Modern Applications News articles from September 2004

Modern Applications News archives from September 2004

Those three little words: if you think of MAN as a magazine, then think of IMTS as a gun show.(Editor's Corner)
September 1, 2004... Most of us think of a magazine as a collection of paper between glossy covers, but Mr. Webster doesn't get to this definition until about Number Five. His first definitions describe a magazine as a place or container that holds ammunition and...

Mecco to distibute Alase laser systems.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Alase Technologies, Inc. (Pepperell, MA) recently announced Mecco Marking and Traceability (Ingomar, PA) will be offering laser marking systems from Alase Technologies, Inc. The systems will round out Mecco's product line of industrial...

Fastener drawings direct for leading CAD systems.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... All online CAD drawings for the entire line of fastener products from PennEngineering[R] Fastening Technologies (Danboro, PA) can now be inserted directly intoleading CAD systems. No downloading or importing is necessary. This new...

Machine tool consumption rises 10% in May.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... May U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $224.30 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, and AMT--The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in...

ESAB releases new software.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... ESAB Cutting Systems announces the release of its new Columbus Software, an integrated software package designed specifically for cutting machines. Columbus is the first cutting system software designed by a cutting machine manufacturer...

New Orders, Production, Employment, Inventories grow.(Industry News)
September 1, 2004... Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in June for the 13th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 32nd consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business[R]...

Machine-tending robots increase flexibility, morale: machine-tending robots allow a Vermont shop to be more flexible in its production and markets, plus increase employees' productivity and knowledge.(Robotics)
September 1, 2004... Preci-Manufacturing, Inc. (Winooski, VT) is a family-owned manufacturer of precision mechanical components for the aerospace, defense, medical, and electronics industries, which relies heavily on machine-tending robots as a vital and productive...

Powerful CAM software pays back and pays off: investing in high technology hardware has been an Ohio tool and die shop's key to growth and survival. Investing in a high-end CAM package leveraged the shop's commitment to high performance.(CAD/CAM)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2004... Hess Industries Ltd. (Mansfield, OH) is a full service tool and die shop specializing in building and repairing progressive and transfer dies primarily for the automotive and consumer appliance industries. Mark Hess, president and owner of Hess...

Job shop stakes future on Internet--and wins: when your primary customers are high-tech and telecommunications firms, what do you do when the high-tech "bubble" bursts? For one small shop, you hang on as best you can and try new ways to access new customers.(CAD/CAM Shop Control Software)
September 1, 2004... "We never did any marketing before the high-tech bubble burst," says Sandor Nagy, president, A-Sandor, Inc. (Ottowa, ON), a six-year old, 10-person job shop specializing in prototyping and design work. "Why would we? The work just kept coming...

Rapid prototype shop 'cuts' development time: using advanced technologies, a Michigan prototype shop cuts almost 70% of the expected development time for a lawn and garden products manufacturer--without the expense of production tools.(Machine Accessories/CNC/DRO)
September 1, 2004... For Electrolux Home Products Group (Orangeburg, SC) the grass is greener when, in fact, the grass is greener--and fast growing. Electrolux is the parent company for the Poulan and Husqvarna brands of outdoor equipment, and a supplier to the...

Dodging dermatitis during dryer, cooler months ahead: when you work with metalworking fluids, the instances of dermatitis or skin irritation can increase during the cooler and dryer months ahead. Here's a look at why this happens and what you can do to control it.(Coolants/Lubricants/Filters)
September 1, 2004... Dermatitis in a metalworking plant can arise from a number of causes, such as too strong of a fluid mix, improper use of solvents or cleaners, changes in seasonal weather, contaminated metalworking fluid, etc. Here's a look at why skin...

Near-dry approach cuts lube use 94%: switching lubricants and application systems has allowed a Georgia fabricator to reduce its process lubricant usage by about 94%.(Coolants/Lubricants/Filters)
September 1, 2004... Franklin Aluminum Company (Franklin, GA), among the world's largest vehicle roof rack manufacturers, switched to a near-dry lubricant approach for its drilling and punching of aluminum extrusions. For its customers, Franklin manufactures the...

Pavilions of productivity.(IMTS 2004)
September 1, 2004... More than 1,200 companies will present their performance, productivity, and profit enhancing capabilities at this month's IMTS 2004. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spread throughout all of Chicago's McCormick Place,...

