Modern Machine Shop back issues from September 2007:
EMO: a very relevant show.(Mark My Word)
Sep 01, 2007; ... EMO, Europe's big machine tool and manufacturing technology show, takes place this month in Hanover, Germany. The dates are September 17-22. It's a great show but one myth about it persists: Because shops in Europe are different, EMO isn't relevant to attendees from U.S. shops. ...
Like a bin.(THE Z AXIS)
Sep 01, 2007; ... It may seem strange to characterize an expensive capital investment this way, but perhaps the goal of any modern production machining process should be to become just like a bin. That was what I came away thinking after my visit to Champion (p. 92). This plant experimented with ...
Be prepared.(One-Off)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The timing was eerie. In July 2005, I completed a story that encouraged shops to develop a disaster recovery plan so they'd be prepared in the case a catastrophic event befalls them. The article was published in our September issue. That September issue was received by our ...
Different approach, different result.(Competing Ideas)
Sep 01, 2007; ... In this month's column I compare the results of two companies that set out to improve workplace organization. Although the two companies began in a similar manner, their efforts followed distinctly different paths and yielded very different results. Forward Co., Inc. began its ...
Are you losing 30 percent of your insurance premiums?(Blackman On Taxes)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Buying life insurance is the best method to legally beat estate tax laws. Here's a typical real-life example: Joe and Mary bought a $3 million second-to-die life insurance policy, which was owned by an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT). After paying $1,020,590 in premiums ($30,927 ...
Purdue develops deposition/machining method for complex internal features.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... While laser deposition is often used to create complex parts such as jet turbine components and next-generation computer memory devices, the technique cannot be used to create accurate internal features and is mostly limited to metal parts. That's because the part is machined after it is ...
Cutting tool manufacturers gather in Spain to discuss global trends.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The 2007 edition of the World Cutting Tool Conference was recently held in San Sebastian, Spain. The conference was hosted by AMT, Spain's association for machine tool accessories, components and cutting tools. It was cosponsored by the United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), the ...
LDI acquires Milltronics.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Liberty Diversified Industries (LDI) has acquired Milltronics Manufacturing Company, a Waconia, Minnesota-based machine tool manufacturer. Milltronics' 120 employees will become employees of LDI. A privately held portfolio company, LDI has holdings involved in the design, ...
Ugitech opens new U.S. production facility.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Ugitech USA, part of the Schmolz + Bickenbach group, has opened a new bar processing and distribution facility in Batavia, Illinois. The facility marks a transfer in technology from the company's primary steelmaking operations in Europe to the United States. "The new plant moves ...
Sumitomo Electric Carbide acquires Master Tool LLC.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Cutting tool designer and manufacturer Sumitomo Electric Carbide has acquired Master Tool LLC, a designer and builder of custom, inserted cutting tools. Master Tool focuses on the development of custom tooling to machine critical features on engine blocks, ...
EMO hosts next generation of engineers.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... To help prevent of at least forestall the predicted shortage of engineers, the German machine tool sector is organizing a special youth-oriented feature at EMO Hannover 2007 titled "Mechanical Engineer--Job With Power." Jointly organized by the Association of German Machine Tool Builders ...
Picturing the value of Tangential Milling--correctly.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Our August 2007 issue carried an article called "Tangential Milling Raises Throughput, Tool Life On Steel Castings," which described how Hol-Mac Corporation in Bay Springs, Mississippi, was able to improve a number of machining operations by switching to tangential milling with Ingersoll ...
General Electric and Fanuc celebrate 20th anniversary.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... GE Fanuc Automation, a unit of GE Industrial, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the joint venture between General Electric and Fanuc LTD of Japan. The occasion was marked by a commemoration on the grounds of GE Fanuc Automation headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, ...
Romi selects new president.(Shop Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Romi Machine Tools has named Amaury Torres de Miranda as President. Mr. Torres will manage the company's North American distribution and service facility in Erlanger, Kentucky. Mr. Torres is also a vice president of the parent company. Romi ...
