Modern Applications News articles from July 2003

Modern Applications News archives from July 2003

Innovation as a weapon. (Editor's Corner).
July 1, 2003... Earlier forecasts by several well-placed metalworking executives of general economic and specific industry improvement appear to be holding true. Those forecasts were for gradual, 1.5 - 2% growth throughout the year. The mood at the recent...

Machine tool consumption continues to lag 2002. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... March U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $154.19 million, according to AMT -- The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by companies participating in...

Production, new orders, employment, inventories decline supplier deliveries unchanged. (Industry News).
July 1, 2003... Economic activity in the manufacturing sector failed to grow in April, while the overall economy grew for the 18th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business[R]. The report was...

HMC meets NASCAR[R] need for speed. (Machining/Turning Centers).
July 1, 2003... On its rookie outing, Valiant Industries produced its first NASCAR[R] engine block in only 271 days, thanks to the capabilities of its HMCs. A family business for nearly 50 years, Valiant Industries (Sterling Heights, MI) is a leading...

Waterjet meets market's customization demands: rapidly changing customer demands lead equipment supplier to customized designs and waterjet cutting capabilities. (Plasma/Waterjet).
July 1, 2003... The decision to shift the focus to customization paid off for US Bottlers (Charlotte, NC). Today, most of the company's customers require the personal service offered by US Bottlers--from designing and engineering to manufacturing the filling,...

Angle grinders for large cutting, grinding jobs. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... Metabo has introduced two new large angle grinders designed for both cutting and grinding applications. These grinders feature a 7" or 9" wheel, and incorporate a two-step power switch that allows users to complete large jobs safely. The tools...

Aluminum grinding literature. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... Weiler Corporation's four-page brochure "Aluminum Grinding With ALtra CUT[TM]" is a detailed guide that explains the details of these discs and their advantages. For use on right-angle grinders, these discs are available in 4 1/2" and 7" sizes...

New honing machine. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... The Model 3VC-24 Vertical Cone Hone, from Superior Honing Equipment Inc., has the capability to finish hone a tapered bore, straight, and blind end bores. This new machine can finish hone the conical center hole surface of a mold ring having an...

Depressed center wheels with advanced generation performance. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... The new NorZon Plus[TM], from Norton Abrasives, reportedly generates fastest cut rate of all depressed center wheels available. The combination of NorZon[R] zirconia oxide Norton SG[R] seeded-gel abrasives, and premium bond result in a wheel...

Precision rotary surface grinder. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... DCM-Tech has developed a line of rotary surface grinders suitable for production as well as tool room R&D applications. Included are models 10 180 SD and 10280 DS. Both machines feature small footprints with integral mist collection and coolant...

S33 combines large capacity with precision, flexibility. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... United Grinding Technologies, Inc. has announced a new addition to their Studer line of universal cylindrical grinders. The S33 has a modular design for quick setup and changeover, state-of-the-art digital control and drive system, and...

Two machines in one for diamond tooling. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... Walter Grinders, Inc. introduces the Helitronic Power + Diamond, two grinding machines in one. This machine is a double-spindle grinder for carbide and HSS tools and an Electrical Discharge Grinding (EDG) machine for PCD and other synthetic...

Tschudin Grinding Machines. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... The Tschudin PLX Cylindrical Grinding Machine is designed to provide precision grinding for small to large lot sizes in both job shop and fully automated production environments. This grinding machine features the GE/Fanuc 18i-TA CNC control, a...

New grinder/buffers. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... Eight new models of grinders and two new models of buffers for general purpose have been introduced by Palmgren. These grinders and buffers feature heavy-duty construction, and long life motors that provide 88 plus minutes of continuous use at...

Index feature offered with warranty. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... Suburban Tool's Master-Grind[TM] Index Fixture now offers a new 24-month limited warranty on parts and labor for all new purchases. The fixture features Twin-Dex, which combines 5C collet and V-block in one fixture and is suitable for either...

RTG Rotary Transfer Grinder. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... International Tool Machines of Florida, Inc. (ITM) introduces its newest multi station grinder, the RTG Rotary Transfer Grinder. When correctly equipped, this machine is capable of producing high quality carbide drills, carbide end mills, hss...

New tungsten grinder. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... The Piranha III Tungsten Grinder, from Diamond Ground Products, is a heavy-duty grinder that lets the operator properly grind tungsten longitudinally on high quality diamond wheels. The enclosed grinding area protects the operator from...

All-in-one-blast cabinet. (Spotlight Products: Abrasive/Grinding Machines).
July 1, 2003... A new blast cabinet, featuring a self-contained media reclaimer and dust collector, is now available from Empire Abrasive Equipment Company. The ProFormer[TM] cabinet requires only two connections, air and electrical, and comes with forklift...

CAD/CAM training comes to your shop: training is critical to getting the most out of any CAD/CAM system. However, it is often a challenge to deliver training in the most timely and effective manner. (CAD/CAM).
July 1, 2003... Any busy shop manager knows there is precious little time to sit down with a training manual and struggle to learn the software on your own or, worse, send an important team member out for a week of classroom training. Training gets relegated...