Modular fixturing component.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Fixtureworks will be exhibiting its One-Touch Clamps for workholding solutions for machining applications with other fixturing and workholding components. The clamps are available in a variety of configurations including pull, swing, side and...

Quick-change pallet clamps.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Kosmek USA has introduced a new pallet clamping technology that locates and clamps pallets to machines quickly and accurately (within a few microns). Changes to part design are accommodated by reworking the fixture and modifying the machine...

Solution for deburring/cleaning/finishing application.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The Weiler Corporation offers abrasive flap discs for a variety of surface conditioning applications, including deburring, cleaning, weld blending, and finishing. The Tiger[R] Discs line is designed to provide value in medium to high production...

New fine grinding technology.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Lapmaster International will display its broad range of Carlap[TM] low-cost twinwheel lapping systems, single wheel lapping systems, and the new Melchiorre fine grinding system. The grinding system incorporates the latest developments for flat...

New long edge cutter.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Stellram introduces its new 5315 VA12 cutter line as an extension of the PowerMill90 (7690 VA12) line, both use the same AD-style 12mm inserts. These new cutters are used for profiling, shoulder milling, and slotting. They feature full...

Metric endmills.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Micro 100, Inc. introduces an extensive series of metric HSC (high-speed cutting) solid carbide endmills. These high-precision finishing, two-flute endmills are suitable for HSC applications and engineered for shrink-fit tooling. A positive...

Burnishing tools process ID/OD metal surfaces.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Sugino Corporation offers its line of Superoll[R] burnishing tools, which can burnish the inside or outside diameters of any bored, reamed or turned workpiece to produce a fine, wear-resistant finish. These tools are used in burnishing...

Rotary table for wire/ram EDM machines.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... A two-page literature sheet is available from Logansport Mastsumoto Company on its MDWAT 102B NC rotary table, which holds and positions workpieces in both wirecut and sinker type EDM units. This model features stainless steel construction and...

'At-the-machine' coolant handling system.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Mayfran International will exhibit its innovative 'at-the-machine' chip handling and coolant reclamation products including, the ConSep 2000[R] II combination chip removal/coolant filtration unit. This unit features the new Fluid System (FS)...

Stainless steel parts washer.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... An aqueous parts washer with a 9" wide flat wire belt that permits precision cleaning of large metal parts and large batches of smaller parts, will be introduced by Almco, Inc. The Model PWRB9-36EU, features a compact U-bend design that allows...

New series of metalworking fluids.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The Cimcool[R] Division of Milacron, Inc. announces a new line of metalworking fluids for moderate- to heavy-duty machining and grinding applications. The Cimstar 3800 Series combines lubricity, biostability, low misting/low foaming, and...

Fine boring system.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Romi Machine Tools, Ltd, introduces the Romicron fine boring system for finishing high-precision bores by adjusting the tip of the boring tool in a fast and accurate fashion. The system permits adjustments of 1.0[mu] (0.000040") on the tool...

Automated storage solutions.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Remstar International will display vertical storage and retrieval solutions for small parts, tools, dies, fixtures, cutter grind, fasteners, and raw materials to provide maximum space utilization. Automated vertical systems are designed to...

Custom prismatic fixturing.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Master Workholding Inc. will display its hydraulic tombstone-type fixturing, and other custom prismatic workholding solutions for horizontal and vertical machining centers. Full design and manufacturing capabilities are offered as well as...

New five-axis wire EDM machine.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Ona America, Inc. has added the AE 300 Wire Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) to its product line. This compact, high-precision fixed-bed machine is designed for high precision cutting in a submerged mode. The five-axis machine has a fixed...

Magazine barfeed/rotary table products.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... MTA International introduces new Model Magazine barfeed and rotary table products for new and existing CNC fixed head-stock and CNC Swiss-style lathes. These new short and full-length bar loading/unloading systems with advanced features...

Magnets clean coolant/floors.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Storch Magnetics will feature magnetic systems that include a cleaning system for parts washing of machined automotive cast iron components that incorporate magnetic conveyors and magnetic filtration separators, with filter bags and mist...

New chuck technology.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... SMW Autoblock offers the AP/NT, a new series of lathe chucks that features completely sealed bodies. All internal components are sealed and operating in a grease bath, clamping force is constant, and no other lubrication is necessary. The AP...

Cutting tool technologies/solutions.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Valenite Inc. will display its lineup of cutting tool and toolholding technologies, and introduce The New Blue program, which includes a new level of customer support and technical expertise. New products include the Valturn[TM] turning system;...