More turrets, more tools, less cycle time.(RAPID TRAVERSE: Metalworking Technology In Brief)
Sep 01, 2007; ... In the last decade or so, no type of machine tool has evolved more rapidly or more drastically then the turn-mill machine. The TNX65/42 from Traub, part of the Index Group (Germany and Noblesville, Indiana) shows a shift in the design of these machines. Whereas the focus had been on ...
Micro "turning" using wire EDM.(RAPID TRAVERSE: Metalworking Technology In Brief)
Sep 01, 2007; ... It's challenging to accurately turn or grind miniature round parts. That's because the pressure that tools or grinding wheels exert on parts such as the micro electrode on page 56 can cause the parts to deflect, making it difficult to achieve accurate concentricity. In fact, in some cases ...
Cultivating metalworking technology's next users.(RAPID TRAVERSE: Metalworking Technology In Brief)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Metalworking technology is useless without people who are knowledgeable enough to put that technology to work. One person who knows this is Clem Fucci. He chairs the manufacturing technology program at the Westfield Vocational Technical High School in Westfield, Massachusetts. In ...
Meeting dates.(Conference news)(Calendar)
Sep 01, 2007 ... September 17-22 * EMO Hannover 2007 will feature exhibitor groups for machine tools, control systems, CAD/CAM, quality management, robotics and automation, instrumentation and control technology, metal forming and more. The event will take place at the Hannover Fairgrounds in ...
Becoming more than the mom & pop race shop: Carney Custom Machining started with a VMC and a customer base largely composed of drag racers. Now the shop is vying to win work from other sources, and CNC turning is a big part of that strategy.
Sep 01, 2007; ... Two prime factors spurred Dan and Nancy Carney, along with their son Brad, to start their own machine shop in the garage behind their home in Sharpsville, Indiana. One was the fact that they could serve the needs of the drag racing community of which they have been active members for many ...
How CNC led to cells: bringing CNC into a previously manual process set this shop on a lean path that has led to continuous flow production.
Sep 01, 2007; ... Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc. resembles an intermittent job shop. The high-mix, low-volume nature of its parts production--there are about 5,000 standard parts in its catalog--means that it is difficult for the pneumatic device manufacturer to implement "true" lean cells. Instead, ...
Double-sided productivity: this shop gets the most out of its turn-mill center by having a bar feeder on one side and a parts carrousel on the other.
Sep 01, 2007; ... Adding an automatic bar feeder to a CNC turning center is one way to boost productivity and free up an operator. On a milling machine, loading and unloading workpieces with an automated part transfer device fed by a carrousel can have the same benefits. So it stands to reason that a shop ...
Let assembly be the inspection: beyond single-setup machining, there is still more efficiency to be found. This shop found it. When all of the part's machining had been consolidated, the shop realized that assembly operations could be performed at the same station as well.
Sep 01, 2007; ... The next step beyond consolidating machining operations is consolidating manufacturing operations. Specifically, the next step beyond a multitasking machine tool--one that machines a part complete in one setup--is to move assembly operations to the same station where the ...
A machine tool show in Moscow: the market for metalworking equipment in Russia is enticing but complex.
Sep 01, 2007; ... What is a machine tool show in Moscow like? What is Moscow like these days? MASHEX, the Industrial & Technologies For Russia show, has been held every year since 1988. This year, the show moved to the Crocus Center Expo site about 15 miles from the Red Square, which is literally and ...
Indian manufacturing: a view from the shop floor: a recent visit to Indian metalworking shops reveals a nation poised to elevate its position in global manufacturing.
Sep 01, 2007; ... While India's IT industry typically gets the lion's share of credit for the country's emergence on the world economic stage, manufacturing is playing an increasingly significant role. So far that contribution has gone largely unnoticed by most Americans. But that is likely to change as ...
The ins and outs of fixed body mechanical plug gages.(Quality Gaging Tips)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Fixed body mechanical plug gages are one of the best ways to measure hole diameters. With this type of gage there is no rocking, as with an adjustable bore gage. It is fast and provides high performance for tight tolerance holes. Because these gages are easy to apply, they are usually used ...
