Modern Machine Shop back issues from June 2007:
Whiners or winners?(Mark: My Word)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Two important events happen this time of year. In May, the annual National Apprentice Contest (sponsored by the National Tooling & Machining Association) was held in Pittsburgh. This month, the SkillsUSA Precision Machining Technology Championship takes place in Kansas City, Missouri ....
Dare to love.(THE Z AXIS)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Is there room for love in metalworking? Peter Boucher of 3V Precision Machining (the subject of this month's cover story) talks about love a lot. He regards his work with this emotion, he regards his employees with the same emotion, and he looks for employees who are willing to ...
Take a page(s) from medical shops.(One-Off)
Jun 01, 2007; ... This issue of MODERN MACHINE SHOP contains a number of articles related to machining's role in manufacturing medical devices. If you're wondering if the majority of our readers are involved in medical manufacturing, the answer is no. Our readers do, however, struggle with complex parts ...
Industrial strength succession planning.(Blackman On Taxes)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Raise your hand if you are the owner of a successful family business and you want your kids to step into your shoes someday. First, let's be specific about the word "kids." We mean only those kids who are now in the business and who will someday run the business. We believe that kids who ...
Making a case for machining to net shape.(Shop Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... At a recent mold making seminar, cutting tool supplier Emuge Corporation demonstrated the benefits of zero stock machining (ZSM). The company brought this concept to reality by machining a golf club head cavity from start to finish. Emuge says it selected golf as a motif not ...
New edition of abrasives industry report.(Shop Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Materials Technology Publications and the Abrasive Engineering Society have published the fifth edition of "Abrasives Industry in Europe and North America." The 477-page report provides analyses of markets for conventional abrasives; superabrasives; loose abrasive materials; and bonded, ...
New Web site for machining professionals.(Shop Talk)(Website overview)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Mfgx.com is a new Web site developed for the manufacturing community. It is currently in the beta stage and, as such, much of it is still being refined. The current phase offers forums, job posting utilities (users can post or review as an employer or prospective employee) and a member ...
Powder Metal information available online.(Shop Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Metaldyne, designer and supplier of metal-based components, has launched its Powder Metal microsite. The Web site is an educational tool that allows visitors to learn about powder metal technology though technical papers, industry links and commentaries from Metaldyne product engineers ....
Leadership changes for Saint-Gobain Abrasives.(Shop Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Joseph H. Menendez has been appointed president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives. Mr. Menendez will be responsible for the worldwide operations of Saint-Gobain Abrasives, which has 75 plants in 35 countries. Mr. Menendez had been vice president of Saint-Gobain Abrasives North America since 2005. ...
Simonds celebrates 175 years.(Shop Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... This year marks the 175th year in business for Simonds International, a manufacturer of industrial cutting tools for metalworking, wood processing and construction applications. Simonds was founded in 1832 as a scythe-making shop for agricultural tools. The company is located in ...
The "Today Only" meeting--the tool to getting things done.(Competing Ideas)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Manufacturing is a complicated and sometimes frustrating business with many things to do and little time to do them. For the most part, manufacturers find ways to competitively produce good quality products and ship them to their customers on time. Unfortunately, things occasionally fall ...
A tool turret tailored for the task (of multitasking).(Rapid Traverse: Metalworking Technology In Brief)
Jun 01, 2007; ... When Hardinge Inc. (Elmira, New York) designed its new "flagship" line of multitasking CNC turning centers, it paid particular attention to the turret tooling top plate. On this type of machine, the top plate plays such a critical role that it can be either a weak link or major strong ...
Making chips vs. making value.(Rapid Traverse: Metalworking Technology in Brief)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Does this picture alarm you? The precision CNC grinding machine in this photo just finished doing what any machining center could do. That is, it drilled the two holes that can be seen in the workpiece, in the close-up on the next page. Just before the grinding wheel was loaded here, the ...
