American Machinist articles from July 2007

American Machinist archives from July 2007

Worn tools still have plenty of value.(LEADING INDICATORS)
July 1, 2007... There is value left in carbide tools even when they are past their prime as production tools, and that value has been growing. More than ever it's worth a shop's time to start a recycling program for its worn tools, and recycling carbide...

Reports of the death of U.S. manufacturing are exaggerated.(LEADING INDICATORS)
July 1, 2007... Reports of the death of U.S. manufacturing are exaggerated. Net Change 1982-2004 Rest of the Work: Korea +3.0% France -1.4% Germany ...

New insert geometries, grades and tool configurations have been designed to allow for greater flexibility and productivity.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2007... New insert geometries, grades and tool configurations have been designed to allow for greater flexibility and productivity when cutting a range of materials. Walter USA Inc. (www. walter-tools.com) has increased its WPP indexable insert...

Sandvik Coromant Co. (www.coromant.sandvik.com/us) has expanded its CoroMill Plura Line of endmills with the CoroMill Plura Extra Long Ball Nose Endmill.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2007... Sandvik Coromant Co. (www.coromant. sandvik.com/us) has expanded its CoroMill Plura Line of endmills with the CoroMill Plura Extra Long Ball Nose Endmill. The carbide endmill is designed for long-reach applications, including finishing of...

Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc. (www.sumicarbide.com) has introduced the YB 100 coated carbide grade with a substrate.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2007... Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc. (www. sumicarbide.com) has introduced the YB 100 coated carbide grade with a substrate, edge honing and fine TiCN CVD coating for meeting the needs of a range of turning and boring applications--from roughing cast...

The Rouse-Arno VHM series of face grooving inserts from H.B. Rouse & Co. (www.rouse-arno.com) are designed for face grooving any diameter above 12 mm (0.472 in.) with groove depths to 40 mm (1.575 in.).(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2007... The Rouse-Arno VHM series of face grooving inserts from H.B. Rouse & Co. (www.rouse-arno. com) are designed for face grooving any diameter above 12 mm (0.472 in.) with groove depths to 40 mm (1.575 in.). Made of solid, micrograin carbide, the...

Metalworking/metalforming fluids.(FLUIDS)
July 1, 2007... Oak Inter-national (www.oakinte rnational.com) has introduced the Oak Signature brand of metalworking fluids that address the fluid challenges of metalcutting, metalforming, cleaning, corrosion inhibition and specialty applications. Oakflo...

Software versions target specific needs.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
July 1, 2007... Three new versions of CAM software packages from the Delcam (www.delcam.com) family of products offer features geared toward programming applications that shops often struggle with. PowerMill version 8 sports new modules for blisk and...

A grinder that's more like a milling machine.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
July 1, 2007... The introduction of Bridgeport's FGC 2 flexible grinding center gives shops that machine aerospace blades and vanes an alternative to big, expensive grinding machines. The FGC 2 flexible grinding machine performs what Bridgeport calls...

Tap a stuck bushing.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)
July 1, 2007... I needed to pull a mild steel bushing out of a blind hole, but I could not get a hold of it to do so. Here's what I came up with to grip the bushing. Bushings usually have standard size I.D.s, and taps are 0.005-in. oversize on their major...

Try the reamer without holes.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)
July 1, 2007... I used full carbide valve-guide reamers with internal coolant holes on an NTC machine for machining cylinder heads in the two-cylinder engines that go into my company's one-ton vehicles. The 6.982-mm-diameter reamers kept breaking as they...

No progress on China currency; what is to be done?(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)
July 1, 2007... The Chinese government continues to stall for time and push its luck. This behavior risks China's own continued economic growth and risks possible trade actions from the U.S. Congress. During the third week of May, another round of the...

American machinist benchmarking data available online.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)
July 1, 2007... The raw data from the 2007 American Machinist Benchmarking survey will be available online on July 15. The data from the latest survey will be posted on line for anyone to download and use, and the data from last year's survey will remain...

Webcast on reducing cycle times.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)
July 1, 2007... Paul Webster, the CNC/Servo product manager for GE Fanuc, shares tips on ways to cut machining cycle time in an hour-long webcast that is available at (www.americanmachinist. com/Webcasts.) The webcast was presented June 13, and offers ways to...

Fluke 2007 test tools catalog available online.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)
July 1, 2007... Fluke Corporation (www.fluke. com) has put its Fluke Tools Catalog for handheld electronic test and measurement devices and technologies online. The 72-page catalog is available in a digital format, with multiple features for viewing product...