Never change a CNC program to size a workpiece.(CNC Tech Talk)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Has the following ever happened to you? You're machining a 2.0-inch diameter on a CNC turning center. After machining, you measure this diameter and find it to be 2.002 inches. What do you do? Maybe a better question is: What do your operators do? This oversize condition can be ...
Big EDM seals the deal: submerged cutting of large workpieces such as honeycomb seals for jet engines calls for a larger capacity wire cut machine.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Malcolm Schneer has always been "big" on EDM. Now big EDM, as in a machine capable of handling extremely large workpieces, is playing a major role at his shop, Swiss Wire EDM. According to the Costa Mesa, California-based company, the catalyst for its recent acquisition of a ...
Aerospace shop reduces setups with boring mill.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Manufacturers embarking on a journey to fine-tune operations should heed this southern California shop's advice: solicit customer feedback. Asking clients what's going right and what could be going even better can be part of any shop's strategy to identify areas for improvement-regardless ...
CAM software helps reduce machining time by 80 percent.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Sep 01, 2007 ... By implementing feature-based CAM software from Delcam and investing in CNC mills, Hawk Industries, Inc. was able to reduce machining time for its alloy steel components by 80 percent and part programming time by 30 percent. The designer and builder of specialty drilling tools ...
Custom job shop tackles ups and downs with waterjet.(Better Production: Shops Using Technology)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Twelve years ago, Gary Lee was a purchasing manager for a 100-employee job shop in Illinois that was growing by 30 percent each year. By all accounts, Mr. Lee was doing well for himself, except for the fact that he says he was 35 and "bored out his mind." Weighing his career ...
Five-axis module added to CAM software.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... To further extend the machining capability of GibbsCAM CAM software, Gibbs and Associates offers a module that supports five-axis simultaneous milling. The five-axis option contains capabilities for multi-surface roughing and finishing, flowline machining and swarf cutting. The adaptable ...
USB connectivity for Fadal CNCs.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Available from Calmotion, the USB-CNC-FAD controller provides Fadal CNCs with USB connectivity. Acting as a standalone controller, it accepts conventional USB flash key memory and interfaces to Fadal machine tools equipped with any version of the CNC88 control. According to the company, ...
CAD/CAM software package for dental work.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Geomagic's Piano software is a modular dental CAD/CAM software package that reconstructs scan data of teeth, maxillary and mandibular arches, and jaw structure to facilitate design work ranging from custom implant abutments to crowns and bridges. Built on the company's open Agile ...
CNC simulators reduce training costs.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The NC Guide and NCGuidePro CNC simulators for GE Fanuc or Fanuc CNC simulation are designed to provide a realistic operation, part-programming and maintenance environment. According to developer GE Fanuc, this can reduce training costs because the simulation does not require a real CNC or ...
Enhanced CAM software.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DP Technology has introduced new versions of its Esprit software family, Esprit 2008 and Esprit Mold version 9. Esprit 2008 provides new technologies for milling, turning and wire EDM, including advances in Esprit FX, open pocket milling and turning stock automation. The latest version of ...
Software for robotic palletizing applications.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Developed by Kuka Robotics, version 3.5 of PalletTech software features enhanced capabilities for robotic palletizing applications, including augmented gripper support and multiple-orientation pickup. The suite of application-development and run-time tools consists of two modules, the ...
CAD/CAM software features new toolpath strategies.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Graphic Products North America offers the latest version of its CAD/CAM software, CAM-Tool. CAM-Tool V3 is used for traditional three-axis mold and die machining, hard milling and medical applications, whereas MX 3+2 is used for multi-axis applications. The new software includes ...
Software calculates cycle times and manufacturing costs.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Designed to reduce estimating time and increase shopfloor productivity, Costimator JS software calculates the cycle time and cost of manufacturing a part based on equipment capabilities and shop rates. The software includes a library of more than 2,000 workcenters and materials. To use the ...