Home-grown CAM macros help captive tooling producer: a captive tooling producer relies on CAM software to keep itself and its parent company competitive in the global marketplace. (CAD/CAM).
July 1, 2003... The tooling presents an interesting study in the key role of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools at Jeld-Wen Engineering, Klamath Falls (OR), a division of Jeld-Wen, Inc. Founded...

CAD/CAM/Shop Control Software Buyers Guide.
July 1, 2003... CAD/CAM/SHOP CONTROL BUYERS GUIDE CAD/CAM/Shop Control Software Buyers Guide MAN-Modern Applications News presents its annual CAD/CAM/Shop Control Software Buyers Guide, an alphabetical guide to manufacturers and distributors of...

E-coating for corrosion, environmental protection: new coating process for utility vehicles delivers production and environmental benefits for Virginia-based manufacturer. (Coatings/Finishing).
July 1, 2003... John Deere (Williamsburg, VA), which has been manufacturing Gator[R] utility vehicles for nearly a decade, was no stranger to powder coating, having used the environmentally compliant technology on Gators and other heavy equipment in its...

Revere uses compactor to save disposal dollars: Paul Revere had the British to contend with in the 1700s. Today, the firm that bears his name has to contend with handling 5,000 lb. of machining chips each day. (Coatings/Finishing/Deburring/Cleaning).
July 1, 2003... That company, Revere Copper Products (Bedford, MA) is an industry leader and is an IS09002 certified plate mill. The company's extensive array of equipment allows it to roll, cross roll, flatten, straighten, saw, shear, and surface plate to...

Coating process extends die life rework by more than six fold. (Coatings/Finishing).
July 1, 2003... With serious problems from excess metal build up on its dies, a manufacturer/fabricator had to find a way to extend die life and fast. What they eventually found was a way to boost die life to levels they never imagined. List Industries,...

ID Marking Buyers Guide.
July 1, 2003... ID Marking Buyers Guide MAN-Modern Applications News presents its annual ID Marking Buyers Guide, an alphabetical guide to manufacturers and distributors of ID Marking equipment and supplies for the metalworking industry. For your...

New metal-cutting circular saw blade. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The M.K. Morse Company has introduced a new metal-cutting circular saw blade that cuts easily through steel. The Morse Metal Devil [TM] combines metallurgy and a special tooth configuration to cut metal faster, cleaner, and cooler then...

Vegetable-based lubricant for machining ferrous materials. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Unist, Inc. introduces an addition to their line of refined vegetable-based lubricants for use in metal cutting. Coolube 2210EP is an environmentally acceptable vegetable-based lubricant for use with the Unist Uni-Max line of applicators in...

Treat metal surfaces without damage. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Maintenance technicians use concentrated ExRust to dissolve rust without damaging metal surfaces and prepare metal surfaces for painting or coating. This formula can be applied directly or diluted for use as an immersion to neutralize ferrous...

Single part automated blasting. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... A new compact spindle-blast system, especially adapted for one-piece-flow manufacturing, is now available from the Guyson Corporation. The Model SP-4 performs work cell impact treatment operations such as deburring, shot peening, descaling,...

New Technology Suite software. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The new Intelli-Max[TM] Technology Suite software from Omax Corporation requires no additional hardware and can increase average cutting speeds. The company has incorporated 25 new features into this software, including Intelli-Pass, a time...

Painting robots deliver smooth finish. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Motoman's new PX-series robots are flexible six-axis manipulators specifically designed to optimize performance in industrial and automotive painting applications. Six robot models are available with reaches ranging from 800 mm to 2,900 mm...

Pre-packaged press marking stamps, retainers for L-shaped stamps. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Columbia Marking Tools, Inc. has a new method of packaging marking tools for easier identification of stamps and retainers, and to store properly to protect from being lost. Phase 1 of this program involves L-shaped stamp designs with a flange...

Programming station available. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Heidenhain Corporation introduces an offline programming station for parts programs to be run on iTNC 530 controlled machines. The essential advantage of this new programming station is that existing hardware (PCs) can be used for programming...

Portable shrink-fit toolholding systems. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The new Guhring shrink-fit chucks are available to chuck HSS and carbide tools with shank diameters from 3 mm to 32 mm, and come with both HSK and common taper flange interfaces. The unique shrink-fit design gives these chucks advantages over...

Rotary hand stamp. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Numberall Stamp & Tool Co. has introduced an improved model of the Single Wheel Rotary Stamp, Inc. This rugged, balanced rotary hand stamp is made of high-grade tool steel, heat-treated for severe usage. Each stamp features a rotating type...

One second tool change. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... Exsys Tool, Co. announces the availability of a new fixed VDI double tool holder with less than one second tool change capability. These tool holders are designed for drill/tap, bore/thread, drill/chamfer, rough/finish bore applications, both...

Powdered metal roughing end mils for aluminum. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The Brubaker Tool Corporation has introduced its new line of premium, powdered metal roughing end mills for aluminum. The powdered metal substrate provides the toughness of high-speed steel and wear characteristics similar to micro-grain...