Meeting dates.(Calendar)
Jun 01, 2007 ... June 19-20 * Boothroyd Dewhurst will host the 22nd annual International Forum on Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Providence-Warwick, Rhode Island. The focus for this year's event is "Dialogue and Design: Working Together to Develop ...
Machining for air: the owner of this shop saw his sister stand and walk again. Now the shop makes the oral devices that he hopes will change other lives just as profoundly.(Cover story)
Jun 01, 2007; ... It would be difficult to imagine a job shop owner who has a more personal relationship with machined parts than Peter Boucher. At night, parts machined at his shop go into his mouth. The same is true of programmer Eric Reitan. Ditto for Mr. Boucher's son Joshua. ...
Successfully feeding the medical market: this medical shop has adopted five-axis, bar-fed machining technology to adapt to compressed delivery schedules and increasingly complex part geometries.
Jun 01, 2007; ... A visit to Structure Medical's facility in Naples, Florida, highlighted a few challenges faced by modern medical machine shops. How Structure Medical has positioned itself to meet those challenges shone through as well. Consider these issues: 1) Design complexity of machined ...
A quick look at PEEK machining: the use of PEEK polymer for medical implant devices is on the rise. A supplier of this material offers cutting tool tips for shops that may soon add PEEK machining to their list of capabilities.
Jun 01, 2007; ... If you machine components for medical implant devices, then you're either 1) already machining PEEK polymer or 2) soon will be. That's because the medical industry has found medical-grade PEEK offers excellent strength, wear resistance and biocompatibility for components such as the dental ...
Finding the right words and the right process: this greeting card giant leverages hand-engraving competencies, digital media and high speed machining to produce press-ready dies so its cards are ready for the consumer's viewing pleasure.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Have you ever felt lost trying to choose a greeting card out of the vast selection lining the racks? Consider how many dies it must take to produce all of the different greeting card designs using cut shapes or raised features. Now consider that the raised rounded dies Hallmark uses for ...
From out of the lab: the purpose is to disrupt the way machining is done.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Abandoning the old method and replacing it with a new and radically different method that hasn't yet been considered--that is what "disruptive technology" is all about. In machining, examples of such disruptive technology might include: * Mounting a button-shaped ...
The value of conserving measuring range.(Quality Gaging Tips)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Many people confuse the act of measuring a part with that of gaging a part. Although both operations are similar, understanding the subtle differences between the two can improve the accuracy and efficiency of both processes. Measuring is the process of determining the ...
Understanding argument assignment number two.(CNC Tech Talk)
Jun 01, 2007; ... With custom macro B there are two different forms of argument assignment for the G65 command to call a custom macro. By far, the more popular is argument assignment number one. Here are most of the local variable representations in with argument assignment number one: A: #1, B: ...
Screw machine shop modernizes as it moves to medical.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Jun 01, 2007 ... Memphis, Tennessee. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Warsaw, Indiana. Ansonia, Connecticut. The first three cities on this list are identified as major hubs for medical device manufacturing. However, HMP Industries, a generations-old screw machine shop, happens to be located in a sleepy town in ...
Precision forming process reduces part costs by 25 percent.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Jun 01, 2007 ... Machine shops face competition from not only regional competitors, but also Pacific Rim manufacturers that are vying for work. Maumee, Ohio-based Hammill Manufacturing's Impact Cutoff Division uses precision forging, also known as net-shape forging or closed-die forging, to ...
Laser system checks CMMs for accuracy.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Jun 01, 2007 ... Sure, coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) indicate the accuracy of parts, but who checks the accuracy of CMMs? Over the years, Helmel Engineering used several laser calibration systems to calibrate the scales on its CMMs and performing in-field service prior to standardizing on Optodyne, ...
Using CAM to stay atop complex undersea manifold jobs.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Jun 01, 2007 ... As the search for hydrocarbons expands into deeper areas of the world's oceans, components of offshore petroleum production and distribution systems are subject to ever-higher operating pressures. In recent years, dimensional specifications for accuracy have tightened as much as tenfold to ...
