CNC Machines Software

CNC Machines Get The Job Done

2008-08-28T22:14:00.004-07:00

If you need a machine that will improve your speed and accuracy then try a CNC machine when you are getting large jobs done or doing very repetitive tasks. You can get a used one for half the cost of a new one since most individuals wouldn’t want to spend their money on a new one. CNC equipment can be found in woodworking shops or industrial settings. Add them to your collection that includes a milling machine as well.

If you need to drill holes than consider a CNC router. Some of them can hold more than one tool too. This makes it possible to do more than one procedure at a time. This will help you cut back on the tie you spend working and help you become more accurate.

Computer Numerated Control is the full name for CNC. In the 1970’s this technology was first created. These machines are easy to run and operate after they have been initially set up. They also need to be set up correctly and programmed before they are operated.

They can be made so you can drill a hole automatically. This can be much more accurate and quicker than manual drilling. You will get more uniform results. If you have a large job that needs a lot of drilling then this can be a good choice for you. You might get more inconsistent results when you are doing manual drilling and if the operator gets tired.

If you want a good thing to cut wood with then try a CNC lathe. You can buy one that ranges from 15-40 horsepower. You will choose the lathe power you need depending on the type of wood you use. You can get a model that comes with more than one mode. You can one that is totally manual or CNC. You can rig each machine for your individual project.

If you want the best in milling technology then try a Bridgeport mill. You can find a mill in both a small shop or a large one. If you want a mill that will last forever than try a Bridgeport mill. They are very pricey and more so than most people can afford.

A CNC mill use a special type of instrument that uses a combination of robotics and computer programming. You will get great results better than anyone could ever want. These are the kind of mills that the airline companies use. The CNC decides which tool is need for an operation and changes as it goes.

Since CNC equipment is so pricey it means most people can’t afford it. If you get a used machine you may find that you can afford it. You may be able to save about half on a used machine compared to a new one.

Being really passionate about cnc machinery and woodworking tools, Greg Hansward authored different summaries in this specific area. With his detailed writings on cnc machines and tools and cnc machinery the reviewer showed his deep knowledge on the topic.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_K._Hansward

A CNC Router Can Be Useful At Home

2008-08-28T22:14:00.003-07:00

You can use a cnc router table for cutting various types of materials. Depending on what kind of machine you buy you can cut, plastic, metal, or wood with your CNC router. You can use your machine for basic routing work or to make signage. Since your router also does engraves, it can be very versatile. So if you can only buy a single machine, you should be able to get many different uses from it.

In the past few years many people have considered purchasing a used cnc router or a new one for their home use. Some smaller shops have also bought them for a variety of purposes. You can save a lot if you go for a used machine instead of a new one.

You can also follow certain plans online that can teach you how to create your own. You can make one to suit your purposes from 15 x 15 up to 50 x 60 inches.

Using a cnc router can help you complete projects that you wouldn’t be able to on your own. You can create patterns and lay down metal inlays onto wood. Your creations will be smoothly done and correctly done. It will help you accomplish tasks you couldn’t do by hand alone.

If you want truly pro results when it comes to crafting furniture then a cnc router can help you out. Using special software will help you to program things exactly so you get the cuts you want. Use for engraving anything you want from a outdoor sign to the smallest cnc lettering. Once you know how to operate the machine and software, you can create virtually anything.

You can find a small machine that can be operated in your home with just a normal 120 voltage. This type of machine would be good for home use. These kind of machines have motors that range from 1-2 horsepower. These small models run about $3,500 used or $7,000 new. This makes buying a used machine a great option for your home. If you wanted to get a large machine this could cost $20,000! This is more than most people want to spend on their home equipment. If you are buying one for a potentially profitable business, then this might be a consideration.

You can save about half if you buy a router used. You can get all the power from it, a save twice as much! When you are looking around for a router shop carefully. You should determine your exact needs and then find a machine that will handle them. If you get a used router you should remember that it may be a bit slower than a new one, but if you don’t have large volume then it should be OK for you.

The free-lance writer Kurt Schefken is passionate about ideas relating to cnc machines.

You might find out more about his writings on cnc router over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/cnc/cnc_router.html and different sources for cnc router news.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kurt_A._Schefken

Manufacturing Control Software

2008-08-28T22:14:00.001-07:00

Manufacturing control software has existed in a rudimentary form since the advent of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The term CNC refers to the computerized control of machine tools, to facilitate the repeated production of complex parts in all kinds of materials. CNC was developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s in the M.I.T.

Early CNC machines used a software program written in a notation called G-Code. In the early days, the computers were very large in size and were power guzzlers. Despite their huge presence, the 1950 computers had very limited processing or data storage power. Therefore, computers were not used in the manufacturing industry, till the appearance of Personal Computers (PCs) and suitable Operating Systems in the 1980s.

With The PC explosion in the 1980s, CNC manufacturers started shifting to PC-based controls running Microsoft Windows or O/S 2 operating systems, which can be linked to the existing networks using standard protocols. Manufacturing companies began to move away from, expensive minicomputer and workstation based CAD/CAM which usually ran on G-Code, towards the more cost-effective PC-based software solutions. PC-based systems which can accomplish complicated tasks, using standard network protocols are available at minimal or no cost. In most cases, the Manufacturers do not need an 'expert' to implement shop floor networking, and can do the implementation themselves.

The demand for sophisticated manufacturing software has grown tremendously, over the last fifteen years and affords a lot of new and exciting functionality, to a variety of machines in the manufacturing industry.

Many software developers write and provide proprietary software systems. These are for manufacturing companies, employing computer control of machine tools such as milling machines, cutting machines, robots, hexapods, and lathes. However, these software programs are supplied for a fee, and are subject to Copyright Act provisions. Free open source CNC control software is also available on Internet.

Manufacturing Software provides detailed information on Manufacturing Software, Manufacturing Inventory Software, Manufacturing Business Software, Manufacturing Management Software and more. Manufacturing Software is affiliated with Free CAD Software.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris

CNC Machines

2008-08-22T03:39:00.000-07:00

What is a CNC Machine? CNC stands for Computer Numeric Control. Sounds complicated, but it isn’t. Years ago, it was just NC, or Numeric Control. Since, they’ve added computers to control the machine.

In the simplest of terms, think of a drill press. It’s a machine that drills holes. But before you can drill the hole, you have to loosen the chuck, install the correct drill bit, drill the hole in the correct place, turn off the drill, and remove the drill bit. Manually, this could be time consuming and cause fatigue over the course of numerous parts. This is a simple example, but throw in some lathe or milling machining and you have a greater chance for error.

With the CNC machine, all of this drilling can be done automatically instead of the manual process listed above. Machining has to be precise, and whether you use a CNC lathe or milling machine, you have to make sure the part is right. The computer takes a lot of the guesswork out of the machining of these parts. In fact, a CNC programmer can sometimes get bored watching the machine do all the work.

But there is more programming for the machine than you would think. The operator has to enter a set of instructions. The programming uses about 50 words and tells the machine how fast, how deep, and location for machining.

What can you do with a CNC machine? In manufacturing, you can use this tool for milling, drilling, reaming, boring and counter boring. You can also groove and thread parts in a CNC turning center. You may have several setups including CNC lathes, CNC drill and tap area, CNC milling, or even CNC grinding.

EDM (electrical discharge machining) can also take advantage of CNC operations. EDM can be either vertical or wire. A vertical EDM machine uses an electrode to make a cavity for a plastic injection-molding machine. A wire EDM machine uses a wire to cut metal for a tooling operation for fabrication. EDM is more closely related to making tooling for other machines, people often overlook the use of CNC with these machines.

CNC machines can also be used with routers in the wood industry. CNC can also be used with lettering and engraving.

I hope this gave you some basic information about what a CNC machine is and what they are used for.

Stuart Simpson

http://www.cnc-machine-review.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Simpson

Stuart Simpson - EzineArticles Expert Author

The Emergence of Sewing Machines

2008-02-14T01:35:00.001-08:00

Sewing machines are one of the great inventions credited with transforming the economies of global societies. In 1851 that Isaac Merritt Singer, after studying a poorly working example, spent $40 and 11 days to develop a practical sewing machine that used an up and down mechanism. The first Singer sewing machine was introduced for sale across the United States that same year and the company became the primary manufacturer and seller of sewing machines within two years.

Initially, sewing machines were manufactured for garment factory production lines. The industrial sewing machines are generally designed to perform a specific sewing function such as embroidery or sewing straight stitches. Machines with different functions are used to complete clothing items in a production line.

Marketing sewing machines to individuals didn't begin until 1889, allowing for women to have the means to create clothing for their family without the labor-intensive hand stitching. The domestic sewing machine used in the home is manufactured to perform many tasks from sewing straight or zigzag stitches and the creation of buttonholes, as well as stitching buttons on to the piece of clothing.

Sewing machines have been mass produced worldwide for more than two-hundred years. As a result, the wide variety of styles and manufacturers make antique sewing machines a favorite collectible. Some of the most favorite antique machines include working miniatures that were salesmen’s samples that doubled as child's sewing machines specifically for use by young girls, since they were expected to learn how to sew.

All modern sewing machines run on electricity, while their predecessors were powered by a hand crank or a foot pedal operation known as a treadle. All sewing machines feature mechanical parts, however today a sewing machine that is not computerized, is referred to as a mechanical sewing machine. Electronic sewing machines sew faster and smoother while giving a better stitch. Computerized sewing machines are able to perform many standard functions for the home seamstress more efficiently and make embroidering a simple task. The price for basic, mechanical sewing machines for the home starts at $70; added features push prices up to $1,200. Computerized sewing machine pricing can start around $400 for the home machines, with top of the line models running as high as $5,000.

Most sewing machines are well built and will last for many years with only a few parts needing replacement. A great number of antique sewing machines are still in operation, but parts can be hard to find if the company is no longer in business. Typically, the manufacturer is the best location for sewing machine parts, but there are also many companies specializing in sewing machine part replacements.

For more than two centuries, innovators have been sewing themselves into the fabric of our world's economy by answering the creativity needs of the home seamstress and major designers. The human need for textiles and continued economic gain ensures that the sewing machine will continue to evolve.

Medical Billing - The Support Tech's Troubles

2008-02-14T01:24:00.000-08:00

If you think that the programmer has nightmares trying to get a piece of medical billing software to work correctly and the QA tech has headaches trying to test this software under every possible condition, imagine the troubles that the support tech has when he is basically stuck in the middle of this no win battle. In this installment, we're going to show you just what the support tech has to go through on a daily basis.

The biggest problem that the support tech has is that they are basically the last one to find out what the software does and the first line of defense when it comes to taking support calls. This gives them the least amount of time to prepare what is inevitably going to come down the pike. Need an example? Here's a perfect one.

The DME medical billing software company decides to add barcoding to their line of products. So the hardware department makes the barcoding machines that will actually read these barcodes. The printing department makes the labels. They have to be just the right size. The programmers then write the code to make it so that the barcoding machines read the barcodes correctly and print them properly on the labels, lined up just so. The QA tester then tests all of this to make sure it works just right.

After all this is done and it is determined that the product is working as it should, it is then handed over to the support techs so that they can learn how to use it in order to be able to support the product. They really don't have the chance to fully test the product because it needs to go out to the public right away. Besides, it's the QA department's job to make sure the software is working correctly.

Well, the software gets released to the public. Right around this time, another company comes out with a barcode reader. They claim that it will work with any software because it is generic. It turns out that this reader is cheaper than the reader that comes with the DME software. So customers opt to buy the new reader instead. Well, it turns out that the barcode readers can use one of two protocols. Unfortunately, the QA tester and programmer only made and tested this software for the more common protocol and the new reader uses the other protocol. Can you see what's coming down the road?

The support department starts getting bombarded with calls. Customers are complaining that their barcoding module doesn't work with these generic readers that are on the market. Support goes back to QA, who then goes back to programming, where it is discovered that they only programmed the barcoding system for the one protocol. So, programming has to add the second protocol, QA has to test it and then poor support has to get back on the phone with these screaming customers and send them the new software. They're the only ones who didn't screw up but they get all the fury of the customer.

The moral to this is simple. If ever you decide you want to work for a medical billing software company, you might want to think twice about becoming a support tech.

Collectibles - Pepsi Vending Machines Make Great Game Room Decor

2008-02-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

Old bottles from soda drinks like Pepsi and Mountain Dew are great collectibles. With lots of people collecting as a hobby and many more collecting them to sell and it's not just the bottles that are of interest as even the vending machines are becoming popular to collectors.

There is a renewed interest in collecting vending machines. The earliest were simple self-service containers which had a cup to collect coins. Soon, automated machines appeared. You deposited a nickel in a slot, and a bottle dropped to you. When machines were introduced that had the capability of making change, it was a major breakthrough.

Few Pepsi vending machines were made in the past and are now hard to find. Competitors bottles were smaller and Pepsi bottles did not fit in the their vending machines. Also, large bottle custom vending machines was not a viable option for Pepsi.

Given this unique design, it was not possible to have a single device distribute beverages from different manufacturers. Few Pepsi machines from the era were made, and almost none continue to exist. The goal of management was to spend as little as possible, so they did not invest in the benefits that might have come from vending devices.

Then came the turn of electronic, with a small computer which can collect sales and other data. In future these equipments will become collectibles. The day doesn't seem far when you can find a soda dispenser by swiping your card. Machines dispensing cans and 20 ounce size unbreakable bottles are quite familiar. Currently these models are not regarded as collectibles, however, a few people still buy these as part of their home decor.

