American Machinist articles from February 2009

American Machinist archives from February 2009

Automate and separate.(AUTOMATION)(TNT EDM Inc.)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At TNT EDM Inc. (www.tntcdm.com), success hinges on working smarter, not working harder. The Plymouth, Mich., jobshop gets about 60 percent of its work coming from the automotive sector, runs more than a third of all...

Tool automates deburring in a flash.(AUTOMATION)(TPi Arcade Inc.)
February 1, 2009... Flashing on die cast parts must be removed for operational, safety and aesthetic reasons, but how the chore is competed often comes under considerable scrutiny by manufacturing engineers and more importantly Occupational Safety and Health...

A mint automation job.(AUTOMATION)(Royal Australian Mint )
February 1, 2009... In one of the most extensive modernization and revamp projects ever undertaken by a mint, the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra,Australia, installed three bucket elevators from Australis Engineering P/L of Sydney. As part of the Mint's...

Company extends reach of its end-of-arm tooling.(AUTOMATION)
February 1, 2009... Applied Robotics Inc. (www.appliedrobotics.com), a provider of automation end-of-arm tooling and connectivity solutions signed Tunkers Maschinenbau GmbH, a company specilzing in clamping technology for the automotive industry, as a channel...

The 2009 NIMS Apprentice Competition is underway.(FROM THE EDITOR)(National Tooling and Machining Association)(National Institute for MetalworkingSkills )(Editorial)(Calendar)
February 1, 2009... The 2009 National Apprentice Competition presented by the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) (www.ntma.org) and the National Institute for MetalworkingSkills (NIMS) (www.nims-skills.org) is underway, and the contest finals will be...

More jobs for 5-axis machining.(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Because of the need to machine complex parts, 5-axis machining has become a mainstay in the aerospace and defense industries, and advancements in software and machining centers have made the process economical and practical in a growing number...

Five-axis accuracy: a quick, easy-to-use technique accurately analyzes 5-axis errors.(SHOP OPERATIONS)(IBS Precision Engineering )
February 1, 2009... Because of its many advantages, five-axis machining is becoming increasingly common across a range of machining applications. However, to be able to machine workpieces with the accuracy required for precision parts, the real position of a...

A new era for export controls?(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)
February 1, 2009... Barack Obama is coming into office with great hopes and expectations. He faces daunting challenges in the economy and in foreign affairs, but polls show that the American people believe that he is up to the challenges. If anything, the...

Compensating for eccentric loads during high-speed machining.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2009... As part complexity and production demands continue to grow, demand for high-speed, multi-axis machine tools has never been higher. Because of that demand, the market has been moving towards machine designs that achieve very rapid...

Chips-n-burrs.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Mr Barnes is here again to speak about machine safety. Unfortunately, I missed his firsh speech.

Tips on ultrasonic cleaning.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2009... Ultrasonic parts cleaning commonly is used to streamline a variety of manufacturing and maintenance processes and is known for improving quality, safety and profits. Ultrasonic baths can optimize parts cleaning, safety, quality and cost; a...

Smith & Wesson sees improvements with engraved-roll marking: durability, better tool life, and a clearer mark seen in engraved steel roll marks.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Smith & Wesson switched to engraved roll marking dies to replace marking dies made by the EDM process to improve the life of its stamping tools and to ensure that the marks it makes on its weapons are consistent and...

Quote of the day.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)(Quotation)
February 1, 2009... You're a machinist or you wouldn't be reading this magazine. So, what's your favorite quote for work? A group of contributors to the American Machinist Internet Forum posted their favorites on-line, and the comments range from the dry...

Get in gear.
February 1, 2009... Reach gear manufacturing professionals in the American Gear Manufacturers Association Product Locator at www.AGMA.org. Filled with product and service supplier listings, the AGMA Product Locator makes it easier for association members and other...

Order spare parts.(Mazak Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Mazak Corp. has added a new capability to its website (https://parts.mazakcorp.com) that allows customers to place and review orders for spare parts via the Internet. With an interface similar to those found on major retailers' websites,...

Site offers lean and green software.(Factivity Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Factivity Inc., a pioneer in paperless factory floor technology solutions since 1985, is offering its software for free to Ohio manufacturers who want to be lean and green. For more information, visit www.factivity.com.

New site increases usability.(Parlec, Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Parlec, Inc., a worldwide leader in tooling, workholding, and presetting solutions, has announced the official launch of its newly developed website, www.parlec.com. Parlec not only refreshed the appearance of its website to reflect its...

Metalcasting documentary.(Signicast Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... "Spotlight on: Metalcasting," a recent documentary on the metalcasting industry and the critical role it plays in both our economy and society showcases Signicast Corp. as the leading investment casting producer in the United States. The...

Bearing site.
February 1, 2009... A new website for Hartford Technologies (www.hartfortechnologies.com) discusses the company's core strengths in the design, development and testing of standard and custom bearings, bearing assemblies, rollers, pins and precision balls for a...

