Modern Applications News articles from September 2006

Modern Applications News archives from September 2006

Change and continuity: John Mullally has left some big shoes to fill, but he'll still be acting as MAN's guardian angel.(EDITOR'S CORNER)
September 1, 2006... I don't know whether the supposed Chinese saying is a curse or a compliment: May you live in interesting times. "Interesting" is a two-edged blade. It can be interesting to watch world events unfold on the evening news from the comfort of one's...

Letters to the editor; once again, MAN - Modern Applications News--thanks its readers for their thoughtful responses to recent columns and articles. These are always most welcome and we are pleased to be able to publish them.(Letter to the editor)
September 1, 2006... Metal Cored Wire Dear Editor, I was very disappointed in the "Metal Cored Wire Cost Saves Money, Reputation" article in the July 2006 edition. My background is a BS degree in metallurgical engineering and 30 years of experience as...

Haas Automation posts record first half.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... Machine tool builder Haas Automation, Oxnard, CA, reports record production numbers and shipments for the first half of 2006. During the period of January 1 to June 30, Haas built and shipped more than 6,000 CNC machines to customers around the...

Trumpf Inc. presents 2006 awards to distributors.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... Trumpf Inc., Farmington, CT, producer of fabricating machinery and lasers used in industrial production technology, presented 2006 awards for sales achievement to Advanced Fabricating Machinery, Hart Machine Tool, Inc., and TECSA at Trumpf's...

Mastercam number one among CAM software and installed seats.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... The most recent analysis of CAM software seats produced by CIMdata, Inc., shows that CNC Software's Mastercam[R] is the world's most widely-used CAM software for the 12th straight year. With 98,574 installed seats worldwide, Mastercam has...

Mazak's new Northeast Headquarters and Technology Center.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... Mazak Corporation's North American headquarters complex in Florence, KY, is expanding its leading network of Regional Technology Centers with a new Northeast Headquarters and Technology Center in the Hartford, CT, area. Mazak has supported...

GE Fanuc Automation program for OEM partners.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... GE Fanuc Automation, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, announced a program for original equipment manufacturers--OEMs--that provides a significant edge to attract new customers and expand their existing base to grow their businesses. The program,...

Hobart Brothers opens welding training center.(Industry News)
September 1, 2006... Hobart Brothers Co., Troy, OH, manufacturer of welding filler metals, has opened a new training center to address new filler metal solutions, along with safety and health practices. The new training center uses welding power sources supplied by...

Medical instrument maker finds the right fit for cost-effective production: "never rest, never stand still" could be the motto of Micropulse. Finding the right machinery to meet its markets' needs keeps Micropulse on the move.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... The company began in a garage and its products ended up in people's hips. Micropulse, Inc., Columbia City, IN, began in 1988 as a tool and die shop in founder and president Brian Emerick's garage. The company used electrical discharge...

A compelling pick for impeller production: the right choice in CNC machining makes it competitive with casting.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... With energy prices soaring, making more fuel-efficient engines is again becoming a priority for transportation manufactures ranging from automobile makers to aircraft engine producers. Turbochargers can pack more air into an engine, increasing...

The war on error: it's a dangerous world out there where a mistake can cost a life. An after-market vehicle armorer provides rolling protection to make rides a little safer by cutting down on errors.(WELDING/FORMING/FABRICATING)
September 1, 2006... If James Bond's armorer, Q, were to go into business for himself, he would do well to pattern his shop after International Armoring Corp., Ogden, UT. IAC is the world leader in design and manufacture of armored, bullet-resistant passenger and...

A centralized tool crib lets an Aerospace firm sleep like a baby: using an advanced tool crib and improved process, an aircraft interior maker realized up to a 22 percent.(CUTTING TOOLS/TOOLING)
September 1, 2006... Lead, follow, or get out of the way. In the case of C&D Aerospace, Huntington Beach, CA, it was time to take the lead in improving and streamlining its operations by consolidating its metalworking equipment. "This consolidation included...