Machining center tool eliminates camshaft burrs.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Jun 01, 2007 ... When Ford Geelong in Victoria, Australia, encountered an increasing number of engine problems, it quickly realized that they were caused by burrs left in intersecting holes drilled on the engine's camshafts. The burrs can break off and jam the variable cam-timing system. This can ...
Minimizing part setup with five-axis technology.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)(Company overview)
Jun 01, 2007 ... BHI Corporation recently faced a decision regarding expansion. The obvious answer would have been to continue to produce, using its existing processes of multiple four-axis machining centers with two-axis turning centers (which would necessitate adding personnel), or else find a more ...
Consistent CAM interface for various applications.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Open Mind Technologies' hyperMill CAM software now includes a mill-turn module within the existing milling and drilling function set. This enables users to work in a consistent interface regardless of whether the application is for 2.5D, 3D or five-axis milling; 2D or 5x drilling; or ...
Multi-axis, on-machine verification capability.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... The latest version of Delcam's PowerInspect hardware-independent inspection software features support for multi-axis on-machine verification. This enables verification on complex four-, five- and six-axis machine tools both during and after machining. This feature also provides users with ...
Simulation software compatible with new operating system.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Cincinnati Incorporated offers Windows Vista-compatible versions of its laser-nesting and press-brake-bend simulation software, Laser Nesting v. 4.5X and Bend Simulation v. 4.5X. Both programs allow off-line programming and simulation to maximize machine runtime and enable ...
Efficiently track and manage program libraries.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Cimnet's CNC Professional package provides NC solutions for manufacturers ranging from small job shops to large, fully networked facilities. The software is designed to save time and money by enabling users to track and manage their program libraries more efficiently. Able to run on either ...
Software for progressive die design.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... DieDesign is an application for the design of progressive dies, a time-consuming, complex task that often requires many iterations to complete, according to developer Cimatron. The software is integrated with other parts of the CimatronE CAD/CAM product suite to streamline the entire ...
Software improves workflow, quality of laser scanner.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Faro Technologies, Faro Scene v4.1 is the latest version of the software for viewing, administrating, calibrating, filtering and managing large, 3 D point clouds collected with the company's Laser Scanner LS. The scanner is a portable, computerized measurement device that ...
New version of CAM software features three-axis enhancements.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available later this year from Gibbs and Associates, GibbsCAM 2008 will include a suite of three-axis enhancements designed to generate tool paths with no gouging, no vertical-wall sensitivity and fewer extra entries/exits and retracts. To minimize air cutting and reduce cycle times, the ...
Reduce cycle times, tool load, vibration and chatter.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... A CAD/CAM solution for two-axis to five-axis milling, Sescoi's WorkNC can convert three-axis tool paths into simultaneous five-axis tool paths. Integrated into the software, NCspeed can further optimize NC code and reduce cycle times by as much as 20 percent, the company says. ...
Part-to-CAD inspection software.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Useful for industrial inspection tasks in the automotive, aerospace and other industries, Focus Inspection software offers part-to-CAD inspection starting from point cloud data or meshes captured by CMM-based or handheld scanning solutions. Available from Metris, the software covers the ...
Four- and five-axis simultaneous milling capability.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... The latest version of Surfware's CAD/CAM system, the Surfcam Velocity series features enhanced four- and five-axis simultaneous milling capabilities. The company says the upgraded logic in version 3 of the software is useful for manufacturers of parts that require the removal of bulk ...
Converter boards with RS-422-A differential drivers.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Manufacturer Vega CNC offers the 2785 series of converter boards, which are equipped with RS-422-A differential drivers. A Quad B is the default configuration, with Z-channel index occurring once per transducer cycle. According to the company, the Model 2785500 ...
Model-based definition inspection software.(Systems And Software)
Jun 01, 2007; ... Aerospace contractors increasingly require vendors to prove model based definition (MBD) capability in order to be approved suppliers, software developer Verisurf says. The latest version of the company's CAD/ CAM-based inspection software, Verisurf version 9.1 R28, includes built-in ...