Forged Center Pull lift rings.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... A new series of lifting rings are now available from Jergens, Inc. The new Forged Center Pull style lifting rings integrate a solid center brace lift bail, which eliminates possible spreading of the ring if misapplied. Each ring can pivot...

Vertical honing system.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The new SV series vertical honing machines, from Sunnen Product Company, has a servo controlled, linear tool stroking system to ensure precise bore geometry. The new series offers power, precision, durability, and the latest technology. This...

Ultra-precision, fine wire machine.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The UPJ-2, from Makino, is a horizontal wire EDM machine that features standard capabilities for automatically threading and machining with wire as small as 0.00078" (0.02mm) in diameter. This new EDM machine can handle jobs including gears for...

Fixturing solutions for workholding problems.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Advanced Machine & Engineering Company will exhibit its fixturing solutions for workholding problems. Products will include the Amrok[TM] Tombstones, available in cast iron or cast aluminum; Tripoxy Mineral Tombstones, designed for use on...

Indexable insert thread mills.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The Emuge Corporation has introduced its new line of indexable insert thread mills, the Threads-All. Designed for production of internal threads 1-1/8"-M30> on CNC machining centers, the flexible system is based on lean manufacturing...

New 4-Axis CNC 24 tool bar machine.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Intertech Worldwide Corporation will feature the new model 42-9LSS, 4-Axis CNC, 1-5/8" bar machining center with sub-spindle that uses a three-sided tool planten featuring nine live tools, six stationary drill holders, eight turning holders,...

Drill/chamfer in single operation.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Sumitomo Electric offers Three models of its sumiChamfer[TM] Systems designed to improve cycle time. These systems feature a unique collar that fits securely around solid carbide drills to allow drilling and chamfering in a single operation to...

Aluminum machining with HSC-19.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... The application of the new milling system from Ceratizit takes chip removal to new levels. It is now possible to program high cutting speeds with spindle speeds up to 56,000 rpm. The workpiece surface finish eliminates the need for additional...

Automatic liquid filtration.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Zero Gravity Filters offers innovative solid/liquid separation solutions for the metal working industry. Applications include removing aluminum, plastic, and cast iron fines from machine coolants, protecting high pressure pumps, tools, nozzles...

Premium performance bandsaw machines.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... A new brochure designed to assist users in comparing the features and benefits of different brands of bandsaw machines is now available from Behringer Saws, Inc. This eight-page, four-color brochure covers the many components of a typical...

New metal compactor line available.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Kurt Manufacturing Company has introduced its new line of metal compactors, which have an output of up to 500 lb./hr of aluminum pucks. The "Chipmunk" compactors are available in two models and designed to compact both ferrous and non-ferrous...

Modular fixturing holds large parts for welding.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... A modular fixturing system that accurately holds large parts for the welding process, is available from Bluco Corporation. Standard columns up to 13' long can be mounted vertically on the welding table or joined horizontally to each other. Once...

Sphinx micro drills with extended range.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Big Kaiser Tooling introduces its new line of solid carbide Sphinx micro drills, ranging from 1mm (0.039")-2mm (0.078"). These solid carbide micro drills have a tolerance range of +0/-0.004mm, and feature a reinforced shank available in...

Next generation cutting head for waterjet systems.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Barton Mines Company, LLC introduces its new Trident Diamond cutting head. This cutting head's design uses few component parts and the permanently integrated diamond orifice is intrinsically resistant to wear, providing extended nozzle and...

Fully hydrostatic universal tool grinding center.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Rollomatic, Inc. has introduced its fully hydraulic grinding machine, the GrindSmart 6000XL. Hydrostatic functions allow friction-free linear and rotary movement for all 6-axes, including grinding spindle, to enhance the accuracy, speed,...

New compact infrared 3-D touch probe.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Heidenhain Corporation offers a new addition to its 3-D touch trigger probe, the compact TS 440 model. The small dimensions make this infrared touch probe ideal for machines that are carrying out repeated setup and inspection procedures and...

Abrasive Blast Equipment/Parts/Accessories Catalog.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... International Surface Preparation announces its new Abrasive Blast Equipment, Parts, and Accessories Catalog. The 120-page color catalog is a guide to identifying part numbers for easy and accurate ordering. Featured are blast cabinets, blast...

New gang tool lathe.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... SNK America, Inc. has announced its line of polymer-based small accurate machine tools under the new Prodigy brand. The Prodigy GT-27 gang tool lathe built with a polymer base, precision components, and a Fanuc control provides high accuracy...

