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June, 2004
Editorial
Features
Focused Engineering Spawns Creativity
An OEM's unusual approach to defining next-generation CNC lathes.
ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF OPPORTUNITY
The cutting tool industry focused on global concerns at its third world conference.
Government Matters
Addressing overdue Chinese currency revaluation
The Bush Administration and the Chinese Government are off the hook, at least for now. The Fair Currency Alliance (FCA), of which AMT is a leading member, has decided against filing a Section 301 (of...
Bits & Bytes
Integration in a flash
FlashCNC and FlashMotion are new embedded-control systems for machine builders and customers needing to minimize cabinet space, reduce integration time, simplify machine wiring, and cut costs. The...
Products for better machine communication
Reportedly, the first true client/server environment for shop-floor machine tool communications, e-DNC Explorer software from Greco Systems allows for multiple computers with access to multiple...
Shops talk, software types
Shops implementing computerizedmaintenance-management software (CMMS) no longer have to type in long preventative and other maintenance procedures thanks to Unik Associates. The company offers...
Law and Liability
Supplier may have contributed to "sophisticated-user's" negligence
When Lawrence Gray worked at Smith Foundry from 1951 to 1998, he was exposed to dust from silica sand used for casting. After developing silicosis, he filed a lawsuit against companies that...
Casebooks
Builder goes 5 axis with new control
Ibarmia SA specializes in high-productivity machining centers with fixed tables and movable columns. To satisfy an order for a machine to mill complex aerospace aluminum parts, the Azkoitia, Spain,...
Company presses out production capacity
Rheem Manufacturing Air Conditioning Division of Fort Smith, Ark., needed to replace a mechanical press to improve productivity and enhance operator safety. The manufacturer of central heating and...
EDMs provide savings for shop and its customers
With upgraded wire-EDM capability, Morgood Tools, a precision cutting tool manufacturer, reduces product-finishing operations and EDM maintenance to pass increased savings on to its customers.
Guarding cleans up transfer line's act
Innovative protective guarding allowed Ingersoll Production Systems of Rockford, Ill., to restore a circa-1990s transfer line to like-new, leak-free condition. For upgrading the line's guarding to...
Server package keeps pace
G. S. Hydraulic's business has grown as much as 25% in the past two years, but the distributor of fluid power and electrohydraulic equipment and electronic components hasn't had to increase its staff...
Shop gets a microblast of increased capacity
Like many machine shops, Meschkat Precision Machining in Valencia, Calif., uses microblasting equipment for much of its part finishing — deburring, surface texturing, cleaning, and more. Of the...
Switching vises shortens cycle times
Improving an existing machining center's productivity took nothing more than changing vises at Precise Products Corp. in Minneapolis. The shop switched to a high-density manual-model vise that holds...
New Equipment
Balancer kit
The SB-1700 portable balancer is a vibration measurement and balancing kit for grinding wheels, fans, and turbines. It operates from 30 to 60,000 rpm with a laser speed sensor.
Deep-hole inspection
Multi-Ball thread micrometers and location gages inspect screw threads at depths exceeding hole diameter.
Diamond-coated end-mill literature
Afour-page, full-color brochure describes sizes, pricing, and configurations of Niagara Cutter's lines of Diamondgraphite DG and Diamond Plus DP solid-carbide, diamond-coated end mills....
Dispenses oil and soft grease
SureFire automatic lubricators pump oil and soft grease to as many as 100 lubrication points. For positive displacement injectors, the lubricators also work with other lubrication systems. They...
Embedded hardware for control software
Embedded hardware platforms are now available for WinMotion and OpenCNC software for reducing cabinet space or simplifying machine wiring.
Grinding wheels tackle ferrous metals
Carborundum Gold MaXX wheels feature zirconia alumina and aluminum-oxide abrasive grain in a free-cutting bond for steel and ferrous-metals applications. Wheels are available in 4 1 /2 to 9-in....
HMC handles the big jobs
The HPC-800HP Mega series HMCs produce parts as tall as 59 in. and 51.2 in. in diameter from aluminum or other hard metals. Their X/Y/Z travels are 57 3 43.3 3 49.8 in. The machines feature...
Large-capacity orbital former
The Model P-1500 hydraulic orbital forming machine handles mild steel measuring more than 1.5 in. in diameter and equivalent areas in tubing, square, and other forming materials. Its maximum downward...
Measure large auto assemblies
DEA Global eXtra CMMs measure mid to large-size automotive body assemblies and subassemblies on the shop floor. There are four models that measure from 3,300 3 2,000 3 1,500 mm to 4,000 3 2,000 3...
Measurement/ inspection software updates
CAM2 Measure 4.0 software has 250 improvements. They include enhanced probe calibration for better accuracy and data-acquisition control; more measurement commands such as Torus and Torus segment,...
Milling/boring variation
As a variation of the Area milling/boring machine with traveling column, the Evolution (EV) provides up to 3,500 mm of vertical travel and 1,500 mm of ram cross travel. Feeds are 25.00 mm/min, and...
Monitor drive voltage and frequency
Using a built-in thermometer, the 87V digital multimeter (DMM) test tool accurately measures voltage and frequency on adjustable-speed motor-drive systems. The unit also sports large display digits...
Multi-axis turning center
The MT1500SZ multi-axis turning center produces small and complex workpieces, which need machining on all sides, as well as those that involve turning. It has a 15.7-in. maximum-turning diameter and...
Nozzle orifices offer reliability
Autoline abrasive-cutting nozzles feature diamond orifices for increased cutting reliability and extended nozzle life.
Pallet changer makes room for work
Designed for Hermle's C 30 and C 40 machining centers, the PW 500/630 pallet changer provides generous working space and an extra-large door opening for manual setup. Constructed on a mineral-casting...
Snap gages
Dorsey/Standard SSG series Model snap gages come in 1-in. increments from 0 to 1 in. to 23 to 24 in. (0 to 610 mm, metric). Sensitive anvils on the gages come with 0.060-in. gaging travel, and...
Software maintains four motors
A JenCNC software package combines the best of CAD/CAM and motion-control software into a graphical user interface that handles two to four Animatics SmartMotors in true 3D-coordinated motion. The...
Table sports carbide worm
The 5AX-350W A21PW rotary table sports Lyndex-Nikken's special carbide worm system for high-speed rotation in five-sided machining. A carbide worm screw and ion-nitrided worm wheel replace...
VMC offers control choices
Key features of the 5AX400 VMC include the choice of a GE Fanuc 18iMB5 control with a 25-hp spindle or Heidenhain iTNC 530 control with 18-hp spindle. A 14-in. rotary/tilting-trunnion table delivers...
Waterjet controls pressure changes
The Model 55-50C intensifier pump features an attenuator that minimizes pressure fluctuations. The pump's hydraulic system uses an electronically shifted, plunger-style intensifier that delivers 1.1...
Wire EDMs quickly processes
FA10P and 20P wire EDMs reportedly reduce process-machining speed, roughing, and skimming time. The machines sport an AE3-HS power supply that is said to reduce the depletion of carbide binder and...
Practical Ideas
Idea wedges quick angles
For grinding various HSS tools, I've developed simple method involving a fixed vise and special angled wedge plates.
Retrospective
Fighting factory fires
A column in the June 9, 1904, issue detailed firefighting procedures that went beyond automatic sprinklers and thermostat systems. Because factory fires frequently occurred in the evening, the...