Know the cost of shop operations.
February 1, 2009... Knowing what your shop operations cost can be a significant competitive advantage, and when you include the cost of shop operations when you quote jobs, you can ensure that your shop is profitable. The software company Epicor presented a...

Multispindle: marches to the beat of a different drum.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Tajmac-ZPS )
February 1, 2009... Shops that run complex high-precision parts on single-spindle Swiss or other similar types of CNC equipment at production volumes that force using three or more of these types of machines for one job should consider CNC multispindle machines....

www.seyiamerica.com.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Seyi offers total solutions for the stamping industry by providing form presses, tooling and ancillary equipment. Products include C-type, high, straight side, and deep drawing hydraulic press types and automated ancillary equipment. At...

www.yamaseiki.com.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(exhibitions of Goodway Machine Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Goodway Machine Corp., with its Yama Seiki USA Inc. (www.yamaseiki.com) facility located in Ontario, Calif., manufactures CNC horizontal turning centers, vertical turning centers, Swiss turning machines, vertical milling machines, a full range...

www.soco.com.tw.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(Soco Machinery Co. Ltd.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Soco Machinery Co. Ltd. (www.soco.com.tw) drew on its extensive experience in manufacturing tube and pipe machinery when it developed its SA-65/2 CNC tube and bar machining center, its series of CNC electric servo tube benders, and the SA-78NCE...

www.hiwin.com.tw.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(Hiwin Technologies Corp.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Hiwin Technologies Corp.'s (www.hiwin.com.tw) products can be found in machine tools from Haas, Hardinge, Okuma, DMG, Junker and Mazak. The company provides a complete product line of linear motion technologies, including precision ballscrews,...

www.mightyusa.com.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(exhibition of Hartford )(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Machine tool builder Hartford will showcase five new machines--the LG 500 VMC featuring a robot arm for feeding production, a 5/4-axis moving column VMC, a double column machine called the HEP-2150 for heavy industries, the HCMC-13AG VMC for...

www.supertec.com.tw.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(product introduction of Supertec Machinery Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Supertec Machinery Inc. s (www.supertec.com.tw) Grindmaster 45/80 series of Y/Z-axis dual independent wheel head grinders use no integrated high-frequency spindles to eliminate the problems associated with those spindles and to make its...

www.goldensun.com.tw.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)
February 1, 2009... GSA Technology Co. Ltd. (www.goldensun.com.tw) said its new GSA CNC-320R and CNC-400R rotary tables provide large through holes for bigger workpieces. The 320R's through hole measures 110 mm, while the 400R's is 150 mm. The tables provide...

www.ycicnc.com.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Yeong Chin Machinery Industries Co. Ltd. (YCM), know as YCI Inc. (www.ycicnc.com) in the United States located in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., will present six new machine tool models. The first is the H630B high-production dual-drive horizontal...

www.deesgroup.com.(TAIWANESE TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... Dees Hydraulic Industrial Co. Ltd. (www.deesproup.com) prides itself on supplying complete engineering and manufacturing solutions through its line of metal forming products that includes hydraulic notchers, hydraulic shearers, hydraulic press...

Engraving at 60,000 rpm.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2009... Gravograph (www.gravograph.com) milling engraving machines just got a whole lot faster. The company offers as an option, highpower high-frequency. spindles with powers of 150 W to 1,000 W and speeds to 60,000 rpm Applications for the...

Carbide rod cut off.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2009... The Auto-Cut CNC rod cut-off machine for the carbide tool and carbide rod manufacturing industries can double the production rate for cutting carbide rod when compared with manual cut-off machines, according to the machine's maker Rush...

Two more for five axis work.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Two machining centers, the B 300 m and C 50 U, from Hermle Machine (www.hermlemachine.com), provide 5-axis machining capabilities. ...

Automatic feed for vertical hone.(MACHINE TOOLS)
February 1, 2009... An automatic feed system adds a higher level of control to Delapena Honing Equipment Ltd. s (wwwdelapena.co.uk) Powerhone vertical honing solution. The machine is well suited for both through and blind bores from 1 in. to 35.5 in. in diameter....

Precision machining for performance racing: having the right machines is rarely enough.(PRECISION MACHINING)
February 1, 2009... The words "precision machining" conjure up images of machines and processes capable of holding tight tolerances in medium to high production part runs. In machining for performance auto racing, production runs are usually less than 20...

Tapping out.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... The method of removing a broken tap depends on how the tap broke, its size, and the size and shape of the workpiece it broke off in. If a tap breaks off laterally and part of it is sticking out far enough, grab it with vise grips or pliers...

Modifying the profile of roughing spline shaft hobs.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Roughing spline shaft hobs with 2-radius teeth profiles are used to generate rough straight-side spline shafts, leaving extremely uniform grinding stock allowances distributed on the I.D. of the shaft and close to...

From one-offs to high-precision production: shop steps up machining capabilities to meet customer needs.(PRECISION MACHINING)
February 1, 2009... IDM "I do machining" (www.idomachining.com) had always specialized in prototype and one-off job shop work, and the equipment on its shop floor reflected that. Housed at the shop were several manual machines and what would today be considered...

