American Machinist articles from June 2006

American Machinist archives from June 2006

Lazer Trackers accurate up to .0002 in.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
June 1, 2006... Faro Technologies Inc. (www.faro.com) has released new laser measurement tools capable of .0006 in. and .0002 in. accuracies. The company says its Laser Tracker X and Xi models feature an expanded temperature range for greater adaptability to...

Network of ribs tool for 3D models.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
June 1, 2006... VX Corporation's (www.vx.com) new network-of-ribs tool is intended to dramatically speed up the task of adding stiffener/support ribs to 3D models. According to VX, .the new tool complements existing functionality and gives VX(r) users a...

Hardinge re-designs turning centers.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
June 1, 2006... Hardinge Inc. (www.hardinge.com) has re-engineered its Elite Series II turning centers to enhance the machines' flexibility and work envelope. Hardinge says the machines are designed for small parts machining-1.65 in. to 2 in. bar-in a...

CNC machine simulation/optimization software.(TECHNOLOGY TRENDS)
June 1, 2006... Vericut software (www.cgtech.com) is used to simulate CNC machining in order to detect errors, potential collisions, or areas of inefficiency. Vericut enables NC programmers to reduce prove-outs, virtually eliminate errors, and optimize NC...

Idea helps reset jaws.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)
June 1, 2006... Instead of cutting new shapes into a vise's soft jaws for repeat jobs, I drill and ream two 0.2505-in.-diameter holes (a snug slip fit) into each soft jaw and into the vise at 5.250-in. centers. I also stamp the soft jaws either "F" for fixed...

Grinding wheel cuts polishing time.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)
June 1, 2006... After milling 0.866-in. (22-mm)-wide slots in stainless steel parts, I spent 3 hours polishing the internal surfaces of each slot, including their radiused depths, to achieve a required Rz 5 [micro]m finish. To reduce the polishing time down to...

Rotary table imbalance-sensor.(ACCESSORIES)
June 1, 2006... Imbalance conditions in rotary B-axis tables are detected by Balance Sensor technology developed by Cincinnati Machine (www.cincinnatilamb.com). The software is designed to sense rotary table, fixture and part imbalance using direct feedback...

Modular linear actuator automation.(ACCESSORIES)
June 1, 2006... Robohand, a De-Sta-Co (www.destaco.com) company, has introduced a modular automation system that allows for integration of its pneumatic slides, grippers and rotaries. The Smart Linear Actuator (SLA) is a turnkey automation solution that...

Self-centering barfeeders.(CUTTING TOOL DIGEST)
June 1, 2006... Rhinobar bar feeders from Lexair Inc. (www.lexairinc.com) are designed for use with all types of CNC lathes and for dedicated production jobs. The bar feeders are larger versions of the company's Mini Rhinobar, and are equipped with pedestal...

Protective finish for tooling.(CUTTING TOOL DIGEST)
June 1, 2006... Birchwood Casey, Eden Prairie, Minn., (www.birchwoodcasey.com) says its Tru Temp low-temperature, nonpolluting black-oxide finish is an attractive and protective finish for high-value, tight-toleranced tooling components such as toolholders,...

Solid-carbide end mills.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)
June 1, 2006... M-Star Inch solid-carbide end mills from Mitsubishi Carbide (www.mitsubishicarbide.com) are designed to cut materials such as Inconel, titanium alloys and stainless steels in mold and die, medical and aerospace applications. The square or...

12 key performance factors to a more competitive shop: the dozen indicators that leading shops follow to sales and profit.(MACHINE SHOP BENCHMARKS)
June 1, 2006... AMERICAN MACHINIST launched in February an extensive survey to develop the tools that U.S. machine shops need to gauge their competitive positions, and to help them to make plans to improve and empower them to control their future. These...

New life for old molds: laser process repairs and renews life in old molds.(MOLDMAKING)
June 1, 2006... WHEN THE DESIGN OF A MOLDED,forged, die cast or stamped part changes, the mold or die that was used to make that part also needs to change. Until recently the difficulty and expense involved in making significant changes to a mold or die often...

A simple plan: one moldmaking shop shares its strategies for maintaining competitivenes.(MOLDMAKING)
June 1, 2006... Richard Lockwood is happy to tell you what the key to his moldmaking shop's success is. It's no big secret and is quite simple. Bottom line: Maintain a talented, ambitious workforce, constantly upgrade with new technology and provide extensive...

Machining plastic is an art: metalworking shops already have the tools and equipment needed to machine plastics, but attitude and experimentation are the keys to profitability.(MACHINING PLASTIC)
June 1, 2006... As the price of metals continues to rise, more and more product designers are looking for ways to replace machined metal parts with plastic parts, and machine shops are getting more opportunities to bid on jobs that call for machining plastics,...

Holding onto tool life: the longer tools last, the more money shops save.(TOOLHOLDING)
June 1, 2006... HIGH-QUALITY/ high-precision toolholders cost more, but high-quality toolholders pay off in the long run because they increase tool life. For example: two shops that use the same $30 endmill but different toolholders for a milling operation in...