One of the most popular items among collectors is the rare machine which dispensed directly into a fountain style cup. The older models were quite small and fit easily on a counter or a table.

Are Vending Machines a Good Investment

2008-02-01T03:14:00.000-08:00

Do you want to make some extra money? If you do, then you might want to invest in some vending machines. Those who invest in these machines usually have to either rent or buy them, and then have someone supply what they need to fill them up. The profit will be the rest of the money you make above those expenses. In this kind of business, the more of these you have, the more money you are going to make. You can put these machines in a variety of places, but there might be a need to pay a fee to place them in certain places.

In this present day and age, vending machines have more than just soda in them. If you can find the right machines, then you can get bottles of water and juices. Some vending machines are full of snacks and other food items that are usually eaten in the middle of the day. However, many people are now turning away from machines that are full of sugary drinks and high calorie snacks to help keep their children in better shape. - You should consider offering up healthy fare for the students if you want to have vending machines in schools. You will find that the schools may be more welcoming if you offer healthy snacks for their students. School authorities want their students to have healthy drinks and snacks because healthy snacks for kids are becoming harder to come by these days.

However, some people may argue that this is not the best way to deal with vending machines in schools. Some of them even think that these machines should be banned altogether, but I do not agree with their opinion. The students will not go somewhere else for something that might not be the best choice if they can get something right in their school that is good for them.

You can make more money if you place vending machines in certain places. For instance, hotels charge a lot more for a machine than having a machine placed outside a grocery store. The same could be said for vending machines in amusement parks and other like venues. These businesses may have a company that they deal with for their machines, but you never know. You stand to make a healthy profit if you can get in on that somewhere with someone. This might be a good investment for you if you want to make some extra cash without too much effort

Long Arm Sewing Machines

2008-01-31T04:35:00.000-08:00

Long arm sewing machines are different from models such as light weight sewing machines, medium-duty sewing machines, heavy duty sewing machines, and special purpose sewing machines.

Long arm sewing machines are Compound Feed sewing machines. They can be used for sewing medium and heavy weight materials. Features include: 18 inch long arm, auto lubrication by pump, selection of special needle gauge, safety clutch device protecting hook, vertical-axis twice large rotary hook etc. Long arm sewing machine also includes Zig Zag TONY H-301L Zig Zag Sewing Machine (Large Hook) for Mid & Heavy Material. It is used for making leather bags, shoes etc. It is also used in garment industries.

The Ontarian 300 is a long arm sewing machine produced by OSA (Ontario Sewing Automation). This long arm sewing machine has the speed of a standard 11" sewing machine. It gives the clearance under the arm of up to 72 inches. This machine is used for stitching tents, greenhouse covers, truck tarpaulins; reinforced swimming pool safety covers etc.

Juki TL98Q long arm sewing machine has the following features: easy bobbin replacement, extended sewing area, automatic needle threader without eye strain, knee lifter lever helps to lift the presser foot without using hands, sews heavy weight materials easily, machine, foot pedal switch for thread trimming increases sewing efficiency, even feed foot helps this type of machine to produce beautiful seams when sewing velvet and georgette.

Some long arm sewing machines have free space measuring 420mm width which allows the operator to handle a large sewing product easily.

Delkar Machine Company produces long arm sewing machines. These long arm sewing machines are used to stitch golf bags, filter bags, car covers, airplane covers, parachutes, aircraft fabric covers, awnings etc..

Long arm sewing machines can be purchased on-line or from local stores. Payment can be made using credit card, Master card etc.

Rowing Machines: Are They for You?

2008-01-31T04:34:00.000-08:00

Rowing machines offer one of the best aerobic fitness workouts. A workout on a rowing machine or rowing ergometer achieves two things: a cardiovascular and muscle workout. If you are keen on developing your cardiovascular systems, but also your muscular system, then a rowing machine could well be what you have been looking for.

A full body workout on one machine

Other cardio machines, such as exercise bikes, stair climbers, and treadmills do wonders for your legs and butt, but do not give an adequate workout to your upper body. Rowing machines, believe it or not, actually work both upper and lower body. In fact, workout analysts say that your legs get up to 70% of the workout benefits, but your upper body gets the rest. This basically translates to getting a full body workout on just one machine.

Rowing machines are low impact

The other major plus is that the rowing machine offers a safer alternative to jogging. Jogging, whether you do it on a treadmill or in the outdoors, is a high impact exercise and is not suitable for everyone. Each time you jog you are in danger of trauma to your bones and joints. Rowing machines offer a low impact workout, which is a very safe way to increase your overall health and fitness.

Which rowing machine is for you?

There are a number of rowing machines on the market today. A hydraulic machine is a good choice if you don't want to spend too much. Air or flywheel rowing machines have a real outdoor rowing feel. Air and flywheel rowing machines feel natural and smooth, while hydraulic machines don't. The magnetic resistance machine is a very popular rowing machine because it is very smooth and quiet.

Whatever machine you choose, you will get your full body aerobic workout that is low impact and the best thing for your muscles and your heart.

Fax Machines Guide - Some Guidelines About Fax Machines

2008-01-30T02:30:00.000-08:00

A telecommunication tool that sends and receives documents or graphics via telephone lines is known as ‘fax machine’. Fax machine is basically a package of image scanner, a modem and a computer printer. Scanner is used to convert the content of physical documents into digital image whereas modem sends image data via phone line and printer is used to make a duplicate of original document.

Sometimes fax machines are used to scan documents into a computer and to take a print of documents from computer. Fax machines converts a picture into zeros and ones format so that data can be easily transmitted like normal computer data while on the other side it reads the data and translates zeros and ones back into dots and reprints the picture.

Fax machines are affordable and easy to use devices. Fax machines transmit data at speed from 4,800 bps to 28,800 bps. Fax machines with a speed of 9,600 bps transmit one page within 10-20 seconds. Several fax machines use thermal printer that needs special paper to print the best pictures. Thermal paper mostly comes in two sizes such as 8.5 inches wide and 10.1 inches wide.

Some fax machines come with vast variety of dialing features. It enables you to set a program to send a document at future time. Another important feature of fax machine is that you can send multi page document without feeding each and every page manually in the machine.

Latest fax machines are a bit faster than the old ones. You should determine quality, price and other important features at the time of purchasing a fax machine. You can select ‘fax modem’ in case you want to send faxes but not receive them. Choice of fax machines depends on your requirements.

Candy Vending Machine - Profitable and Fun

2008-01-30T02:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a vending machine full of colorful candies? Yummy, as most children would say. Vending machines always attract young kids.

Vending machines have been popular for some time. People saw it has a great use in the market and the potential profit it may bring to people. Vending machines dispense certain kinds of merchandise after the customer deposits money.

At present, various types of vending machines are placed for selling snacks and beverages. Each type has a specific product in stock. Some are for selling candies and newspapers. There are also vending machines used for selling bottled water.

In different countries on the planet, vending machines are used for dispensing several products. You can find all types of products sold through vending machines like sandwiches, beverages and snacks.

Vending machines are operated by the owner in most cases. This is a common business in the United States because it is easy to operate; you can stock the machines with merchandise and earn money. You don’t even need a store clerk to sell the products.

If you are leery of the safety of these vending machines, don't worry because most of the machines today are extensively tested. They are also designed to lessen the risk of theft.

On the other hand, despite the safety of vending machines, the machines may experience maintenance problems or breakdowns. This happens occasionally.

After knowing all the necessary information regarding vending machines, it is quite interesting to deal in the type of vending machine that charms children. This is the candy vending machine.

It is a mechanical or electronic machine that sells varieties of candies by simply inserting coins or paper money. It is very eye catching for kids because the candies they can purchase here are assorted and they have so many choices to choose from.

Having a small business of your own can be profitable. You can make it possible by opening your own Candy Vending Machine route. Maybe a year from now you can add soda vending machines to your locations. This can be the start of profitable small business for you, it was for me.

Long Arm Sewing Machines

2008-01-29T06:00:00.002-08:00

Rowing Machines: Are They for You?

2008-01-29T06:00:00.001-08:00

Choosing A Vending Machine Company – What To Look For

2008-01-05T02:59:00.001-08:00

A vending machine company will supply you with the vending machines you need if you are thinking about starting your own vending machine business. It may be difficult for you to choose a company to deal with if you cannot find a company for vending machines near where you live. There are many of them with an online presence, but you have to consider the cost of getting the machines to you. A vending machine company sells both new and used vending machines so you will have different prices to choose from.

Starting a vending business is not the same as starting any other type of business. You will be home based and just travel your route to service the machines on a regular basis. Servicing means taking the money out of the machines, restocking the products and making sure that the vending machines are working properly. To get started in a vending machine business, you first contact a vending machine company to purchase the machines that you want. You will find both new and used vending machines for sale, so you can make the decision both on the products you want to sell and the cost of the machines.

A vending machine company can take the form of one person operating a home based business or a large company with many staff prepared to take your order. If you choose a company that you find online, you really have to size up the website to help you make the decision. Ask yourself if this company has a wide range of vending machines and whether or not it also sells the bulk vending products you will need. You should be able to browse the list of used vending machines for sale as well as get valuable information about starting a vending business.

If the vending machine company that you start with treats you well, you will of course stay with that company. Changing companies in the middle of starting a vending business will not project a very good image of you to the business associates you make when placing the vending machines in locations. Therefore, it is important that you do research the company before you make a commitment to buy or rent any of its vending machines. If you buy the machines, then you can choose any supplier you wish for the products, but if you lease the machines, you may be stuck with the company until the end of the lease.

Any vending machine company that continually puts roadblocks in your way when starting a vending business is one that you should steer clear or. If you cannot get clear answers to your questions about the used vending machines for sale or about how they operate, you will not be able to develop a good relationship with this company. Since each vending machine company does have different prices for the machines, it is a good idea to check out several companies before you make your final decision.

Office Machines

2008-01-05T02:56:00.000-08:00

Finding office machines can be a real problem is the budget is tight. But the problem can be solved when you shop smart. And let’s face it, furnishing an office and finding high quality office machines on budget can be a little bit of a challenge. But with a little more effort, nothing’s impossible. Usually, a cubicle in an office can fully furnished within $6,000...but let’s just say that if you shop smartly, you can get furnishing for each cubicle done for under $3,000! And who doesn’t know you can get office machines from eBay at low prices?

First off, determine the space that you have and the budget that you have got to work within. Discuss the style that you want on the furnishings and the kind of office machines that you will need. Once you’ve got that all settled, you’re ready to get going.

Now, one way to save cost on furnishing your office is by purchasing used workstations and used office machines. Used furniture is not always drab and dirty. In fact, some used office furniture and office machines are almost brand new. They sell the office machines off cheap. There are tons of used office machines in the market, so, navigate through the flood of used office machines and furniture carefully. Although the price of the used office machines and furniture is of utmost importance, the quality and condition of the office machine and furniture should be taken into serious consideration.

Another way to get cheap tasteful office furniture and high quality office machines is to buy refurbished office machines and furniture. Refurbished office machines and furniture are, essentially used office machines and furniture, but they have been refurbished or repaired to an ‘almost new’ condition. Be careful to test out the office machines and furniture before you buy them because refurbished office machine and furniture may look fine and dandy on the outside but it may already be worn out on the inside. So, if they don’t allow you to test the office machine and furniture out, don’t buy.

Of course, another way of getting your office furnished is to lease the office machine and furniture instead of buying them right off. This helps free up some cash for the daily operations of your business. Most of these office machines and furniture leasing companies have a wide range of office machines and furniture for you to choose from and they are mostly top-of-the-line.

As you can see, furnishing an office need not be an expensive feat. The only condition is that you look at the right place at the right time. In fact, if you find someone with good contacts with office machines and furniture dealers, they may give you a big discount if you buy the office machine and furniture in bulk

CNC Machining

2007-12-20T01:34:00.000-08:00

CNC machining in the industrial the context refers to Computer Numerical Control. Computers are used to control machine tools for the purpose of manufacturing complex and intricate parts of metal and other material. More over the cutting process is enabled, using a program written in a notation confirming to EIA-274-D standard, which is often referred as G-code. The computer numerical controls were developed in late 1940’s and 1950’s, but were briefly preceded due to less advanced numerically controlled machines. However the CNC technology has developed greatly, with advances in mechanics and the computer sector. The developed CNC machines have drastically changed the face of the manufacturing industry.

More over the CNC structure has dramatically reduced human intervention in machining. It is easy to cut curves or straight lines, and structuring intricate 3-D parts has become relatively easy.

However CNC machines have helped to increase automation of the manufacturing sector, and have enabled improvements in consistent and quality production. The machininig technology has even helped significantly in reducing the frequency of errors and has provided the CNC operators with time to perform additional tasks. CNC automation also gives higher flexibility to the way tools are gripped in the manufacturing process, and the time required to produce different products.

Often for producing parts requiring several operations, a series of CNC machines are combined into one station, commonly referred to as a cell. However CNC structures today are controlled directly, with help of the files created by CAM software packages. Wherein the assembly can go directly from design to manufacturing, eliminating the need of producing a paper draft of the manufactured component.

Moreover CNC technology has enabled convenient and automated handling, of various machine tools such as drills, edm, lathes, milling machines, wood routers, sheet metal works, and hot-wire foam cutters. CNC technologies represent a special segment of industrial robot systems, as they are flexible and programmable to undertake any machine operation task.

CNC Machines

2007-12-20T01:33:00.000-08:00

METALCUTTING: Turning Machines and Centers

2007-07-03T23:09:00.001-07:00

Turned parts cover such a broad range, from slender shafts and tiny precision connectors to large-bore oil-patch tubing and huge turbine shafts, that it's hard to imagine how they fall under the same category of single-point metal removal.

