Modern Applications News articles from June 2004

Modern Applications News archives from June 2004

Shopping tips: some things should never be shopped for or bought single-handedly. For me, this advice applies to clothes, for most MAN readers it should apply to CAM software.(Editor's Corner)
June 1, 2004... Today, CAM software is as essential as clothing; it is not an option. You need it not just to compete but to survive. In this issue of MAN, the CAD/CAM column on page 44 offers many excellent guidelines for purchasing software that will advance...

Machine tool consumption climbs for fourth straight month.(Industry News)
June 1, 2004... February U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $174.32 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...

April Manufacturing ISM Report On Business[R] PMI at 62.4% New Orders, Production, Employment grow-Inventories decline, Supplier Deliveries slower.(Industry News)
June 1, 2004... Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in April for the 11th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 30th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business[R]...

PMI.(Industry News)
June 1, 2004... The PMI indicates that the manufacturing economy grew in April for the 11th consecutive month. The PMI for April registered 62.4%, a decrease of 0.1% compared to the March reading of 62.5%. A reading above 50% indicates that the manufacturing...

CMM produces bikes with custom-look: how does a manufacturer build 3,000 bikes per year and gain the economies of standardization, yet still impart an aura of individuality to each unit?(QC/Measurement/Inspection)(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Big Dog Motorcycles (Wichita, KS) holds a leading position in the custom-look motorcycle market. For 10 years, the company has built high-end street bikes that deliver both electrifying performance and appearance. In fact, the machines have...

Smart two-wire transmitter.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Aaliant offers the Model 2000 smart, Hart[R] compatible, two-wire 4-20 mA signal transmitter for use with its Strain Gage Target flowmeters. The transmitter's analog output can be proportional to flow rate or proportional to flow rate squared,...

Dual color changing comparator display.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Ono Sokki Technology Inc. introduces its newly launched DG-414OE, color changing digital gauge display. When used with a linear gauge sensor, this display allows the user to easily see when a part is out of tolerance, or good within tolerance....

Automatically generated inspection instructions.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... The newest release of Vericut software, version 5.4, from CG Tech offers the ability to automatically create inspection instructions, complete with in-process feature dimensions, automatically created during a simulation of the NC program. With...

New pressure/volume conversion/leak rate calculating slide rule.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Cincinnati Test Systems, Inc. is offering a new slide rule that contains pressure/volume conversions and a manual leak rate calculator. The slide rule solves pressure conversions for seven different measures and volume conversions for five...

New Digital Weight Indicator.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... The new 120 Digital Weight Indicator, from Rice Lake Weighing Systems, has been designed as an economical choice in material handling, shipping, and receiving applications. This weight indicator provides three-stage digital filtering, providing...

Big Beam Sensor with large field view.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... LMI Technologies, Inc. announces its new Big Beam Sensor featuring a large measurement area that provides greater versatility when measuring width and height of solid and opaque targets in numerous industries. A large beam height up to 30mm...

Precision Absolute Manometers.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Meriam Process Technologies offers a hand-held, microprocessor-based, model 355 Precision Absolute Manometer, a pressure-sensing device accurate to [+ or -]0.02% of full scale including the effects of linearity, repeatability, hystersis, and...

Magnetic scale magnifier.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... GEI International, Inc. announces the ONS-0385, a magnifier with mounting magnets incorporated within the body of the magnifier for reading the fine graduations on instruments including, rulers, verniers, calipers, and protractors. This...

In-process quality control Tag/Label set.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Badger Tag & Label Corporation has developed a tag and label set that identifies products as they move through the quality control approval/testing process. The new configuration is a multi-part piece with colors, type, and materials playing a...

Crankshaft/camshaft gage with dual-glass follower scales.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... A new gage for measuring crankshafts, camshafts, and pistons in lower volume shops is being introduced by Adcole Corporation. The Model 1100 crankshaft/camshaft gage features a proprietary design that uses dual-glass scales in the radial...

Cutting force dynamometer monitors forces.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... A new cutting force dynamometer from Kistler Instrument Corp. enables investigations of high speed machining processes and monitoring machining of critical tools and expensive workpieces. The 9125A dynamometer has a compact, lightweight...

