Modern Applications News articles from July 2008

Modern Applications News archives from July 2008

Everyday miracles: look around. We take machining so much for granted that it's hard to imagine what we--and the world--would be like without it.(EDITOR'S CORNER)
July 1, 2008... Taking things for granted is a good thing-otherwise we'd get so wrapped up in appreciating the world around us that we'd end up so enraptured by the mundane that we'd appear comatose. But, sometimes we get that kickin-the-head revalation that...

Workholding sales up compared to 2007.(Industry News)(Financial report)
July 1, 2008... Shipments of workholding equipment from the U.S. were $63.6 million for first quarter 2008, up 4.4 percent from first quarter 2007, according to the Advanced Workholding Technology Group-AWT-formery the workholding Product Group, The...

Fastener patent infringement suit settled.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... PennEngineering, Danboro, PA, announced a settlement agreement with Richard Manno & Co., Inc. that resolves allegations that Manno sold, or offered for sale, products that infrings PennEngineering's intellectual property. Details of the...

Tesco Technologies to operate under Seco Tools name.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... Tesco Technologies Inc., Novi, MI, has dropped the Tesco identity and will carry the Seco Tools Inc. name. Seco aequired Tesco in 2004. Tesco was known for its Jabro brand line of tooling, targeted at mold and die, medical, and aerospace...

FARO and DPI strike licensing deal.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... FARO Technologies, Inc., Lake Mary, FL, a maker of portable computer-aided measurement hardware and software, announced that it acquired an exclusive license from Dimensional Photonics International, Inc. DPI is a provider of high-speed,...

KUKA Robotics celebrates 35 years.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... KUKA Robotics Corp., Clinton Township, MI, celebrates its 35th year in the robotics industry with an open house at its headquarters. The robot manufacturer will showcase more than 15 operating robotic demonstration cells.

Student wins CNC Software contest.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... CNC Software, Tolland, CT, developer of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announced that the winner of its Innovator of the Future contest for the 2007/2008 school year is Bernie Sievers, a student in the Advanced Manufacturing Program at Vincennes...

Industrial Wireless communications in flux.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... A recently completed market study from Venture Development Corp., Natick, MA, focused on shipments of products for on-site industrial monitoring and control. The study, RF/Microwave Industrial Wireless Monitoring and Control Products: For...

Sandvik Coromant boosts R&D facility.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
July 1, 2008... Sandvik Coromant, Fair Lawn, NJ, a manufacturer of cutting tools, will increase the size of its research and development department by nearly 20 percent, adding 40 new employees during the next three years. Between its R&D department and the...

Best. editor. idea. ever.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I just read your "Paradigm Shift" editorial [Editor's Corner, May 2008, Vol. 41, No. 5, p. 6] If you were askng for an "Amen," you have it. My guess is the "Amen" would be deafening if all the machine tool builders and dealers were all in the...

Worst. editor. ideas. ever.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... Well, sure, let's build some new nukes [PIMBY *, Editor's Corner, April 2008, Vol. 41, No. 4, p. 6]-and thanks for the offer to let us store all the country's spent fuel rods in your basement-they sure don't want them in Yucca Mountain. And...

Would that it were true.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... I need about six, maybe seven, of the Toshiba micro nuclear reactors [PIM-BY*, Editor's Comer April 2008, Vol. 41, No. 4, p. 6] for my factory in Wooster, OH. Cost is not a issue as I am a manufacturing company! When can I expect my first unit...

The bull of the woods.(Reprint)
July 1, 2008... HERE'S ANOTHER HURRY-UP JOB, ART-AS SOON AS YOU GET THAT RUSH JOB.OUT, RUSH THIS ONE THRU- THERE'S SUMPN! TH' BEST AND FASTEST MACHINIST IN TH' SHOP GETS ALL TH' PARTICULAR AND RUSH JOBS IN TH' SHOP, BUT GETS NO MORE PAY THAN A ORDINARY...

