Modern Applications News articles from April 2007

Modern Applications News archives from April 2007

Hot enough for you? Global warming has become a religion and anyone questioning true-believers is an irresponsible heretic. We need to nail some new theses to the cathedral door.(EDITOR'S CORNER)
April 1, 2007... The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists is a magazine that keeps tabs on the threat of the end of civilization. The Bulletin cover sports a Doomsday Clock; reach midnight and its all over for humans, nothing left but Twinkies and cockroaches. ...

"Fries" editorial pulls in responses.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... You tell a bunch of truths, leavened with humor in "Do You Want Fries With That?" [February 2007, Editor's Corner, Vol. 41, No. 2, p. 6]. So here I sit, laughing and crying for the future of our youth: my grandkids. I will pass your wisdom...

Not so free outside of our borders.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I've been involved since 1966 in sales and marketing for the metalforming industry. The major problem is political because our system has no control over imports and immigration. In other words, our economy is geared to let anyone use the...

A note from the editor concerning seeking jobshop work online.(Letters to the Editor)(Editorial)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... MAN received a significant number of critical responses to both the article about MFG.com [Dec. 2006, Vol. 40, No. 12, A $13 Investment Pays Off With $80,000 Worth of Work, pg. 14] and the column by the president of the company, Mitch Free...

Manufacturer saves $10,000 yearly through cutting manhour losses.(40 Years Ago This Month)
April 1, 2007... By reducing the number of trips made to the tool crib for gloves from twice a week, as in the past, to once every other week, a midwestern farm machinery manufacturer is realizing more than $10,000 a year savings. Time and cost analysis showed...

Lead Making Machine produces 4,000 leads per hour for GE TV antennas.(40 Years Ago This Month)
April 1, 2007... Production of television antenna leads at the General Electric Co. Television Receiver Div. plant in Syracuse, N.Y., has been speeded up with the installation of a 3S Ampomator Automatic Lead Making Machine. Up to 4,000 leads can be completed...

Stainless steel can be as tricky as navigating quicksand: Dave gets some "sexy" videos through his cell phone, but it's not what you think.(FROM THE SHOP FLOOR)
April 1, 2007... Uncertainty is a major part of a job shop's business. What kind of part will come in next? Following the Boy Scout strategy is best: Be Prepared. What recently came in was stainless steel. Stainless steel can give pause to even seasoned...

Machine tool business continues recovery.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... January machine tool business activity increased compared to December and the delinquency rate for machine tool leases was close to record lows according to two indexes from Agie Charmilles Corp, Lincolnshire, IL. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] ...

Ford Foundation donates for job education drive.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... The Ford Foundation has awarded a grant of $200,000 to strengthen America's workforce by helping community colleges prepare people for high-skill jobs. The grant was given to the Manufacturing Institute/Center for Workforce Success for Business...

Mori Seiki sales jump in the last three quarters of 2006.(Industry News)(Financial report)
April 1, 2007... Machine tool manufacturer Mori Seiki Co. Ltd., Aichi, Japan, reported increased sales for nine months that ended Dec. 31, 2006. In accordance with Japanese accounting standards, the company said sales were about $1.045 billion and operating...

CAD software helps explore undersea Antarctica.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... Researchers at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica will soon be able to explore the ocean under the ice of the frozen continent with a remotely-operated vehicle--ROV--designed using CAD and design analysis software used throughout the machining...

Faro '06 fourth quarter fiscals beat '05.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... Faro Technology Inc. sales for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, 2006, were 21.3 percent higher than fiscal year 2005 at $152.4 million, while new order bookings were $162.4 million, a 30.8 percent increase from 2005 for the Lake Mary, FL,...

Hardinge posts a profitable 2006 sales.(Industry News)(Financial report)
April 1, 2007... Hardinge Inc. fourth quarter net sales for 2006 were $93.4 million, a 19 percent increase compared to the 2005 fourth quarter. Net Income was $6.2 million against 2005's $1.9 million. The Elmira, NY, maker of various machine tools, such as...