Part marking, verification system. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The new Mark and Read system from Technifor, Inc. combines the marking of a two-dimensional Data Matrix code with the reading and verification of that code (including code quality). Parts can be marked with dot peen or a laser, while the...

High-Speed Laser Work Center. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The FPL-6 Laser Work Center from Finn-Power International, Inc. is a breakthrough in laser cutting for sheet metal fabrication. This unit is designed by using linear drive motor technology to enable maximum speeds, even in small notches or...

New Portable Magnetic Drill. (New Products and Literature).
July 1, 2003... The two-speed HMD5O5 Portable Magnetic Drill from Hougen Manufacturing incorporates solid-state electronics, a heavy-duty motor, and a magnet built with high-strength holding forces. The HMD5O5 features a quill feed arbor design that eliminates...

Air-blast for less. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... With Empire's pneumatic blast and recovery system, you can save on buying and burying one-time abrasives by recycling durable blast media. The system, which retrieves abrasives from extended work areas at rates exceeding 70 lbs per minute, is...

Custom batch ovens at standard pricing. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Literature allows you to spec dimensions exactly to suit, gas and electric, top or back mount heat chambers, ovens from 144 to 1,800 cu.-ft. capacity. Both types deliver uniform, digitally controlled temps 450[degrees] to 850[degrees]F (2320 to...

TD coating extends tool. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Tools and other wear-related components, treated with the Thermal Diffusion (TO) coatings, have an extended life of up to 800% or more than untreated components. Thermally diffused coatings, available from the Arvin TO Center, are pure...

Spin Roll features. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... St. Mary Spin Roll Fixtures feature a patented design that uses three intermeshing contact rolls. This ensures precise, repeatable, automatic linear positioning and concentricity up to 0.0002 during precision cylindrical grinding or machining...

Laser marking/etching systems. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... MASS Group, Inc. has released a small footprint YAG laser marking system for direct marking of parts and metals. The laser marks 20 barcodes directly into the metals surface and etches/engraves fine numerics, part numbers, serial numbers, and...

The World of Clamping. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... DE-STA-CO, the worldwide leader and innovator in toggle clamping technology, introduces its revised 2003 World of Clamping catalog. The catalog includes 60 new product releases and dozens of product enhancements highlighted as our "Design...

New flyer on Tech/Pro end mill lines. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... A new technical sales flyer describing Guhring's new Tech and Pro lines of end mills is now available. The new lines bring improvements in cost-efficiency to a wide range of materials and applications, through use of a combination of ultra-fine...

Tombstones ready to ship. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Mid-State Machine is a premier supplier of workholding technology to leading machining center OEM's. A large inventory of fixtures, both machined complete and raw castings, speeds delivery. Choose from the catalog of standard items or they can...

Easy-to-integrate Fiber Laser Marking System. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Need precise and nonintrusive marking? This powerful 25-watt Fiber Laser Marking System delivers a wealth of benefits: Fast, precise marking, easy set up and operation, and low operating cost. Ideal for marking metals, coated material,...

Super ChipMaster[R] Vacuums. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Goodway Super Chip-Master Vacuums recover and separate chips and coolant, then pump filtered coolant back into your machine tools. Each unit features an internal chip collection basket to trap metal shavings to 0.05. An optional polypropylene...

New Product Guide. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Telesis Technologies, Inc. presents their new Product Guide which includes the following new items; Zenith[R] 10 F Pulsed Fiber Laser -- for unattended, factory integrated applications and the Zenith[R] 10G Laser--for high resolution, photo...

Platenize your plant with Acorn platens. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Wherever metal is formed, shaped or welded, Acorn platens are standard equipment. The gray iron castings may be used singly or in multiple groupings. Their sizes range from 9 sq. ft. to 40 sq. ft. The top surface and side ledges are machined to...

Magnetic workstop. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Fast accurate positioning of parts, the rare earth magnet attaches anywhereon the workholding setup without the need for connecting bolts or screws, and removes quickly to clear spindle travel when necessary. The body is 2-5/8' long with 2"...

Micro 100[R] super carbide tools. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Micro 100[R] super carbide tools will not chip or break under normal machining conditions. More than just a microgram carbide of excellent quality, Micro 1 00[R] is in a class of its own, resulting from the Micro 100[ treating process. The...

Operate 3-phase equipment from 1-phase power. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... ROTO-CON[R] rotary phase converters allow metalworking equipment that requires three-phase electric power to operate from single-phrase power sources. Ideal for applications such as drills, lathes, mills, presses, and saws. Can also operate...

Joint development project. (Literature Marketplace).
July 1, 2003... Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. announced a joint development project with CGTech to more closely integrate the Siemens SlNUMERlK[R] 840D CNC with Vericut[R], the NC verification, machine simulation and optimization software program. The two...

Computer Numerical Controls revisited. (On the Three "R's").
July 1, 2003... Remember a few decades ago when metalworking machine OEM's made the same proclamation? Although the "gee whiz" reaction to CNC in our business has mellowed, it's a prime time to reexamine its present and future roles in your shop. ...