American Machinist articles from May 2008

American Machinist archives from May 2008

Web portals are gateway to increased productivity: use the internet to tie customers, partners and employees together.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Internet has become the dominant medium by which many people and businesses communicate and conduct business. If a purchasing agent needs a new supplier for a part, he doesn't go to printed directories, lie...

Automation drives durable desktop sales.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NComputing (www. ncomputing. com), a provider of desktop virtualization software and hardware, said it has seen an increase in automation applications for manufacturing, and that more of its computing devices are...

Making sure NASCAR engines are what they're supposed to be.(SOFTWARE)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing )
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Renowned engine builder, Carl Wegner, partners with Columbia Marking Tools to provide a system to peen/scribe and laser mark 2D/UID Matrix codes on engine components. When Wisconsin-based Wegner Motorsports (www....

Olympic bobsled gets high tech machining.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How do Olympic bobsled champions transfer the proven speed of hand-made blades into a new standardized material mandated by the sport's governing body? Team Kiriasis, Germany's top two-person woman's bobsled...

5-axis CAM software with optimized graphics.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Numerical Control Computer sciences (NCCs) (www.nccs. com) NCL Version 9.6 combines 5-axis simultaneous tool path generation, advanced post processing, and realistic machine simulation. Designed for the...

Software with a learning module.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SmartCAMcnc (www. smartcamcnc.com) said its SmartCAM V15.0 has a new tutorial module, and improved toolpaths and user interface. The SmartCAM product family includes computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software...

The true story of Boris.(SOFTWARE)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Boris, Delcam's spider logo, is not dust a marketing or branding gimmick. It played a role in developing Delcam's first multi-surface machining algorithms that used a technique called Z-buffering, and it laid...

A software preview is offered.(SOFTWARE)(Delcam PLC has introduced CAM software)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Delcam (www. delcam.com) will allow previews of the next releases of its CAM software, PowerMILL and FeatureCAM at the annual Eastec trade show in West Springfield, Mass., May 20 through May 22. Full releases of...

Personal 3D parametric CAD/CAM available.(SOFTWARE)(Libris Inc. has introduced CAD/CAM system)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A libre, Inc. (www.alibre.com) has introduced the Alibre CAM product family, including a fully integrated 3D parametric personal CAD/CAM package that the company said is the first, free 3D parametric CAD/CAM package offered by anyone. The...

Pallets in the job shop.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The days of dedicated, high-volume production only pallet magazines and pools are gone. Today's machine pallet systems provide shops the flexibility to add or subtract pallets or different types of machines to...

Automation under control.(Automation)
May 1, 2008... The toughest challenge computer numeric control manufacturers face is to control external devices through machine tool CNCs. Shops typically add external devices and, often, the easiest method to control those devices--for the shop-- is...

Robot loads in productivity.(AUTOMATION)(Drake Manufacturing Services Inc. has introduced robot load/unload system )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A sophisticated robot load/unload system increases the throughput of ground threads on the GS:TE-LM thread grinder from Drake Manufacturing (www. drakenyfg.com) and eliminates coolant mess. The load/ unload system also eliminates the need to...

Standard robot interface.(AUTOMATION)(ABB Robotics and Okuma jointly developed a Standard robot )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A BB Robotics and Okuma have developed the ABBA-Okuma Interface, an ABB robot standard interface for Okuma machine tools. The interface provides operators with one operating environment, saves production time and reduces operator-training time....

Human-like robot motion.(AUTOMATION)(Editorial)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... A special seventh-axis design allows Nachi Robotic System Inc.'s (www.nachircybotics. com) Presto MR20 robot to emulate the motions of a human arm for performing more complicated work processes in space-constricted areas. The robot arm supports...