Hurco sees 2007 first quarter boost in sales and earnings.(Industry News)(Financial report)
April 1, 2007... Machine tool and control manufacturer Hurco Companies Inc., Indianapolis, reported 2007 first fiscal quarter sales and net income were up compared to the corresponding period in 2006. The company's first quarter sales and service fees were...

Chip control developer completes acquisition.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... AmeriChip International Inc., a manufacturer of chip management control for metal machining, finalized its acquisition of KSI Machine & Engineering, Clinton Township, MI. KSI is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmeriChip and its facility is now...

3M acquires industrial adhesives line.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... 3M, St. Paul, MN, purchased the Rite-Lok industrial adhesives product line from Chemence Inc., Alpharetta, GA. Transaction terms were not disclosed. For metal bonding, plastics, and rubber, the Rite-Lok line includes anaerobic threadlockers,...

Earning goals met a year early.(Industry News)
April 1, 2007... Agie Charmilles Corp., Lincolnshire, IL, achieved earnings of more than $3.3 billion in 2006, meeting 2007 sales goals a year earlier than expected. Agie Charmilles is a supplier of high-speed 5-axis CNC milling machines, wire EDM, CNC, die...

Interpolation, the art of connecting the dots: understanding CNC begins with interpolation. Engineers, machinists, and operators need to keep returning to interpolation to make sense of contemporary developments.(CONTROLLING INTEREST)
April 1, 2007... CNC workers are served by three ideas about interpolation. First there is path interpolation. The CNC directs the cutting tool to interpolate a path in the work envelope of the machine tool. This is akin to the idea that interpolation seeks...

Scratching a niche: Jay Pierson began his business making mountain bike parts, but unintended consequences drove him into manufacturing for a small, but successful market.(JOB SHOP SHOWCASE)
April 1, 2007... Sometimes the unintended consequences of an idea have a much wider impact than expected. Henry Ford thought he was an automobile manufacturer. His production line method brought the cost of cars down to where almost everyone could afford one....

Coolant change increases tool life 20 percent: skepticism has its place--it pays to be from Missouri, where the state motto is "show me"--but a willingness to try something new can have a big pay-off.(COOLANTS)
April 1, 2007... With 22 years of experience in the machining business, Anthony Zalonis has seen just about everything. That's why he's skeptical when it comes to promises of superior product performance by vendors, especially in consumables such as coolants....

Engraving bull's-eyes ID marking needs: Smith & Wesson's new line of military and police weapons needed an engraving method that produced logos as sharp as their firearms.(ID MARKING)
April 1, 2007... ID marking has applications from engraving serial numbers, to part identification, to manufacturers' marks. Ensuring quality branding means projecting more than just a name. It means standing behind an image as well. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Deburring turns into a Cinderella story: the unique shape of an electronic part brought deburring challenges to a Rhode Island shop. The right machine solved the problem and began paying for itself as soon as it was off the delivery truck.(DEBURRING)
April 1, 2007... Quality is a key issue for Lavigne Manufacturing, Inc., Cranston, RI. One of the jobs it had was finishing heat-sinks for a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturer. Deburring was part of the finishing process. Because of the geometry of the heat...

Grinding away inefficiencies leads to profits: to stay ahead of the competition, companies have to seek innovations, but they also have to prove the change is worthwhile.(GRINDING/ABRASIVES)
April 1, 2007... Where once U.S. companies had to worry about domestic competitors, world markets have broadened rival companies to those across the globe. It takes constant innovation and investigation to remain at the top of the heap. For a carbide tool...

Less is more when it comes to sawing equipment for a Mexico shop: north or south of the border, it pays to stay on the cutting edge of sawing equipment. Two new saws replaced three older models.(SAWING)
April 1, 2007... When it comes to quality and productivity for customers like General Electric, Rolls Royce, and Caterpillar, a shop can't scrimp on its equipment. Located in Mexico, a manufacturer of rolled rings saw the need for better cutting and found a...