Nesting software for CNC punching and profiling machines.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... JetCAM International offers JetCAM Expert 15.59.14, the latest version of its nesting software for CNC punching and profiling machines. The software provides enhanced support for digitizer tablets, improved CAD import and curve-blending routines and backend support to allow integration ...
Optimize equipment, programs and schedules.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Designed to give managers a plant-wide overview of equipment availability and asset utilization, Maintenance Technologies' Freedom E-Log is a standards-based logging and on-demand reporting application. According to the company, the system's Web-based reports can be used to optimize ...
Software aids purchasing decisions.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Developed by Shoptech Software, Webview 7.1 is a CRM solution that facilitates interactive communication between users of the company's E2 Shop System and their customers and vendors. According to the company, the improved functionality allows users to make better decisions more quickly ....
Enhanced solid model handling, 3D surface machining.(Systems And Software)
Sep 01, 2007; ... PartMaker offers Version 8 of its CAD/ CAM software for CNC mills, lathes, wire EDMs, mill-turn centers and Swiss-type lathes. New features include enhancements to the system's general functionality as well as improvements in handling solid models and optimizing of 3D surface machining ...
Multitasking turning center with programmable tailstock.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Featuring deep-drilling, boring and honing capability, the QTN 450-II multitasking turning center is equipped with a 7.2" bore and a programmable tailstock. Available from Mazak, the machine offers 1,761 foot-pounds of torque from its optional 50-hp integral spindle motor and 7.2" ...
Indexable inserts with positive cutting edge geometries.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Walter USA has expanded its WPP indexable insert range to include eight positive cutting edge geometries. Part of the Tiger-tec for steel family, inserts' cutting edges are designed to ensure a quiet cut and to reduce vibration. They can be used for operations ranging from roughing to fine ...
Disc sander for demanding applications.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Kalamazoo Industries' model DS12V disc sander features a 12" aluminum disc, a 1-hp 110/220V single-phase TEFC motor and a vacuum dust collector. The machine is equipped with a table that can tilt 45 degrees downward or 15 ...
Versatile flux cored wires for welding applications.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Esab says its family of flux-cored wires can be an alternative to traditional flux-cored wires, especially for less experienced welders. Dual Shield X wires offer a range of operating parameters as well as high deposition rates, fast travel speeds, flat-bead profile, limited spatter and ...
Metrology system for on-demand inspection, reverse engineering.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... The ScanShark V5 laser scanning probe is the latest addition to Romer's ScanShark portable inspection and reverse-engineering system. In addition to the probe, the system includes a seven-axis Infinite portable CM M, PolyWorks software and a laptop or desktop computer. The mobile metrology ...
For shop-floor dimensional inspection applications, Brown & Sharpe's One[TM] CMM offers design features that provide important advantages.
Sep 01, 2007 ... For shop-floor dimensional inspection applications, Brown & Sharpe's One[TM] CMM offers design features that provide important advantages: * No shop air is required thanks to linear recirculating ball bearings. Along with it's small footprint, this means that the One CMM can be ...
Gage computer with bluetooth, Wi-Fi data input.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... VGage's VE-805 gage computer is a PC-based tool for gage monitoring and display, raw data collection and storage, measurement analysis, statistical control computations and charting and outputting data to external information-sharing devices. Featuring Wi-Fi data-input capabilities and ...
Shop floor CMMs feature analog scanning option.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... A continuous-contact analog scanning option is available for two models of the Brown and Sharpe One shop-floor CMM. Available from Hexagon Metrology, the 7.7.5 model has a 700 x 700 x 500 mm measuring range, and the 7.10.7 model has a 700 x 1,000 x 700 mm measuring range. Both are offered ...
Desktop measuring system for saw blades.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Available from Efficient Manufacturing Technologies, the SB 600 is a desktop system for measuring and documenting the geometry, concentricity, plane runout and wear spots of HSS and carbide-tipped saw blades. Originally developed by Blickle Fabrikations, the system is based on a ...
Spring-loaded position sensors.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... With maximum linearity error of [+ or -] 0.1 percent of full-scale output, Macro Sensors' GHSE/GHSER 750 Series 24V spring-loaded position sensors are available in ranges of 0.1" (2.5 mm) to 4" (100 mm). Used for position measurement in gaging applications, each unit consists of a ...