Advanced machine & Engineering puts application section on web.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)
July 1, 2007... Advanced Machine & Engineering Co. (www.ame.com) has added an applications section to its web site to showcase some of its precision machine components, fluid power components, fixtures and workholding products, power drawbar and spindle...

Manual shops crank out the work: some jobs just can't be done efficiently any other way.(MACHINE TOOLS)
July 1, 2007... THERE IS NO WAY TO DENY THAT machines driven by computer numerical controls are the most productive tools available to a shop, but there are many managers and owners who say that manual machines still have a place in shops, and there are some...

2007 Top shop analysis: what top shops in our 2007 survey do to stay competitive.(BENCHMAKING)(Cover story)
July 1, 2007... American machinist conducted its 2nd annual Benchmarking survey of U.S. Machine Shops between Feb. 1 and March 12 of this year. We again had the MPI Group, the parent company of the Manufacturing and Management Performance Institutes, as our...

No-squeeze workholding: for parts that could be distorted by conventional workholding methods, compliant clamping or magnetic techniques may be the answer.(WORKHOLDING)
July 1, 2007... DELICATE OR THIN-WALLED PARTS can be distorted when clamped by conventional workholding devices. Usual clamping techniques also can pose problems for parts that are deformed in their free state, but must be machined true. Such parts can be...

Benchmarks point toward excellence.(FROM THE EDITOR)
July 1, 2007... In this issue, we have the first report from the American Machinist 2007 survey of U.S. machine shops. We conducted the survey from February 1 through March 12, and had a great response from our readers. We estimate that filling out the...

Keeping CAD files from going astray: failing to protect your intellectual property can cost you big-time.(SOFTWARE)
July 1, 2007... INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) IS ONE OF THE MOST critical resources of any business. loss of proprietary manufacturing designs and processes, CAD files, financial information, customer lists, research data and any other information that gives a...

Engineers go history-free.(CASE BOOKS)
July 1, 2007... Scientists at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) division of Berkeley Lab work side-by-side with engineers to develop products used for experimental science. Often times, the scientists do not have a good definition of a project. They just know...

Live tooling keeps hands off parts.(CASE BOOKS)
July 1, 2007... Paul Precision Machine Inc. of Tulsa, Ok., got a job to produce a family of valve-cap parts for a large natural-gas compressor company. At first, job quantities were around 10 pieces to 20 pieces at a time, and two machines were used to...

Shops cut out poor sawing production.(CASE BOOKS)
July 1, 2007... Three companies switched the type of bandsaw blades they were using and increased the number of cuts they got per blade. The blades feature bi-metal constructions and teeth made of triple-tempered M-42 high-speed steel with 8 percent cobalt for...

Magnet relieves lifting pains.(CASE BOOKS)
July 1, 2007... Employees that worked on the materials-management crew at Custom Engineering, a medium to heavy fabrication and contract machining shop, continually suffered from back injuries. Company supervisors wanted to know why, so they observed the crew...

Absolute Machine Tools, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Absolute Machine Tools, Inc. is now distributing the compact YV-600A Vertical Turning Center from You Ji and the heavy duty high precision ST-80CH Super Turning Center from Johnford for machining large parts. www.absolutemachine.com ...

Applimotion, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Applimotion, Inc. ULT Series direct drive frameless motors are now available in sizes down to 27 mm diameter with axial length as low as 8 mm and up to a 20 mm through hole. www.applimotion.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Autodesk.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Autodesk Has released DWG TrueView 2008, its latest software for accurately viewing, plotting and publishing native DWG files. www.autodesk.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. announces that Speroni has developed Integrated Automatic Mechanical Clamping Capto Spindles for all models of Speroni Tool Presetters. www.bigkaiser.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Conceptual Product Development, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Conceptual Product Development, Inc. announces the release of Doctor Walt's Solid Edge V19 Workbook. www.docwalt.com

Danray Products LLC.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Danray Products LLC has released a unique 5 in. long by 6 in. high safety sign for lathes. www.danray.com

DMG America.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... DMG America new DMC 65 H duoBLOCK with its 19.7 in. by x 19.7 in. pallet expands the capabilities of the Deckel Maho DMC H Series horizontal machining centers. www.dmgcanada.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Drake Mfg.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Drake Mfg. With a work envelope of just 100mm x100mm, Drake's new GS:TEM "MINI" 3-Axis Thread Grinder is aimed at higher volume, precision threaded parts manufacturers in the cutting tool, automotive, aerospace and medical equipment industries....