Modernization cuts cycle time in half: a machining company that pre-dates the Civil War found old machines cost it time, efficiency, and cash.(VMC)
April 1, 2007... Working with 14-year-old machine centers wasn't cutting it after Greg G. Wright & Sons, LLC, Cincinnati, received a large order for precision jet parts. It was time for the firm to modernize and cut production time. While a long company history...

MIG welder eases setup.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... The Auto-Set technology of the Millermatic 140 all-in-one MIG welder gives operators confidence that the operation is setup properly. With wire diameter and material thickness information supplied by the operator, Auto-Set sets the wire feed...

Preformed welding purge dam.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... EZ Purge is a preformed, self-adhesive purge dam alternative for welders and project managers that saves cost and time. It is made of 60-weight thickness--ASW 60--water-soluble paper, ready for use. The paper is sodium-carboxyl methyl-cellulose...

Aluminum necks for MIG guns.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... Q-Gun MIG guns now feature aluminum neck armor for improved durability with no weight penalty. The aluminum is 35 percent thicker than the brass used on the guns. The aluminum necks are compatible with 150 amp to 600 amp Q-Guns. ...

Carriage system automates welding operations.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... KAT travel carriage system automates single or multiple-head welding and cutting operations. Welding guns and torches mount onto the KAT carriage that travels along a KAT track in forward or reverse on flat or curved surfaces, along any plane....

No shielding gas for wire.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... Fabshield 21B self-shielded flux-cored wire requires no external shielding gas, improving portability and operator convenience. It works with various power sources and produces a smooth, spray-like transfer for low spatter and good bead...

Equipment for medium-duty welding.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... Cutskill 250 gas equipment series is designed for light to medium applications and frequent use. The cutting attachment has a stainless steel-cutting oxygen level, spiral mixer that blends all fuel gases with preheat oxygen, silver-brazed tubes...

Kit reduces torch changing time.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... The AK-150 Modular Flex--MF--kit is an all-in-one kit for converting 17F and 17FV TIG torches into other torch styles using an existing cord. Delivering multiple configurations in a single package reduces purchasing and carrying extra torches...

Spool gun feeds out soft wire.(SPOTLIGHT: WELDING)
April 1, 2007... The Magnum 100SG spool gun comes as a kit for feeding soft aluminum wire. It is designed for quick projects and repairs and uses the same contact tips and nozzles as a standard Magnum 100L MIG gun, with no bulky adaptor module. Combinations of...

VMC spindle design reduces thermal deformation.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The Roku-Roku RMX-5 vertical machining center uses oil mist angular ceramic bearing technology to extend spindle life. The design uses two 45mm bearings at the bottom and two 35mm bearings at the motor top. A jacket of oil surrounds the spindle...

Punch presses feature 40-station turrets.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... VT Series turret punch presses have 40-station turrets with sheet-carrying capacity up to 60"x98.4". With two 30-ton models available, the VT presses punch materials up to 0.25" with a 1,000-hpm rate at 0.04" pitch. Heavy-duty, stress-relieved...

Control software tracks tube quality.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The new 3" tube bender features the latest version of Unibend control software. The software includes detailed torque analysis for each axis so fabricators can track tube quality and compare suppliers. There is a utility for finer bend quality...

Bender handles stock up to 2-1/2".(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Ercolina 050KD Economy Top Bender handles ferrous and nonferrous materials 1/4" to 2-1/2" for pipes, tubes, squares, rectangles, solids, and other profiles. A heavy-duty gear case accommodates radii up to 11-7/8" centerline radius. An...

Extended Z-axis handles tools up to 20".(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The STP-35 EzVision presetting system has extended Z-axis height for accommodating tools up to 20" long. Its quick gage capability measures any tool and manages and displays tooling and cutting edges. Digital tool sensing removes potential...