Electro-optical shutter.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Optimet, Inc. introduces a new electro-optical shutter for its ConoProbe, a non-contact, single-point measuring sensor based on conoscopic holography. When integrated into industrial systems, the ConoProbe uses mathematical processing to...

High-resolution stereo macroscopes.(Spotlight Products)
June 1, 2004... Leica Microsystems Inc. introduces the Leica Z6 and Z16 APO stereo-macroscopes for visual inspection, machine vision, and documentation. Both models are fully apochromatically-corrected zoom macroscopes for high-resolution inspection throughout...

Portable, programmable marker replaces costly hand-stamping: parts marking by manual stamping has been a tradition and virtual requirement in bridge fabrication, but a new marking technology is changing operations and improving the bottom line.(ID Marking)
June 1, 2004... American Bridge Manufacturing (Pittsburgh, Pa.) specializes in the fabrication of new bridges and repair parts for the rehabilitation of existing bridges. The 100-year-old company seeks to optimize value by obtaining state-of-the-art equipment...

Brochure introduces marking indenters.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... E.C. Kitzel & Sons, Inc. has published a brochure introducing the DiaMark[TM] diamond tipped indenter for 2D, Pin, and Dot Peen marking. The new indenter results in cleaner, high contrast marks, reduced rejection rates, and more accurate reads...

Metal bar code tag printer.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... The InfoSight Corporation introduces the fully automatic, continuous-feed desktop printer for metal bar code tags, the LabeLase[R] 1000 Tag Printer. This tag printer is designed to function like a PC printer, plugs directly into the back of a...

New diode pump laser marker.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... Alase Technologies, Inc. announces the release of its VersaScribe DPL20 diode laser marker, designed to meet the demand for higher throughput, precision, and reliability. This laser marker delivers a marking speed of up to 250 characters per...

Precise peen marking ensures high-performance assembly: high-speed marking is the answer to low volume production of high-performance engines.(ID Marking)
June 1, 2004... The ability to function as a stand-along, programmable peen-marking system of the Richter UniGrav[TM] by Columbia Marking Tools (Harrison Twp., MI) was the solution The Ford Motor Company needed for critical marking of components for its new...

New mobile showroom.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... Technifor Inc. is taking its new Mark 'n Read[TM] system on the road with a 30' mobile showroom, the "Mark 'n Read Express," which is fully equipped for conducting live demonstrations at plant locations. This new system combines direct part...

New ink code-marking machine.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... The Model 28 ink code-marking machine from Sprinter Marking, Inc., was developed for applying a single layer of type or molded rubber messages up to 1" long. These base model machines are used to apply date, product, and dot codes on a variety...

New laser marking system.(ID Marking Products)
June 1, 2004... Rofin-Baasel Inc. announces its new laser marker, the Rofin EasyMark. This fully self-contained, diode-pumped laser marker is designed for metal or polymer marking applications that have smaller dimensions with low-to-moderate volume and a...

Success puts shop in the chips, briquetting makes them valuable: New York state machining facility goes lean, increases productivity but keeps metal chips, curls, and fines under control with combination crusher/briquetting system.(Coolants/Lubricants/Filters)
June 1, 2004... Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool, Inc. (Eagle Bridge, NY), has captured a considerable reputation for its accomplishments machining castings for rail cars and mass transit vehicles, plus the heavy machinery industry. A reputation that has resulted...

JIT without the planning requires nimble machining: meeting the equipment demands of the oil and gas production industries places a premium on shop versatility and response.(Machining/Turning Centers)
June 1, 2004... "And in some ways, oil and gas will never change," Sedens says. "It's like just-in-time manufacturing in the automotive business, but without the planning. Car-model changeovers are scheduled, whereas oil field guys wake up Friday and need 12...

Small fabricator improving armored personnel carriers: added weldments are increasing the protection the military's armored personnel carrier (APC) provides for troops in Iraq.(Welding/Brazing/Soldering)
June 1, 2004... A major defense contractor devised a system of hardened steel fins that are mounted to the sides of the APCs at a downward 45[degrees] angle. The fins deflect rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) away from the skin of the vehicle, where they...