Dressing for grinding success: whether done on or off-line, wheel truing and dressing plays a key role in grinding efficiency.(GRINDING)
June 1, 2006... A cutting toll is only as accurate as the grinding wheel that produces it. So, shops that manufacture cutting tools must precisely true and dress grindingwheel shapes to consistently produce high-accuracy tools to meet customer demands for...

Laser sintering helps meet prototype deadlines.(CASEBOOKS)
June 1, 2006... About a week before a National Association of Realtors conference and expo, SentriLock LLC (www.sentrilock.com) needed production-quality samples of its new electronic-version realtor lockboxes to present to thousands of potential customers....

Transducer passes the test.(CASEBOOKS)
June 1, 2006... Whitney Systems (www.whitneysystems. com) designs and manufactures customized machinery, from machines for automation to O-ring-insertion machines and test stands. Its products include electrical testers, flowrate testers, endurance testers and...

Shop sees the light and doubles tool life.(CASEBOOKS)
June 1, 2006... Times Square Lighting (www.tslight.com) punches up to 1,000 stainless and galvanized steel components per hour for use in its line of architectural and theatrical light fixtures. The problem is that these hard materials can have an abrasive...

Software transforms ideas into profits.(CASEBOOKS)
June 1, 2006... Joe McGlynn had no 3D-modeling experience before he bought Alibre Design parametric solid-modeling software. He only had a passion for hot rods and choppers. However, learning the software in his spare time, he transformed his ideas into...

CNC multispindle 10-position machine.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Tornos Technologies (www.tornos.com) has developed the MultiDECO 20/8d eight-spindle machine with two independent, 3-axis back working stations. "In essence, it's a ten-position machine", says Mark Saalmuller, Tornos' Marketing and...

Fanuc robot and controller.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Fanuc Robotics America, Inc. (www.fanucrobotics.com) has introduced a multi-purpose intelligent robot designed for a wide range of applications including assembly, part transfer, material removal, welding and machine loading. The new R-2000iB...

New multi-tasking machine tool.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Mazak (www.mazakusa.com) says its new Integrex e-1550V fuses the capabilities of a simultaneous five-axis machining center and CNC turning center to accomplish complete machining of large workpieces in a single setup by using a 50 hp, 12,000...

Thru-the-Tool Lubrication System.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Unist, Inc. (www.unist.com) has released its Tornado Thru-the-Tool Lubrication System, which can be retrofitted to CNC and other coolant-fed drilling applications. The newly configured system connects directly to a machine equipped with coolant...

CNC marking tool.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Dorian Tool International (www.doriantool.com) has introduced a dynamic pressure multi-character marking tool engineered to operate in conjunction with a manual machine, CNC turning or machine center, lathe, mill, or drill press. The tool-the...

High accuracy and capacity CMM.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... The new Legex 574 Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) from Mitutoyo America Corporation provides ultra-high accuracy (MPEe = [0.35+L/1000] micrometer, large measuring range (X:510mm, Y:710mm, Z:455mm), high traverse speed (200mm/sec.) and a...

Multi-tasking for large parts.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Mazak (www.mazakusa.com) is expanding its Nexus product line into high-torque multi-tasking featuring a large-bore spindle. The company's Nexus QTN 450Mmachine has a maximum swing of 33.3 in. and a maximum machine diameter of 22.8 in., a 40 hp...

Quick-Change Tool Spindle Box.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
June 1, 2006... Davenport machine (www.davenportmachine.com) says its new Quick Change Tool Spindle Front Box will cut hours off of every setup that requires a tool spindle change. The Quick Change Box has a steel outer housing that is aligned and installed...

Here's a new tool for your shop.(FROM THE EDITOR)
June 1, 2006... You are holding in your hand the tool we promised in February that we would deliver to you--and we couldn't have done it without your help. In this issue, we present our first report on American Machinist's Machining Benchmarks. The report...

Practicalmachinist.com posts impressions of Taiwan.(RETROSPECTIVE)
June 1, 2006... American Machinist Publisher Bob Rosenbaum spent much of the first week of May in Taiwan attending Manufacturing Taipei, the manufacturing technology show sponsored by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). While at the...

Chips-n-burrs.(Cartoon)
June 1, 2006... "I read somewhere that we should benchmark our cycle times." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "But it's more FUN to cut twice." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Workhorse to the world.(LEADING INDICATORS)
June 1, 2006... Taiwan's machine tool industry is quickly becoming the world's workhorse for dependable, affordable and increasingly sophisticated machine tools. From basic CNC mills to high-precision units targeting the mold-making industry, Taiwan's builders...

How useful is the export-import bank?(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)
June 1, 2006... TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, I WAS the staff director of the Senate Banking Committee's Subcommittee on International Finance. One of the major questions before the subcommittee was to what degree the Export-Import Bank of the United States (known as...