Beat the competition with high-precision: todays machine tool technology can make it happen.(PRECISION MACHINING)
February 1, 2009... Machine shops need to change their strategies to compete in the global economy. The jobs that are here and should stay here are high precision, tight tolerance and made of challenging materials. The tools and technologies to handle these...

A new CAM package with a long heritage.(SOFTWARE)(HSMWorks ApS )
February 1, 2009... What makes HSMWorks unique as a Computer Aided Manufacturing software package is that it was designed from the ground up to be fully integrated with SolidWorks 3D Computer Aided Design software (www.solidworks.com) and to take full advantage of...

Integrated CAD/CAM is key to mold designer's success.(SOFTWARE)(S&S Plastics )(Interview)(Company overview)
February 1, 2009... "HSM Works enabled us to completely transform our business from being just another high quality manufacturer to a technology driven manufacturing partner with [for] our customers. When people ask what the difference is, I just laugh and show...

Coatings as a marketing tool.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)(Interview)
February 1, 2009... "Tooling specialization in the highly competitive machining marketplace Tis a basic requirement for success," said Gary Lake, President of CemeCon Inc. (www.cemecon.con)--a company that specializes in the coating of cutting tools. ...

Application specific conical ball nose end mills.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Emuge Corp. (www.emuge.com) has introduced a line of Conical Ball Nose End Mills for machining specific components in several key manufacturing segments including automotive, aerospace, energy and HVAC. The conical...

New bandsaw blades.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The M-Factor By Morse carbide tipped bandsaw blade product line from The M. K. Morse Co. (www.inkmorsc.com) has been expanded to include the new M-Factor CH and M-Factor GP blades. The M-Factor CH is designed for...

Solid carbide deep drills.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Iscar (www.iscarmetals.com) said its new solid carbide deep hole drills re designed to drill to 22 times diameter and reach bottom10 percent faster than with other solid carbide drills and six times faster than with...

Rougher for exotic materials.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... The new Exocarb Aero Rougher from OSG Tap & Die (www.osgtool.com) is designed for maximum metal removal of exotic materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and Inconel. The combination of the shallow profile serration and the 45-degree helix...

British producer of deep hole drilling products acquired.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... Sandvik (www.sandvik.com) has reached an agreement to acquire BTA Heller Drilling Systems Ltd., a producer and supplier of deep hole drilling products, located in Cirencester, UK. The acquisition is expected to be completed during the first...

Carbide Tipped Bandsaw Blades.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Triple Chip S8 Carbide Tipped Bandsaw Blades from Simonds International (www.simondsinternational.com) are designed for all cutting applications that require a smooth surface finish and high production rates....

Smallest ball end mills.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Single Source Technologies (www.singlesourcetech.com) said new tools from NS Tool, Micro Ball Endmills, are the world's smallest ball end mill at 0.01-mm diameter. The Micro Ball series, NSMB100, offers sizes from...

Aggressive burs.(TOOLING PRODUCTS)
February 1, 2009... Newly introduced Omega Burs from SGS Tool Co. (www.sgstool.com) feature an aggressive, deep double cut tooth pattern for improved chip control and rapid stock removal in harder materials and with minimal chatter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Tiny toolholders.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
February 1, 2009... Schunk Inc. (www.schunk.com) has expanded its Tribos toolholding family by introducing Mini toolholders and SVL extensions that have clamping diameters as small as 0.3 mm (0.012 in.). This allows for the direct holding of circuit board tools...

Application-specific manual steady rests.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New Richter manual steady rests from LMC Workholding (www.lmcworkholding) are manufactured to meet specific requirements for customer applications. Standard, special and large ring-style steady rests are...

Vise jaw for Kurt 8-in. vise.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Hydramax model Hydra4-8 vise jaw from Hydramax Technologies (www.hydramax.com) fits directly onto a Kurt 8-in. vise and is capable of holding four parts. The units come in 13 different configurations. A common...

Overgrip pickoff collets for Swiss turning centers.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... In collaboration with Citizen Machinery Tech Center in Elmira, N.Y. Hardinge Inc. (www.hardinge.com) has developed and now manufactures standard TF-25 OG overgrip collets for Cincom M20 and L20 lathes. Overgrip collets--also referred to as...

Quick-change vulcanized collet heads.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
February 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Also new from Hardinge is its FIexC Collet Systems that are flexible, sealed collet heads that interchange in seconds and are available with spindle mounts for all brands of CNC lathes. Pull-back through-hole,...

Botanical metal working fluids.(FLUIDS)
February 1, 2009... Cimcool Global Fluids (www.cimcool.com) has developed Cimfree Botanical Fluids, a line of environmentally-friendly vegetable-based products for high-speed machining and metalworking operations. The new line offers a variety of products...

Automated MQL for CNC.(FLUIDS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2009... ITW Rocol North America (www.rocolnorthamerica.com) has combined SpiderCool and AccuLube technologies to allow CNC machining center applications to aim the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) nozzle at the cutting edge of multiple tools of...