters and associated components. Unfortunately, the machine's control, an early generation Siemens 3G...

Heavy-duty robots.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The M-900iA series material-handling robots tackle heavy-duty machine tending, part transfer, and maneuvering heavy products. M-900iA/350 robots work with 770-lb (350 kg) payloads and offer "best in class" wrist capacity and axis speed for...

Cell with three welding robots.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... ArcWorld V-6300 robotic workcells process medium-to-large parts via three overhead-mounted, six-axis EA1400N Expert Arc welding robots. These robots handle 6.6-lb (3-kg) payloads and have 54.6-in. (1,388-mm horizontal reaches with...

Robotic arc-welding system.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The PerformArc 122S robotic arc-welding system features a six-axis arc-welding robot. The integrated robot controller is digitally interfaced with a Panasonic 350-amp, artificial-intelligence inverter. Other equipment includes a heavy...

Injection-mold-machine robots.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Designed for top loading/unloading injection-molding machines, the KS Series of shelf-mounted 6-axis robots has a low profile for platen-mounted robots, which reduces required ceiling heights for injection-molding machines for payload up to...

Five-axes and pallet changing.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... A modular, scalable toolchanger that holds 100 to 200 tools is on the UCP 600 Vario 5-axis machining center. It also features an integrated pallet-changing system for workpieces with up to 13 x 13-in. surfaces, 14-in. heights, and weights of...

50-taper-spindle VMCs.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Hardinge VMC 1250II-HT/50 and VMC1500II-HT/50 VMCs include large Cat-V 50-taper spindles that provide 347-ft-lb/ 471-Num torque ratings at base speeds of 375 rpm. The 25-hp, 18.5-kW drives provide up to 6,000 rpm. X travels for the VMC...

EDMs with high-speed controls.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... FA10S and FA20S EDMs use high-speed PM4 controls that accommodate roughing and finish machining. The control's stepped--shape capabilities let the machines handle multiple parts with different shapes and thickness without setting specific...

EDM-management software.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Charmilles' Sigma software manages and produces EDM data. This includes organizing jobs and orders, job management, status control of all objects in the process chain, off-set management, magazine-position assignment, and data transfer to...

Set drill-spindle rotation.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The 2.5-kW, built-in motor of the Selfeeder Varimac SSV3 drilling unit permits free setting of spindle-rotation speed. The drill's overall length can shorten despite its long stroke of 7.87 in. (200 mm). In addition to low-cost drilling, the...

Long-term metal protection.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Resistant to humidity and corrosion, Dri Touch Amber rust blocker protects cast iron, steel, and MIM components that are machined or have blind holes, recesses, and uneven surfaces. It is good for hand tools and motor assemblies that have...

Cylindrical grinders.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Proflex lineup of external and internal cylindrical grinders differs according to the number of external and internal grinding wheels in machine wheelheads. Each model uses 19.99 (508-mm) or 24.02-in. (610-mm)external-grinding wheels...

Grinder loading options.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Small job shops handle low-volume-production Runs and/or prototypes with Studer internal, external, and universal-grinding machines. The S120, S140, and S140 Simultan internal machines include swiveling loading systems with clearly defined...

Controller has fiberoptic interface.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The PACSystems DSM324i motion controller combines motion features with fiberoptic-command interfaces to a Fanuc servo line. According to the manufacturer, this improves machine-cycle rates and accuracy as compared with mechanical, pneumatic,...

Measuring device uses linear motors.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Accretech Surfcom 1900SD/DX surface/contour-measuring device uses a linear motor with a noncontact drive and simple structure (no lead screw or gear box) for stable, vibration-free operation over extended speeds. It moves up to 0.118 ips (3...

Presetter with vision.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Hydromat Presetter with the Quick-Set vision system measures, sets, and verifies tools before placement. Measuring range is 9.76 in. for the Z (length), 9.76 in. for the X (radius), and 9.37 in. for swivel diameter. Key features include...

