American Machinist articles from January 2009

American Machinist archives from January 2009

Parts catcher: loads up lights-out production.(AUTOMATION)(Frentzel Products Inc.)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Probably the simplest and most common automated machining system is the combination of a barfeeder, turning machine and some sort of part-catching receptacle--usually a bucket, basket or box. The problem is, however,...

Human-like flexibility in a robot.(AUTOMATION)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Slim and agile, with human-like flexibility of movement, Motoman's (www.motoman.com) dual-arm SDA10 robot is slimmer, stronger and packs significantly faster accelerations than its predecessor models. Its...

Military gets the bulk of robot funding.(AUTOMATION)
January 1, 2009... The idea of a robot walking your dog or washing your windows might be appealing, but it's still far fetched. However, a robotic army is not. But don't expect those Hollywood-created versions of robotic soldiers, said Howard Smith. Those aren't...

Monolithic machining.(AUTOMATION)(MAG Americas and Brek Manufacturing)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A six-machine automated 5-axis large-part machining cell will strengthen Brek Manufacturing's long-term business strategy of investing in the latest technology to supply customers the highest-quality components at...

LNS America Inc.(NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... LNS America Inc. (www.lnsamerica.com) has named Frank Sraj, Jr. as chief executive officer of its North American business unit. THe takes over the position held by Thomas Boehmer since 2005. Boehmer recently was named chief executive officer of...

www.abb.com.(NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The North American Drives Service hub for ABB Automation Products (www.abb.com) officially opened in New Berlin, Wis. It is the support location for ABB drives throughout the United States and Canada. This location is one of nine global ABB...

Robot loaded tool grinding.(NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Increased efficiency in high-production operations results from the addition of an automatic robot loading system to a Coborn RG9 CNC 8-axis grinding machine for PCD, PCBN and CVD. The automatic loading system offers 6-axis operation with a...

Parallel kinematic robot.(NEWS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A dept Technology Inc.'s (www.dept.com) Quattro s650 robot for solar-cell handling and inspections aims to increase manufacturing yields and overall factory throughput as the solar-cell industry shifts to thinner and thinner cells. The robot...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2009... The photograph used on the cover of the December issue of American Machinist was supplied by Seco Tools Inc. American Machinist editors incorrectly attributed the source of the photo.

Healthy manufacturing is no accident.(FROM THE EDITOR)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... I used to work at a newspaper alongside an editor (now deceased) whose grandfather helped to build the Weldon Tool Co. Weldon Tool, over the years, has claimed many innovations in tooling; its contributions to metal cutting still can be...

Whither Obama.(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)(Barack Obama)(Column)
January 1, 2009... Barack Obama comes into office faced with a dilemma regarding the economy. He must pump money into the economy to stimulate growth and reverse the trend which has dragged the nation into deep recession. But, like all Presidents, he needs...

Dear American Machinist.(LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2009... It is very seldom that the need to write a letter to the editor presents itself to me, but after reading the article on Spindle Probing Benefits (6/11/2008), I am compelled to respond for fear that the article may lead some less experienced...

Shop features prototype work.(MACHINE TOOLS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Navico, a Norway-based producer of marine electronics for the recreational boating segment, relies on its development facility in Tulsa, Ok., for weatherproof cases that house and protect the company's sophisticated...

Getting back in the door.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Conference news)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Most job shops are uncomfortable with having one, two, or three customers providing 70 percent or more of their business. But winning new customers can be tough. How many times has this happened to you?You wine and dine a prospective...

Machines blow through wind turbine production.(MACHINE TOOLS)(MAG Industrial Automation Systems and Giddings & Lewis Inc.)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dowding Industries, a long-time contract supplier of fabricated and machined components to a wide range of companies, decided to move into the alternative energy market by making the leap into large-part production,...

Benefits of retrofits.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Richard Parenteau)
January 1, 2009... Easily expandable machines can help meet a shop's future milling applications as its business grows. In the case of horizontal machining centers, retrofitting multiple pallets and larger automatic tool changer capacity in the field can not...