A pricey solution pays off with saved time: expense-like beauty-is in the eye of the beholder. What may seem like a big up-front investment can provide a big pay-off.(FROM THE SHOP FLOOR)
July 1, 2008... One of our repeat jobs is a 4140 steel shaft, with a hardness of 28 to 32 Rc. One hole in the center of the piece is 0.421" in diameter and nearly 12" deep. We've tried different methods to get this length-to-diameter ratio. We've tried...

Counting down to IMTS-part II.(IMTS COUNTDOWN)
July 1, 2008... This is the second of a three-part preview of the International Manufacturing Technology Show, 2008. In this, and the next Issue-August-MAN will highlight the products and events taking place in Chicago from September 8 to 13. The 27th...

It pays to find an expert: when new machining technology provided tooling challenges, a clutch-brake manufacturer sought expert advice for its tooling needs.(CUTTING TOOLS)
July 1, 2008... When customer requirements mean a change in technology, it often means a new machine. But, with that comes new problems. Sometimes expert advice is needed to use the upgrade to its fullest capacity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Force...

Little lubricant, big clean: by adopting a near-dry coolant process for its band saw, a job shop improved production and job safety.(LUBRICANTS)
July 1, 2008... Even though they began as a robotic welding shop, production sawing has become an important revenue center for Bear Metal Works, Buffalo, NY, which adds value to steel by providing secondary operations. While some businesses in the area have...

It's the thought that counts: the job shop is becoming the thinking-man's game.(CUTTING TOOLS)
July 1, 2008... It's almost counterintuitive that something as abstract as thought can impact something as concrete as profits, but it can. Entrenched ways of thinking limit innovation. Approaching problems with a different viewpoint can stream-line processes...

Light rail requires heavy-duty welding: by creating an automated welding system, a welding shop created 8.5 miles of continuous welds and doubled its profits.(WELDING)
July 1, 2008... With exposed architectural steel, it's as important to look good as to be good. This gives rise to new welding challenges. Quality, uniformity, and appearance are important when the welds will be seen by millions of people. When the...

It's not used--it's previously-owned: having the need for its own CMM, but not a big budget, an automotive supplier went the way of a remanufactured model.(QUALITY CONTROL)
July 1, 2008... An automotive parts supplier was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea: it needed a coordinate measuring machine for quality control, but was on a tight budget. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Wagon Automotive, a large European...

The long arm of QC.(QUALITY CONTROL)
July 1, 2008... The Quantum FaroArm is 30-percent more accurate than its predecessor, the Platinum FaromArm. It's an 8' arm that measures to within 0.0007", a fifth the width of a human hair. Bluetooth lets users work cable-free and transmit data up to 30'...

Portable CMM to streamline Shop measurement.(QUALITY CONTROL)
July 1, 2008... The six-axis MultiGage is a portable, precision CMM with a 1.2m measuring volume. It is used for 3D control of molds, parts, tooling, and casting. Its quick-mount system lets the CMM be setup for on-demand measurement and inspection of parts or...

Tool measurement with no downtime.(QUALITY CONTROL)
July 1, 2008... The TRISet optical tool presetting and measuring device measures, checks, and adjusts tools before using them; and it is suitable for all conventional tool-clamping systems. A TRIBOS clamping device is integrated, which lets tools be clamped,...

Alignment and calibration right on the shop floor.(QUALITY CONTROL)
July 1, 2008... The Microgage 2D Laser alignment tool is for precision measuring, machinery alignment, and calibration. Roll and web lines, CNC cutting and milling equipment, lathes, stamping presses, injection molding machines, and extrusion systems are...

Micro-abrasive system for blasting small parts.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The AccuFlo micro-abrasive blasting system can deburr, clean, and texture small parts. It is equipped with the patented system of mixing air and abrasive to improve flow consistency. The result is control over the volume of powder flowing...

Mist suppressant protects workers, plating equipment.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... Non-Mist L is a plating additive that forms a thin, strong foam blanket that reduces surface tension, preventing the migration of mists that can harm workers, equipment, and ventilation systems. It is an EPA-compliant anti-mist that prevents...