Whether used in the toolroom or for rapid prototyping or for high-production applications, turning centers depend on the latest advances in machine design, control technology, software, and automating load and unload devices for their effectiveness.

Visitors to IMTS 2006 can expect to see technology solutions that reflect the demands of manufacturers for singlesetup production of more and more complex parts to ever higher levels of quality. Here's what visitors should look for: CNC lathes with live tools, C axes, subspindles and Y axis have the capability to drill and mill off center, and are much in demand for complete part processing in a single setup.

* CNC lathes approach full multitasking capability with a B axis that allows rotation around the Y axis for drilling at an angle or contour milling off the spindle centerline

* Classes of machines such as vertical turning centers and Swiss turns continue to enjoy demand because of growth in markets, including energy, aerospace, medical, and machinery.

For high-production applications, turning machines have evolved with multiple spindles, adding to the number of single-point tools that can be applied to the same part or machine multiple parts in a machine cycle.
Advertisement

Machines that add live (driven) tooling in the form of milling cutters, drills, and sundry other tools can perform turning and milling and other processes in a single setup, and approach true multitasking machines in capacity. Multitasking machines will be covered in the next section of our show preview.

Going to IMTS in search of your next turning machine involves adopting a strategy based on the volume and complexity of parts to be machined, the need for quick-change

change workholding and tooling, desired quality of finished part, and ease of programming. It could he a simple two-axis lathe or a Swiss-turn capable of producing the most complex precision parts in as many as ten axes.

For medical applications, electronics connectors, and a host of similar precision-machined parts, Swiss turns that machine bar, typically to 32-mm diam, are following a number of courses in development.

"Manufacturers are requiring faster changeover, as businesses want smaller hatches and smaller quantities," explains Tom Dierks, president, Tornos Technologies US Corp. (Brookfield, CT). "There is a need to set up faster and change over faster, relying on quick-change tooling or quick-change barfeeders with different bar sizes," Dierks says.

"Tornos has done a lot of things to its Swiss turns to overcome the limitations of the number of tools, for example taking a tool position and tooling it up to handle two or three tools to open up more tool positions on the machine. That's essential for more complex parts typically found in medical applications and some automotive and electronics Darts." Dierks says.

For moderately complex parts, Tornos will exhibit its Deco 20s six-axis machine. It has been boosted to a 20 (25.4)-mm diam size and features a mirror image front to back sliding headstock on the front and sliding subspindle on the back, and gang slide on front and back. "It's a much less expensive option for the user who only requires five or six axes, and it can be configured a la carte or packaged with barfeeder and driven tools for under $200,000," says Dierks.

"IMTS attendees will quickly notice that today's machines are moving in two distinct directions," says Brad Morris, president of REM Sales Inc. (East Granby, CT). "Manufacturers are being driven to do more with less, looking at all of their processes for ways to reduce or eliminate operations while improving flexibility. In doing so, many are purchasing multifunction lathes, including Swiss turns, as solutions.

"In response to this market need, Swiss turn builders are producing more complex machines capable of simultaneous operation. Many of these new machines include turrets and driven tooling for milling, drilling, and other operations not typically performed on lathes," Morris explains.

"Attendees will see more machines than at any previous show capable of helping them consolidate operations in one machine and drop parts complete. At the same time, Swiss-turn builders are also developing simpler machines that are cost-effective solutions with decent capabilities for manufacturers producing parts that demand flexibility, but don't require complex machining operations," Morris explains.

"To an outsider, it might appear that these two strategies run counter to each other. In actuality, they are working together to help machine tool builders broaden their product offerings and provide more comprehensive solutions to their customers," Morris says.

Waterjet Machines work with EDM technology

2007-07-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

Available in 3 models, Waterjet series include stainless steel tanks, dedicated nano control, and 15 in. waterproof screen. Featuring 2D CAD-CAM software, 2-3 axis Classica offers accuracy of [+ or -]0.004 in. Suprema 4-axis' software includes Intelligent Tapering Control that corrects tapering of cut and achieves [+ or -]0.001 in. wall straightness in 1/2 in. thick steel. Evolution 5-axis' 3D System uses rotation point device to maintain constant distance from nozzle to workpiece. Mitsubishi experts have played an active role in the Waterjet machines' design, making sure they're engineered specifically to work with EDM technology. Mitsubishi engineers are constantly delivering ways to increase efficiencies and boost productivity. The machine's speed is ideal for reducing production times attached to roughing and bulk material removal before finishing on EDM. For example, a time study showed a 28% time savings on materials roughed with Waterjet versus an EDM machine.

The Waterjet series is available in three different models to best fit every shop's needs. These include the 2-3 axis Classica, 4-axis Suprema, and 5-axis Evolution.
Advertisement

The machines feature stainless steel tanks for easier maintenance and cleaner cutting conditions. A solid base construction and custom-made table for accepting tooling systems allows Waterjet and EDM to easily work together.

The Waterjet line is powered by Mitsubishi Electric, giving it more programming capabilities than other waterjet manufacturers. The Mitsubishi 700 Series Control provides unprecedented productivity and operating comfort. Dedicated Nano control helps achieve high-precision machining. The unit is controlled on a 15-inch water-proof screen, with improved graphics and NC design to simplify operation.

The 2-3 axis Classica features 2D CAD-CAM software with nesting capabilities, and accuracy and repeatability of [+ or -] 0.004".

The 4-axis Suprema's software features (ITC) Intelligent Tapering Control, which correct tapering of the cut automatically. The CNC tilts the high-pressure water jet [+ or -]2 degrees which allows for increased cutting speeds in a contour. The ITC system can achieve [+ or -]0.001" wall straightness in half inch thick steel.

The Exclusive 5-axis Evolution 3D System uses a self-positioning rotation point device on the material to automatically maintain a constant distance from the nozzle to the workpiece. This protects the nozzle through a working range from flat work to a contoured interpolation of [+ or -]69[degrees].

The Mitsubishi Experience is providing customers with the ingenuity and innovation to stay competitive on all levels. We deliver industry-leading technology and integrated solutions to help you reach new manufacturing heights. The Mitsubishi Experience is the unparalleled support of our sales and service teams, the knowledge of our application engineers, and the expertise from specialists dedicated to maximizing your productivity.

Lathe facilitates transition from manual machines to CNC

2007-06-19T02:31:00.002-07:00

Combining functionality of manual lathe with flexibility of CNC system TL-1 Toolroom Lathe offers 4 modes of operation: manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and full CNC. Intuitive Turning System uses full-color graphics on LCD, enabling operators to perform complex operations without knowledge of G-code programming. Machine employs A2-5 spindle nose and 7.5 hp vector drive spindle that spins to 1,800 rpm. Max cutting diameter is 16 in. and cutting length is 30 in.

********************

To survive in today's competitive market, it is increasingly necessary for toolrooms and small machine shops to make the move to CNC. The TL-1 Toolroom Lathe from Haas Automation, Inc., eases the transition from manual machines to CNC - without breaking the bank. The Haas TL-1 Toolroom Lathe combines the full functionality and simplicity of a manual lathe with the power and flexibility of the easy-to-use Haas CNC system - all in an American-made machine that is base-priced less than $20,000 (US).

The Haas Toolroom Lathe provides a maximum cutting diameter of 16" and a maximum cutting length of 30". The maximum part swing is 16" over the front apron and 8.5" over the cross slide. The TL-1 features a powerful 7.5-hp (peak) vector drive spindle that spins to 1,800 rpm, and it comes standard with an A2-5 spindle nose that accepts a number of optional chucks. For additional part support, an optional manual tailstock is available that provides 30" of travel. Brushless servo motors on all axes provide precise positioning, and a one-piece cast-iron base damps vibration and provides rigidity for heavy cuts. The TL-1 runs on either single- or three-phase power.
Advertisement

The TL-1 features Haas' new Intuitive Turning System - a proprietary conversational operating system that makes cutting parts and creating part programs nearly effortless. Through an interactive graphical environment - using full-color graphics on a liquid crystal display (LCD) - the control guides the operator through the steps necessary to machine a part. The operator touches off the X and Z surfaces, and then enters basic machining information - feedrate, spindle speed, depth of cut, etc. - as prompted. Once all information is entered, the machinist simply pushes Cycle Start and the machine performs the desired operation. A Recorder function allows multiple operations to be saved, so that the information can be retrieved and the part duplicated.

Operations that would be difficult or even impossible on a manual machine, such as compound angles, radii, tapers, profiles, ID and OD threading and rigid tapping, are all possible on the TL-1 - without knowledge of G-code programming.

For extreme versatility, the TL-1 operates in four modes. In manual mode, X and Z axes are moved via manual handwheels (or the electronic jog handle), with the Haas control providing precise digital read-out (DRO) of position; electronic soft stops may be set to limit the travels of the lathe. In semi-automatic mode, the TL-1 performs dual-axis simultaneous linear interpolation, such as chamfers and tapers, using a single handwheel, again with accurate, easy-to-read DRO. In automatic mode, the TL-1 has built-in machining cycles for rough and finish profiling, radiuses, chamfering, grooving, threading, drilling and tapping. In full CNC, the TL-1 is programmed using standard G code, and all axes are controlled by the Haas control.

Turning the tide: when Briggs & Stratton decided to make the crankshaft machining lines in its Poplar Bluff plant globally competitive, it had to choo

2007-06-19T02:31:00.001-07:00

The Briggs & Stratton plant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, is putting the final touches on a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its crankshaft machining area. These crankshafts are a critical component in the numerous small engines that the company supplies to manufacturers of walk-behind lawn and garden equipment. The plant produces about 3.3 million of these engines a year, and the crankshaft in each one is machined in this facility.

That's one of the main reasons why the crankshaft machining area became the plant's focus of attention about 3 years ago. It was a production bottleneck; quality issues were a problem; and costs were an issue.By implementing automation and other production efficiencies, the operation is now able to meet its goals for productivity, cost and quality. The newly automated lines require less floor space than the original lines, take fewer operators and setup staff to run and are more flexible. Part number change-overs are faster, and new parts can be added without major modifications to the equipment. More importantly, it is clear that the implementation is achieving its objectives. Those are: meet all the specs on the part print; produce a finished crankshaft every 10 seconds; and operate at 85 percent efficiency or better on a consistent basis

The main turning operations in the revamped lines are performed in two automated cells. Each cell consists of four twin-turret CNC lathes, with an automated gaging station and a robot for each pair of lathes. Other turning and grinding operations are also now performed in automated, robotically tended cells. What makes the main turning cell significant is the choice of standard CNC equipment. These lathes are high-precision models that might be found in a dealer's showroom or on the floor of an advanced job shop.

The decision to incorporate CNC lathes in these cells was made carefully. The performance of these lathes was essential to the success of the whole automation project. Recent innovations in the design and control structure of these machines made this application possible. By installing these lathes, turning steps could be consolidated, a rough grinding step could be eliminated and higher accuracies could be achieved on critical part features.

Choosing CNC lathes and robots over alternative equipment, however, was not the most important decision the company had to make for this plant. Whether to upgrade the crankshaft machining area at all, or join to the tide and outsource production was the crucial choice. For some large manufacturing companies, this decision would not have been a matter of debate. That was almost the case in Poplar Bluff.

The story began in late spring of 2002. It started with a telephone call.

Shutdown Time

Chris Peters, who manages the crankshaft machining area at the Poplar Bluff plant, answered the telephone. The vice president and general manager of the division was calling, and he asked Mr. Peters about his shutdown plans for the crankshaft machining operation. At first, he treated this call as a routine request--every July, the plant has a 2-week shutdown. It's a period when most employees schedule at least part of their vacation time and when major maintenance or renovation can occur with the least disruption. Procedures for this annual shutdown are well established and follow the same pattern year after year. Mr. Peters assumed that all he needed to do was check for any circumstances that might change these plans and then reassure his boss that the shutdown would proceed as usual.

He soon learned that he had misunderstood the message. Mr. Peters was being asked to plan for a total shutdown of the crankshaft machining area. The company was seriously considering outsourcing this product. It was time to look at an orderly cessation of production, redeployment of area employees and disposal of the equipment.

That was not a decision that Mr. Peters expected, even though he knew that the crankshaft area had some deficiencies that needed to be addressed. These concerns had been put off because of other priorities in the plant and competing budgetary considerations. Outsourcing is always an option for companies that are concerned about global competitiveness, and Mr. Peters certainly understood that. He had hoped that the crankshaft line would have its chance to be revitalized, but it looked as if this chance would never come.

Mr. Peters is not one to quietly abandon a conviction. He believed that crankshaft production could stay at the Poplar Bluff plant and be globally competitive if the commitment to the engineering effort and investment in automated equipment were put forth. Fortunately, Briggs & Stratton is committed to globally competitive manufacturing in all its plants. What mattered was reaching that goal--all the better if crankshaft machining could reach that goal in Poplar Bluff.

With that encouragement, Mr. Peters began meeting with the engineers, supervisors and plantfloor staff in the crankshaft area. Manufacturing Engineers Stahl Sturgeon and Jesse Sumrall; and Shift Supervisors Jim Boshell, Jim Plumb and Ken Stout played key roles in this process. It took about a year to create a long-range plan for upgrading and automating crankshaft production. Everyone who participated in these planning sessions understood that being globally competitive involved four broad objectives:

Real-time managing system improved operations - machine shops - Emphasis: Systems and Software

2007-06-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

Real-Time Managing System Improved Operations

In 1985, we were a typical job shop in many ways. We existed with no visual growth over the previous three years. We were frustrated and we knew we had to do something about it. Our order system was not much better than a yellow legal pad with order entry done manually and sometimes by typewriter.

