At IMTS 2016, the Landis-Bryant RU2 Fuel MGMT will be introduced by FIVES GROUP. It is a high-precision grinding system that incorporates a modular, multi-surface grinder with extended flexibility to grind most complex components for fuel systems, valve and drive trains, bearings, aerospace and medical applications.

The Landis-Bryant RU2 was designed specifically for the challenging requirements of fuel system components that require tight control over related features: It employs a dual-slide arrangement in Z that can accommodate up to six grinding spindles. Fives will demonstrate the four-spindle model with a coolant through 90,000 rpm, ID spindle, and multiple dressing options.

Landis-Bryant RU2 grinders offer multi-slide possibilities in both the X and Z axis with multiple work heads, wheel heads, and dressing systems that make the machine ideal for process operations such as bore, seat, and face. Its granite epoxy bed includes a thermal stability system to monitor the temperature, and together with the optional adaptive thermal compensation, provides ultimate thermal stability.

A stiff hydrostatic round-bar guideway system is able to achieve precise location of all axes, resulting in exceptional dimensional and geometric accuracy, due to high-resolution Heidenhain glass scales and Fanuc linear motors. Modular design enables flexibility and allows customers to choose from multiple sizes, a tremendous range of machine configurations of work spindles, grinding spindles, dressing spindles, slides, tooling and fixtures and the ability to handle parts up to 14 in (350 mm) in diameter and 7 in (177 mm) in length.

Learn more about Landis-Bryant RU2 grinder design options and functions …

GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS plans to demonstrate the new strategies it has implemented to advance the development of Industry 4.0 – including its new rConnect central communications platform for in-depth remote machine tool analysis. Its first phase is Live Remote Assistance (LRA).

LRA allows customer-authorized remote assistance via the connection of machines to a GF Machining Solutions local diagnostics center and the company’s plants in real time. With LRA, either the manufacturer using the system or a GF Machining Solutions technician can conduct remote diagnostics and inspections.

“In the near future, rConnect will serve as a bridge to technologies that could, for example, predict the lifetime of machine components and consumables,” explained Roberto Perez, head of Industry 4.0 at GF Machining Solutions. “In line with Industry 4.0, rConnect is just one more step toward the elimination of process downtime, improved machine performance and ensured fully predictive manufacturing process and product quality.”

Learn more about GF’s goal of providing customers with a seamless, connected factory …

RENISHAW's new vision measurement probe for use with the REVO 5-axis measurement system on coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) increases the multi-sensor capability of REVO by adding non-contact inspection to the exisiting touch-trigger, high-speed tactile scanning and surface finish measurement capability of the system. The new RVP probe will be demonstrated at IMTS 2016.

For certain applications, non-contact inspection provides clear advantages over traditional tactile probing techniques. Thin sheet metal parts or components with large numbers of holes as small as 0.5 mm, and parts which are not suited to tactile measurement, can be fully inspected with the RVP system. RVP also gives exceptional improvements in throughput and CMM capability by utilizing the 5-axis motion and infinite positioning provided by the REVO head.

The RVP system consists of a probe and a range of modules that are automatically interchangable with all other probe options available for REVO. Data from multiple sensors is automatically referenced to a common datum. This flexibility means that the optimum tool can be selected to inspect a wide range of features, all on one CMM platform.

Learn more about the RVP system design options and network functions …

RENISHAW’s new enhanced probing software package automatically optimizes on-machine measurement cycles to minimize cycle time and maximize productivity, reducing cycle time by as much as 60%.

Inspection Plus with SupaTouch™ enhances the proven benefits of Renishaw's established Inspection Plus software and features an easy-to-use optimization process that automatically determines and selects the highest feedrates a machine tool can achieve while maintaining measurement accuracy. The new software will be showcased at booth E-5509 at IMTS 2016.

Inspection Plus with SupaTouch optimization uses intelligent in-cycle decision making to implement either a one or two-touch probing strategy for each measurement routine and eliminates the need for manual optimization of on-machine positioning feedrates, measurement feedrates and strategies. Compared with traditional software cycles, it provides a significant cycle time reduction (up to 60 percent) on CNC machine tools.

Learn more about the Inspection Plus software capabilities …

At IMTS 2016, EMCO and its automation partner Ultra Tech Machinery will demonstrate an automated turning cell with an EMCO Hyperturn 45 mill-turn, a Renishaw Equator high-speed flexible dimensional gauging system, a part handling system, and a Fanuc CR-35iA collaborative robot with 35 kg lift capacity. Because of the robot’s highly sensitive contact sensing technology, it is safe to work around humans without guarding. According to EMCO, such a cell demonstrates the high degree of reliable automation that is available to any shop, reducing cycle times and production cost while improving production quality and consistency.

With high-performance main and counter spindles, two tool systems, a stable Y axis, a thermo-symmetrical machine construction, compact dimensions and a range of intelligent automation solutions, the EMCO Maier Hyperturn 45 turning and milling center is geared for applications in automotive and general engineering.

