Modern Applications News articles from June 2005

Modern Applications News archives from June 2005

Mind your own business: up until my last column, this magazine boasted an audited circulation of 80,000 subscribers. Because of that column we may have to change that number to 79,999 subscribers. It really upset one reader in Texas; he cancelled his subscription.(EDITOR'S CORNER)
June 1, 2005... That column on the new realities of having China as a very active participant in the global metalworking market drew a great deal of reader response--more than almost any other column in the last several years. What I stated in that column...

5-axis machine tool builder bought by Chinese group.(Industry News)
June 1, 2005... Dalian Machine Tool Group, China's largest machine tool company, recently purchased the majority of Zimmermann AG, a leading German machine tool producer, reports the China Daily. Dalian purchased 70% of the German firm. Terms of the...

Mori Seiki to open three new facilities.(Industry News)
June 1, 2005... Mori Seiki is expanding capacity by opening three additional production facilities this year to meet growing demand, it reports. The first of the new facilities, a heat treatment plant, will begin operation this summer. Sustained increased...

New orders, production, employment expanding.(Industry News)
June 1, 2005... Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in April for the 23rd consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 42nd consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business[R]...

Machine tool consumption rises 13.5% in latest period.(Industry News)
June 1, 2005... February U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $242.10 million, according to AMT--The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by companies...

Lenox names Heisner new president.(Industry News)
June 1, 2005... Lenox, a manufacturer of power tool accessories, hand tools and band saw blades, announced that Bob Heisner, former Lenox vice president of marketing, has been promoted to company president. Heisner replaces Bill Burke, who has been...

Remanufactured CMM measures-up for die maker: the only way to economically meet the need for a large gantry CMM with an uncommon measuring envelope was to find an existing one, rebuild it, and remanufacture it.(QC / MEASUREMENT / INSPECTION)
June 1, 2005... Rapid Die & Engineering (Grand Rapids, MI) is one of the oldest established plastic injection mold manufacturers in Western Michigan. The company specializes in the designing and building of molds for a wide variety of automotive components...

CMMs continue shop's capability evolution: investing in technology has lead the evolution of a short-run shop serving New England's textile industries to a high precision shop requiring the capabilities of a sophisticated CMM to meet the demands of its sophisticated customers.(QC
June 1, 2005... Technical Machining Services (TMS), Inc. (Lincoln, RI) began in 1948 as the Textile Machine Shop in South Bellingham, MA, handling short runs and specialty parts for the region's textile industry. Today, TMS counts among its customers...

Ultra-miniature universal sensor.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Banner Engineering offers the new World-Beam[R] Q12 Series ultra-miniature photoelectric sensors. About the same size as a US Quarter and 8 mm wide, this new sensor is completely self-contained and features an overmolded design to achieve an...

Spool flange sensing options.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Amacoil, Inc. introduces two styles of an optical flange sensing system to enhance winding accuracy when used with Uhing traverse winding drives. One system relies on the reflective properties of the spool flanges, and the other version uses a...

Machinery alignment laser.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Pinpoint Laser Systems introduces a new precision, machinery alignment kit for use in factories and manufacturing facilities. The Laser Microgage kit includes a new laser squaring attachment called the 90-Line for checking machine beds,...

Crack/structure test instruments.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... A new standard for eddy current testing of automotive components for surface structure and cracks has been introduced by ibg NDT Systems Corporation. The new eddyvisor[R] line of eddy current instruments is aimed at both production and...

Tester Noze[TM] sensor's output.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... The pocket-sized sensor testers, from SoftNoze USA Inc., are a convenient solution for confirming output of inductive, photoelectric, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors. The TS1-DC allows troubleshooting and demonstration of DC sensors; two-,...

Tubular style sensors.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Balluff, Inc. introduces its new GlobalProx Switch Line for general purpose applications. Designed to fit the industry's need for global standardization, the tubular style sensors are offered in two- and three-wire DC, in sizes M8, M12, M18,...

Ultra-durable borescope.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Lenox Instrument Company has developed a durable flexible borescope, the Casting Scope, designed to inspect metal castings and other rugged, hard-to-access areas. This new instrument features a renewable front probe that can be easily replaced...