We did not know where the jobs were in our plant. When someone phoned and asked about delivery, we were unable to tell them without going to the shop and looking for the job. We would have to guess how long it might take to complete it. Sometimes, two "hot" jobs were scheduled for the same machine at the same time. If a router sheet was lost, it was a real problem. We had no way of quickly retrieving the processing and production data.

Jim Vancalbergh, our president, recognized a year earlier that without better organization there could be no expansion for our company. He purchased a Commodore computer and started to develop production sheets. These sheets were filled out manually by the shop personnel and turned in every day. At the end of each day we recorded the information and figured out production averages. Lost production sheets or routing sheets could be reproduced easily because they were now stored in the computer.

The Solution

About six months later, while at a Detroit-area tool show, one of our managers reported that he had seen a real-time job tracking system that looked promising. A real-time system, being a dynamic control process, responds to events as they occur. This control technique has worked well in the process industries. The question was whether such an approach could work in the batch-type processing environment typically used by the metalworking job shop industry. Neither Jim nor I had a chance to see the system that was displayed, so we asked the company for a demonstration.

Steve Ingraham, then president and co-founder of Mindbridge Systems, Inc., of Beaumont, Texas, made a quick trip to our plant to demonstrate his firm's Realtrac system. We were intrigued by the fact that he was also the owner of a job shop.

His shop had scheduling and job tracking problems similar to ours, but one of his solutions was different. Where we tried to employ the power of a small computer, he called in two process control engineer friends and, together, they devised a real-time management control system for a job shop.

Ordering The System

We had already decided a change was necessary. Also, the ideas of what we wanted to do were clear, so we ordered a system the next day.

When we first received the system, we had 20 employees and a 5,000 square foot production facility. Today, we have 48 employees and 15,000 square feet, with one person monitoring the real-time system. At one point, we had two plants six miles apart. Both were monitored by one person.

Our company serves the automotive, hydraulic cylinder, and industrial shock absorber markets, and performs saw work for other job shops serving the same industries. In 1985, sales were $1.2 million. In 1989, sales were over $3 million, and we project an increase of 15 to 20 percent for 1990. We attribute much of our growth to the real-time job tracking and scheduling system because it enabled us to exercise better shop floor control.

Our shop specializes in production sawing and machining operations. We have eight CNC turning centers, four CNC machining centers, and four production cutoff saws, including one cold saw and three band saws.

Last year, we ran approximately 2700 jobs through our shop, in quantities ranging between one and thousands of pieces per job. The average lot was between 100 and 200 pieces. At any time, there are between 350 and 400 jobs going through the system, with an average of ten operations per job.

We can track each job from the time it is entered until it is shipped out the door, and we know, within seconds, the location and status of any job. This is possible because the real-time system captures and processes information so quickly.

The basic system network consists of a personal computer master console, a dedicated special-events printer, communication boxes that can access up to 64 micro-terminals, and software. We installed five micro-terminals throughout our shop at machines or workcenters where the shop personnel enter data into the system manually or by bar code reader. We have four IBM-compatible personal computers networked with the host computer. The PC.

The system's data collection clock is always running. The importance of this feature becomes evident when viewing a computer or monitor screen that is displaying estimated production time versus actual production time. The estimated time remains the same, but the job time display is updated every minute, and the system's monitor display is refreshed every 15 seconds, 24 hours a day.

MDSI Penetrates Machine Tool OEM Market; Undisputed Leader in Software CNC Introduces OpenCNC/OEM v4.0

2007-06-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

OpenCNC/OEM reduces engineering costs and enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring products to market faster, because it leverages standard software development tools and standard off-the-shelf hardware. Because the CNC is open-architecture software running on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), OEMs can integrate third-party technologies and provide value-added competitive features of their own to customers.

In today's manufacturing industries, OEMs increasingly recognize the value of a renewable CNC -- an upgradeable software CNC that will not become obsolete before the machine tool does. "OpenCNC/OEM has established a new benchmark in all-software, high-performance, high-volume CNC solutions for OEMs," Fall said.

MDSI has already signed several major license deals with machine tool builders to install the products in new machines. MHO, manufacturer of production-grade compact CNC milling machines, recently made an initial purchase of 100ness and our customers." MHO's machines are oriented to small-part manufacturing needs.

Cubic Machinery, Inc., another OEM customer for MDSI, produces lathes for a variety of industries including optical, electronics and automotive. "Cubic Machinery has created a special machine designed specifically for OpenCNC/OEM, which is an indication of our belief in the quality and effectiveness of this product. Its flexibility allows us to design and deliver a machine in a relatively short period of time," said Joe Lin, president, Cubic Machinery. "OpenCNC/OEM is the ideal product for our customers working to make machining more productive through robotics and mechanics."

"Our mission at MDSI has always been to revolutionize the factory floor through superior, innovative technology," Fall said. "Providing OpenCNC products to machine tool builders as well as manufacturers is a natural progression for our company as we enter the new millenium."

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies factory automation software and services that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing. The company's primary product, OpenCNC, is a software CNC that reduces machine tool control costs and extends the productive life of machine tools. OpenCNC provides an unbundled, open-architecture, high-performance, low-cost software CNC solution for Original Equipment Manufacturers of electronics fabrication, metal cutting, and woodcutting machine tools.

Unlike traditional CNC controls, OpenCNC uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards. The entire control is delivered on a CD. Because it's unbundled software that runs on off-the-shelf PCs, manufacturers are not locked into proprietary arrangements for hardware, control repair, or control upgrades.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Dana-Spicer, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's

Engineering data management software - Pro PDM data base management system - Software Review - Evaluation

2007-06-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

By controlling the full spectrum of product data from conceptual design through release and production, Pro/PDM presents tools for managing large-scale Pro/Engineer designs as well as traditional engineering data. Key features include customizable data access, design release procedures, product configuration management, and project scheduling; a user interface based on the guidelines for X-Windows, Motif, and Windows NT; and advanced tools to integrate design changes.

Highlights of Pro/PDM release 2.0 include the optional use of an Oracle database server. This capability enables users to share Pro\EDM data with other business systems through the use of structured query language (SQL). Customers using Oracle can leverage investments in SQL-based applications while taking advantage of the integration between Pro/PDM and Pro/Engineer.

Customers now have the flexibility of running Pro/PDM under the Oracle database or the Pro/PDM database. Data stored in Pro/PDM's database can be moved easily to an Oracle server, supporting customers' migration requirements. In addition, users will notice no difference working in an Oracle environment since the user interface remains unchanged.

Parametric Technology's Pro/Engineer product family encompasses 30 software modules, which address the complete spectrum of mechanical design-through-manufacturing activities.

BobCAD-Gold is a complete 3D CAD/CAM software package for programming up to three-axis CNC milling machines, wood-routers, waterjet cutters, lasers and lathe. BobCAD software has its own built-in CAD that allows the user to rapidly create a drawing on his computer. Next the user can turn the drawing into an NC program for his CNC machine. Simple 2D and 3D drawing features are said to make programming any CNC machine easier and can save time. BobCAD also accepts drawings made on other systems that are filed in DXF format. All drawings can be dimensioned and plotted on a printer or plotter. Ready NC programs are transferred from computer to CNC machine through an RS-232 cable.

New features in BobCAD-Gold include programming for lathes, machinable character fonts, tool path simulation, enhanced 3D surface machining and a "cut-all" feature that cuts everything with a single command.

BobCAD-CAM, 1440 Koll Circle, Suite 106, San Jose, CA 95112.

Grafx II Version 1.9 Release

Datacut Inc. has announced the release of Version 1.9 of Grafx II, NC/CAD/CAM software. The Version 1.9 of Grafx II includes over 160 changes and new features adding flexibility, improving the already user-friendly environment, and providing for enhanced productivity.

MDSI Penetrates Machine Tool OEM Market; Undisputed Leader in Software CNC Introduces OpenCNC/OEM v4.0

2007-06-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

The company that has already revolutionized the CNC industry by proving that manufacturers can control a complete range of CNC machine tools entirely from unbundled software is once again setting a new CNC standard -- this time for machine tool builders.

With the introduction of OpenCNC(R)/OEM, Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI) presents the same high-performance, open-architecture software CNC technology that has already enabled the company to dominate the software CNC market -- now packaged at a price/performance point designed for volume OEM sales.

OpenCNC/OEM includes the OpenCNC/OEM Software Developer Kit (SDK) and OpenCNC/OEM Runtime. The SDK enables engineers to design, build, test and simulate the CNC application offline, in software, before installing it on the machine tool. The Runtime is the hard real-time kernel that controls the machine tool. The package provides a common control technology across a full range of machine tools, including mills, lathes, drills, routers, mills, grinders, gear hobs, dial machines, and laser manufacturing systems.

"OpenCNC(R)/OEM is MDSI's response to demand from OEMs and end-user manufacturers who are already specifying us on their new machine orders," said James R. Fall, MDSI president and CEO. "We're pleased to provide an industry-leading software CNC solution to the full spectrum of machine tools, from entry level knee mills up to complex, high-precision, multi-axis machining centers. qpenCNC/OEM reduces engineering costs and enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring products to market faster, because it leverages standard software development tools and standard off-the-shelf hardware. Because the CNC is open-architecture software running on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), OEMs can integrate third-party technologies and provide value-added competitive features of their own to customers.

About MDSI

Roundup of latest, greatest: technologies, innovations found at IMTS

2007-06-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

From grinding wheels to machines, machining with abrasives continues to present a wide range of production options for metalworkers. New concepts were exhibited at IMTS 2004 side by side with many of the tried and true and proven technologies.

Saint Gobain Abrasives introduced its new vitrified CBN grinding wheels formulated with T2 technology. The new bond system enables Saint-Gobain to customize CBN wheels to meet specific requirements by application and material type. It is especially well suited to peel grinding and has achieved some impressive results in grinding engine and drive train components, the company reports. Also, Norton XGP.90 wheels ...

Engineering data management software - Pro PDM data base management system - Software Review - Evaluation

2007-06-02T03:40:00.001-07:00

Parametric Technology Corp., developer of the Pro/Engineer family of mechanical design automation software products has begun shipping the latest release of its Pro/PDM system for engineering data management.

By controlling the full spectrum of product data from conceptual design through release and production, Pro/PDM presents tools for managing large-scale Pro/Engineer designs as well as traditional engineering data. Key features include customizable data access, design release procedures, product configuration management, and project scheduling; a user interface based on the guidelines for X-Windows, Motif, and Windows NT; and advanced tools to integrate design changes.

Highlights of Pro/PDM release 2.0 include the optional use of an Oracle database server. This capability enables users to share Pro\EDM data with other business systems through the use of structured query language (SQL). Customers using Oracle can leverage investments in SQL-based applications while taking advantage of the integration between Pro/PDM and Pro/Engineer.

Customers now have the flexibility of running Pro/PDM under the Oracle database or the Pro/PDM database. Data stored in Pro/PDM's database can be moved easily to an Oracle server, supporting customers' migration requirements. In addition, users will notice no difference working in an Oracle environment since the user interface remains unchanged.

Parametric Technology's Pro/Engineer product family encompasses 30 software modules, which address the complete spectrum of mechanical design-through-manufacturing activities.

Parametric Technology Corporation, 128 Technology Drive, Waltham, MA 02154.

Three-Axis Programming With 3D CAD/CAM

BobCAD-Gold is a complete 3D CAD/CAM software package for programming up to three-axis CNC milling machines, wood-routers, waterjet cutters, lasers and lathe. BobCAD software has its own built-in CAD that allows the user to rapidly create a drawing on his computer. Next the user can turn the drawing into an NC program for his CNC machine. Simple 2D and 3D drawing features are said to make programming any CNC machine easier and can save time. BobCAD also accepts drawings made on other systems that are filed in DXF format. All drawings can be dimensioned and plotted on a printer or plotter. Ready NC programs are transferred from computer to CNC machine through an RS-232 cable.

New features in BobCAD-Gold include programming for lathes, machinable character fonts, tool path simulation, enhanced 3D surface machining and a "cut-all" feature that cuts everything with a single command.

BobCAD-CAM, 1440 Koll Circle, Suite 106, San Jose, CA 95112.

Grafx II Version 1.9 Release

Datacut Inc. has announced the release of Version 1.9 of Grafx II, NC/CAD/CAM software. The Version 1.9 of Grafx II includes over 160 changes and new features adding flexibility, improving the already user-friendly environment, and providing for enhanced productivity.

MDSI Penetrates Machine Tool OEM Market; Undisputed Leader in Software CNC Introduces OpenCNC/OEM v4.0

2007-06-02T03:33:00.000-07:00

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 1999--

The company that has already revolutionized the CNC industry by proving that manufacturers can control a complete range of CNC machine tools entirely from unbundled software is once again setting a new CNC standard -- this time for machine tool builders.

With the introduction of OpenCNC(R)/OEM, Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI) presents the same high-performance, open-architecture software CNC technology that has already enabled the company to dominate the software CNC market -- now packaged at a price/performance point designed for volume OEM sales.

OpenCNC/OEM includes the OpenCNC/OEM Software Developer Kit (SDK) and OpenCNC/OEM Runtime. The SDK enables engineers to design, build, test and simulate the CNC application offline, in software, before installing it on the machine tool. The Runtime is the hard real-time kernel that controls the machine tool. The package provides a common control technology across a full range of machine tools, including mills, lathes, drills, routers, mills, grinders, gear hobs, dial machines, and laser manufacturing systems.

