American Machinist articles from February 2008

American Machinist archives from February 2008

Connect to automation.(AUTOMATION)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wireless communication is a major trend that is gathering strength in automation. Data that previously had to be passed over miles and miles of wires in the factory now can be passed in real time wirelessly. That...

Compact grippers.(AUTOMATION)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Schunk Inc. (www.schunk-usa.com) said its new universal pneumatic parallel grippers excel in automated workpiece-handling applications where limited space is available and interfering contours must be avoided. The JGP grippers are designed as...

Shop shuttles over to productivity.(AUTOMATION)(Johnson Enterprises Inc. installed Bystronic Inc.'s Byjet waterjet system)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After installing a waterjet cutting system with a shuttle table, Johnson Enterprises of New Brunswick, Canada, reaped what some may consider the benefits of "pioneer status." The shop, a supplier of debarking...

Collision sensors.(AUTOMATION)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Collision sensors mechanically detect when robot arms encounter obstructions. They absorb the crash energy and quickly stop the robot to prevent costly damage to robot arms and tooling. One shop found another use for them. Collision sensors...

www.trustaautomation.com.(Components for automation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The low-cost, programmable TA2230 constant-velocity drive was designed for new and existing industrial applications such as factory automation, machine tools, conveyors, injection molding machines, air compressors,...

www.orbitform.com.(Components for automation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Low Back Pressure (LBP) modular conveyors transfer parts of all shapes and sizes with minimal energy. Parts ride on a densely populated array of plastic rollers and flow freely with low friction, exerting minimal force on adjacent parts and...

www.balhuff.com.(Components for automation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... For small part conveying equipment, Balluff (www.balluff.com) has developed a mini photoelectric sensor pack that the company said puts maximum performance in a small package and helps designers reduce a machine's overall footprint on the...

www.piah.com.(Components for automation)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Modular automation tooling from Piab Vacuum Products (www.piab.com) is designed to reduce compressed-air consumption by 98 percent compared with alternative air-powered venturi systems. Shops can use the tooling to construct...

Robots on the road.(AUTOMATION)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Robotics are more mainstream than ever, and manufacturers must use them to their advantage to keep ahead of the competition. Successful shops strive to find ways to lower cost and improve quality and satisfaction, such as automating...

Not a Happy New year?(COMMENTARY)(forecast of manufacturing industries in United States)
February 1, 2008... The conflicting reports on the strength of the U.S. economy, manufacturing output, and overall health of manufacturing seem to have come to a head, and the consensus is that 2008 doesn't look good. When the numbers were released for...

What do you want your coolant to do? Here is a basic guide to the fluids and formulations and their capabilities.(FLUIDS)(Cover story)
February 1, 2008... The two main functions of metalworking coolants are to cool the tool and reduce friction in the cut. Also important, are clearing of chips, inhibiting corrosion, providing biostability and providing an operator-friendly environment....

The economic stimulus package: will we witness a new era?(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)
February 1, 2008... Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) has been calling for a new politics, one beyond petty bickering and partisan name-calling. His concerns have been echoed by his rivals. Obama says he is sick of the games that are played in Washington. He says...

Shape up for high production.(Ideas from India)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... My idea is to use a shaper for high production by turning the machine's idle stroke during its return motion into a cutting stroke. Doing so reduces workpiece machining by half. I accomplish return-stroke machining by adding a clapper box...

A roundabout path to better milling.(Ideas from India)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On horizontal milling machines, it's not always possible to use a cutter big enough to span the width of a flat part surface due to part size or fixture interference. However, when a smaller cutter is used to mill...

A new angle on roughing.(Ideas from India)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... For rough cutting end faces on cylinder crank shafts, we were using a staggered-type cutter body with standard ISO 12-mm-sq inserts. These inserts are quite expensive, so to save money, we switched to using appropriate-size worn triangle-shaped...