Oven temperature recorder.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... MadgeTech, Inc. introduces a compact battery-powered, stand-alone thermo-coupled-based oven temperature recorder that can be controlled from a personal computer. The ThermoVault Oven Temperature Recorder features a heavy-duty 316 stainless...

Pneumatic toggle presses.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... AIM Joraco, a division of Automated Industrial Machine, Inc. introduces a new series of process monitoring controls for its line of Toggle-Aire[R] presses that can validate their proper operation and provide interrupts, alarms, and the...

Portable data acquisition instrument.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Daytronic Corporation has announced the release of its MeasuringPAD[TM]. This rugged hand-held instrument can be used in a wide range of manufacturing, laboratory, plant operation, and quality control applications. Rapidly collecting,...

Stainless steel tank mount.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Rice Lake Weighing Systems introduces the RL9000 TWM tank weigh module, with a stainless steel design for accuracy and durability in hostile environment applications. A low profile configuration and all-in-one construction provide maximized...

Laser displacement sensor.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... The new LK-G Series laser displacement sensors, from Keyence Corp. of America, provide excellent non-contact measurement technology and performance. The new series combines high resolution and accuracy with a long range of over 7", offering...

Programmable gage for cut-off saws/ironworkers.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Easygage by Automec is a single-axis programmable positioning device designed to increase shops productivity. The new gage can be mounted to a saw, drill, punch, ironworker or any device, that requires quick accurate positioning of the work...

Third generation digital indicator.(SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2005... Mahr Federal introduces a new digital indicator to its Maxum[R] line, the Maxum III. User set-up features include, switchable inch/mm, selectable digital resolution, analog display range, dynamic measuring functions, tolerances, and measuring...

Plastic cooling towers reduce temperatures, costs: cooling towers for process cooling have come along way with the introduction of lightweight, corrosion-resistant plastics making the units virtually maintenance-free and adding significantly to their service life.(COOLANTS / LUBRICANTS
June 1, 2005... The ubiquitous need for cooling in metalworking applications finds at least one cooling tower in almost every plant that fabricates metal products. Whether applied directly during cutting, finishing, annealing or simply for quenching purposes,...

Mold maker expands into product design: when a mold maker was asked to become a product designer by one of its largest customers, its answer was, obviously, "yes." Then began the search for a CAD program that would compliment its CAM capabilities.(CAD / CAM)
June 1, 2005... Something that can be found in almost every professional's toolbox is a utility knife made by The Stanley Works. Stanley recently asked one of its regular mold making suppliers, Newport Tool and Die (Middletown, RI), to consolidate the...

Simultaneous marking wins automaker loyalty: the capability to simultaneously mark Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) in two places on an automotive assembly earns a supplier a countrywide preference.(ID MARKING)
June 1, 2005... Following the installation of two new VIN marking systems for Ford of Mexico, Borries Marking Systems will become the marking supplier of preference for Escort/Focus models produced at this location. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The two...

Laser/punch combo allows control of process, profits: an Illinois contract manufacturer and prototype shop installed a combination laser/punch press to meet the demands of each of its markets and provide profitable flexibility it needs to meet their changing material requirements.(FORMING
June 1, 2005... From the first day KSO Metalfab, Inc. (KSO), opened its doors in 1973, the company made a commitment to utilize the latest technology in order to provide its customers with the highest quality products at competitive costs. For three decades,...

Shop finds ERP software that fits its enterprise: enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is usually designed and priced only for large enterprises. However, a short-run shop discovered an ERP package that was within budget and satisfied its needs, plus the expectations of its Tier One and Two customers.(CAD / CAM / SHOP CONTROL SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2005... "We produce custom cold-headed fasteners--the kind you can't buy in a hardware store," says Patrick Winter, information services manager at Specialty Screw (Rockford, IL). A privately held company founded in 1953, Specialty also offers a...