"OpenCNC(R)/OEM is MDSI's response to demand from OEMs and end-user manufacturers who are already specifying us on their new machine orders," said James R. Fall, MDSI president and CEO. "We're pleased to provide an industry-leading software CNC solution to the full spectrum of machine tools, from entry level knee mills up to complex, high-precision, multi-axis machining centers."

OpenCNC/OEM reduces engineering costs and enables Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to bring products to market faster, because it leverages standard software development tools and standard off-the-shelf hardware. Because the CNC is open-architecture software running on Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), OEMs can integrate third-party technologies and provide value-added competitive features of their own to customers.

In today's manufacturing industries, OEMs increasingly recognize the value of a renewable CNC -- an upgradeable software CNC that will not become obsolete before the machine tool does. "OpenCNC/OEM has established a new benchmark in all-software, high-performance, high-volume CNC solutions for OEMs," Fall said.

MDSI has already signed several major license deals with machine tool builders to install the products in new machines. MHO, manufacturer of production-grade compact CNC milling machines, recently made an initial purchase of 100ness and our customers." MHO's machines are oriented to small-part manufacturing needs.

Cubic Machinery, Inc., another OEM customer for MDSI, produces lathes for a variety of industries including optical, electronics and automotive. "Cubic Machinery has created a special machine designed specifically for OpenCNC/OEM, which is an indication of our belief in the quality and effectiveness of this product. Its flexibility allows us to design and deliver a machine in a relatively short period of time," said Joe Lin, president, Cubic Machinery. "OpenCNC/OEM is the ideal product for our customers working to make machining more productive through robotics and mechanics."

"Our mission at MDSI has always been to revolutionize the factory floor through superior, innovative technology," Fall said. "Providing OpenCNC products to machine tool builders as well as manufacturers is a natural progression for our company as we enter the new millenium."

About MDSI

Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies factory automation software and services that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing. The company's primary product, OpenCNC, is a software CNC that reduces machine tool control costs and extends the productive life of machine tools. OpenCNC provides an unbundled, open-architecture, high-performance, low-cost software CNC solution for Original Equipment Manufacturers of electronics fabrication, metal cutting, and woodcutting machine tools.

Unlike traditional CNC controls, OpenCNC uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards. The entire control is delivered on a CD. Because it's unbundled software that runs on off-the-shelf PCs, manufacturers are not locked into proprietary arrangements for hardware, control repair, or control upgrades.

MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer-support. The company's customers, spanning many industries, include Boeing, Caterpillar, Dana-Spicer, Detroit Diesel, Emerson Electric, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, Marconi Precision Aerostructures, Tecumseh Products Company, Teledyne, Textron, and Vickers. For more information, visit MDSI's Web site at www.mdsi2.com.

MDSI, the MDSI logo, and OpenCNC are registered trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. Significant Events and OpenEvents are trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

TopSolid design contest 2006

2007-04-21T04:48:00.002-07:00

There's still time left to enter the TopSolid Design Contest 2006. All you have to do is submit your project (format jpg, tiff, and a brief description of the project) to win the following prizes:. * An all expenses paid weekend away for 2.

* An integrated PDA/GPS.

* A smartphone.

* An Ipod.

* A state-of-the-art laptop computer.

For further details and contest rules see the topsolid website.

Among the projects that have been received so far, there are stairs created by the French company Delzanni.

The stairs was completely designed using TopSolid'Design and TopSolid'Fold.

The steps are made of glass and fibre optic; the stair stringer is made in steel; the stair railing is made in glass and the handrail is in wood.

The second project is a 'U' shaped soiled dish table made by the company Trimark/Foodcraft based in North Carolina, USA.

The company is a national supplier of restaurant equipment from such things as glassware, blank menus, cookware to custom fabricated stainless steel equipment.

According to Philip Collins, the TopSolid operator at Trimark/Foodcraft, TopSolid has been the easiest CAD software he has ever used (he has been working with CAD software since 1991and with TopSolid for just over 1 year) Trimark/Foodcraft has been working with its local TopSolid reseller Indsco and with ClearCut Solutions, TopSolid's master reseller in the USA

TopSolid'Cam and continuous 5 axis machining

2007-04-21T04:48:00.001-07:00

TopSolid'Cam is one of the only CAM solutions on the market which is able to machine all parts by offering the most suitable machining process.

One of TopSolid'Cam's greatest forces is its capacity to manage all machining processes thereby making it one of the only CAM solutions on the market which is able to machine all parts by offering the most suitable machining process. TopSolid'Cam is capable of piloting turning, 2 axes milling, 3 axis milling, 4 and 5 axis continued milling, 4 and 5 axis continued turning, synchronisation and complex simulation. Today, the optimisation of the digital calculation of objects has led designers to create shapes which can only be made by using machines able to operate in 5 continuous axis.

Before looking at what TopSolid'Cam proposes for the machining of such parts, let's take a look at the 2 main cases where continuous 5 axis machining is used:.

* Machining of parts which cannot be made without a 5 axis machine tool.

In general 5 axis machining is required to manage accessibility constraints to certain areas of the part and means that the part cannot be made on machines with fewer axis.

* Machining of parts which can be carried out on 3 axis machines.

In this case the main reason behind using a 5 axis machine (when the part could in fact be machined on a 3 axis machine) is to allow the use of shorter tools which offer better cutting conditions and thereby reduce manufacturing times.

Continuous 5 axis machining with TopSolid

2007-04-21T04:47:00.002-07:00

One of TopSolid'Cam's greatest forces is its capacity to manage all machining processes thereby making it one of the only CAM solutions on the market which is able to machine all parts

TopSolid'Cam is capable of piloting turning, 2 axes milling, 3 axis milling, 4 and 5 axis continued milling, 4 and 5 axis continued turning, synchronisation and complex simulation. Today, the optimisation of the digital calculation of objects has led designers to create shapes which can only be made by using machines able to operate in 5 continuous axis.

Before looking at what TopSolid'Cam proposes for the machining of such parts, let's take a look at the 2 main cases where continuous 5 axis machining is used:.

* Machining of parts which cannot be made without a 5 axis machine tool.

In general 5 axis machining is required to manage accessibility constraints to certain areas of the part and means that the part cannot be made on machines with fewer axis.

* Machining of parts which can be carried out on 3 axis machines.

In this case the main reason behind using a 5 axis machine (when the part could in fact be machined on a 3 axis machine) is to allow the use of shorter tools which offer better cutting conditions and thereby reduce manufacturing times.

Spinning wheels, aeronautical parts, air ducts of certain cylinder heads are some examples of parts which can only be manufactured using a 5 axis machine tool.

TopSolid'Cam offers 2 main strategies for the machining of such parts:.

* 5 axis sweeping - with this machining method, the tool never works at the extremity, where the cutting speed is worst.

Accessibility problems to certain areas of the part are eliminated and thereby turnaround times are reduced.

* Swarf machining - This machining method limits the number of machining passes by using the side of the tool instead of its extremity.

Machining is therefore cleaner and faster.

For parts which may be machined on a 3 axis machine, TopSolid'Cam offers the possibility to transform a classical 3 axis toolpath into a 5 axis toolpath.

This option permits the use of shorter tools which offers better cutting conditions, a reduction of possible vibrations and a significant reduction in machining times.

(This function is frequently used by mold makers, for whom the automatic management of collisions, now available in TopSolid'Cam, is very important.

This means that the tool orientation is automatically modified in the case of a collision or rubbing with the part.) We have seen that TopSolid'Cam offers continuous 5 axis machining solutions to its customers which reduce machining times, increase part quality and reduce tool costs.

TopSolid'Cam also proposes other powerful functions which are essential for continuous 5 axis machining: * Collision management: TopSolid'Cam automatically modifies the orientation angles of tools in order to avoid collisions.

* Simulation: simulation is a key issue in all machining processes, especially in continuous 5 axis machining.

TopSolid'Cam manages all interoperation movements, collision prevention, axes movements, rest material, etc Unlike many CAM solutions on the market today, TopSolid'Cam does not only simulate the tool but also the machine and the part and thereby permits a good machining of the part.

TopSolid'Cam manages all machining processes from 2D to 5 axis machining.

One of the main interests of TopSolid'Cam is the richness of functionalities it offers to its operators.

The sub-contractor who today works in 2D may, in the future, need to machine complex 5 axis parts in order to stay competitive.

With TopSolid'Cam such a company can take on new complex parts with TopSolid'Cam without the fear of having to change software if its work processes change.

New record for sales in December

2007-04-21T04:47:00.001-07:00

Delcam is pleased to announce that it set a new monthly sales record in December 2006. Total sales reached GBP2.85 million, beating the previous record monthly level, set in December 2005, by almost 11%. This latest achievement follows record first half sales by the company in the opening six months of 2006.

'December is normally Delcam's best month for software sales,' commented Managing Director Hugh Humphreys.

'With the addition of PartMaker and SwissCAM to our product range earlier this year, it would have been disappointing if we had not set a new sales record in December'.

'In addition, we received the first revenue from our acquisition during the month of the Crispin software for footwear design and manufacture'.

'However, December also saw record sales for our established Power Solution range of software, together with unusually high maintenance revenue from these products for the end of the year,' he added.

Opportunity for composite engineering software

2007-04-21T04:46:00.000-07:00

Rapid growth in the civil and regional aircraft manufacturing industry has provided Vistagy with a platform for pursuing significant new growth opportunities

Vistagy, a leading global provider of specialised Engineering software, has re-affirmed its leadership position in providing composites and airframe design and assembly software to the global aerospace Engineering industry. Rapid growth in the civil and regional aircraft manufacturing industry, coupled with unprecedented demand for carbon-fibre composite materials used in aerospace products and parts, has provided Vistagy with a platform for pursuing significant new growth opportunities in 2007. Vistagy cited market evidence that supports the need for its specialised Engineering software tools across the global supply chain for today's new composite aircraft designs.

The increased use of composite materials in aerospace applications will dramatically change the economics of flight and the process of developing aircraft.

Recent successes using composites for major new commercial, military, regional and Very Light Jet (VLT) aircraft programs, as well as the promise of part consolidation to lower manufacturing costs, weight reduction for increased fuel efficiency, and improved fatigue resistance for better durability and lower maintenance costs, has driven the demand for these composite materials.

Analysts estimate that the current composites market for the aerospace industry is more than $7 billion, with the production of finished carbon-fibre composite components and structures accounting for $5.5 billion.

The global market is expected to reach $14 billion within ten years and could quadruple by 2026.

'In the coming years, aerospace Engineers will need to completely re-Engineer their entire product development process, from conceptual design to manufacturing and quality assurance, to realise the business benefits and technology advancements that composite materials promise,' said Steve Luby, president and CEO at Vistagy 'Their success depends on how well they transform their Engineering processes and streamline their global supply chain'.

'Our specialised Engineering software and services have helped numerous organisations begin that transformation and enabled faster, more accurate and more efficient composite product development'.

Hundreds of aerospace manufacturers around the world, as well as their globally distributed suppliers, are utilising Vistagy's CAD-integrated software to capture and communicate truly complete 3D digital product definitions throughout their development chains.

Leading manufacturers including AleniaAermacchi, Terma, Korea Aerospace Industries, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, GKN Aerospace Engineering Services, PandZ Engineering, and China Helicopter Research and Development Institute have selected Vistagy's fibreSIMR software for composites design and manufacturing.

fibreSIM, powered by Vistagy's unique EnCaptaR technology, helps Engineers in the aerospace industry streamline many of the tedious, time-consuming and complex tasks for designing and manufacturing composite products.

Vistagy also recently announced its Airframe Design EnvironmentT (ADE) software.

It is the first-ever application fully integrated into commercial CAD systems that is specifically tailored to designing and manufacturing airframes.

The ADE enables aerospace Engineers to define all essential non-geometric information, such as airframe joints, sealants and fastening hardware, and associate it with the relevant geometry.

The software then automates critical design calculations, like distance to edge and distance between fasteners, and defines conditions of supply to create truly complete 3D digital product definitions of airframe components and assemblies.

As a result, manufacturers in the aerospace industry can more efficiently, quickly and cost-effectively develop aircraft.

All software applications powered by EnCapta, including the Airframe Design Environment, operate within the Catia V5, Pro/Engineer Wildfire, and NX CAD systems.

Open days help machine tools through target

2007-04-14T02:50:00.001-07:00

At the conclusion of a successful series of open days held at its showrooms, XYZ Machine Tools looks set to exceed this year's GBP17 million turnover target.

At the conclusion of a successful series of open days held at its showrooms in Blackburn, Nuneaton, Waltham Abbey and Burlescombe, XYZ Machine Tools looks set to exceed this year's GBP17 million turnover target. In fact, the August event at Blackburn, where around half of the companies represented placed orders there and then, was so successful that a second Blackburn two-day event was organised for November. A delighted Nigel Atherton, XYZ's Managing Director, says the first Blackburn event resulted in orders to date totalling more than GBP270,000 and set the scene for subsequent open days.

In all, the five events attracted visitors from 189 companies, with the September open days at the Burlescombe headquarters being particularly well-attended.

Machine sales topped GBP430,000 over the two days of the Burlescombe event, including an order for a XYZ BRM 80-150 CNC bridge mill, and have since been followed by further Burlescombe orders valued in excess of GBP170,000.