High-speed machining performance.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... New from Mazak Corp., the Nexus VCN-510C/HS achieves high-speed spindle and machining performance in its vertical machining center configuration. This machining center has an advanced high-speed spindle with built-in motor and temperature...

New versatile toolholder system.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Valenite Inc. introduces the new Valturn ProGrip[TM] turning system for cast iron, steels, stainless steels, aluminum, and high-temperature alloys. This new design uses fewer parts than other designs, with only a clamp screw, clamp, clamp...

New psi intensifier.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... KMT Waterjet Systems introduces the Streamline[TM] SL-V Plus 60,000 psi waterjet intensifier that can increase speeds up to 20%. The new waterjet intensifier features the new Hyperlife[TM] plunger seal and ceramic plunger technology, proven to...

Tooling catalog supplement.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Walter Waukesha introduces a 384-page catalog supplement featuring the new Xtra-tec line, Tiger-tec inserts for steel, and Screw-Fit-Head program. All inserts, milling cutters, drills, and turning tools are presented with detailed technical...

Floating panel nuts benefit assembly.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... PEM[R] floating panel nuts are custom designed for specific applications and can position and spin freely when installed into rigid material. These floating panel nut assemblies (Type FPN) consist of nut and retention ring, and are installed by...

Sapphire laser waveplates.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Custom manufactured sapphire waveplates that extend the polarization control of industrial lasers into the infrared are commercially available from Meller Optics, Inc. The waveplates are for use in any type of laser that transmits from...

Electric cabinet oven.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... The No. 927 is an electrically-heated, 750[degrees]F cabinet oven from The Grieve Corporation, specially modified with internal air filtration, currently used for curing Teflon. This cabinet oven includes two 24" X 24" X 6" thick stainless...

New machinable collets.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Accudyne Corporation introduces its new machinable collets that can be used with or without a lathe collet closing system for turning delicate parts. A knurled nut closes the collet with an internal taper that engages a matched taper on the...

New bolt-on machines.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Vanson HaloSource announces two new machines in the HaloFresh Coolant Xtender product line that expand capabilities to destroy odors and extend the life of coolants used in machine shops and metal working environments. The new models are...

New catalog features high-performance cutting tools.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... A new 40-page catalog featuring the expanded line of Sphinx high performance cutting tools is available from Big Kaiser Precision Tooling, Inc. This fully illustrated catalog now offers extensive technical information and operating parameters...

New end mill technology for chip removal in aluminum.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... OSG Tap & Die, Inc. introduces The Blizzard[TM], an engineered series of high performance end mills for aluminum applications. The unique features of this design are a special end-cut gash and offset teeth, which allow for large depths of cut...

Metalworking fluid breakthrough.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... The Cimcool[R] division of Milacron, Inc. has announced its new line of metal working fluids the Cimstar 3800 Series. This new series combines lubricity, biostability, low misting, and low foaming to provide cleanliness and bimetallic corrosion...

Chillers/coolers for fluid reservoirs reduce floor space.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... The HAV series air-cooled liquid chillers from Koolant Koolers, Inc. are designed for cooling cutting fluids, hydraulic fluids or other liquids that are cycled to a fluid reservoir such as a central coolant pit, storage tank or quench tank. The...

Centralized filtration for grinding.(New Products and Literature)
June 1, 2004... Transor Filter Systems announces a new centralized filtration system for grinding machines with the design of a new system for Rollomatic machines. A multi-vessel system, it services multiple tool and cutter grinders, filtering to one micron...

Ready to take the plunge? CNC programming time and program efficiency are significant factors influencing a machined component's cost. Even the fastest, most accurate machine tool can't compensate for a poorly composed and cumbersome part program.(CAD/CAM)
June 1, 2004... Repeatable high quality, efficiently machined parts demand part programs that incorporate both optimal designs and methods. Enter CAD/CAM Employing CAD/CAM technology in your shop can reduce programming and editing time, uncover...