Shop grows by investing in single source technology: like all of us, Tim Krieger has 20/20 hindsight, especially when he looks at the growth path of his business from a garage to a high-precision medical and aerospace shop.(MACHINING / TURNING CENTERS)
June 1, 2005... Since being founded in 1993, Krieger Craftsmen, Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI) has grown to a high-tech tooling facility employing 15 people and serving the medical, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets. Along the way, Tim grew to understand...

Self-sealing screws/bolts.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... The Zago Manufacturing Company introduces its new line of self-sealing fasteners. The new fasteners are designed with a groove under the head to accommodate a rubber O ring which, when compressed, forms a complete seal and permits full...

Fully enclosed Pin Locating Clamp.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... PHD Inc. introduces its new Series PLC Pin Locating Clamp, with a completely enclosed design. This pneumatically powered actuator locates, clamps, and supports parts in weld areas, and offers a built-in locking mechanism that locks the pins in...

New annular cutters.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... J. Walter Inc. announces the SST IceCut[TM] annular cutters that drill large diameter holes in less than half the time as before and guarantee more holes between sharpening. The HSS-XE tool steel is fully ground to a proprietary geometry, and...

New oil-recovery system catalog.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Oil-Skimmers, Inc. has released a new catalog highlighting its Model 6-V oil recovery system that removes waste oil via a specially designed collector tube. The catalog outlines why the new system is an effective method for eliminating waste...

Ultra-precision ER collets.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... A new line of ultra-precision ER collets guaranteed accurate to six microns (0.0002") TIR is now available from Royal Products. These collets are designed for the U.S. market, ground to exact inch size in 1/23" increments for precise cutting...

New Tandem Wire MIG Welding brochure.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... A new 8-page brochure describing new heavy deposition, high-speed welding equipment, is now available from Wolf Robotics. Included in the brochure is a description of how the equipment works along with benefits, advantages, typical...

Heavy-Duty air circulator.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... The Airmaster[R] Fan Company offers its new Heavy-Duty air circulators with highly polished cast aluminum airfoil propellers for high efficiency, low noise levels, and ideal air velocity profile for circulating/cooling. The propellers are also...

Cabinet cooler for large electrical enclosures.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Exair Corporation introduces its 2,800 Btu/hr. Cabinet Coolers to keep electrical enclosures cool with 20[degrees]F air and protect sensitive electronics from harsh environments. These new cabinet coolers offer cooling capacity designed for...

New product sheet released.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Sunnen Products Company has released a new KGM[R] Krossgrinding[R] Systems product sheet that provides important details on both the machine and honing tools, including extensive key feature and specification information. The KMG-5000NT and...

Ultra-precise boring system.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... The Romicron[R] fine boring system from Romi Machine Tools, Ltd. is a reliable ultra-precise boring system for finishing high-precision bores. This new boring system permits adjustments of 1.0[micro] (0.000040") on the tool radius without...

Powder coatings for fastener heads.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... The Nylok Corporation expands its scope of fastener protection products with a line of fused-on powder coatings for fastener heads that meet automotive specifications. These powder coatings form a consistent and durable coating that prevents...

Three-in-one CNC marking machine.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Columbia Marking Tools, Inc. introduces its new 3 in 1 CNC marking machine with a choice of three modular marking head options, to dot peen fast and deep, scribe mark quickly/silently, or laser mark fragile or very hard materials. Part numbers,...

Lightweight hydraulic clamps.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Kosmek (USA) Ltd. introduces its new line of lightweight hydraulic clamps for jigs and fixtures. These lightweight actuators reduce individual component weight up to 50%, saving both total fixture weight and overall project cost. Available in...

Flexible manufacturing cell.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
June 1, 2005... Finn-Power International, Inc. has introduced a new Shear Genius[R] flexible manufacturing cell that combines the punching, forming, and tapping versatility of a turret punch press with high-quality shearing for separating the components. Sheet...

Silk slippers, hobnail boots, and the Chinese Century? The sound of history? It's the sound of hobnail boots going up and silk slippers going down the stairwell of time.('BY GEORGE')
June 1, 2005... Can you remember just three decades ago when engineers and managers and students from all over the world came here to tour our machine tool plants? I do and did. We were living in the American Century. Today those of us that are interested...