Measure thickness, parallelism in one- or two-sided parts.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Lapmaster International's FTP 130 is a three-way system used to measure flatness, thickness and parallelism in both one- and two-sided parts. Two separate functions can be used simultaneously to measure parts as thin as 0.2 mm or as thick as 200 mm. The unit features a backlit ...
Gage designed for accuracy, repeatability.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Mahr Federal's Digimar 817 CLM height-measuring instrument has three distinct ways to initiate measurement. In addition to normal keypad initiation, a quick-mode feature allows the user to start the measurement cycle by pushing the carriage in the direction of the object to be measured ....
Compact optical measuring system.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Capable of measuring parts as large as 94 mm in diameter, Marposs's V25 Series Optoquick Set system uses shadow-casting opto-electronic measuring technology for non-contact inspection of a range of parts. The compact unit is designed to provide metrological performance equivalent to that ...
Digital readout system with image archiving.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Metronics has added image archiving to the capabilities of its Quadra-Chek 300 digital readout system. This allows users to store measured part features, including test data and descriptive text, as JPG images for documenting, testing and quality-inspection purposes. Image ...
Non-contact alternative to ball-probe measurement.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Available from NVision, the Maxos scanner collects individual points like a touch-probe CMM but can continue on its path at high speeds without pausing. The scanner's non-contact probe consists of a point of white light that allows the collection of 70 points per second. According to the ...
Contamination-resistant electronic micrometers.(Modern Equipment Review: Spotlight: Measuring)
Sep 01, 2007 ... Designed for protection against coolant, chips, dust and other contaminants in shop environments, the Starrett 795 and 796 electronic micrometers are available in 0" to 1" (0- to 25-mm) versions with a broader range to follow. The 795 model is equipped with an RS-232 output port for data ...
Heavy-duty turning center for large parts.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Absolute Machine Tools offers the Johnford ST-40BH, a heavy-duty CNC turning center for the oil-field, energy, construction and other industries that need large lathes for big parts. The 60-degree slant-bed machine is available in bed lengths ranging to 240" and spindle holes as large as ...
Swiss-made TESA probes arc now available for all Sheffield[TM] Cordax[R] coordinate measuring machines.
Sep 01, 2007 ... Swiss-made TESA probes arc now available for all Sheffield[TM] Cordax[R] coordinate measuring machines. The TESA line features a complete group of components for coordinate measurement--including styli, extensions and accessories. The TESASTAR-m is a motorized articulating probe head ...
Corrosion-resistant alloy for magnetic components.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Carpenter Technology offers a controlled-chemistry, free-machining, ferritic 13-percent chromium alloy designed for use in magnetic components. Said to offer improved corrision resistance and good magnetic properties, Chrome Core 13-XP alloy is useful for fuel-injection components and ...
Presetting solution for precision machining.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Command Tooling says its Digiset 6 presetter provides increased productivity and streamlined setups for precision machining. Featuring a control system and software that are designed for ease of use, the presetter prolongs tool life while improving tool performance, part quality and ...
Versatile inserts reduce need for secondary processes.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Valenite offers the ValGroove VTG-RG full radius, twin cutting edge inserts. The tools are useful for multiple operations, including profiling, turning and facing in addition to precision grooving and undercutting. According to the company, the capability to perform these various ...
Rust preventative and lubricant.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Rustlick 631 is a moisture-displacing rust preventative and penetrating lubricant designed for long-term protection of ferrous parts stored indoors. Available from ITW Rocol, the material spreads into scratches and pores to displace moisture. The transparent, dark-brown fluid leaves a ...
Vertical to horizontal processes in seconds.(Modern Equipment Review)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Designed for heavy cutting and precise machining in aerospace and large mold applications, GF Agie Charmilles' five-axis Mikron HPM 1350U is built with a versatile milling head and a 43.42" diameter rotary tilt table. Featuring a rotary axis with linear motor technology, the machine can ...