March 2015
The Holy Grail in manufacturing automation lies in machine tool monitoring and the growing impact of network communications on equipment effectiveness for manufacturers.
When investing in a new production vertical machining center, take time to evaluate these seven critical features that have the greatest impact on the productivity and profitability of that machine tool.
Here are some insightful tips on how to weigh out the pros and cons when selecting between air- or water-cooled guns and light- or heavy-duty models.
On a cost per square foot of cutting basis, circular carbide saws come out on top.
A review of some of the newest sawing systems and related accessories now on the market.
Advancements in laser cutting productivity are shifting the bottleneck away from cutting the material to handling it. This means automation should match specific needs for different production setups.
Advanced industrial ovens and furnaces from Grieve are used for powder coating, curing, baking, drying, and other applications requiring the circulation of heated air.
The flexible Ransohoff Lean-Jet RB-FLEX immersion cleaning system can be configured for a variety of parts and capacities, from camshafts to locomotive engine blocks weighing over 20,000 lb.
Hydraulic roller bars from Hilma provide a roller surface to easily roll dies in and out during the die change process.
With a longer operating time and shorter battery charge time, compact Li-Ion cordless power tools from TRUMPF can be used for extended periods of time without fatigue.
Release 2015 from Striker Systems recognizes part features requiring special tool operations, optimizes tool paths better when nesting, and uses automatic tool loading and re-punching of parts to handle moves between tool setups.
SigmaNEST version 10.2 from SigmaTEK provides quick nesting of parts onto multiple sheets without having to select the layout from the list.
Graebener-Reika offers a 4-column hydroforming press that doubles part output per stroke and reduces cycle time in half.
By breathing new life into large tonnage older machines, this advanced backgauge technology from Zakron offers substantial savings vs. buying a new press brake.
The flexible LT8 laser cutting system from BLM is ideal for 5-axis 3D cutting of 40 ft long, 8.625 in diameter stainless steel tube weighing up to 1,000 lb.
Graebener-Reika can provide high volumes of heavy wall tube and pipe components for oil country, automotive and general industry applications.
TubeWorks from Unison can ‘unbend’ its bent tube CAD models into flat or straight configurations for laser cutting holes and cut-outs.
CNC machine tools from Schwarze-Robitec achieve the most precise and repeatable bending accuracy in thin-walled tubes made of titanium, aluminum, copper or stainless steels.
Automated handling dilutes sheet metal fabrication costs in this shop with lights-out running and quick changes between jobs.
Abrasive waterjet micro machining technology created 23 of the parts used in the fingers, hand, wrist, arm and shoulder of the first Modular Prosthetic Limbs worn and controlled by a bilateral shoulder-level amputee.
EM1620L, EM2033L and the EM2040L vertical machining centers from Chevalier are engineered to achieve cost savings in large quantity machining with limited floor space.
The Holy Grail in manufacturing automation lies in machine tool monitoring and the growing impact of network communications on equipment effectiveness for manufacturers.
When investing in a new production vertical machining center, take time to evaluate these seven critical features that have the greatest impact on the productivity and profitability of that machine tool.
The advanced machining methods used by this shop deliver machining times that are two-three times quicker than previously possible for tough, complex aerospace components.
How CNC machining takes center stage in high-quality guitar craftsmanship.
Waveform turning, multiple machining sequence support, ribbon bar and interface updates, and the inclusion of Wire EDM are the newest CAD/CAM game changers that machine shops need to compete in a global economy.
Robotic MIG guns may seem like a small part of the whole automated system, but the evolution of their design and functionality is having a significant impact on the cost, productivity and quality of an application.
Because its low heat input and high strength provide opportunities to redesign structures with increased tensile strength, outstanding fatigue properties, improved corrosion resistance and minimal distortion and shrinkage, FSW could change the way trains, trucks, cars, aircraft and aerospace components, and other common aluminum structures are built.
Using a traditional jig for every type of piece and assembly is complicated and expensive when welding small volumes or high mixes of parts. Why not use a robot with an adaptive gripper to feed a welding robot? This could replace most of the templates currently used by adapting to any part size and shape and holding them firmly while welding.
Here are some of the new automation solutions that are helping shops make their welding operations more productive and profitable.
Here are some insightful tips on how to weigh out the pros and cons when selecting between air- or water-cooled guns and light- or heavy-duty models.
A father-son boat repair and fabrication shop finds power, flexibility and quality with a TIG welder that can deal with the unique challenges of their business.
Motion Industries explains how to get the most out of your bearings before they are even installed.
A shop with good quality air is a more productive and healthy workplace. Here is some equipment that can help ensure your shop has cleaner air.
This patent-pending safety device from Wildeck helps reduce accidents and OSHA violations by warning workers when elevated mezzanine platform gates are inadvertently left open.
The PNOZmulti 2 open configurable control system from Pilz can be used for stand-alone or modular expansion of multiple safety functions throughout the plant, on machine tools and other equipment.
As OSHA increases its interest in enforcing the safety of temporary workers, manufacturers that hire temporary workers will find greater federal scrutiny that could make the practice less profitable than it once was.
Using a traditional jig for every type of piece and assembly is complicated and expensive when welding small volumes or high mixes of parts. Why not use a robot with an adaptive gripper to feed a welding robot? This could replace most of the templates currently used by adapting to any part size and shape and holding them firmly while welding.
Here are some tips and guidelines for selecting and using the best abrasives products to create the desired finish.
Grinding represents a major part of shop costs. Take a look at the latest generation of flap discs, wheels, brushes and other tools that can help save time, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of your metal finishing operations.
The increase in higher precision machining is creating demand for stronger, more durable, faster acting, closer tolerance chucks and collets that can grip and hold the parts and the tools being used. Here is a review of some of the latest chuck and collet solutions that meet that demand.
New developments with in-line abrasive tooling used on machine tools allows shops to replace grinders, polishing heads, chamfering tools, hand deburring and other secondary operations.
Here are some of the latest technologies that are bringing new capabilities to CMM applications.
Emerging production techniques like additive manufacturing produce small and highly complex components that cannot be inspected using touch probes or optical sensors. The fusion of metrology and X-ray computed tomography makes it possible to measure and analyze these components for porosity, among other issues, in a single non-destructive operation.
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