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February, 2005
Editorial
Automation is key to global competitiveness
Automation isn't a new concept. AMERICAN MACHINIST has been discussing the topic since its infancy. We're even in the Baby Boomer Edition of Trivia Pursuit ("What word, derived from the Greek for...
Features
Probing For Productivity
Measure and cut on one machine? Today's advanced technology will be tomorrow's run-of-the-mill practice.
Tech Trends
Finishing wheel is a smooth operator
A new finishing and deburring wheel delivers satin finishes on critical parts such as turbine blades and orthopedic implants. Key to the performance of the Scotch-Brite SF wheel is a special...
It's a truck — no it's a lifter
New forklift mounting sleeves convert fork trucks into vacuum-powered lifters, according to manufacturer Anver Corp., Hudson, Mass. Reportedly, the hybrid system has a 2,200-lb capacity and handles...
Micromachining design competition taking entries
A design competition focusing on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) will give eight university students the chance to have their micro-electromechanical designs fabricated for free, using SUMMiT...
Researchers get a "feel" for machine control
Associate Professor Imme Ebert-Uphoff (left) and graduate student Paul Bosscher examine a mock-up illustrating the kinematic ability of an array of joints that could create a "formable crust" of...
Smart Machine project gains partner
Improving the performance of factory equipment is the goal of the National Center for Manufacturing Science's Smart Machine Pilot Project (SMPP). The project, which already counts a number of...
Cutting Tool Digest
Boring-system catalog
A 76-page catalog from Criterion Machine Works covers precision boring systems ranging in diameters from 0.50 to 21.5 in. for the production floor and tool rooms. The publication also highlights...
Business Trends
Sodick unit develops motion controller
Sodick America, San Jose, Calif., the R&D subsidiary of EDM producer Sodick Ltd., has developed a motion control board for its EDMs and high-speed mills.
Government Matters
Balancing economic opportunity and strategic risk in China
China is increasingly the focus of U.S. trade and investment. It is also increasingly achieving the goal that its leaders have set for it — to become the manufacturing platform for the world.
Machine of the Month
Boring and milling machine stays the course
High precision, high torque, and fast feeds and speeds are the hallmarks of the SpeedRam 1000 floor-type boring and milling machine. According to manufacturer PAMA, machines as large as the SpeedRam...
Bits & Bytes
Certified software
As a recently approved "Certified Select Product" for Solid Edge Version 16 software, GibbsCAM CAM software meets a high-level of interoperability between the two applications. End users can now...
Software switch speeds programming
UK-based B.C. Barton Ltd., a provider of design and manufacturing solutions for hot and cold presswork and weldedfabrication products, recently migrated from Camtek's Peps Fab CAM software to JetCam...
Law and Liability
Prior injury no problem for workers' comp
When Edwin Dupuis began work at Picard Steel Erectors Inc. in August 2000, he checked the "no" box for every medical condition listed on his signed medical questionnaire.
Casebooks
System evacuates mold problems
Airtex is a full-service supplier of custom fueldelivery systems and water pumps for OEMs, and Mid South Manufacturing of Marked Tree, Ariz., is one of its manufacturing and distribution centers....
New Equipment
50-taper-spindle VMCs
Hardinge VMC1250II-HT/50 and VMC1500II-HT/50 VMCs include large Cat-V 50-taper spindles that provide 347-ft-lb/ 471-Num torque ratings at base speeds of 375 rpm. The 25-hp, 18.5-kW drives provide up...
All-in-one welder
Millermatic Passport welders feature inverter-based MIG arc welding power sources, wire feeders, and self-contained shieldinggas systems and guns. Weighing 45 lb, or 56 lb with an 8-in. spool of wire...
Cell with three welding robots
ArcWorld V-6300 robotic workcells process medium --to-large parts via three overheadmounted, six-axis EA1400N Expert Arc welding robots. These robots handle 6.6-lb (3-kg) payloads and have 54.6-in....
Control handles seven zones
WMPC Series controllers handle temperature and process inputs and provide up to seven zone controls in a single wallmount package. The inputs are individually configurable for each zone. Scaling and...