Quality parts start at the ends.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... For large-scale between centers turning applications, end working generates accurate reference points for producing quality parts. And according to Seneca Falls Machines (www.senecafallsmachines.com), a maker of technologies for enhancing...

www.infracoremt.com.(NEWS)(Doosan Infracore Machine Tools)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Doosan Infracore (www.infracoremt.com) has opened a new technical center in Memphis, focusing specifically on the medical market. The center is third in a series of such facilities, Steven Lesnewich, president of...

www.emag.com.(NEWS)(Peter Loetzner appointed at Emag LLC)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Peter Loetzner has taken over the position of C.E.O. at Emag LLC (www.emag.com) in Farmington Hills, Mich. He comes to the position after his role as executive vice president and plant manager at Gortz Schiele Corp., a tier one supplier. ...

www.springfieldmfgllc.com.(NEWS)(Springfield Manufacturing LLC opens new manufacturing facility )(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Springfield Manufacturing LLC (www.springfieldmfgllc.com) of Clover, S.C., has opened a new manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, to support offload manufacturing from regional industrial gas turbine OEMs. The company has recently...

MFG.com, a global online marketplace for the manufacturing community.(NEWS)(Financial report)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... MFG.com, a global online marketplace for the manufacturing community, has announced that a continued focus on the company's core business has attributed to record growth in revenue, buyer activity, RFQ volume, supplier subscriptions and other...

Grinding expertise Leads to premiere machine.(MACHINE TOOLS)(CNC North Inc.)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CNC North Inc. (www.cnc1.com) has always specialized in supporting, remanufacturing and providing design enhancements for Bryant Grinder CNC machines. The products and engineering developed for these machines has...

Filter fans save time and money.(MACHINE TOOLS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Haewa Corp. (www.haewaccorp.com) has expanded its filter fan line with the addition of five standard 24VDC sizes from 4 in. by 4 in. to 13 in. by 13 in. The fans save time and money because of their integrated...

NASCAR team intensifies waterjet cutting.(MACHINE TOOLS)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Waltrip Racing strives for increased speed not only with the NASCAR racecars it builds but also for its waterjet cutting operation. The NASCAR team recently installed a 90,000-psi jet Edge Inc. (www.jetedge.coin) X-Stream xP90-100 waterjet...

Precision grinding machine.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Suprema 650 Easy cylindrical grinding machine from Jones & Shipman--Holroyd (www.jonesshipman.com) incorporates a universal wheelhead, a grinding capacity for part diameters to 12 in., and 25.5 in. between...

Angle head slims down.(MACHINE TOOLS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The reduced body of the Slender Drive angle head for angular operations inside small bores delivers a high degree of flexibility to machine components by allowing 90-degree cutting inside bore diameters as small as...

Machine tools to go: some workpieces need the machine tool to come to them.(OIL & ENERGY)
January 1, 2009... A utility company orders 500 wind towers for a wind-power farm: Each tower consists of three or four monstrous sections with welded flanges used for on-site assembly. The tower sections arrive, and workers discover that heat from the...

Leasing gives shops flexibility to retool: even under demanding economic conditions, equipment leasing can be an option to upgrade.(OPERATIONS)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... As the manufacturing industry recoils from a stinging economic climate, machine shops across the nation are searching for ways to regain their footing and stand strong. Faced with shrinking production, contracting employment and falling...

Knowing the drill--in harsh environments: Halliburton relies on coolant resistant gauges to measure drills.(CASE STUDY)
January 1, 2009... Halliburton manufactures drills bigger than life, and for challenging applications. In the 1998 movie Armageddon, viewers saw a drilling team obliterate a fictitious asteroid by using a real drill bit that was part of a life-sized,...

High pressure coolant works.(OPERATIONS)(Specialty Precision Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A llied Specialty Precision Inc. (wvw.asp1-nc.coin), one of American Machinist's Top 10 Shops for 2008, has used high pressure cooling for parts it machines since 2004. It took the shop about 18 months of experiments and gaining experience...

Heavy-duty permament magnet sweeper.(OPERATIONS)
January 1, 2009... Storch Magnetics (www.storchmagnetics.com) has developed a magnetic sweeper that can be equipped with a permanent magnet or an electromagnet for vehicle-mounted applications such as a forklift or skid-steer to sweep industrial or commercial...

Engraving tool starter kits.(PART MARKING)
January 1, 2009... 2L Inc. (www.2l.inc.com) has introduced Engraving Tool Starter Kits that feature its solid carbide engraving tools The kits include a selection of 5 styles of 2Us precision solid-carbide engraving tools, and are designed to simplify...

Two-sided bar stock marking system.(OPERATIONS)
January 1, 2009... Columbia Marking Tools (www.columbiamt.com) said it has improved the technology of its bar stock marking equipment to assure increased productivity and minimal part deformation with a machine that has a smaller footprint. [ILLUSTRATION...