Direct drives deliver speed.(AUTOMATION)(Yamaha Robotics has introduced YK600XGH Scara robot)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The YK600XGH Scara robot, from Yamaha Robotics www.yamaharobotics.com) now moves a lot faster. Direct drives on all its axes increase maximum operation speeds percent in X and Y axes, 26 percent in Z axis--for 200-mm...

H2W Technologies Inc.'s (www.h2wtech.com) DR (dual profile rail) linear servo motor positioning stages deliver 1-micron resolution for travel lengths to 160 in.(STAGES TAKE CENTER STAGE)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] H2W Technologies Inc.'s (www.h2wtech.com) DR (dual profile rail) linear servo motor positioning stages deliver 1-micron resolution for travel lengths to 160 in. These wide footprint (to 15.6 in.) brushless linear...

Slipstream Series 1 linear stages from LM76 Inc. (www.lm76.com) feature 0.2-mm/300-mm accuracy and 0.1-mm repeatability in a low-cost ready-to-run compact design.(STAGE STAKE CENTER STAGE)(LM76 Inc. has introduced dlipstream Series 1 linear stages)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Slipstream Series 1 linear stages from LM76 Inc. (www. lm76.com) feature 0.2-mm/300-mm accuracy and 0.1-mm repeatability in a low-cost ready-to-run compact design. Available travel lengths run to 6 m, and the...

Maximize machine throughput.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For shops wishing to automate their CNC lathes and vertical machining centers, Midaco Corp. (www.midacocorp. com) offers a series of robotic part-loading and unloading systems that help maximize machine throughput....

Touchpanels for automation.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... The easy-to-use Omegamation EZ Series PLC touchpanels, with enhanced data acquisition and Ethernet connectivity options, are programmed in just 10 minutes. According to Omega Engineering Inc., (www. omega.com), 20,000 engineers tested and...

Part finishing under CNC.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CNC part finishing is now possible on any scale, large or small, without having to add labor. What makes this possible is Birchwood Casey's TruTemp system that offers the many benefits of automated black-oxide...

Pick and place more throughout.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... Toellner Systems Inc. has announced what it terms an automation breakthrough in pick-and-place technology for running Op. 10 to Op. 20 between two CNC lathes. The company's design enhances flawless transfer of Op. 10 machined parts from one...

Round-the-clock production accessories.(AUTOMATION)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LNS America Inc. (www. LNSamerica.com) offers barfeeders, chip conveyors, coolant systems and other machine tool accessories that help shops benefit from lights-out manufacturing and other efficiencies. The...

Medical automation.(AUTOMATION)(Quotation)
May 1, 2008... "If the shops serving the orthopedic industry don't automate, they will not meet the future needs of the baby-boomer generation in terms of knee and hip replacements." --Ken Birdsong, president of Sandvik Medical Solutions speaking at the...

IMTS expanding to new and old roles.(FROM THE EDITOR)(Editorial)
May 1, 2008... The 2008 International Machine Tool Show is approaching us with the speed of a summer storm, and the show organizers are hard at work to expand the range of activities to increase its value. The show will be held Sept. 8 through 13 in Chicago's...

Where is the dollar headed?(GOVERNMENT MATTERS)
May 1, 2008... The world is awash in dollars. It has been for a long time. We have run more than a $700 billion trade deficit, 5 percent of our GDP, for more than three years. Eventually the laws of economics catch up to you. If you keep printing greenbacks,...

American Machinist launches Internet video sites for machining.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)(www.MachineToolTheater.com)(www.CuttingToolTheatercom)(www.americanmachinist. com)(www.WeldingTheatre.com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... American Machinist will launch two new websites June 1 that will bring the immediacy of the Internet video experience to machining and manufacturing. www.MachineToolTheater.com and www.CuttingToolTheatercom are designed as focused websites...

GE Fanuc webcast.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)
May 1, 2008... American Machinist And GE Fanuc will present on May 21 an hour-long web seminar on issues to consider when retrofitting a machine tool. Mark Brownhill, CNC Product Manager for GE Fanuc, will talk about how to keep retrofitting costs to a...