EMAG Group.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... EMAG Group New VG 110 is a production grinder for machining large batches of small and very small high-precision workpieces using internal cylindrical grinding, external cylindrical grinding, out-of-round grinding and the combination process of...

ESI Group.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... ESI Group a provider of digital simulation software based on the physics of materials, has released PAMCRASH 2G, the virtual testing solution for impact, crash and safety professionals. www.esi-group.com

FANUC Robotics America, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... FANuC Robotics America, Inc has a new 6-axis ARC Mate 100iC intelligent welding robot equipped with iRVision. www.fanucrobotics.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Hexagon Metrology, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Hexagon Metrology, Inc. now has a continuous contact analog scanning option for the Brown & Sharpe ONE Shop Floor CMM. www.hexagonmetrology.com

Jergens, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Jergens, Inc. has expanded its thread repair insert line with several models meeting MS (Military Standards) and NAS (National Aerospace Standards) quality requirements. www.jergens.com

KAPP Technologies'.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... KAPP Technologies' new KAPP RX 59 uses high-precision grinding process to manufacture rotors for air compressors www.kapp-usa.com

KUKA Robotics.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... KUKA Robotics has introduced what it says is the world's largest and strongest robot, the KR 1000 Titan 6-axis Robot, designed to handle extremely heavy lifting and manipulation applicatons. www.kukarobotics.com

Lista International Corporation.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Lista International Corporation offers a new line of heavy duty CNC Tool Storage Cabinets and Transporters that it says forms the core of the most complete storage system for the modern machining center. www.listaintl.com

LNS America, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... LNS America, Inc. New heavy-duty, compact LNS Hydrobar Sprint 552 and 565 bar feeds combine rigid, steel-beam construction with advanced technology to enable faster spindle speeds, enhanced product quality and longer tool life....

Maxager Technology.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Maxager Technology a provider of enterprise profit optimization (EPO) software solutions, has release Maxager 7.5. www.maxager.com

Mikron, a division of Agie Charmilles.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Mikron, a division of Agie Charmilles, has introduced the Mikron HPM 1350U 5-axis machining center. www.AgieCharmilles.us [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

MC Machinery Systems, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... MC Machinery Systems, Inc. now has Mitsubishi EDM's newest die-sinking EDM, the EA28V. www.mitsubishi-world.com

Morris Welding & Machine, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Morris Welding & Machine, Inc. has developed the MorrisKeyseater to cut internal and external keys, splines, tapered keys, internal grooves, blind keys and helicols. www.MorrisKeyseater.com

Nakanishi Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Nakanishi Inc. HTS1501S high-speed machining spindles incorporate a high precision air turbine to deliver 150,000 rpm. www.nsk-nakanishi.co.jp

New Vista Corporation.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... New Vista Corporation has developed all-electric thread chasing units for cleaning existing internal or external threads in production parts. www.newvistacorp.com

Seemage, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Seemage, Inc. announced the immediate availability of Seemage 4.0. www.seemage.com

Shoptech Software Corp.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Shoptech Software Corp. has released Webview 7.1, a CRM compliment to the E2 Shop System that allows for interactive communication between E2 Shop System users, their customers and vendors. www.shoptech.com

SolidWorks Corporation.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... SolidWorks Corporation has released SolidWorks 2008, the newest version of its 3D CAD software. www.solidworks.com

Strippit Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Strippit Inc. recently released version 6.0 of CADMAN-B 3D offline programming software for CNC press brakes. www.strippit.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

UNIST, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)(Website overview)
July 1, 2007... UNIST, Inc. a supplier of lubrication technology, is celebrating their 50th year in business with the launch of its new website. www.unist.com

Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Carl Zeiss Industrial Measuring Technology has developed interfaces for articulated arms and laser trackers to connect on non-Zeiss manual and CNC measuring systems to Zeiss' CAD-based Calypso measuring software. www.zeiss.com

Zontec, Inc.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2007... Zontec, Inc. has repackaged its free 30-day trial of Synergy 1000 Statistical Process Control software used in quality assurance applications to monitor and react to process variations during production and inspection. The trial version is...

Moscow exhibition shows the extent of advances in technology.(LAST WORD)
July 1, 2007... More than 500 companies from 23 countries participated in Russia's MASHEX show this year, from May 29 to June 1, including Haas Automation Inc., Mori Seiki, Iscar Metals Inc., Faro Technologies, and Heidenhain Corp. The show ran...