Shop gets aggressive with feedrates.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Fontal Controls)(MAG Fadal)
February 1, 2008... Fontal Controls, a Southern California metalcutting job shop, takes deeper cuts to rough out aluminum parts faster, and it cuts hard-steel parts--47 Rc to 48 Rc--quicker and more efficiently since it has cranked up its machining feedrates. ...

Production efficiency.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... "The biggest stumbling block to making your processes more efficient is overtime. People get used to overtime pay, and efficiency often eliminates overtime. So efficiency is sometimes met with resistance," John Lenz, PhD, of CMS Research...

Mold shops invest in survival.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Speed is of the essence for moldmaking shops to stay competitive. However, slashing job leadtimes doesn't happen overnight because it often requires fundamental process changes and investments in equipment and...

Risk meets reward with 5-axis machining.(GUEST EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2008... Demands on precision manufacturers have never been greater. The constant need to reduce lead times, maintain and improve part quality and control costs means that manufacturers have to continually raise their game if they are to compete and...

Minimize toolchange times.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Matrix Tool Magazine's four-position revolving disk keeps the next tool ready and waiting for a machine's toolchanger arm. This eliminates any delay, even after a short machining cycle. Machine operators also can access a fully secure...

Trade deficit.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... "Our growing trade deficit underscores the urgent need for Congress and the Administration to reform America's trade policy and hold trade partners like China accountable for their unfair practices. Manufacturing jobs continue to disappear at...

Direct metal laser sintering.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2008... Direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS) technology has spawned a new foundation on how medical companies design components, Peter Ostiguy from DePuy Spine said at the first Rapid Implant Manufacturing Forum in Leuven, Belgium, in September. ...

MFG.com Inc.(NEWS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MfG.com Inc., (www.mfg.com) a global on-line marketplace for the manufacturing community, has received $26 million in financing to continue global expansion, develop technology, create new on-line services and cultivate potential acquisitions....

Milltronics.(NEWS)(Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.)(Milltronics Manufacturing)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Milltronics (www.milltronics.net) has unveiled a new corporate look along with some new product developments. The 30-year-old Minnesota company has changed its identity to " Milltronics CNC Machines" from "Milltronics Manufacturing" to...

Sodick Inc.(NEWS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Sodick Inc. (www.sodick.com), a manufacturer of EDMs, has formed a technology partnership with NaSCar championship-winning organization richard Childress racing (RCR). Richard Childress racing will use Sodick wire EDMs to manufacture the...

Max-tek.(NEWS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Max-Tek Superabrasive Machine Technologies (www.maxtekmachine.com) now is offering complete rebuilding services for superabrasive grinding machines, many of which have been in service since the early 1990s. Max-Tek technicians perform...

www.columbiamt.com.(MARKING)
February 1, 2008... For a major helicopter manufacturer, Columbia Marking Tools (www.columbiamt.com) designed and built a special marking machine that placed both manreadable and UID/2D or Square Dot vision readable codes on a variety of 17 different gear and...

Reducing cycle times.(MARKING TOOLS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... "All Cutting tool companies have niches where their tools excel, so you have to try different brands. Use your tool salesman. Have him or her come in and prove their tool can outdo the one you are currently using." A comment made during a...

www.lasitusa.com.(MARKING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Lasit USA (www.lasitusa.com) said it has developed the first compact desktop rotary dial table fiber laser marking system. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lasit USA said its RotoTab marking system sports a two-position pneumatic index table...

www.e-ci.com.(LASERS)
February 1, 2008... Cincinnati Inc.'s (www.e-ci.com) two latest models of American-made laser cutting centers boast 4,000-W and 2,500-W cutting power, third-generation linear motor drives, and heavyweight platforms that deliver high uptime, superior dynamic...

www.lvdgroup.com.(LASERS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Orion 4020 hybrid-style CO2 laser cutting system from LVD Strippit (www.lvdgroup.com) processes large sheets measuring to 157 in. by 78 in. The company said the machine's rigid high-precision rack-and-opinion...

www.us.trumpf.com.(LASERS)
February 1, 2008... Trumpf Inc. (www.us.trumpf.com) said the latest version of its TruTops software features a modern user interface, increased productivity through product data management, a more efficient nesting processor, and the elimination of redundant data...