One machine for punching and laser cutting.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Capable of performing both punching and laser cutting operations, Amada America's EML K3510 is designed for high production of short-run sheet metal parts that have many holes or require forming. Able to handle full-size 4' x 8' or 5' x 10' sheets without repositioning, the punch-laser has ...
Grinding center features in-process measurement.
Jun 01, 2007; ... The KX300P gear-grinding center can dress a range of gears without changing dressing disks, according to manufacturer Kapp Technologies. With optional ring-loader automation, the grinder offers both discontinuous form grinding and continuous generation of grinding processes with either ...
Die/mold cutter accepts serrated, button insert styles.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Ingersoll Cutting Tools' Form-MasterPro die/mold milling cutter accepts four different insert styles. Three serrated styles with four indexes and one button insert with eight indexes are available. In addition to providing free cutting geometry and quality chip management, the tools' ...
Drills designed to balance toughness, wear resistance.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Precision Dormer offers the Hyperion premium performance line of solid carbide drills, an expansion of the company's solid carbide drill family. According to the company, the drills' point design and geometry combined with their multi-layer PVD coating provides a balance of toughness and ...
Drills feature tool connection with high clamping force.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Big Kaiser says its indexable insert drills' straight-flute design guarantees a short distance for chip evacuation as well as high radial and torsional rigidity. A large seating diameter provides the custom KAB6 modular tool connection with high damping force. This makes the drill suitable ...
Cutters for deep pockets, extended-reach applications.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Cogsdill Tool Products. ZX valve seat pocket tools are designed for machining seat-pocket areas in oil valves, deep bore cavities and for other extended-reach applications. According to the company, the tools have rigid cutter support and in-bore piloting to produce ...
Roughing inserts with high metal-removal rates.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Dapra says its HFBD series inserts achieve high metal-removal rates when used with its BNEM cutter bodies for high-feed roughing, pocketing, cavity/core roughing and helical interpolation. Available in diameters ranging from 3/8" to 3/4", the cutters are furnished in medium- and ...
Tool extensions for difficult-to-reach areas.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Useful for die and mold applications, Command Tooling Systems' ThermoLock 3-degree and 4.5-degree taper extensions extend tools for difficult-to-reach areas. The extensions are designed for small-diameter tools. They expand the toolholder cutting range and can be used with single-end, ...
Shrink-fit tool mounter.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Hybrid Systems, the Mark II heat-shrink tool-mounting unit uses a toolholder with an ID that is smaller than the tool itself. The system rapidly heats the toolholder, expanding its ID to allow tools to be installed or replaced. According to the company, it enables users to ...
End mills designed for high feed rates.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Imco Carbide Tool offers the Pow-R-Feed M90 end mill for roughing, slotting and finishing difficult-to-machine materials. To increase the number of parts per tool that users can machine, the tools are designed to push metal-removal and feed rates above standard rates of production. They ...
Perform multiple operations with same insert.
Jun 01, 2007; ... The Tormill's shape and clearance angle enables it to perform facing, plunging and undercutting using the same insert, according to manufacturer Iscar. The peripherally ground insert features small corner radii and balanced design to enable side-plunging, small-corner and large-overhang ...
Coolant-through inserts for grooving variety of materials.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Able to face-groove virtually any diameter larger than 12 mm, the VHM series inserts have maximum groove depth of 40 mm. Available from Rouse-Arno, the inserts are available in two grades, the AK-40 and the AL-40. The AK-40 grade is constructed of solid micrograin carbide for machining ...
Insert grade for high speed machining.
Jun 01, 2007; ... CB7025 is an insert grade designed for interrupted cuts in case-hardened steel. According to manufacturer Sandvik Coromant, its fine-grain CBN controls wear and mechanically interlocks insert corners to provide strength and security. The company says these properties enable high machining ...