American Machinist launches OEM Newsletter.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... American Machinist has launched a newsletter to give our readers a focused view of what the largest manufacturers in the United States are doing, and to alert you to programs, projects and issues that you might participate in or need to be...

IMTS On-Line.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)(International Manufacturing Technology Show)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) has opened an extensive website that includes services from basic show information and registration to a blog that keeps you up-to-date on plans for the event. The IMTS will be at...

Foreign language websites launched to target new business.(INTERNET CONNECTIONS)(Mate Precision Tooling)(PI Lasers)(www.mate. com)(www.mate.com/ es)(www.mate.com/fr)(www.spilasers.de)(SPI Lasers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mate Precision Tooling and PI Lasers have extended their Internet sites to include pages that are translated into other languages in moves to open new markets and to attract new business for the companies. Mate...

Kaman Industrial Technologies re-launches website.(www.kamandirect. com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Kaman Industrial Technologies, one of North America's largest distributors of bearings, power transmission, and electrical and motion control products, recently launched its new Internet site, (www.kamandirect. com) with an enhanced search...

Mitsubishi redevelops website.(www. misubishi-world.com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... MC Machinery Systems also has re-launched its Internet site (www. misubishi-world.com) to provide easier navigation and to integrate its multiple product lines, including Wire EDM, Sinker EDM, Laser, Waterjet, Press Brake, High-Speed VMC, EDM...

Star CNC launches new content on website.(Star CNC Machine Tool Corp.)(www.starcnc.com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Star CNC Machine Tool Corp. (www.starcnc.com) said it reinforced its internet presence with a completely redesigned, user-friendly company website. The site now includes all enhanced product information request form, spec sheets and photographs...

TKF launches comprehensive website.(www.TKF. com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... TKF (www.TKF. com) has redesigned and re-launched its website to include new and, comprehensive information on its systems integration capabilities and conveying products. The company said the site includes details and photographs on TKF's...

GlobalSpec PartFinder upgrades website.(www. globalspcc.com)(http://partnumbers.globalspec.com/)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... GlobalSpec (www. globalspcc.com) said it has upgraded its PartFindeySM Internet site (http://partnumbers.globalspec.com/) that allows engineers and other industrial professionals to search for parts and components using only part numbers. ...

AIDA unveils website.(ww.aida-america.com)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] AIDA (ww.aida-america.com),a mechanical stamping press manufacturer, unveiled a new website that was designed to give stampers a comprehensive resource for metalforming. The company said the site features streamlined...

Tooling U adds PLC courses and outreach.(Internet Training)
May 1, 2008... Tooling U (www. toolingu.com), a provider of online manufacturing training, has developed training classes to address programmable logic controllers (PLCs;), as part of course offerings on electrical systems, motor controls, and mechanical...

Internet training site adds safety courses.(Internet Training)
May 1, 2008... Webnettraining (www. webnettraining.com) has increased its course offerings for on-line, OSHA compliant safety and health training programs. The company now offers 38 courses in English and 13 courses in Spanish in safety and health...

Productivity in the air.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many manufacturing companies don't place air-compressor design high on their lists of operational concerns, but they should. The design of a compressor plays a significant role in its efficiency and reliability...

Medical shop ups production with five-axis.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2006, Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH in Duderstadt, Germany, a well-established prosthetics manufacturer, invested approximately $8 million in the spatial, organizational and technical infrastructure of its development...

Manufacturer builds on spindle success.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If it isn't broke, why fix it? hat is Bryant Grinder Co.'s attitude toward the design of its grinding machine wheelhead spindles. The company has worked with that outlook since 1936. However, changes in product...

Machine builder goes full speed.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... High-speed machining is nothing new to Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc. The company supplies machine tools with spindles that turn as fast as 24,000 rpm and feed at 1,200 ipm. In addition, its Manufacturing and Engineering Services Division in...