Tooling U offers mazak CNC training.(OPERATIONS)(Tooling University L.L.C.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Tooling U, a Cleveland-based online provider of manufacturing training has added Mazak training classes to its curriculum. The classes are designed to provide the theory necessary to perform the tasks and duties of a Mazak CNC machine...

Stainless steel tips.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... I had to drill 16 blind holes that were 0.101 in. in diameter and 0.300-in. deep in parts made of 316 stainless steel. I tried high-speed steel, carbide and cobalt drills, but all of them broke before completing the 16 holes. I did some...

A short cut to handscraping.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)(Column)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While rebuilding a small machine tool, I needed to generate a bearing surface on the machine's bed and underneath its table. However, the way surface was degreed, and hand scraping was difficult to do around the...

Stellite made easy.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Stellite is not that difficult to machine. Treat it as any other hard material. Use only carbide tools and run them slow--I rough at 65 fpm and finish at SO fpm. And, you will go through a lot of inserts. Tools...

How to reduce the CMM programming bottleneck: new software packages offer alternatives to waiting for inspection.(SOFTWARE)(coordinate measuring machine)
January 1, 2009... "When we get a new part order we start programming for our CMM inspection at the same time we start programming for our CNC machines," Jeff Lage said. Lage is vice-president of B&B Manufacturing in Valencia, Calif. B&B is one of American...

Automation is not just about robots.(SOFTWARE)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] when a machine shop operator hears the word "automation," he usually thinks of machines and devices such as bar feeders, pallet changes and robot arms that can reduce the human effort needed to move material and...

Anyone need 5-axis inspection?(SOFTWARE)(Delcam PLC)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Delcam Plc's (www.delcam.com) PowerINSPECT software now supports 5-axis on-machine and stand-alone inspection. The latest release includes support for 5-axis scanning with Renishaw's (www.renishaw.com) REVO...

What's in a name?(SOFTWARE)(Siemens PLM merged with UGS Corporation)
January 1, 2009... Last year Siemens PLM (www.siemens.com/PLM) acquired UGS Corporation, the makers of Unigraphics CAD/CAM software, and promptly renamed the software NX. When talking to long-time users of the software, the name Unigraphics comes up more...

Cutting its own path: BIG Daisbowa, Japans youngest producer of rotary toolbolders has become one of its largest.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(BIG Daishowa Seiki Co. Ltd.)(Company overview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Awaji Island, Japan -- BIG Daishowa Seiki Co. Ltd. (WWw.BIG-daishow.cona) cut its own market niche. Since its founding in 1967, the company has established itself as an integral part of metalworking in Japan, and...

Kaiser AG at 60.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Heinz Kaiser AG)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Heinz Kaiser AG of Romlang Switzerland, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2008. Europe's leading producer of precision boring tools and modular tool systems Heinz Kaiser AG, is a leader in the development and manufacture of precision...

Parallel passion for precision.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Heinz Kaiser AG)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Precison at Heinz KaiserAG is transformed into reality through the production of adjusting screws for its boring bar toolholders that have the finest threads that it is possible to machine, according to Chris Kaiser, president of BIG Kaiser...

Bullish on shops.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(dialogue with Peter Matysiak)(Interview)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... In spite of the current formidable challenges facing job shops, Peter Matysiak, president of Emuge Corp. (www.emugc.com) is upbeat about their future. In an interview with American Machinist, he outlined why he's so optimistic: "These are...

New turning and milling grades and cutters.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Valenite LLC (www.valenite.com) said its new steel turning grades,VP5625 and VP5615, beat the leading competitor in 70 percent of all applications by improving surface speed rates on average of 35 percent and...

Also new from Valenite is a new line of VP2003 milling kits with MicroForm technology that expands Valenite's milling system.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Also new from Valenite is a new line of VP2003 milling kits with MicroForm technology that expands Valenite's milling system. MicroForm technology is a carbide grade technology of powder preparation and sintering...

The V420 three-effective indexable ball nose end mill from Valenite was designed to increase feedrates by 50 percent over industry-standard.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The V420 three-effective indexable ball nose end mill from Valenite was designed to increase feedrates by 50 percent over industry-standard, two effective end mills, while reducing machining time by 33 percent or...

Valenite also introduced the V560 roughing face milling cutters with ThruLok technology, an addition to the company's Penta family, that allows operators to utilize the full potential of machine tools when performing heavy roughing--particularly in difficult-to-machine forgings and castings.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Valenite also introduced the V560 roughing face milling cutters with ThruLok technology, an addition to the company's Penta family, that allows operators to utilize the full potential of machine tools when performing...