The same old grind isn't enough: when it comes to machining hard materials, this north-of-the-border company puts its expertise on the line, a line now measured to a tolerance 10 times better than before.(ABRASIVES/GRINDING MACHINES)
September 1, 2006... Where other shops pass on machining challenging materials, Strite Industries Ltd., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, takes up the challenge and excels. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded by J. D. Strite with five employees in 1964, the company...

True grit: the art of selecting the right ball-style hone: getting on the ball with the right ball-style hone, or even getting a custom design for a specific application, can improve efficiency.(FINISHING AND DEBURRING)
September 1, 2006... It's a matter of not being out of your depth. Ball-style hones smooth the "peaks" and improve the "valleys." Getting the right finish on the inside of an internal combustion engine cylinder can increase the life of both the cylinders and piston...

Broken bits as the mother of invention: in a case of "there's got to be a better way," a toolmaker built a better "mousetrap".(DRILLING)
September 1, 2006... Ed Dobkins needed to drill and tap several-dozen small holes to mount an electrical switch. His 70-pound magnetic-based drill was too big for the job, so he tried a hand drill. Working in an awkward drill position, he kept breaking bits. ...

IMTS 2006 Review.(IMTS 2006)
September 1, 2006... Introduction to IMTS Review The International Manufacturing Technology Show kicks off in Chicago's McCormick Place on September 6th and runs through the 13th. Mark your calendars and be sure to visit the exhibitors featured here. ...

High speed CNC.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... The Vega MX2 CNC is a high-speed, Windows[R] based CNC designed to include high-speed block processing algorithms and an integrated acceleration/deceleration interpolator with block look-ahead. This package is intended to allow part programs to...

CNCs for retrofit.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... ProtoTRAK CNC retrofits are designed to be an investment in toolroom knee mill productivity. The ProtoTRAK CNC is a control for toolroom and small lot work. The user interface of the CNC sets it apart from production-oriented CNCs. Retrofits...

Linear drive.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... Model RS linear drive is designed with a range of linear pitch settings to meet linear motion application requirements. The change to linear pitch requires no component changes and no re-gearing or adjustment to motor speed. The distance moved...

Handheld pendant station.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... The MR175 ergonomic handheld pendant station is designed to control industrial machinery, such as OEM applications. Control includes CNC machines, cranes, assembly lines, process control, robotics, and other machinery. There is an emergency...

USB module.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... The KurtUSB MLX module processes input from various electrical signals with high speed and accuracy, while providing programmable responses for automatic operation. The module is intended for stepper motor, gaging systems, automation, and PLC...

Roller hold-down.(CNC/MACHINE CONTROLS)
September 1, 2006... The Model 60W roller hold-down system is designed to operate with Techno Premium Class CNC Router models. The system features four 2"-diameter urethane-covered steel rollers with automatic roller lift and retracting for pressure hold-down. The...

Pneumatic pallet system.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The new quick-change pneumatic pallet system is designed to be easy to use, versatile, and accurate while it allows the operator to swap pallets in about 20 seconds. This allows the operator to load and unload parts while the machine is...

Cylindrical parts marking.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The Pro-Pen DP 3000 marking unit is designed for cylindrical parts marking using a motorized rotary axis device to provide marking of round or cylindrical parts - either around or along the axis. Internal clamping is available from 0.9" to 3.9"...

Diameter gauge probe.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... Detector[TM] is designed as an in-machine gauge probe for measuring outside diameters from 1.375" to 2.75". This will complement the current line of automatic gauge probes with the DF-040 probe which measures outside diameters from 0 to 1.5"....

CAD/CAM.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... MazaCAM CAD/CAM version 4.4, a CAD/CAM for both G-code and Mazatrol programmers is designed to output from a graphics environment or from a Mazatrol editor for all control generations. The software is intended to take in a CAD file (IGES, DXF,...