Distech machine tool tray loader.(OPERATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Distech Systems (www.distechsystems.com) has developed an automatic loading and unloading device that is designed for turning, grinding and sawing equipment. The company said it DS1200MTL is a compact and reliable...

Heidenhain offers 3-D touch probes for 3rd party controls.(OPERATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Heidenhain (www.heidenhain.com) has developed a new interface for its 3-D touch trigger probes to make them available to be used on many CNC controls for milling, drilling and boring machines, and machining centers. The company said its...

Mahr federal height gage provides three ways measure.(OPERATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Mahr Federal (www.mahrfederal.com) has introduced a height measuring instrument that provides with three distinct ways to initiate measurement. The company said its innovative Digimar-817 CLM Height Measuring Instrument allows: ...

Renshaw introduces high accuracy stainless scale linear encoders.(OPERATIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Renishaw (www.renishaw.com) has developed new linear encoders that feature a special stainless steel scale, ultralow [+ or -] 30 nm cyclic error, patented filtering optics and [+ or -] 4 [micro] m accuracy to deliver the performance of a fine...

Setting up work: optimizing setup time starts early, stays and becomes better as jobs are done again.(SHOP OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2008... Optimizing set-up times is a job that starts when the job is quoted. Once a job is up and running, the way it is set up and the time it takes to re-establish that setup might as well be set in concrete. While setting up a job is a process...

Choosing the right CAM software: the money is in the model.(SOFTWARE)(computer aided manufacturing)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the demand for more sophisticated and efficient machining increases, so does the need for more sophisticated computer aided manufacturing/machining (CAM) software. Software that can reduce machining time...

MTS systems: uses Solidworks to accelerate custom configuration of testing equipment.(case study)
February 1, 2008... MTS Systems Corp. (www.mts.com) is using SolidWorks 3D CaD software to more efficiently design, configure, and assemble the testing products it develops for customers across a broad range of industries. MTS products include road simulators...

Geometric's DfMXpress tool for manufacturability analysis included with Solidworks 2008.(SOFTWARE)(Geometric Software Solutions Company Ltd.)
February 1, 2008... Geometric Software Solutions (www.geometricsoftware.com), a supplier of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) services and technologies now includes its DFMXpress software as a tool in the SolidWorks 2008 software package. This tool is fully...

QuadriSpace offers new software for manufacturing instructions and technical illustrations.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] QuadriSpace Corp. (www.quadrispace.com), a provider of product communication and documentation software, is offering its Document3D product-line software that includes customer requested feature upgrades and a new...

Mastercontrol has new bill of materials solution and project data management connectors.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... MasterControl Inc. (www.mastercontrol.com), a provider of GXP process management software, introduced new software that connects project data management programs and software for establishing bills of materials for jobs. The MasterControl...

SolidProfessor offers learning management system and 2008 course library.(SOFTWARE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... SolidProfessor (www.solidprofessor.com), focused on delivering bundled training solutions for SolidWorks and SolidWorks related software, has released Learning Management System v2 and 2008 Course Content. SolidProfessor said it has...

GibbsCAM demonstrates next generation Solidworks interoperability.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Gibbs and associates, developer of GibbsCAM (www.gibbscam.com), software for programming CNC machine tools, demonstrated its next generation of GibbsCAM and SolidWorks interoperability. GibbsCAM is a SolidWorks...

Objet's connex500 multi-material 3D printer gets U.S. introduction.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... Objet Geometries Ltd. (www.2objet.com), a manufacturer of ultrathin layer photopolymer jetting, has introduced its Connex500 3D Printing System and PolyJet Matrix Technology. The Connex500, which is the first system capable of printing parts...

hyperMILL receives Certified Gold Product award from Solidworks.(SOFTWARE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Open Mind Technologies (www.openmind-tech.com) CAM software product integrated within SolidWorks has received highest partner status. The new hyperMILL V9.7 from Open Mind offers CAD integration with SolidWorks....