Swiss cutting for internal grooving.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new SIGE internal grooving system from Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp, Cutting Tool Division (www.kyocera.com/kicc) features an internal screw-clamp holder and insert designs made from new material...

Sandvik Coromant.(NEW PRODUCTIVITY CENTER)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Sandvik Coromant (www.coromant.sandvik.com) has opened its new Chicago Productivity Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Center is focused on helping American manufacturers maximize productivity and profitability through understanding and...

Iscar.(NEW MILLING AND SLITTING CUTTERS, DRILL AND INSERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Iscar (www.iscarmetals.com) said its new family of High Speed Milling (HSM) adjustable endmills and facemills improves milling of aluminum, non-metallics, cast iron and hardened steel, especially in automotive and aerospace applications. ...

Iscar also introduced high-performance Tangslit TGSF slitting tools.(NEW MILLING AND SLITTING CUTTERS, DRILL AND INSERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Iscar also introduced high-performance Tangslit TGSF slitting tools that combine the convenience and security of Tang-Grip clamping with the added durability of the new Sumo Tec insert grades. In the Tang-Grip clamping system, inserts are...

Iscar also introduced a new range of DR indexable twist drills.(NEW MILLING AND SLITTING CUTTERS, DRILL AND INSERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Iscar also introduced a new range of DR indexable twist drills that cover the 61-mm to 80-mm (2.375-in. to 3.15 in.) diameter range expanding the range of the entire family to cover diameters from 14 mm to 80 mm...

A family of small face grooving and turning tools from Iscar--Minicut MIFR 8 inserts and tools--incorporate a design and clamping system.(NEW MILLING AND SLITTING CUTTERS, DRILL AND INSERTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A family of small face grooving and turning tools from Iscar--Minicut MIFR 8 inserts and tools--incorporate a design and clamping system that the company said prolongs tool life. The inserts are rigidly screw clamped into a long pocket in...

Also new from Iscar are chip-splitting inserts for rough milling of aluminum, where chips can pile up like snowballs.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Also new from Iscar are chip-splitting inserts for rough milling of aluminum, where chips can pile up like snowballs.The company said its new inserts can put an end to chip jamming problems. They have grooves...

High pressure/high thrust groover.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The e new 24014 High Pressure/ gh Thrust Groover from , Manchester Tool & Die Inc. (www.manchestertoolanddie.com) provides rolling or cutting operations with quick and easy tool changes and easy access to tooling. Depending on the...

Workholdings and tooling compnies join forces.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Bock Workholding Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Tooling component manufacturer Jergens Inc. (www.jergensinc.com) has acquired Bock Workholding Inc. Bock has its U.S. headquarters in Ford City, Pa., and sales partners in Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is a manufacturer and distributor...

Standard collet chuck for especial toolholders.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BIG Kaiser (www.bigkaisen.com) has introduced its ER Collet Chuck, the first common industry collet chuck available with the BIG-Plus interface. A standard collet system can now be used in conjunction with a BIGPlus...

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. also announced it has joined forces with WEN Technology Inc. of Raleigh, N.C., to introduce Zero-Point clamping for magnetic workholding applications.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. also announced it has joined forces with WEN Technology Inc. of Raleigh, N.C., to introduce Zero-Point clamping for magnetic workholding applications. BIG Kaiser's Unilock workholding and WEN magnetics are a...

In another development from BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., the company has introduced the Quick Change Clamping Chuck from Unilock for low profile applications in water.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In another development from BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., the company has introduced the Quick Change Clamping Chuck from Unilock for low profile applications in water. With all of the features of the BIG Kaiser...

Toolholding system for lathes.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sandvik Coromant (www.coromant.sandvik.com) introduced a new range of Coromant Capto machine adapted clamping units (MACU) for lathe machines. The new Capto products are designed for both turning and milling...

The evolution of insert geometries.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... The following article on the geometry of cutting inserts was prepared by Iscar Ltd. and edited by Bruce Vernyi, Editor-in-Chief [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The evolution of cutting tool shapes and cutting edge geometry is an interesting...

Say 'NIX' to extra stock: condiderations for net-shape machining.(TOOLING)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... Zero-stock machining--also called "net-shape" or "negative-stock" machining--incorporates hard-milling and high-speed machining techniques to produce components without extra stock. While that might appear to be the goal of all machining...