Linear encoder.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The LC Series of linear encoders is designed to make serial axis-control possible. The LC 183 and 483 offer the EnDat 2.2 interface and the LC 193 offers the Fanuc 02 interface. The absolute position value is 5 nm with an accuracy grade of [+...

Robotic parts loading and unloading.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The DS 1200-MTL is designed to provide an alternative to costly and tedious operator tending of process automation machines. The system, intended to be compatible with most fixtures, uses robotic technology to load and unload parts. The ability...

Breather caps.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The breather caps are designed to help keep tanks, reservoirs, and systems clean. Made from durable nylon, these breathers include a standard 48[micro] screen with optional porous materials in 35, 70, and 250 microns. The caps are intended to...

Vegetable oil lubricant.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... VpCI[TM]-325, a biodegradable vegetable-derived oil, qualifies to MIL-C-81309E and is designed to offer lubrication with up to 24 months of corrosion protection for a variety of metals. The product is intended to loosen frozen and rusted metal...

Condensate management system.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The Aquamat condensate management system is designed to dispose of compressed air system condensate that cannot be discharged directly into sanitary drains, unless the oil is separated from the water. The hazardous oil/water waste mixture is...

Tags and labels.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... These custom tags and labels are intended to offer a large selection of finishing options, such as scoring, perforation, lamination, UV coating as well as a variety of attachments. Scoring, through an impression or indentations, allows for ease...

Hydrodynamic bar feeder.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The Mini-Rhinobar single-tube hydrodynamic bar feeder is designed for shops where flexibility and customization are required. Feed tubes can be purchased a la carte, allowing for incremental expansion of the feeder. The feeder is intended for...

Portable Scissor Lift.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... Regal Portable Scissor Lifts are designed for a variety of uses in manufacturing and warehousing to move loads from one area to another. The lifts can raise loads to a convenient height for transferring them to and from workbenches. The lifts...

Material handling system.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The GN-400 is designed as a polypropylene-platform dolly that moves part loads around facilities and keeps containers off the floor. Featuring molded tabs and corresponding slots that fit together, the 8.4 lb. dolly allows individual platform...

Oil skimming sourcebook.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The "Solutions Sourcebook" is a 28-page handbook designed to offer application notes on more than 25 real-world implementations of oil skimming. The book is indexed both by industry and application type to enable readers to find quickly the...

Waterjet Filtration System.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The Closed Loop Filtration System for use in waterjet machines is designed to completely close the drain and reduce water consumption by 90 to 98 percent of normal use by filtering and reusing the overflow water. The system is intended to...

Inserts.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... Adding to the existing line of Groove 'N Turn[R] inserts, these part-off tools are offered with or without 7-degree cut-off lead angles and with right- or left-hand cut-off angles. The inserts with the 7-degree lead angles are available in...

Blasting systems.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... Guyson's Corp.'s compact automated blast systems. The programmable process routines of these blasting machines, like Model RXS-400, are used for shot peening, deburring, cosmetic finishing, and technical surface preparation in aerospace,...

Punching machine.(NEW PRODUCTS AND LITERATURE)
September 1, 2006... The Trumatic 1000 R, designed as a compact entry-level punching machine, features a working range of 50 x 80 inches, punching speeds of up to 600 hits per min. and an automatic tool changer. Intended for small-sized sheet metal processing, the...

Minimum sense on minimum wage: the recent haggling in Washington regarding an increase in the federal minimum wage taught us a lot ... but nothing about the minimum wage. What it should have taught the metalworking industry is that U.S. representatives and senators don't understand the major driver of our business and the shaper of new global economies: technology.
September 1, 2006... In any discussion, it always helps to define the terms, so everyone has the same perspective on the issue. The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act--FLSA--currently sets the minimum wage at $5.15 per hour. Of course, there are pages of exceptions and...