Quick rotary broach heads.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Made for CNC Swiss-type machines and gang-style lathes, the 2160 rotary broach heads feature "no center indicating" for easy and quick setups. Measuring 1.1" diameter x 2.42" long, these heads can be used in subspindle applications. ...

Bar pulling systems range from 3/16" to 2".(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The manufacturer's Bar Pull systems include more inch increments and metric sizes. The Bar Pull gripper now comes in 1/16" increments from 1-1/16" to 2". This makes the grippers' range from 3/16" to 2". Additional metric offerings include a...

High-speed spindles deliver up to 80,000 rpm.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The 25mm High Speed Cutting--HSC--motor spindles deliver up to 60,000 rpm--optional to 80,000 rpm--in applications involving micro-milling and drilling tools as well as engraving and fine milling. They fit linear toolholders for use in...

Clamps hold parts with equal pressure.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Uniforce clamps hold two work-pieces with equal pressure. With wedge-style edge clamps, the wedge principle generates extremely high force relative to the wedge size. Whether parts are flat or round, the clamps hold shapes vertically or...

Toolholders now hold cylindrical shanks.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Tendo hydraulic toolholders have been modified so cylindrical shank cutting tools lock in without using intermediate sleeves. They also increase torque transmission capacity up to 15 percent. Tendo toolholders hold with concentricity less than...

Gear grinders handle diameters up to 350mm.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... [GSG.sup.2]-LM gear grinders come in two sizes: a small one that handles workpieces with diameters up to 200mm, and a large one for parts with diameters up to 350mm. Both come with [+ or -]45[degrees] wheel helixes. The manufacturer's Smart...

Thick and foamy high-speed cutting fluids.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Tap Magic Xtra-Thick and Xtra-Foamy metalcutting fluids protect tough materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and Inconel. Xtra-Thick is a heavy, thick fluid that remains with the tool and workpiece, even at high rotation speeds....

Coolants prevent hard water soap residue.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Trim C276 synthetic coolant and SC536 low-oil semi-synthetic coolant have been reformulated to prevent hard water soap residue forming on parts, chips, and machine surfaces. Both are hard-water stable for more than 60 grains of hardness. Both...

Four-spindle lathe provides seamless cycling.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... The Kitako HS4200i CNC lathe features the company's four-spindle technology for seamless cycling of parts from the loading zone to the machining zone and back. The spindles are mounted in a horizontal, square pattern in a large carrier drum....

Waterjet garnet removal systems.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... Garnet removal systems continuously remove abrasive garnet that collects in waterjet catch tanks, maximizing production and reducing downtime. The systems feature closed column vertical sealless pumps and heavy-duty centrifugal separators....

Quick-change high-efficiency oil mist collectors.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... For machine tools and EDM applications, five oil mist collectors use a three-stage filtration system that features a three-part prefiltration cartridge, centrifugal filter to drain remaining liquid, and fiberglass extended filter with 99...

Glued for accuracy.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
April 1, 2007... PrisFIX reference system can be used on both graphite and copper electrodes, eliminating pallets and toolholders. The parts of the X, Y, and Z references separate into single components that easily attach to the electrode, pallet, or workpiece...

Deburring without dimensional changes.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Osborn's ATB Uni-Lok disc brushes are reliable, high-performance, abrasive tools that produce consistent quality and cost-effective results. They deburr radius corners and edges without changing critical dimensional tolerances. Options include...

Automatic tube cutoff lathes and feeders.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Our new color 10 page catalog describes the advanced engineering and performance of Modern Machine Tool's newest Servo-Slide and Conventional Cutoff Lathes; capable of quickly and accurately cutting-to-length and machining cylindrical tube,...

Free 34-page marking equipment catalog.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Numberall Stamp & Tool., Inc., has a free 34-page catalog outlining all types of metal marking equipment. Included with every catalog is a FREE Length Of Impression Ruler, a versatile aid in determining character size and number of characters....