'The people who took the time to visit one or other of our open day events were clearly in the market for new machines,' says Nigel Atherton, 'and we are confident that further orders will follow.

Compact CNC milling machine is under US$7,000

2007-04-14T02:49:00.002-07:00

More compact and inexpensive than traditional milling machines, a machine with the same strength, power, and accuracy to cut high-performance alloys is priced at only US$6,800.

Tormach, innovator of CNC technology, has introduced of its PCNC 1100 CNC, the most affordable 3-axis milling machine on the market. With a base price of only US$6,800, the PCNC 1100 CNC mill represents an entirely new class of machinery, more compact and inexpensive than traditional mills, with the same strength, power, and accuracy to cut high-performance alloys. Tormach coins the term, 'Personal CNC', to describe the product, drawing parallels in cost, size, and ease of use of the personal computer compared to its bulky, room-sized predecessors.

Three years in development, the design of the agile PCNC 1100 combines reliable cast-iron construction with the best of CNC technology to create a simple and robust platform with ample options for user-installed upgrades.

The mill weighs 1130 lb and is equipped with a 1.5HP - well suited for short run and prototyping applications as well as secondary operations.

'Tormach's PCNC release is really the advent of a revolution in CNC which will make the technology far more accessible and far simpler to use,' said Tormach CEO, Greg Jackson.

'Where 3D printers have allowed companies to make prototype replicas in house, this new generation of CNC will enable companies to affordably produce both working prototypes and initial production parts.

Unlike 3D printers, where the material is limited to plastics, materials used in Personal CNC technology are basically anything that can be cut with a tool.' With a modern bed mill style frame and iron construction, the machine is fully capable of cutting iron, steel, titanium, and even chromium alloys such as 300 or 400 series stainless.

Details of the mill include a 4500 rev/min variable-speed spindle, dovetail ways and ground ballscrews, with a 15-point lubrication system and full-bellows covers.

The standard 33.5in x 9.5in table and 17in vertical clearance provides a work envelope suitable to the majority of small or medium parts.

Available upgrades include fourth axis, 20,000 rev/min spindle, integrated stand, and a quick-change tooling system.

All machines are designed by Tormach engineers and built with USA-manufactured electronics, and are sold and supported directly by Tormach LLC.

* About Tormach - the people at Tormach are dedicated to delivering tools, accessories, and components of unprecedented value in the world of CNCand motion control.

Whether customers are involved in R and D, education, short run production, or simply entrepreneurs with new ideas, Tormach products allow them to make what they need easier, quicker, and more affordably.

High speed/performance milling machines bought

2007-04-14T02:49:00.001-07:00

Mould and toolmaker has acquired high-speed and high-performance 5-axis milling machines to increase its productivity and maintain ia competitive advantage.

Market-leading Manchester, UK-based mould tool and die specialist Hanson Thorpe Precision toolmakers has recently invested in 2 new Mikron milling machines from GF AgieCharmilles. The machines - a high-speed (HSM 300) and a high-performance 5-axis (UCP 600) were installed at the company's facility in August 2006 and November 2006 respectively. Both machines are being used to increase Hanson Thorpe's productivity and maintain its competitive advantage in the tough, demanding and global mould tool and die sector.

* Hanson Thorpe - Hanson Thorpe was established 1991 by directors Des Thorpe and Stuart Hanson.

The company operates from a 11,000 sq foot facility in Middleton, Manchester and it specialises in the design and manufacture of small to medium-size plastic injection, compression and die cast mould tools up to about 1.5 tonnes.

The company also provides a comprehensive mould tool repair and modification service.

The tools manufactured by Hanson Thorpe are used in and across a diverse range of sectors which include - medical devices, automotive, packaging etc.

In addition to the tool making side of its business - the company has also diversified its operations by aggressively targeting high-growth and high added value sectors (e g, the medical sector) - and is now also manufacturing complex high-precision medical components (rasps, implants etc) for a growing number of customers.

Hanson Thorpe is a big player in the mould tool and die sector - and the company has an international reputation for the quality of its products and services - and is at the cutting edge of mould tool design and manufacture (multi-impression, twin-shot, 3D-formed tools, etc).

Only a few months ago the company won the prestigious 'Best toolmaker of the Year' award - part of The Plastic Industry Awards 2006.

Hanson Thorpe employs 24 people at its facility of which two are CAD/CAM design engineers and 17 are employed on the machine shop floor.

The company has made (and continues to make) prudent and strategic investment in advanced machine tool technologies - and the two recent Mikron machine tool purchases are evidence of the company's forward thinking approach.

Said Stuart Hanson, director at Hanson Thorpe: 'We are always on the lookout for new technologies to improve our business performance.

Investments that improve our quality, help reduce lead times and make us even more cost competitive are always of interest to us.' * About the UCP 600 - the Mikron UCP 600 is a high-performance 5-axis machining centre.

The machine provides Hanson Thorpe with 5-face and simultaneous 5-axis machining capability which it employs to the full in the manufacture of complex high precision parts for the medical sector.

The machine (as is the case with 5-axis milling technology) helps the company significantly reduce time and resources spent on job set ups and fixturing - and enables Hanson Thorpe to economically manufacture complex parts (in one hit) that are required in low/medium volume.

The UCP 600 is a universal machining centre that delivers high-performance.

Irrespective of whether the requirement is high and precise material removal and/or super fine finishing - the machine can deliver.

Since its installation in November the UCP 600 has been put through its paces machining a variety of components from a equally diverse range of materials - titanium, exotics, aluminium, stainless steels, etc.

The UCP 600 has a 16kW 20,000 rev/min spindle and X, Y, Z travels of 530 x 450 x 450mm.

The machine has rapid rates of 22m/min and a (30-position/optional 58-position) automatic tool changer (ATC).

The UCP 600's rotary tilting table (280mm x 400mm) can handle a maximum table load of 200kg and has tilting capability of +122/-100 deg and rotation speed of 30 rev/min and tilt speed of 20 rev/min.

Continued Hanson: 'If you're involved in and serious about medical component manufacture you need 5-axis machining capability at your finger tips.

It's just not economically viable trying to manufacture complex, high precision components without it.' * About the HSM 300 - GraphiteMaster - the Mikron 3-axis HSM 300 GraphiteMaster services Hanson Thorpe's EDM manufacturing cell - and is dedicated (as its name suggests) to the manufacture of graphite electrodes.

The machine is equipped with a high-frequency spindle (6kW 30,000 rev/min HSK 40) and has acceleration of 17m/s2 on X, Y and Z-axes powered by the Heidenhain iTNC 530 control).

The HSM 300 has a generous tool changer (18 standard - 27 optional) for extra versatility - and the machine's dust extraction system ensures that the workpiece, working area and tool changer remain dust and particle free.

Said Hanson: 'We manufacture electrodes exclusively from graphite.

We use graphite because of its high performance and low wear characteristics.

The electrodes we design and manufacture are complex and intricate.

We often use very small cutters (down to 0.4mm diameter diamond coated) to give us the results we need.

As far as we're concerned the HSM 300 gives us the best in class performance.'.

* EDM capability - in addition to its milling technology Hanson Thorpe has invested heavily in EDM.

The company's EDM capability is formidable and consists of: four die-sink machines; one wire cut machine and one hole driller supplied by market-leading EDM manufacturer - Charmilles.

Hanson Thorpe's EDM cell is serviced by the new HSM 300 GraphiteMaster and an older Bostomatic high-speed machining centre.

The spark erosion machines themselves have built-in automation, i e, electrode holders and workpiece palletisation, which means the company (and its customers) benefit from unattended operations and reduced lead times.

This cell also features a dedicated CMM which allows fast, efficient and direct data transfer of electrode measurement to the EDM machines' control systems and to further ensure higher productivity and avoid manufacturing delays - Hanson Thorpe holds extensive consignment stock of cut, pre-drilled, tapped graphite electrodes which ensure smooth and continuous production.

High-speed 3-axis machining centres are precise

2007-04-14T02:48:00.000-07:00

Two new models of high performance 3-axis milling machines are aimed at precision manufacturers in aerospace, medical, motor sport and general precision.

Market-leading milling machine tool specialist - Mikron - part of GF AgieCharmilles has launched two new models in its successful ProdMod range of high performance milling machines. The two new models - the HSM 600 ProdMod and HSM 800 ProdMod - are both 3-axis versions of the the ProdMod series of machines launched by Mikron in 2004 - and are aimed at precision manufacturers operating in the aerospace, medical, motor sport, general precision engineering sectors etc. The machines, similar to their high-speed 5-axis ProdMod counterparts, are production oriented machines and are equipped with features that deliver 24/7, high-speed and reliable performance.

The machines' technology is proven - and specific features include: To ensure that users can benefit from unattended and lights-out operations - both machines are equipped with workpiece palletisation systems.

These systems comprising four pallets (800 x 600mm) - each with a load capacity of 800kg - means that jobs can be set up on the pallets and machined in sequence without intervention by an operator.

To further ensure that machining is both uninterrupted and ultra productive - both ProdMod machines have high-capacity tool changers, with up to 220-positions, and a tool change time of 5 seconds.

In such production environments it is critical that machine tools have effective swarf/chip removal capability.

Failure to remove the chips from the workpiece, cutting tool and spindle area can create significant machining problems - amongst these are - a loss of accuracy and finish, and increased tool wear.

To prevent these problems - the new ProdMod machines are equipped as standard with a continuous rinsing system for the entire work area and the spindle nose - leaving both chip-free.

With the production of a high volume of chips it is essential that the machines have a strong spindle and robust tool interface.

Both ProdMod machines can be equipped with the latest spindle technology from Steptec and can be supplied with either a HSK-A63 (22kW/24,000 rev/min) or a HSK-A50 (32kW/36,000 rev/min) spindle.

In addition to the high-performance (and high-speed) spindle capability - the ProdMod machines have fast rapid rates - 40m/min and 1.7G acceleration/deceleration.

As with all new Mikron milling machines - the two ProdMods are equipped with Mikron SMART technology that helps users both optimise and customise the milling process - depending on individual requirements, machining criteria and parameters, etc.

Precision engineers invest in 5-axis milling

2007-04-14T02:47:00.000-07:00

For an orthopaedic instrument manufacturer and precision engineer, two CNC 5-axis milling machines have reduced lead times, increases production capacity and reduce set-up time by up to 50%.

Precision engineeers invest in 5-axis milling For an orthopaedic instrument manufacturer and precision engineer, two CNC 5-axis milling machines have reduced lead times, increases production capacity and reduce set-up time by up to 50%. Market-leading orthopaedic instrument manufacturer and precision engineer reduces lead times, increases production capacity and maintains its competitive edge through its latest investment in advanced 5-axis milling technology. Sheffield, UK-based precision engineers Eurocut, a subsidiary of the AIM listed Medical House (TMH), has recently invested in two Mikron UCP 600 Vario ProdMed milling machines.

The machines, installed within Eurocut's extensive manufacturing facility during Autumn 2006, are being used to help manufacture high-precision complex orthopaedic devices and instruments.

However the machines are mainly being used to produce equally complex, high-accuracy (and high-value) components for other manufacturing sectors - oil/gas, aerospace, automotive, motor sport, etc, through their newly formed subsidiary TMH Engineering.

* About Eurocut - Eurocut was established in 1988 and now employs around 80 people.

The company has historically specialised in the design, development and manufacture of high-quality instruments for use in Orthopaedic surgery - supplying complex customised individual instruments and complete systems to major Orthopaedic Implant companies worldwide.

Orthopaedic instrument design and manufacture accounts for approximately 80% of Eurocut's business - the remaining 20% derives from providing specialist, high-precision sub-contract manufacturing solutions to a diverse range of customers across an equally diverse range of industries through TMH Engineering.

* Manufacturing imperatives - in both its orthopaedic instrument and precision sub-contract operations there are similar manufacturing demands and imperatives, as follows.

i1 - Parts and components are manufactured from difficult to machine materials - stainless, titanium, alloys, 'exotics' (e g, Inconel), aluminium, etc.

2 - Parts are complex and are characterised by their intricate forms, profiles, detail, etc.

3 - Parts are typically required in low-to-medium volumes (sometimes one-offs).

4 - Delivery times/lead times are short.

5 - Part accuracy and surface finish requirements are stringent.

In response to these demands, TMH made its investment in the two Mikron UCP 600 machines.

* UCP 600 Vario - the UCP 600 Vario's are High-Performance Milling (HPM) machines with positional and simultaneous 5-axis capability.

The machines have 'built-in' automation - 30 position automatic tool changer (ATC) and seven pallet automatic pallet changers (APC) - both of which ensure maximum productivity and continuous machining (facilitating lights-out and unattended operations) for low-to-medium volume production.

The integrated automation capability of the machines helps reduce lead times and improves cost competitiveness.

The UCP 600's 5-axis capabilities clearly also help speed up production and ensure high precision and quality by shortening part cycle times and reducing time and resources spent on setting up, fixturing, etc - all critical in making customised part manufacture economically viable.

Eurocut has significantly reduced the number of set-ups and the time involved in job set up operations (by more than 50%) since it invested in the Mikron machines.

Irrespective of whether high, accurate material removal, interrupted cutting or fine finishing is required - the UCP 600 Vario machines with their StepTec high-performance, vector-driven HSK spindles (20,000 rev/min) can be relied upon to deliver.

Due to their integrated automation (ATC and APC) - the machines can run unattended - including 'lights-out', weekends etc.

However, to ensure that these productivity gains can be realised and to avoid problems such as workpiece and/or cutting tool damage due to poor chip evacuation and part contamination - the machines are equipped with sophisticated swarf management and chip removal systems.