All-in-one welder.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Millermatic Passport welders feature inverter-based MIG arc welding power sources, wire feeders, and self-contained shielding-gas systems and guns. Weighing 45 lb, or 56 lb with an 8-in. spool of wire and 12-oz C[O.sub.2] shielding gas,...

Turning centers learn programs.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Storm T-series Two and three-axis turning centers include GE Fanuc 21iT B series CNCs with Manual Guide T software. The combination lets the control learn and repeat manual procedures or those combined with cycles. Storm 5-axis models with...

Lathes operate by touchscreen.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Langun Liberty Series Touch-Turn electronic lathes manually operate like conventional lathes or semi-automatically via a Fanuc touchscreen-graphic-guidance control. Up to 40 operations can be saved, and there is capacity for 15 calibrated...

Pump high pressures at low speeds.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... MS5-4x4-SEL-CDM-ADP multistage centrifugal pumps generate high pressures at low speeds, extending pump use. The pumps' flow rates are up to 500 gallon/hr and capable of heads up to 700 ft at 1,750 rpm. They feature one-piece shafts, depths up...

Coolant quenches high-velocity work.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Trim SC610 is a heavy-duty, low-foam, nonoil coolant well-suited for low-speed, high-torque, hole work such as drilling, reaming, and tapping and high-velocity turning and milling. It protects high-strength ferrous metals, super alloys, and...

Multipurpose metalworking fluid.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Suitable for a variety of applications, Cimperial 1070 metalworking fluid works with carbon, high-speed, cast, alloy, tool, and stainless steels, cast iron, aluminum, bronze, brass, and copper. The fluid contains mineral oil for physical...

Control handles seven zones.(New Equipment)
February 1, 2005... WMPC Series controllers handle temperature and process inputs and provide up to seven zone controls in a single wall-mount package. The inputs are individually configurable for each zone. Scaling and offset of current and voltage signals are...

Prior injury no problem for workers' comp.(Law & Liability)
February 1, 2005... When Edwin Dupuis began work at Picard Steel Erectors Inc. in August 2000, he checked the "no" box for every medical condition listed on his signed medical questionnaire. However, in 1982, while working for another company, Dupuis had fallen 24...

Lending company owes benefits to 'loaned servant'.(Law & Liability)
February 1, 2005... Pete Morin was working as a pipe welder at Townsend Welding in Massachusetts on Dec. 7, 2002, when he said he suffered torn ligaments in his right ankle. Morin had obtained his job through Industrial Manpower, a labor-brokering business based...

Putting a stop to collet woes.(Practical Ideas)
February 1, 2005... Often, I am unsuccessful in locating a collet stop for a 4C lathe collet. So, I developed my own special system that uses a brass insert which accommodates various stop lengths. Joseph Macino Branchville, N.J. CIRCLE 38 ...

Squirming out of a worm-wheel dilemma.(Practical Ideas)
February 1, 2005... My idea is for producing worm wheels without special machinery. Using an indexing head, I turn a worm and worm-wheel blank to suit a particular application by cutting slots across the worm and filing the teeth to form a cutter. I then have...

They were just jealous.(100 years ago in American Machinist)
February 1, 2005... German engineers, scientists, and manufacturers returning from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition expressed their opinions about the U.S. in the February 9, 1905, issue. According to the report, German experts thought they had found defects in...

Trashing the suggestion box.(100 years ago in American Machinist)
February 1, 2005... According to the February 16 issue, the British had tried and rejected the suggestion box, an idea "imported from America. Editors quoted The Engineer, an English publication, which gave the following reason for the failure: "To invent or...

Wrong on both counts.(100 years ago in American Machinist)
February 1, 2005... A February 23 article included comments from a Glasgow University professor's lecture on engineering structures. In it, he said he doubted anyone could build a bridge more than two-thirds of a mile long. But plenty of bridges top that number....