Workforce training.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... "Advanced machine tool technology has increased productivity. But this technology still requires skilled and trained people to run it. Shops must continually invest in employee training, and a good starting point is designating 2 percent or 3...

Machine boxes up speed and precision.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... Menton boxway machines, and the first thought that comes to mind are strong, rigid, high-torque machines effortlessly plowing through heavy cuts in hard steel. High-speed rapid traverse feedrates as fast as 1,969 ipm, 20,000-rpm spindles,...

Boring in the round.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Knuth machine Tools USA Inc. has introduced BO 110 heavy-duty horizontal boring mill )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BO 110 heavy-duty horizontal boring mill from Knuth machine Tools USA Inc. (www.knuth-usa.com) features a 360-degree rotary table for easy access. The table handles loads to 5,500 lb, and its travels measure 39...

Smallest EDMed hole.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Sodick Inc. has introduced micron-diameter hole)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sodick's AE05 Nano EDM has established itself as a world record holder by machining a 2.9-micron-diameter hole using a 4.8-micron-diameter tungsten electrode, reported the company. This staggering achievement results...

EDM redesign.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Fanuc Ltd. has introduced Series wire EDMs)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For its new it) Series wire EDMs, Fanuc (www.methodsmachine.com) started from scratch and completely redesigned, from the ground up, to develop machines with superior cutting speeds, accuracy and exceptional surface...

Positive outlook for 2008.(MACHINE TOOLS)(StarragHeckert Holding AG )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Machine tool builder StarragHeckert Holding AG has a positive outlook for 2008, focusing on markets with above average growth, releasing new products and expanding sales and customer service. "The most successful year (2007) in company...

Fast, yet powerful, spindles.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Alfred Jaeger Inc. has introduced Spindles (Machine tools))(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... According to Uwe Rahmlow from the marketing department at Lang GmbH in Huttenberg, Hesse, Germany, customers are increasingly demanding spindles with greater rotational speed ranges coupled with constant torque at lower rotational speeds. ...

Builder claims more efficient machine.(MACHINE TOOLS)(GBI Cincinnatti Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... GBI Cincinnatti Inc. (www. gbicincinnati.com) may well be a company to watch in the future. The five-year-old firm recently announced that it will build a line of machine tools under the Revolution nameplate and control those machines with...

Keep pedestal grinders safe.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] During OSHA machine safety inspections, violations typically occur involving OSHA 29 CFR 1910.215 machine-safety standards for grinders. These violations stem from improperly adjusted work rests and tongues on...

Increasing waterjet cutting's profitability: Part I: reducing abrasive consumption.(GUEST EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
May 1, 2008... A brasives are still the largest cost driver of waterjet cutting, and anything shops can do to reduce abrasive consumption will have a great affect on cost per part. Here are three ways to reduce abrasive consumption. Tweak cutting...

Machining double.(MACHINE TOOLS)(Mikron Corp. (Monroe, Connecticut) has introduced Ideo 2 flexible transfer machining system)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... The Ideo 2 flexible transfer machining system from Mikron Corp. (www.mikron.com) sports two independent machining stations/modules for medium-volume production of steel, brass, cast or aluminum prismatic parts measuring to 250 mm. It easily...

Medical waterjet cutting.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... According to MC Machinery Systems Inc. (www.mitsubishi-world. com), the MD+Jet is the first waterjet machine designed specifically for medical manufacturers. Features that make it so include a fully enclosed work area constructed of all...

Oil-free punching.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... New oil-less technolgy on Muratec's Motorum-2044EZ servo-driven punch press provides considerable production improvements while reducing both cost of operations and environmental impact. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lloyd Keller, general...

Tactics for plastics: more plastics and polymers replace aluminum and stainless for medical parts.(MACHINE TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If they already haven't, medical jobshops had letter prepare themselves for increased competition with plastic and polymer parts. Devices and instruments made from plastics are said to offer many advantages over...