For long production runs - laser tool measurement and inspection plus the machines' Remote Notification System (RNS), used to notify the operator when machining has been interrupted, come into their own and optimise productivity.

The machines are also supplied with Mikron SMART technology software to further optimise machining and ensure improved process reliability - by enabling the operator to make decisive interventions in the machining process in 'real time'.

Said Ian Townsend, chairman of TMH: 'We invest heavily in advanced machine tool technology - and to improve our productivity and performance we knew we needed 5-axis milling capability sooner rather than later.' He added: 'We visited Mikron's facility in Nidau, Switzerland as part of the selection process - and we liked the look of the UCP 600 Vario machines straight away.

There is a definite 'match' between our manufacturing requirements and the way we operate - and the machine's specification and capability.

That's why we ordered two.'.

* Additional Eurocut capability - in addition to the 5-axis UCP 600 machines Eurocut (TMH) has (over recent years) made significant investment in EDM and other machine tool technologies.

The company has an impressive EDM manufacturing cell that comprises five state-of-the art Charmilles wire cut and die-sink machines.

Eurocut/TMH also has a comprehensive range of lathes, turning centres, 3- and 4-axis milling machines, CNC grinding machines, CMM equipment and a DTM Sinterstation 2500 rapid prototyping machine.

This machine enables the ultra-fast generation of prototypes without the lengthy and costly lead time normally associated with new product design and development - and has helped Eurocut strengthen its relationships with customers involved in R+D projects.

The company is vertically integrated.

As well as manufacturing high-quality instruments and devices, Eurocut/TMH also provides in-house design, proto-typing, electro-polishing, heat treatment and a comprehensive range of finishing services that include - laser marking, engraving, passivation, packaging and labelling.

This means that Eurocut/TMH can provide a total solutions package to its customers - from design right through to delivery...and everything in-between.

Large miller installed at short notice

2007-03-27T03:35:00.002-07:00

When Stainless Metalcraft won a new contract to produce cryogenic vessels for a customer in Switzerland, it not only needed to develop the appropriate manufacturing processes within super fast timescales, but it also had to quickly install the appropriate machining capacity. The answer was a Soraluce FP8000 travelling column, floor-type milling machine from Ward CNC. The fabricated vessels, which are used for particle acceleration, also contain various tubes, forgings, castings and other items.

These components are 'prepped' machined by Stainless Metalcraft before being welded by the company into the finished fabricated structures.

Knowing there were few machines that could provide the required bed capacity to accommodate the 5200mm long by 550mm diameter vessels, and having seen the Soraluce at MACH 2000, Stainless Metalcraft's project manager John Tadman recognised that the machine's 8000mm X axis would comfortably accommodate the large workpieces.

He also saw how the machine's 28kW spindle motor - and its Y and Z axes travels of 2000mm and 1200mm, respectively - coupled with the use of Soraluce's 4,000 revs/min universal head, would result in the most cost-effective machining of the stainless steel vessels.

'Equally importantly,' he says, 'because the machine was available ex-stock, we were able to have it delivered with minimal lead time direct from Ward CNC's Sheffield showroom.' Adding that the universal head is a particular asset, John Tadman highlights the production benefits of utilising its 2.5 degree incremental positioning in both vertical and horizontal planes.

'Also, we subsequently purchased an indexing table - a fourth axis - as well as non-contact Renishaw job probing, to further extend the machine's capabilities,' he comments, 'and Ward CNC's integration of these was impeccable.' Developed under the auspices of the Danobat Group's IDEKO research and development facility in Spain, the Soraluce FP8000 features high-quality build for unmatched heavy-duty milling performance, with its characteristic stability and rigidity being based on heavy-duty cast iron construction.

Two years on and John Tadman's confidence in the machine has been justified, he says, 'since it has lived up to expectations in every department'.

So much so that Stainless Metalcraft is this year looking to purchase another, larger capacity Soraluce from Ward CNC to replace existing equipment at its site in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.

This will complement an already impressive plant list that includes a Ward CNC-supplied Toshulin vertical turning and boring machine that was recently installed to give increased machining capacity.

Large gantry miller has integrated spindle head

2007-03-27T03:35:00.001-07:00

A Unisign gantry-type, travelling gantry miller is machining large steel frames for a German manufacturer of wood processing machines, Homag. The Uniport 7 features a new design of integrated spindle. The integrated spindle on the Uniport 7 delivered to Homag is rated at 36kW and 6000 rev/min.

It features an automatically shifting two-stage gearbox and applies a maximum cutting torque of 1420Nm.

For powerful five-side machining jobs, Homag uses a Unisign right angle head , which is automatically changed onto the spindle nose and delivers the same high torque, says Unisign.

Four hydraulically activated collets and a highly accurate Hirth coupling attach the right angle head firmly in place.

The right angle head can also be indexed in 5deg increments in the horizontal plane.

A double gripper tool changer loads tools to the normal spindle nose or to the right angle head.

When the right angle head is exchanged back into the head magazine, a protection cover is automatically attached to the spindle nose.

The head is stored in a covered magazine.

The main spindle head and the right angle head are water-cooled.

Cutting tools are stored in a 27-pocket chain on the lower part of one of the columns.

Two additional tool chain magazines, each holding 87 tools, are mounted on the back of the cross rail.

There are 192 pockets in total for ISO-50 (DIN 69871/72 Form A) with additional nine pockets for tool handling.

A vertical tool runner, located on the back of the travelling bridge, exchanges tools with the three individual magazines.

The operator can load five tools at one time into the magazines by using a tool loading bay, located at the side of the machine, by the 27-tool chain magazine.

The system handles tools up to 200mm diameter and up to 500mm long.

The operator can load larger tools through a loading door to a dedicated pocket.

A pick and place unit picks up the large tool and hands it to the double gripper unit.

Unisign can supply the Uniport 7 series with X axis of 4000 to 18,000mm, Y-axis of 2600 to 4600mm and Z-axis of 1000 or 1200mm.

Clearance between the columns can be 2000 to 4000mm.

Complex wing parts machined at high speeds

2007-03-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

Weston EU was looking for a universal machining centre to produce high machining accuracy, present the cutters at different angles and follow variable contour paths to machine complex aluminium wing sections. Based in the UK, Weston EU chose a Unisign Univers 6 vertical machining centre (VMC) to carry out the high speed machining and high metal removal rates from such complex components machined from solid billets. The Univers 6 long-bed VMC is fitted with two rotating/tilting fixtures set up in a pendulum operation, for the continuous five-axis contouring, and achieving virtually 100% spindle up-time.

Each fixture consists of a yoke that is tilted in the X-Z plane from -20deg to +20deg.

AC servo motors using an arc-shaped rack and pinion system on either end of the yoke provide the tilting movement.

The drives are electronically pre-loaded to eliminate drives backlash.

Two NC indexers are mounted on the tilting yoke to rotate the fixture.

The fixture consists of a 760mm X 1300mm cradle, which is mounted between the two NC indexers.

In combination with the tilting movement of the yoke, the rotation of the two NC indexers enable the fixture to be positioned at any angle under the VMC spindle.

The movements are designated A- and B- axis and are interpolated simultaneously with any, or all the X, Y and Z axis, so offering full five-axis machining.

The ram of the Univers 6 has a 25,000 rev/min, HSK-63 E main spindle rated at 55kW.

It features 'hybrid' ball bearings and an automatically variable bearing pre-loading system.

It automatically adapts the spindle to machining loading and increases bearing life.

The ram also features a large integrated water jacket with a refrigerated chilling unit for thermal stabilisation.

Also featured on the Univers 6 is a closed loop control circuit (Vector Control) for controlling the spindle at low speeds, say for rigid tapping.

Machine dimensions include X, Y and Z axis travels of 2000mm (optionally up to 18m), 600mm (optionally 800mm) and 600mm respectively.

Rapid traverse in all axes is 24m/min.

Spindles can be supplied with 27kW/15,000 rev/min, 40kW/25,000 rev/min or, as used by Weston EU, 55kW/25,000 rev/min.

Long-bed machining centre is built for speed

2007-03-27T03:33:00.002-07:00

A substantial three-way guideway system, which supports the longitudinal travel of a moving column, provides the Mori Seiki SVL5020 long-bed vertical machining centre with plenty rigidity for the high speed milling and routing of aircraft parts or for the general milling of ferrous components. The SVL5020 has a 2650mm by 510mm table which accepts long components or can be partitioned for 'pendulum' machining operations. The spindle head provides a speed range up to 12,000 rev/min, or optionally 20,000 rev/min.

Fast traverse rates are 42m/min.

Reliability and robustness, combined with precision, are the main features of the Mori Seiki SVL5020 long-bed machining centre.

Ideal for the machining of ribs, struts and panels in aluminium for aerospace use, the machine has plenty of power for machining ferrous items too.

These can include automotive axle beams, beams and columns for off-highway earth-movers and many more applications.

Equally, the batch production of more cubic items can be carried out on an efficient 'pendulum' loading basis.

The SVL5020's long table can be partitioned, so that the operator can load/unload on one side while machining takes place on the other.

Mori Seiki has built extra rigidity its SVL5020 design to make the most efficient deployment of the high speed spindle option - up to 20,000 rev/min - and the use of higher feedrate range of 1 - 42,000mm/min.

Three longitudinal linear roller bearing ways support the rigid travelling column carriage.

The column carries the vertical spindle head which features a directly driven motor spindle of 22/18.5kW.

The column rides on a substantial carriage which provides 2300mm of X-axis traverse and 510mm of Y-axis movement.

The spindle head has a travel of 510mm (Z-axis).

Tool magazine capacity is for 30 BT-40 shank tools of up to 300mm length and 80mm diameter (with tools in adjacent pockets).

Tool change time is 0.9sec tool-to-tool and 6.5sec cut-to-cut.

The simultaneous three-axis CNC is the Mori Seiki MSG 805 equipped with the latest MAPPS advanced programming system.

It has a capacity for storing 200 programs and is fitted with a RS-232-C input/output port.

MAPPS offers conversational and automatic programming, program simulation, tool registration, optional networking and other features.

The SVL5020 offers plenty of versatility for the sub-contract machine shop and OEM machining department alike.

Redesigned machining centre has high capacity

2007-03-27T03:33:00.001-07:00

Unisign has introduced its prototype, high machining capacity Unipro 5 machining centre which differs from the company's existing vertical spindle Univers and Uniport portal designs. Instead of a travelling column (X and Y axis) design, the vertical spindle head in the Unipro 5 traverses 800mm between massive Y-axis beams, which are part of the spindle head carriage. The carriage traverses on an X-axis longitudinal rail mounted in a massive L-frame integral with the machine bed.

Unisign offers a choice of 2m by 1m, 2m by 2m or a long-bed machine of 2m - 6m capacity.

Axes accelerations will be 8m/sec2 up to 60m/min and the standard machine head will have a 26kW, 12,000 rev/min spindle as standard, or options include a 26kW/16,000 rev/min or the 40kW or 55kW/25,000 rev/min heads.

Toolchanging system uses a centrally located, magazine holding 63 SK40 or HSK-63 tools and is served by a manipulator which presents tools ready for a 4.5s toolchange.

Tools can be exchanged in the magazine during machining.

The company has had considerable success with its job-configurable short and long bed production OUnivers1 VMCs used by the automotive industry.

Machines have been supplied recently, for example, to Scania, Sweden and MAN, Audi and Volkswagen in Germany.

For example, the machine for Audi is being used for machining aluminium bumpers for the Audi A8 car being exported to the US market.

These bumpers have to be machined accurately to contain radar equipment, which is part of the A81s active cruise control system.

Comprehensive fluid management programme drives F1

2007-03-22T22:51:00.001-07:00

A comprehensive fluid management programme, including fluids,coolants, neat oils and metallurgical expertise, is improving aFormula 1 car maker's production machining operations. ShellMetalworking Europe is helping Ferrari to fire on all cylinders,with a comprehensive fluid management programme that is keepingFerrari's engineering machines running efficiently,maintaining the performance and success synonymous with Ferrari.Fluids, coolants, neat oils and metallurgical expertise suppliedby Shell Metalworking Europe are key to improving Ferrari'sproduction operations and the subsequent on-track performance ofFerrari's formula one cars. Paulo Martinelli, Ferrariformula one engine director comments: 'In F1 we'recontinually working to reduce weight and improve performance,something which is achieved in the production of our in-houseengine components.

Our use of Shell metalworking fluids isessential in improving our production capabilities whichsignificantly contribute to our racing success.' Ferrariuses Shell's neat oils in its deep hole drilling processes,which operate as a much more effective coolant than water-solubleproducts, providing a high level of performance required in theaccurate deep hole drilling of their nitrided steel enginecamshafts.

Ferrari also uses Shell's cooling fluids in itshigh precision grinding operations, which play a key role inachieving an excellent surface finish.

Thierry Bodiot, generalmanager at Shell Metalworking Europe comments: 'Shellprovides Ferrari with a comprehensive metalworking servicepackage, which includes on-site support for metalworkingproducts, applications and processes.

Through our extensiveproduct portfolio, supported with our high level serviceapproach, Shell was able to offer Ferrari a tailored solutionthat met all of their desired requirements.' ShellMetalworking Europe's solutions package has maintainedFerrari's tradition of quality, with no compromise to costor the environment.

Luigi Bonezzi, machine manufacturing managerat Ferrari, comments: 'Ferrari has always had a policy ofprotecting the environment, which Shell has supported inconducting analysis of the factories, so that working conditionsare safer and the external environment is also protected.'Thierry Bodiot concludes: 'Shell is committed to providingan efficient, state-of-the-art solutions package which willsignificantly improve our customer's metalworkingoperations.