Toolholders designed for high speed machining.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Rego-Fix's Swiss-quality HSK toolholders are balanced to G2.5 at 25,000 rpm for high speed machining applications. Compatible with the company's ER and PG collets and Hi-Q balancing rings, the toolholders feature coolant-through capability and are available in various forms and sizes. ...
Tools leave clean workpiece cutoff edges.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Kaiser Tool Company has expanded its line of Thinbit Groove 'N Turn inserts to offer part-off tools both with and without 7-degree cutoff lead angles. Available with either right- or left-hand cutoff angles, the inserts are designed for applications requiring clean cutoff edges on the ...
Machine designed for speed, rigidity and precision.
Jun 01, 2007; ... According to manufacturer Absolute Machine Tools, Johnford's Super Hi-Net SHV- 1000 has the speed, rigidity and precision required for high speed mold machining. The machine is equipped with roller-type linear ways on all axes as well as large-diameter, pre-tensioned ballscrews. The ...
Vise offers constant reference point.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Global CNC Industries, the Fablock machine vise has jaws with a custom "push-down" system that is said to ensure a fast, consistent reference point. Featuring a rapid moveable jaw advancing system, the vise is constructed of alloyed steel tempered at 58-60 HRC. It is ...
Oven cleans and heat-treats fuel nozzles.
Jun 01, 2007; ... The Model AF-1000 is a standard 1,000[degrees]F universal oven designed for cleaning and heat-treating fuel nozzles. Available from Grieve, the oven has workspace dimensions of 24" x 36" x 24", and its Incoloy-sheathed tubular heating elements can output 24 kW of power. A 1,000-fm, 3/4-hp ...
Alternate system for cooling, cleaning and lubricating.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Cool Clean Technologies, the CoolTool provides selective cooling, cleaning and lubrication for machining processes. The system uses Advanced Minimum Quantity Cooling Lubrication (AMQCL) technology, which uses a stream of carbon dioxide as a coolant and lubricant base stock ....
Colorless, odorless film resists humidity and corrosion.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Birchwood Casey says its Dri Touch Amber blocks rust and corrosion on all metals without affecting part operation. The material produces a colorless, odorless barrier film that is dry to the touch and resistant to humidity and corrosion. An alternative to oil-based products, the ...
Deposit tape at 2,000 IPM.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Engineered for high throughput, fast lay-up and easy setup, Charger tape-layer machines are available in low-rail gantry platforms and feature new tape heads. The machines can deposit tape at speeds as fast as 2,000 ipm (50.8 m/min) while achieving aerospace-grade placement accuracies on ...
Lathe features high feed rate for heavy cutting.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Available from Fortune International, the Vturn-40 is an 80+" (2-m) lathe with a gearbox and a high feed rate for heavy cutting. With an A2-11 spindle nose, a 50-hp Fanuc a30i spindle motor and a maximum feed rate of 787 ipm, the lathe is designed to overcome the technical limitations of ...
Milling machine useful for production environments.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Hass says its TM-3P toolroom mill addresses the needs of manufacturers that have limited financial resources but need the power and flexibility of a full CNC machine. The machine is based on the company's TM-3, but is equipped with features that make it useful for production environments ....
Coolant filter reduces pump wear.
Jun 01, 2007; ... According to manufacturer Industrial Filters, the Roltray filter can prolong grinding wheel and coolant life while reducing pump wear and the need for sump cleaning. Useful for grinders, hones, milling machines and deburring machines, the filter is designed for ease of use and simplified ...
High speed laser cutter.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Mazak Optonics' HyperGear laser cutting system incorporates a variety of features designed to provide quality setup and maintenance notification as well as fast cutting speeds for every material and thickness. Equipped with an automatic torch and nozzle changer, the machine is capable of ...
Laser maintains consistent beam quality.
Jun 01, 2007; ... Constructed with a one-piece design, the LV Plus laser features a Dianite casting and provides stability by incorporating the machine tool, resonator and power supply onto one platform, says manufacturer Mitsubishi Laser. The company's Diamond-Path technology uses a constant-beam-length ...