True-grit part holding.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)(Column)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When machining multiple parts in a mill vise, I fold emery cloth upon itself (grit side to grit side) and place it between the movable jaw and the parts. Online name justlesh, Indiana

Paper on chip control.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)(Column)
May 1, 2008... When I'm working close to the steadyrest on a lathe, I affix a disc/washer of heavy paper or equivalent that fits firmly around the workpiece, but is several inches larger in O.D. size. I slide this washer over the workpiece, between the...

Putty sets work right.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)(Column)
May 1, 2008... Epoxy putty works great for leveling workpieces with irregular underside surfaces. I roll up a few balls of that two-part epoxy putty, the kind that comes in a bi-colored coaxial rod and sets underwater. It's available at most hardware stores....

Non-slip grip.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Brief article)(Column)
May 1, 2008... I keep a small film canister of dry valve-grinding compound in my toolbox for removing screws with stripped heads. What I do is dip the tip of a screwdriver in the grinding compound. The extra grit/ traction keeps the screwdriver froth...

Idea extends drill reach.(PRACTICAL IDEAS)(Editorial)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... I use Loctite to extend taps and drills for reaching tight areas. I drill a hole in the end of a piece of steel drill rod and Loctite the drill or tap in the hole. I give it about 10 minutes to set. This has worked for drill as large as 1...

Expanding vision: non-contact inspection keeps pace with production.(METROLOGY)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first optical comparators, known as 'shadowgraphs," entered the factory when customers' needs for identical parts became critical. The shadowgraph presented a magnified shadow of a part that allowed easy...

Surface probe calibrator.(METROLOGY )(Omega Engineering Inc. developed CL 1600 )(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Omega Engineering has developed a surface probe calibrator designed to calibrate and verify surface probe readings from 25[degress]C to 450[degrees]C (77[degrees]F to 842[degrees]F). The company said its CL 1600 probe is a rugged, compact...

Guage for large crankshafts.(METROLOGY)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adcole Corp. (www. Aadcole.com) has developed a new crankshaft gage that accommodates the larger crankshafts of heavy-duty generator sets, off-road construction equipment, and big compressors. The Adcole Model...

Invensys develops a unique partnership.(CASE STUDY)(Invensys Process Systems)(Ingersoll Cutting Tool Co.)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Being a manufacturer of high-tech products just puts us on the starting line in the race for global competitiveness. To stay in the race, we must update manufacturing and retooling practices very aggressively--again...

New and retrofitted CMMs combine to produce efficiency.(CASE STUDY)
May 1, 2008... Delta Research Corp. (www.delrecorp.com/) was founded by a former automotive transmission engineer, Alex Sakuta, in 1952, and has built a reputation as a precision parts manufacturer with the vision to make the investments in advanced...

Wireles stool control system designed to eliminate fastening risks.(HAND TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crane Electronics Inc. (WWW.torque-2-crane.com/) has developed a wireless tool control system that it say assures that the correct torque tools selected for fastening operations in vehicles. The system is...

Quality insulated tools.(HAND TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bondhus Corp. (www. bondhus.com) has introduced a line of high quality insulated tools through its German marketing partner, Felo. The line includes screwdrivers, bit drivers and pliers, and each is designed...

Cordless impact driver and impact wrench.(HAND TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... Hiti Inc. (www.us.hilti.com) has introduced a compact and lightweight cordless impact driver and impact wrench. The company said its SID 144-A CPC impact driver and SIX' 144-A CPC impact wrench are designed to deliver reliable and...

Tool position system forthreaded fastener assembly.(HAND TOOLS)
May 1, 2008... Stanley Assembly Technologies, (www. StanleyAssembly. com) has developed a Tool Position System that uses position monitoring technology to monitor an assembly tool location and set specific control parameters for each fastener. The Tool...