A three-axis portal in the machine permits convenient automated loading and unloading. The machine system is a complete solution providing efficiency and economy, including measurement, and can also include deburring and cleaning stations if required.

The machining cell includes an Ultra Tech 3-drawer part handling system. Raw parts are loaded into 42-position trays on one side of the system; the drawer opens on the robot side of the system, and the robot removes raw parts, replacing finished parts in the drawer.

Learn more about the Hyperturn 45 design and automation …

GEHRING L.P. released the Lifehone L630 – the latest model in its line of modular honing machines for precision metal components. It offers a systematic approach to help ensure an efficient manufacturing process. Standard part applications that can be honed on the Lifehone range from sun gears to connecting rods, hydraulic sleeves, and injector pump components.

Small bore diameters often place different demands on the production technology than larger ones. The L630 has market-proven components in a modular design. Depending on customer requirements and the product spectrum to be finished, the machine is equipped with matching honing units. The Gehring honing control allows for precision controlled stroke speeds and reversal precision. An optional feature allows the stroke to be executed via a ball screw or a linear motor. The user friendly and clear graphic interface of the Gehring Operator Panel (GOP), as well as the program assistant, eases machine operation.

Learn more about the setting up and programming the Gehring Lifehone L630 …

At IMTS, REGO-FIX will unveil new tooling technologies along with innovative next generation products, including its new intRlox^® Mini Nut slip proof clamping system. Other featured technologies include reCool^® Mini, a retrofittable coolant-through system for use on Swiss-style machines, and Rigid Holders for extreme cutting applications that use powRgrip^® clamping systems.

For shops that need safer tool changeouts, the REGO-FIX intRlox Mini Nuts guarantee that wrenches -- once properly engaged -- will not slip off the ER collet nuts. To make it easier for those shops to exchange their existing Swiss machine tooling to this much safer system, REGO-FIX has designed new easy-to-use nut and wrench sets. Unlike standard ER collet nuts, the smaller size intRlox nuts feature a patented anti-slip design that uses rounded locking grooves situated around the nut profiles as opposed to end face surfaces. Wrenches grip from the sides of the nuts, and the action of tightening or loosening temporarily locks wrenches in place.

Learn more about tool cooling and holding products …

The latest addition to the MARPOSS industrial gauging solutions portfolio is Optoquick^™, a high-precision gauge designed for the shop floor environment and integrating Marposs multi-sensing technologies for the widest variety of gauging requirements. Optoquick helps line operators with fast and precise quality control of shafts, directly beside the manufacturing machines, eliminating any waste of time in operations and increasing productivity.

Thanks to the combination of tactile and optical technologies, Optoquick offers superior gauging capabilities as well as flexibility. In addition to any typical optical measurements, as diameters, radii or run-outs, the Optoquick can easily inspect key-slots and concave profiles, not available through shadow casting analysis.

Optoquick is the perfect solution for flexible manufacturing: broad measuring range, part capacity up to 1200 mm in length, motorized tailstock for part change, as well as manual and automatic loading options.

Learn more about the set-up and sequencing options for Optoquick …

The inventor of continuous generating gear grinding, REISHAUER AG will be demonstrating its RZ260, a machine that sets the standard for gear grinding machines in this size range. It is an enlarged version of successful RZ150 series, with all relevant components adapted to handle higher loads and forces that occur when grinding larger gears. Gears with an outside diameter of 260 mm and modules up to 5 mm can be ground with reliability.

An important focus in the design of the machine concept was adaptability to the different production requirements of numerous customers. The machine can be fitted with one or two work spindles. The version with two work spindles is used to minimize the loading times – as first introduced with the Reishauer RZ150. When investment and tooling costs must be minimized and or the workpiece handling times are not critical, the RZ260 with a single work spindle might be a more suitable choice.

When grinding gears with space limitations or small lot sizes it might be advantageous to use the changeable Profile Grinding Spindle enabling the use of a small plated or dressable wheel to grind gears using the discontinuous profile method. 

Learn more about set-up and control options for Reishauer machines …

With the Sinumerik 828 CNC family, SIEMENS is offering a simple automation platform for connecting robots to machine tool, which has become an integral detail for automated production cell set-up.  Different types of robots designed by different manufacturers can be connected to CNC machines equipped with Sinumerik 828D using the Sinumerik Integrate Run MyRobot / EasyConnect interface to perform handling tasks.  This means companies of any size can set up automated cells, including serial machines, cost effectively and without any major effort — even with different types of CNCs using the same standard interface.  Additional features that round off the new solution for automated cell setup are simple optimization of work processes on machine tools, mobile condition monitoring and remote maintenance.

Sinumerik Integrate Run MyRobot / EasyConnect is based upon a standard defined by the German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW) and the German Engineering Association (VDMA) for connecting robots or handling systems to machine tools.  To make it as easy as possible to use the interface, the robots are connected through Ethernet (Profinet RT) or using I/O signals.

Using the new interface, operators can easily synchronize processes between the machine tool and robots, thereby positioning efficient processes in the automated production cell.

Learn more about automated work processes, remote diagnosis, and other functions of Sinumerik 928 CNC …