Upgraded inserts.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The upgraded line of KC9225 inserts have an enhanced post-coat finishing to reduce chip hammering and built-up edge conditions. It extends tool life and prevents insert damage in applications demanding continuous to lightly-interrupted cuts at...

Improved slat cleaner model.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The TSC 2 slat cleaner removes slag from the slats of laser cutting machines. It is the successor to the TSC 1 slat cleaner which was introduced in 2006. The slat cleaner can be used on flatbed laser machines with pallet changers from any...

Combo tool for machinists.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The SpeedHammer simplifies work areas by combining two of the most common tools used by machinists: a vise speed handle and a mallet for properly seating parts in a vise. The tool is 11.5" long and has a 0.750" hex socket which is compatible...

Grinder has three new accessories.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The Triad-TTG Plus-tungsten grinder has three grinder accessories: a tungsten cutting holder, a double-decker kit, and a protective cover. The grinder features an industrial-grade motor that provides consistent tungsten cutting and facing...

Heavy lifter.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The KR 1000 Titan industrial robot can lift a payload of 1,000 kg with a reach of 4,000mm. The robot is capable of moving whole car bodies unaided. It also can handle large castings or meter-thick panes of glass. At full stretch, it reaches a...

Table service.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... Rotary tables up to 60" in diameter are in stock, with larger tables available on request. The RNCV-1201 L can handle a 60" diameter, 11,000 lb load with indexing accuracy of [+ or-] 7.5 arc sec. This rotary table features hydraulic clamping...

Insert mount optimized for PCD and CBN.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The VFLASH insert mount features a serrated, pocket design and direct-mount, insert-clamping system, and operates at speeds of up to 20,000 SFM--rates for optimal use of tipped polycrystalline diamond--PCD--inserts for aluminum applications,...

Engravers for tiny machining.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The Micro-Profilers let customers machine a variety of materials requiring tools as small as 0.002" in diameter. They offer a solution to operators performing small engraving and marking applications. The engraving tools are available in stock...

Water jet units can run at six pressures.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The 325 Series convertible water jet units operate at up to 400 hp and can be converted to run at 8,000, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, 20,000, and 24,000 psi. Two diesel-powered models are available, each with a low-wear quintuplex pump and a...

Big Bore without vibration.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The American designed and built SR 200 BB--Big Bore--is a high-performance multi-tasking turning center. Positioned near the top of manufacturer's turning center portfolio, the unit features a Sure-Grip lever type 10", 3-jaw chuck as standard...

Square insert drills.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... Performax indexable insert drills include a changed helix for improved productivity and chip evacuation; a refined core for improved strength and stability; and an improved drill point to increase tool life and achieve better tolerance. A...

Minimum lube roller guides.(New Product)
July 1, 2008... Linear Motion Roller Guides offer low, consistent friction factors, which allow tighter control of positioning, small incremental moves, and repeatability. There are small differences in static-start-up-and dynamic friction, making motion...

Hot stuff in furnace design.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The 5000 AM Series alloy muffle furnaces are equipped with a corrugated alloy retort which separates the chamber refractory and heating elements from the workload and atmosphere to minimize scale and oxidation. The retort reduces atmosphere...

Diamonds are a dresser's best friend.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The hDD-hybrid diamond dressing-combines the toughness of metal bonding with the natural porosity of a vitrified bond structure, comparable to porosity found in vitrified CBN grinding wheels. The combination provides more consistent CBN...

Get clean with a parts washer.(New Products)
July 1, 2008... The Orbit 800 rotary table parts washer incorporates a touch-screen control panel. It has a 750 Ib-capacity stainless steel wire mesh basket that is 5" deep and 31.5" in diameter at a loading height of 31". Surrounding the gearmotor-driven...

Potential CAD/CAM breakthroughs: the future of CAD/CAM as it relates to CNC may be in for a revolution if companies aren't selfish with data access.(THE LAST WORD)
July 1, 2008... Today's CAM marketplace has matured into a commodity market. For the most part, CAM systems have the same basic capability: they are able to program CNC machine tools. There are slight differences in orientation or focus; some CAM applications...