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July, 2004
Features
30 YEARS OF SUCCESS IN THE U.S.
In a banner year, Mazak Corp. (U.S.A.) celebrates its 30th anniversary, accelerating sales, and a historic first — exporting machines to Japan.
Government Matters
Impressions from China
Anyone who has recently visited China cannot help but be impressed by the industrial powerhouse it has become. In fact, China's demands for fuel and raw materials to satisfy its burgeoning industrial...
Bits & Bytes
CAD-to-CAM feature exchange
Esprit CAM software now reads CAD features and their properties directly from native SolidWorks part models. This data-exchange enhancement lets Esprit programmers bring feature properties and...
Shop improves manufacturing with simulation software
Tell Tool of Westfield, Mass., has integrated Vericut CNC simulation software into its NC-program prove-out process. It ensures every part is accurate, dimensionally correct, and efficient when they...
Shop-floor programming made simple
Manual Guide i shop-floor software from GE Fanuc Automation Americas increases machine tool operators' productivity by providing a user-friendly environment that enables quick development from a...
Software supports real-time rendering
In response to customer issues and requirements, MachineWorks, a supplier of simulation and verification software, has released MachineWorks v6.1. The new version includes several enhancements, the...
Law and Liability
Award for repetitive-stress injury upheld
In November 1997, Michael Veatch complained of discomfort in his left wrist while raking a furnace at American Tool, a Nebraska company. He was diagnosed with tendonitis, and, after some improvement,...
Lawsuit for illness filed too late
Robert Stytle was employed at Angola Die Casting Co. in Indiana from 1984 to 1990. Then, he became a deputy for the Town of Hamilton, Ind. At some point during his employment as a deputy, Stytle...
Trial to determine applicability of contactor defense
On May 17, 2000, Gary Elmore was seriously injured when his arm became entangled in a conveyor system at a processing facility for the U.S. Postal Service in Illinois. The accident happened when...
Casebooks
Companies machine with robots
Several manufacturing companies in the automotive and aerospace industries have gained flexibility in machining aluminum and carbon-fiber parts using Tricept machine tool robots. These companies...
Fast prototyping sheds light on headlamp job
A recent headlamp-assembly project at tier-one automotive supplier Visteon included about 20 design fine-tunings, scores of meetings, and reviews over an 18-month period. Mainly because each element...
Machine makes for flexible microfinishing
Customers come to Engine Power Components (EPC) Inc. in Grand Haven, Mich., for cam and crankshaft jobs. The shop specializes in using microfinishing to impart specified surface finishes on these...
Plasm cutting in Iraq
The Army's BN Maint 1/5 FA maintenance group stationed in Iraq relies on Esab plasma-cutting equipment for armoring military vehicles.
Shop cleans up with small washer
Sheetmetal fabricator Morton Metalcraft Co., Birchwood, Ill., slashes chemical costs, prolongs wash-bath life, and reduces sludge deposits by recycling alkaline cleaner through a relatively small...
Software slashes electrode-design time
Plastic-component manufacturer Kunstsoff GmbH in Helmbrechts, Germany, was taking 3 as long to create EDM-electrode designs as it did to generate corresponding machining programs. This would not do...
Special stainless steel proves a fitting solution
C& C Automatics Inc. in Newark, N.Y., produces over 20 million fittings annually. Out of these, there are plumbing-hose fittings that require extremely smooth finishes and mass-produced...
System chips away shop's scrap problem
By replacing over half its existing stand-alone machine tools with a pair of two-machine automated cells, Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool Inc. in Eagle Bridge, N.Y., increased machining production...
New Equipment
3D view of parts process
The LQ 3D control allows wire and sinker EDM operators to take workpieces from design to production. 3D solid data transmits via an interface from the CAD system to the LQ control. After analyzing...
Accurate, precise HMC
Manufacturers of the Kafo HMC 500 report that its direct-drive spindle makes the machine rigid, fast, and precise. The pretensile design of the machine's roller ballscrew enhances accuracy and...
Bore gage
M1 Star mechanical bore gages (MBG) are manual instruments for checking I.D., ovality, or taper of through bores, and blind and super-blind bores. They sport mechanical measurement-transmission...
Collets support axial compensation
Besides rigid tapping, Precision RDT Quick-Change tapping collets also work in machines needing axial compensation. With a friction-free, precision ball-bearing drive, the collets reportedly reduce...
Comparator features Fagor readout
The MV 14-FD optical comparator in the Master-View line features a Fagor NV-200 QCF 3-axis QC readout with geometric functions. Standard features include fiber-optic edge detection, 360° digital...