New thread mill design for exotic materials.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... OSG Tap & Die has released a new thread mill designed to meet the requirements of machining exotic materials, the Exocarb[R]. This thread mill is designed for applications requiring difficult to machine exotic materials including Inconel[R],...

Electronic locking solutions for storage cabinets.(IMTS Products)
September 1, 2004... Lista International Corporation introduces newly expanded electronic locking solutions for its drawer storage cabinets. Cribware[R] Sentinel software from Applied CIM Technologies interfaces with the e-Lock Electronic Locking system to control...

Plunge milling dies cuts shop cost 90%: improving productivity when milling deep cavities in 4140 steel dies sometimes calls for a radical change in machining approach. A switch to plunge milling saves a Michigan shop about 90% of machining costs.(Cutting Tools)
September 1, 2004... Synergis Technologies (Grand Rapids, MI) learned this lesson while producing stamping dies for major automakers and their suppliers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The shop routinely uses a Pratt & Whitney VMC to...

Shop wins die work from OEM in-house: for job shops, the competition for forging die business is not coming from off-shore; usually it comes from the OEM's own in-house operations. Machining technology may be the way for shops to get and keep this die/mold business.(Machining/Turning Centers)
September 1, 2004... Market forces on the U.S. forging die industry from Far Eastern competition do not appear to be as severe as other job shop or die/mold segments. So far, most of that complex work has stayed in the western hemisphere. The challenge for shops is...

VMC combines precision/stability/speed.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... Romi Machine Tools, Ltd. introduces the D Series of vertical machining centers (VMCs). The new series offers a work envelope of 40.2" (X) X 20.1" (Y) X 25.2" (Z) and a table work surface of 48" X 18.1", the D 1000 combines high performance and...

Horizontal production center.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... SNK America, Inc., Niigata Machinery Division, announces the new SPN501 horizontal production center, a 20" pallet machine that produces parts as large as 31.5" diameter X 30.4" tall. This machining center is a three-point mount machine with a...

High-performance vertical machining center.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... Haas Automation, Inc. has added the VF-2SS VMC to its line of high-performance vertical machining centers. This new machining center features a high-speed side-mount tool changer with 24+1 tools, lighter materials, and high-performance servo...

Revo 4020 vertical machining center.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... Doosan Machinery America introduces its Model Revo 4020 high-performance vertical machining center. The machine features a highly rigid structure with a boxed column and single cast bed that provides stable precision over a long operating life....

4-axis turning center.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... A new 4-axis turning center with 6.500" through-hole capacity and overhead part loader is available from Bardons & Oliver. This new turning center features two 12-station, interference-free turrets and flexible tooling systems, and a heavy cast...

Shop doubles sales with smart choices: pairing the newest technology and old fashioned hard work allows an Ohio shop to double business every year.(Machining/Turning Centers)
September 1, 2004... "I started with my wife and one... turning center, smiles Reeve Parker. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1997, Parker and his wife Maria sold their home and with an SBA loan founded Parker Precision (Mentor, OH). "I started with my wife and...

New line of turning centers.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... Clausing Colchester introduces a new line of CNC turning centers, The Storm T-Series, available in 2-, 3-, and 5-axis models. The Storm 2-, and 3-axis turning centers have the "new generation" G.E. Fanuc 2liT 'B' series CNC control, with...

CNC turning center provides simultaneous/independent machining.(Machining/Turning)
September 1, 2004... Methods Machine Tools, Inc., offers the Nakamura-Tome WTW-150, with twin spindles and four turrets, for turning complex precision parts in a single setup. Dual Fanuc CNC's allow for independent programming of each spindle, and each spindle is...

Automatic gauging meets shop's zero defects goal: adopting new, innovative gauging techniques and technology has helped grow an Illinois shop to a venture machining automotive and off-highway castings and forgings with "zero defects.".(QC/Measurement/Inspection)
September 1, 2004... Mennie Machine Company Inc. (Mark, IL) has been running three shifts, seven days a week for months. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bill Mennie, vice president, says that by diversifying its customer base between the construction and heavy...

Five-axis machining 'from the ground up'.(Machining/Turning Centers)
September 1, 2004... When Moore Tool set out to build a true five-axis, high-speed machining center providing superior high-speed machining capability when milling materials from aluminum to hardened steel and titanium to meet the demands of the turbo machinery,...