Winch boom.(MATERIAL: HANDLING)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Caldwell Group Inc. (www.caldwellinc.com) has developed a winch boon that is designed to turn a fork lift into a "portable crane." The winch boom combines the reach of a fork lift boom with the precise...

Crane beam tractor drive.(MATERIAL HANDLING)
May 1, 2008... Spanco Inc. (www. spanco.com) has released a motorized tractor drive for your bridge crane or trolley hoists. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spanco said its Beam Boss BeamTractor Drive is the first offering from its new Boss Line of products....

Lifting magnets for steel handling.(MATERIAL: HANDLING)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eriez (www.eriez.com) said its new SafeHold EPL Series Permanent Lifting Magnets can lift and transfer steel and iron without slings, hooks or cables, and without marring surfaces. They are designed for a variety...

100,000 RPM pencil grinder for precision deburring.(PART: FINISHING)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dynabrade, Inc. (www.dynabrade. com) has developed an air-powered, 100,000 RPM pencil grinder that is designed for high speed cutting and deburring on a variety of materials. The pencil grinder features an...

Low-cost product marker.(PRODUCT: MARKING)
May 1, 2008... Borris Marking Systems (www.borries.com) said it has added capabilities to its MicroLiner. In addition to its hand-held configuration, the company recently provided an in-line version for work piece marking. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Workstation with expandable work surface.(WORK: BENCHES)
May 1, 2008... Lyon Workspace Products (www. workspace.com) has developed a mobile workstation that features an insert to allow its working area to be expanded by 18 in. The company's RollMaster workstation features its "Expand-A-Top" insert that extends...

Small-tool: here's how micro-tool manufacturers are designing their tiny tools to be more productive and last longer.(TOOLING)
May 1, 2008... Tooling requirements change when tool diameter is decreased and spindle speed is increased. The differing characteristics of workpiece materials, copper, aluminum, steel grades, and exotic materials such as titanium, graphite and composites,...

Innovations to reduce setuptime.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reducing setup time for workholding is a critical key to increased productivity. This becomes increasingly important as lead times become shorter due to constricted product life cycles, diminished time-to-market...

Automatic zero-positioning pallet system.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
May 1, 2008... The need for increased precision and rapid setup times has resulted in the development of the Centrex Centering System--an automatic zero-positioning pallet system--by Hainbuch America Corp. (www.hainbuchamerica.com). This compact, simple...

Multi-part clamping.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Schunk Inc. (www. schunk.com) said its new Kontec KSN1 stationary clamping vise with multiple-part clamping increases efficiency in production. The vise's multiple-part clamping feature is designed to accommodate...

'Chaotic' workholding reduces costs.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Editorial)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Through the use of flexible, multi-part Triag clamping for complex parts, Profiform AG, of Adligenswil, Switzerland, has completed a 21-hour machining cycle using only one manned shift. More significant, perhaps,...

Modular CMM and vision fixturing.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(RJR Sales and Engineering has introduced Modular Fixtures)(Editorial)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... R&R Modular Fixtures from RJR Sales and Engineering (www.cmmfizture.com) have multithreaded holes to locate and elevate parts off the surface for full inspection with touch probe or vision systems. The fixtures are designed for aerospace,...

Compact rotary tables.(TOOLING & WORKHOLDING)(Tecnara Tooling Systems has introduced Kitagawa MR and T series rotary tables)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Kitagawa MR and T series rotary tables from Tecnara Tooling Systems (www. tecnaratools.com) offer robustness, high production capacity and an array of guaranteed accuracies. MR-series tables are designed for...

Inserts for low stress machining.(CUTTING PRODUCTS)(ATI Stellram GmbH has introduced Insert grade X700)(Editorial)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Insert grade X700 is the newest addition to ATI Stellra m 's (www.atistellram.com) X-Grade technology milling cutter inserts. New inserts are coated with TiAIN by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and are designed for milling stainless steel...