Controller has fiberoptic interface
The PACSystems DSM324i motion controller combines motion features with fiberoptic-command interfaces to a Fanuc servo line. According to the manufacturer, this improves machine-cycle rates and...
Coolant quenches high-velocity work
Trim SC610 is a heavy-duty, low-foam, nonoil coolant well-suited for low-speed, high-torque, hole work such as drilling, reaming, and tapping and high-velocity turning and milling. It protects...
Cylindrical grinders
The Proflex lineup of external and internal cylindrical grinders differs according to the number of external and internal grinding wheels in machine wheelheads.
EDM-management software
Charmilles' Sigma software manages and produces EDM data. This includes organizing jobs and orders, job management, status control of all objects in the process chain, off-set management,...
EDMs with highspeed controls
FA10S and FA20S EDMs use high-speed PM4 controls that accommodate roughing and finish machining. The control's stepped --shape capabilities let the machines handle multiple parts with different...
Five-axes and pallet changing
A modular, scalable toolchanger that holds 100 to 200 tools is on the UCP 600 Vario 5-axis machining center. It also features an integrated pallet-changing system for workpieces with up to 13 13-in....
Grinder loading options
Small job shops handle lowvolumeproduction runs and/or prototypes with Studer internal, external, and universalgrinding machines. The S120, S140, and S140 Simultan internal machines include swiveling...
Heavy-duty robots
The M-900iA series material-handling robots tackle heavy-duty machine tending, part transfer, and maneuvering heavy products.
Injection-mold-machine robots
Designed for top loading/unloading injection-molding machines, the KS Series of shelf-mounted 6-axis robots has a low profile for platen-mounted robots, which reduces required ceiling heights for...
Lathes operate by touchscreen
Langun Liberty Series Touch-Turn electronic lathes manually operate like conventional lathes or semiautomatically via a Fanuc touchscreengraphicguidance control. Up to 40 operations can be saved, and...
Long-term metal protection
Resistant to humidity and corrosion, Dri Touch Amber rust blocker protects cast iron, steel, and MIM components that are machined or have blind holes, recesses, and uneven surfaces. It is good for...
Measuring device uses linear motors
The Accretech Surfcom 1900SD/DX surface/ contourmeasuring device uses a linear motor with a noncontact drive and simple structure (no lead screw or gear box) for stable, vibration-free operation over...
Multipurpose metalworking fluid
Suitable for a variety of applications, Cimperial 1070 metalworking fluid works with carbon, high-speed, cast, alloy, tool, and stainless steels, cast iron, aluminum, bronze, brass, and copper. The...
Presetter with vision
The Hydromat Presetter with the Quick-Set vision system measures, sets, and verifies tools before placement. Measuring range is 9.76 in. for the Z (length), 9.76 in. for the X (radius), and 9.37 in....
Pump high pressures at low speeds
MS5 X4 4- SEL-CDM-ADP multistage centrifugal pumps generate high pressures at low speeds, extending pump use. The pumps' flow rates are up to 500 gallon/hr and capable of heads up to 700 ft at 1,750...
Robotic arc-welding system
The PerformArc 122S robotic arcwelding system features a six-axis arc-welding robot. The integrated robot controller is digitally interfaced with a Panasonic 350-amp, artificialintelligence inverter....
Set drill-spindle rotation
The 2.5-kW, built-in motor of the Selfeeder Varimac SSV3 drilling unit permits free setting of spindle-rotation speed. The drill's overall length can shorten despite its long stroke of 7.87 in. (200...
Turning centers learn programs
Storm T-series two and threeaxisturning centers include GE Fanuc 21iT B series CNCs with Manual Guide T software. The combination lets the control learn and repeat manual procedures or those combined...
Practical Ideas
Putting a stop to collet woes
Often, I am unsuccessful in locating a collet stop for a 4C lathe collet. So, I developed my own special system that uses a brass insert which accommodates various stop lengths.
Retrospective
They were just jealous
German engineers, scientists, and manufacturers returning from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition expressed their opinions about the U.S. in the February 9, 1905, issue. According to the report,...