Drill storage
The lockable Master Drill storage cabinet holds sets of jobber or screw machine-length drills along with fractional, letter, and wire-gage sizes. Drawers pull to full extension for easy tool...
Electron beam for mirror finishes
The Electron Beam Machine (EBM) PF32A uses an electron beam to give parts a mirror finish and reduce hand polishing. A 2.5 in. beam passes over the workpiece or molds situated in the machine's work...
Grinder handles more capacity between centers
To produce long, complex shaft-type workpieces, the S33cnc 1000 universal cylindrical grinder offers increased capacity between centers — 1,000 mm. Center height is 175 mm, O.D. wheel size is...
Grinder sports new software
Jag-IG-CNC internal grinders feature software with fill-inthe- blank graphics and touchscreen menus for programming straight and taper bores and radii. The machines' I.D. grinding spindles operate up...
High-density vise
Kurt's high-density vise sports two 4-in.-capacity stations with hard jaws for repeatable clamping to 0.001 in. Manual models deliver up to 6,316 lb of clamping force at 70 lb of torque, and the...
HMC yields quick response
A lightweight column on the FH630 HMC reportedly results in quicker response times without compromising rigidity. The machine's cast bed supports rapid-axis movement while maintaining constant...
Independent axes highlight turning centers
Deco 13a turning centers feature up to 12 independent axes of motion (10 standard) so up to four tools can cut simultaneously. The machines also have several rotating positions and the company's...
Lathes for small and medium parts
TM Series lathes process small to medium-sized part lots. They feature ±0.0002-in. positioning accuracy, 12-station turrets, and spindle speed up to 6,000 rpm. Identified according to chuck...
Linear motor-driven machines
Sodick's MC430L and MC640 linear-motor-driven, high-speed machining centers are compact and require little floorspace.
Low-noise parts washer
The Lean-Veyor parts washer sports an enclosed design that, reportedly, generates noise levels lower than OSHA standards. The system also offers 50% or more energy savings than conventional spray...
Machines feature innovative beds
DFT X-Mill machining centers feature monolithic beds with dual stationary tables, raised beds for single or twin-spindle modules, and high, back-wall swarf-containment departments. A tool-centered...
Multitasking flexibility
Available with one or two spindles, the E 280 turning center comes with a C axis, live tooling, and Y axis. Its 25.6-in. swing and 30.71 in. of distance between spindle faces accommodate parts up to...
New-generation grinder
Viking SuperSeries II centerless grinders have several new features and components such as digital-servo controls with Sercos interface and seals that protect the grinder's antifriction spindles from...
Portable drills and holecutters
Hougen Manufacturing's portable magnetic drills include the low-profile HMD150 for tight spots, the HMD505 for versatility, and the HMD 904 for its midrange holemaking capacity. In addition, the...
Portable laser measurement
The Faro Laser Tracker measures and inspects workpieces, machine tools, and other large objects wherever it's most efficient. It uses a laser beam which measures in the 0 to 100-ft range.
Rail clamps
Linear-motion guide rails quickly and easily mount with Mitee-Bite clamps. The clamps sport low profiles so as not to interfere with linear-motion-load blocks. Reportedly, this ensures rail alignment...
Tapping fluid
The high viscosity of SuperAllTap tapping fluid lets it adhere to tools and/or workpieces. Reportedly, the fluid improves surface finishes, reduces scrap material, and extends tool use. SuperAllTap...
Toolholders for Bridgeport mills
The Mach 1 quick-change tooling system works with Bridgeport or other knee or bed mills. It features a mechanical drawbar with a 600-lb die spring (for tool retention and maximum repeatability during...
Wedge-clamp toolholding
Three different insert styles work with each of Iscar's multi-wedge-clamp toolholders. For boring bars, there are two insert types. The wedge pushes inserts against a central pin from the rear, and...
Wire EDM features automatic functions
Fanuc iC wire EDMs deliver cutting speeds up to 31 in. 2 /hr with uncoated brass wire and 33.6 in. 2 /hr with coated wire. R1 technology monitors effective pulses and adjusts machine feedrates to...
Practical Ideas
Idea runs rings around base-mounting problem
Locating a convenient spot for mounting a magnetic indicator base to a milling machine is often next to impossible. To eliminate this time-consuming task, I use a carbon-steel ring with three small...
Retrospective
Ricocheting sledge hammer
The July 14, 1904, issue recounted the story of an accident in a New Jersey steelworks. A plant employee was using a 20-lb sledge hammer to break a riser from a casting. During a swinging blow, the...