The SolidWorks Partner Program features products and services that complement SolidWorks solutions.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The SolidWorks Partner Program features products and services that complement SolidWorks solutions. Certified Gold Products are fully integrated with SolidWorks and provide users with instant access to the...

Understanding spindles: the key to controlling quality.(ACCESSORIES)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recent developments in the science of spindle metrology have made spindle error analysis simpler and faster. Spindle error motions are a primary source of quality degradation and product failures in machine...

Air-cooled, high-speed spindles.(TOOLING & FIXTURING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IBAG North America (www.ibagnorthamerica.com) said its new air-cooled "Plug and Go" HFK 95 S40 high-speed spindles are designed for fast and easy setup in vertical or horizontal machining centers. The spindles are...

Expanded Swiss turning spindle line.(TOOLING & FIXTURING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... IBAG North america (www.ibagna.com) has also added new 20-mm and-22-mm diameter high speed milling and drilling spindles for Swiss turning applications. The spindles complement the company's line of 25-mm-diameter spindles, offering...

Tool data management and communications software.(TOOLING & FIXTURING)
February 1, 2008... Parlec Inc. (www.parlec.com) has released new software for its Parsetter TMM tool presetters. The PGC Plus 6 Tool Data Management and Communications software is designed as a plugandplay enhancement for the the company's Parsetter TMM line...

Miniature thread mills.(TOOLING & FIXTURING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emuge Corp. (www.emuge.com) has introduced a series of Miniature Solid Carbide Thread Mills that are designed for easy machining of difficult materials such as stainless steels, titanium, K-monel, hastelloy, and...

New insert grades and tools for high productivity.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Iscar Metals Inc.)
February 1, 2008... Iscar Metals Inc. (www.iscarmetals.com) has developed a new metalworking concept for increased productivity. Iscar called its new concept the 3P Sumo Line for Premium Productivity Products (3P), and said its new line of tooling provides...

Tooling/machine optimization quadruples productivity.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Northeast Tire Mold in Akron, Ohio produces tire molds and, as a supplier to a number of OEM tire manufacturers, produces about 500 different tire molds a year with 20 of any part being a large run. Northeast...

Streamlined indexer.(WORK HOLDING)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hardinge Inc. (www.hardinge.com) has added more accuracy, more spindle clearance, more axial load and more radial load to its 5C rotary system line with the introduction of its 5C2 Rotary Indexer. The indexer...

Room-temperature, low-foaming cleaner.(FLUIDS)(Master Chemical Corp.)
February 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Master Chemical Corp. (www.masterchemical.com) has developed a new high-performance, low-foaming cleaning concentrate. The Trim Clean IP 2019s cleaner is designed to remove straight oils and coolants from steel,...

Hardinge: outfits defense lab.(COMPANY NEWS)
February 1, 2008... The National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) announced that its alliance Partner, Hardinge Inc. (www.hardinge.com) has agreed to consign a RS-Series turning center machine tool for use in the NCDMM Testing and Development...

Mori Seiki: acquires Sandvik Tobler SAS.(COMPANY NEWS)(Mori Seiki Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Mori Seiki (www.moriseiki.com) said it has acquired Sandvik Tobler SaS, france, a division of Sandvik Tooling. With operations in Louvres, france, Sandvik Tobler produces precision mandrels and clamping solutions for the automotive...

Tooling U: provides multi-language training.(FLUIDS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Tooling University (www.toolingu.com), a provider of online manufacturing training, has developed a new multi-language interface to deliver content in multiple languages. The interface includes all the key features needed for users to...

Regrind rationale.(TOOLING & FIXTURING)(Quotation)
February 1, 2008... "People recognize if they get 1,000 holes out of a $152 solid-carbide drill, they're making holes at 15.2 cents each. Paying roughly $16 for a regrind of a 10-mm drill, for example, when performance starts to deteriorate drops cost per hle to...