New brochure highlights newest machine offerings.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Finn-Power's new "Quick Guide to Higher Productivity" is now available. The updated and expanded eight-panel, four-color pamphlet highlights Finn-Power's entire product line--turret punch presses, punch/shear and laser/punch cells, lasers,...

Dimensional measuring instruments brochure.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... This brochure details digital indicators; linear gage sensors with ranges of 1"-4" and accuracies up to 0.00002". These gages measure dimensions, thickness, curvature, eccentricity, displacement, height, depth, flatness, variation, run-out,...

Laser cutting machine has more range and smaller enclosure.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Trumpf's TruLaser 2030 automated laser cutting machine offers more working range options and a new enclosure for faster installation and easier accessibility. The enclosure, 75 percent smaller, moves with the cutting head, can be programmed to...

Global manufacturing marketplace.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... MFG.com provides suppliers with direct access to Buyers worldwide that have an immediate need for custom manufacturing services. The site allows Suppliers to specify what types of jobs they are interested in and from there MFG.com helps match...

CNC catalog for small-lot turning and milling.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Southwestern Industries announces a new catalog for its full line of CNCs and machines for small-lot turning and milling. This informative 50-page book provides full product specifications. It also discusses the application of CNC technology to...

Diamond wheel grinder improves welding.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... The U.S.-made Piranha II Tungsten Grinder from Diamond Ground Products longitudinally grinds tungsten with diamond wheels and improves welding functions. The grinder has an enclosure to protect operators from hazards. The portable unit-- ...

3000 series CNC Plasma.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... The MultiCam 3000 Series Plasma is the perfect choice for those looking for value in a machine tool quality CNC Plasma Cutting System. The rigid, all-steel plate frame design supports a variety of standard or high-definition plasma units and is...

Standard toolholding line.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Lyndex-Nikken offers the most comprehensive line of standard toolholding products in the marketplace. This complete range of quality toolholding solutions is designed to meet the strictest requirements, and include the industry's most trusted...

Miller auto-darkening welding helmets.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... With the industry's hottest graphics and enhanced lens features, Miller's Arc Armor[TM] welding helmets offer an exciting new line up! Featuring Auto-On/Auto-Off and Grind Mode, our flagship Elite[TM] and new Performance Series[TM] helmets...

ATI Stellram offers tooling DVD.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... The "Mission Possible" DVD from ATI Stellram shows tooling solutions for difficult materials. High-performance tooling technology challenges are solved for customers with aerospace, automotive, energy, and medical applications. The DVD...

Indent marking tool operates up to 120 IPM.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... DMwriter, from Dapra Marking Systems, is an indent marking tool for CNC milling machines. Easily-integrated, DMwriter marks up to 120 IPM. Standard engraving software produces high-quality, permanent marks in parts up to 62 [R.sub.c] with no...

All about ESPRIT.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... ESPRIT is a high-performance computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system for a full range of machine tool applications. ESPRIT delivers powerful full-spectrum programming for 2- to 5-axis milling, 2- to 22-axis turning, 2- to 5-axis wire EDM,...

Coolant mixer.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... The Force-Flo Mixer inserts into any drum of coolants, synthetics, mild chemicals, or detergents. Your water line is the only pressure necessary to operate the unit. Uniform emulsion is available at any proportion. Force-Flo can dispense in...

Scientific Cutting Tools--Value line thread mills.(Brochures & Catalogs Covering Metalworking Equipment)
April 1, 2007... Scientific Cutting Tools offers the high-efficiency Value line helical fluted solid-carbide thread milling tools. The fine ground cutting edge, sub micro grain substrate, and TiALN coating guarantee excellent surface finish. Available in UN,...

Customer concentration: all of the eggs in one basket; a shop dependent on a few large customers may not be as unattractive to potential buyers as it appears.(THE LAST WORD)
April 1, 2007... When the owner of a middle-market business decides to sell, it's a once in a lifetime moment. To make the most of that moment, the owner and his investment banker need to determine what will make the company an attractive acquisition target:...