Shell realises that there is no singular solutionwhich applies to all organisations, which is why Shell developsbespoke solutions, tailored to individual companyrequirements.' Shell Metalworking Europe consists of threespecialist metal working companies - Shell Macron in Germany,Shell JP Industries in France and Shell Sinol in Italy.

Shellprovide on a European wide basis, a complete range of fluids -developed to meet specific metal working related productionprocess needs, and formulated to deliver consistent performancefor the highest quality work.

CAM supports extreme time-to-market demands

2007-03-22T22:50:00.002-07:00

A vital tool to help the team produce parts for its F1 cars under the intense time-to-market pressures is a suite of manufacturing software that is easy to use on the shopfloor.

Licom AlphaCAM manufacturing software has been selected by Jordan F1 as a vital tool to help the team produce parts for its cars under the intense time-to-market pressures of Grand Prix Motor racing. With races taking place in a different country every fortnight during the season, race cars normally arrive back at the Jordan factory in Silverstone on the Tuesday following an event - only to be required on track for the next round of the World Championship eight days later! 'Here at Jordan Grand Prix we subcontract out a lot of our component work. But while our planning department, production department and quality assurance department ensure that best practices are carried out at each of the companies we use, the design criteria originates from here,' states Jordan's Trevor LeCoche.

'Designers today must be more conversant and have an appreciation for what the modern machine tool can do.

Some of the parts used today simply could not have been made a few years ago.

But with surfacing technology as advanced as it is, the options are greater.

'All CAD designs, regardless of its destination, originate in 3D on the SRDC-Ideas platform and up until 1999, we used it here in the CAM office.

However, we found that we had very little cause for 3D work and it didn't lend itself to the majority of work we were doing.

As a result, we sought to purchase a system that had a shopfloor programming facility.

There were a lot of good systems on market, but it was the ease of use that sold me on Licom's AlphaCAM system.

The last thing we need when a last minute component modification is called for is to have to spend hours on an Einstein-like CAM programme.

'We installed 2D and 21/2D systems running on Hewlett Packards here in the machine shop for profiling work on a range of lathes and a Bridgeport VMC 560 mill.

If we need to do any 3D surfacing work, we will use the Ideas programme - the two are very compatible.

Typically, we are called on to do jigs, rear wing end plates, first offs and modifications required on the car.

Currently, we are working on modifications to the floor ballast, to find the optimum position for the engine in relation to a number of race conditions.

The key factor is that we must be able to react quickly to any given situation.

And for that, we must have reliable functionality and ease of use.' 'We have since added a another seat in our composites department, where everything is taken straight from the digitiser,' adds LeCoche.

'We are simply cutting 2D profiles on a Zund cutter and using AlphaCAM for its nesting capabilities.' 'The growth of a Formula 1 team is all dependent on sponsors and likewise, the size and capabilities of a machine shop.

To that end, I would hope we would be able to expand our operation in the future and bring certain aspects of the subcontract work in-house.

Formula 1 team goes for linear drives

2007-03-22T22:50:00.001-07:00

Home of the Renault F1 Team has placed its future 'time to race' manufacturing capability on linear axes drives machining centres and turning centres to stay in the lead.

Set in rural Oxfordshire, the Whiteways Technical Centre, home ofthe Renault F1 Team, masks a hive of activity behind its tranquilexterior. In 2003, the team finished a solid fourth in theConstructors Championship and captured two pole positions andfive podium finishes for its drivers along the way, includingvictory for Fernando Alonso in Hungary. And the team is'hungry' for yet more success.

'Our goal for 2004is to fight more consistently with Ferrari, Williams and McLarenand prepare to push for the championship in 2005,' confirmsManaging Director Flavio Briatore.

In order to achieve this, theRenault F1 Team has completed a comprehensive restructuring ofits resources and, in this context, a re-evaluation of themachine tools in operation at Enstone.

'By early 2003 ourprevious machines had reached the stage where reliability hadbecome an issue,' explains Operations Director John Mardle.'The reliability of our cars on the track is essential toour success and we need the same performance from our machinetools.

We view investment in latest technologies as a crucialpart of our operation and this led to the commercial andstrategic decision to make a change.

'DMG was at the top ofour shortlist,' he continues.

'We knew that a lot ofengine manufacturers used DMG machines and they came highlyrecommended.

Operating in the 21st century, we wanted a 21stcentury partner to help us realise our ambition to win the WorldChampionship.' So what features of the DMG machinesattracted the attention of this rapidly ascending F1 team?'The machine tool in industry is very fast moving,'says Mardle, 'particularly with respect to electronics andcontrols, and it appeared to us that DMG were not only runningwith it - they were setting the pace.' The Renault F1 Teampromptly proceeded to place an order for a total of 13 DMGmachine tools including DMC vertical machining centres and CTXuniversal lathes - all featuring linear drive technology, as wellas DMU five-axis universal machining centres.

The machines weredelivered in three batches over the course of 2003 in order toavoid any disruption to production at Whiteways Technical Centre.'Owing to the complexity of the parts we need to machine, weknew that the latest technology was required.

The linear driveswere a big attraction - the machines are extremely quiet andsmooth running and our surface finish and accuracy have improvedconsiderably.' While some manufacturers purchase machinetools for specific contracts, the Renault F1 Team opted for adifferent approach.

'We wanted versatility and we knew thatthe DMG machines would be able to cope with as many differentcomponents as we could muster.

We also wanted to be able to looka few years down the line and have the confidence to know thatthe machines would still meet our needs.

On top of it all, thatthe DMG machines could provide us with the speed and cycle timesthat we required.' Considering that there are 5200 drawncomponents on a Renault F1 Team chassis and 85-90 per cent ofthese are manufactured in-house at Enstone, the DMG machines arekept extremely busy.

Although batches are small at around 20-off,the frenetic pace is heightened by the fact that if a part failsduring testing, it has to be redesigned, remanufactured andtransported anywhere in the world within a six-day lead-time.'We manufacture in-house because it provides us with a levelof control that we believe sets us apart from some of ourcompetitor teams that choose to outsource,' says Mardle.

Thecomponents manufactured by the Renault F1 Team are typicallycomplex and thin-walled, with the ethos firmly focussed onweight, reliability and safety.

Materials vary from metal matrixcomposites and titanium alloys through to carbon fibre and highspecification nylons, again highlighting the versatility of theDMG machines - and there is no margin for error.

'In FormulaOne, if the steering wheel is turned, the wheels have to respondimmediately - and if the driver hits the brakes the car has toreact quickly ?

there is no slack involved and no time delaypermitted.

To achieve responses of this nature the tolerancesinvolved are incredibly tight.' So how have the DMG machinesadapted to this demanding environment?

'To start with Iwould like to say that the commissioning period wasseamless,' declares Mardle.

'We didn't experienceany disruption to our machine shop and the whole operation wentlike clockwork.

The training on the Heidenhain controls wasamazing too, all completed via plug-in modules using a PC.

Sincethen the machines have performed perfectly and provided us withmuch more capability.

In terms of savings, we haven't doneany numbers yet but we are pretty sure we are ahead.

Forinstance, we are definitely in front regarding the number ofdrawings we have issued this year and our outside spend is down.We are also seeing less inspection reports.' DMG has alsosurpassed itself in terms of service, with John Mardle describingresponse times as 'unbelievable - the best I've everseen'.

The facility at Enstone is certainly a showcase forUK manufacturing.

The DMG machines are elegantly arranged in aspotless environment that reflects the gleaming and proficientimage of Formula One.

'It's a working environment, butit is also a living showcase for the industry, which is veryimage conscious,' he explains.

'When we were lookingfor a new machine tool partner, DMG seemed to have synergy withFormula One values ?

they are very focussed and want to be thebest at what they do in the same way that we want to be the bestat what we do.

We need partners like DMG to help us win thechampionship.

Quality components equal reliability on track andthat is essential.' The Renault F1 Team is 'more thanhappy' with its new partner and its new assets.

Forinstance, the DMC vertical machining centres, with a linear drivein the x-axis, is capable of up to 0.5G acceleration and rapidtraverse rates of 70m/min.

With extremely short idle times duringtool changes, chip-to-chip times of just five seconds can beachieved, which is an important factor in an industry such asFormula One, where efficiency is of the essence, particularlyregarding machining.

Also featuring a linear drive in the X-slideis the CTX range of CNC universal lathes.

With rapid traverserates of up to 60m/min and acceleration up to 1.5G, the lineardrive helps to reduce idle time to a minimum and productivity toa maximum ?

an output increase of at least 10 per cent can beexpected.

The DMU machines are for the complete five-sided (andup to simultaneous five-axis) machining of prismatic components.The centrepiece of this technology is the NC-rotary table and theswivel-mounted milling motor spindle as a driven b-axis, or theNC-swivel rotary table with the universal milling head.

Incombination with a rapid traverse speed of 50m/min, the DMU rangeensures the precision manufacture of small batch components.'The five-axis facility has given us new capability and madeus a one-stop-shop.

Nothing now seems insurmountable in terms ofcomponent complexity,' says Mardle.

To add to the currentquantity of 13 machines at Enstone, the Renault F1 Team has justordered a DMU 80T from DMG for use in its model shop, and afurther two machines (a DMU-125P and a GMX 200 mill-turn centrewith linear drives) for its facility in France.

'We are verypleased to have DMG as an official supplier - adding to theselected portfolio of companies that bring their products andservices to the team - only the best will do for the Renault F1Team,' concludes Mardle.

Hi-tech, multi-function CNC machining wins races

2007-03-22T22:49:00.001-07:00

Fifteen new high technology machine tools supplied by Worcesterbased Yamazaki Mazak U.K. are playing a major role inmanufacturing high precision components for the Team McLarenMercedes MP4-19 race car currently competing in the FIA Formula 1World Championship. Badgeworth Drive, Worcester based Mazak hasbeen the official machine tool supplier to the team since 1997when their machining and turning centres were installed inMcLaren Racing's machine shop in Woking.

Now, with theMcLaren Group having re-located to its state-of-the-art McLarenTechnology Centre, 15 new Mazak machines are engaged around theclock in manufacturing precision components for gearboxes,steering assemblies, suspensions and transmissions for the latest225mph race car.

The strength of the relationship between thesetwo leading technology based organisations is such that at MACH2004, alongside the nine Mazak machine tools on show was a TeamMcLaren Mercedes Formula 1 racing car.

The latest Mazak 5-axis,multi-function machine tools in operation at the high technologymachine shop are capable of machining high precision componentsfrom castings or metal billets in a single operation, resultingin significantly faster turn-around's in the high pressureworld of Grand Prix racing.

The machine shop where the Mazakmachine tools operate has a constant temperature control.

All themachine tools and ancillary equipment such as tool cabinets arecolour co-ordinated.

Even the tiled floor is off-white,presenting a striking contrast to the 'typical' imageof a machine shop.

'Speed of response alongside the veryhighest standards of precision are all important in Formula 1 andMcLaren's decision to work with Mazak says a lot for thequality and reliability of our machine tools,' explains TonySaunders, sales director for Yamazaki Mazak U.K.

'In manyrespects our machine tools are at the cutting edge of technologyand it is a great compliment that a world class organisation suchas McLaren feels we meet their tremendously exactingstandards,' he adds.

'Parts for Formula 1 racing carsare increasingly complex in shape and the latest Mazak 5-axismachine tools lend themselves perfectly to manufacturingcomponents of this nature.' Team McLaren Mercedes'Formula 1 racing cars are next in action on Sunday 25th Aprilwhen they race in the first European leg of the Formula Onecalendar at the Imola circuit in San Marino, Italy.

Team McLarenMercedes Kimi Raikkonen, who finished second at Imola lastseason, will be looking to go one better at what is considered tobe Ferrari's 'home' circuit.

1) Mazak is theworld's foremost designer and manufacturer of machine tools.In Worcester - where it employs 400 personnel - Mazak operatesits european manufacturing facility as well as its UK sales andservice operations.

There are also manufacturing facilities inJapan, the USA, China and Singapore in addition to an extensiveworldwide sales, distribution, service and support network.

2)About McLaren: McLaren Racing, the company behind the TeamMcLaren Mercedes Formula One team, was formed in September 1980as a result of a merger between Team McLaren and Project Four; aBritish company owned by Ron Dennis, now Chairman and C.E.O.

ofthe McLaren Group.

McLaren has won eleven Formula One WorldDrivers' Championships - including the 1998 and 1999 WorldDrivers' Championships - and eight Formula One WorldConstructors' Championships.

Formula 1 subby invests in linear wire EDM

2007-03-22T22:48:00.002-07:00

Formula 1 specialist sub-contractor Hi-Tech EDM is on a winningstreak with its latest investment in a Sodick linear wire AQ535machine, purchased in January. The company has six Sodickmachines, and is the largest EDM subcontractor in Coventry, withmajor customers across the UK. MD Bob Duffin explains, 'Inmotor sport there are only two things that matter: rapid responseand top quality - Hi-Tech provides both.

We invest in the bestequipment and have the skills and capacity to turn jobs aroundvery quickly - quite often a job will arrive in the morning andneed to have been completed and shipped back to the customer bythat evening.

The new Sodick linear machine has given us not onlyadditional capacity but also the ability to handle largerworkpieces.' Hi-Tech has been doing work for Mercedes-Ilmor,which makes the engines for McLaren, for some 18 years now.

Twoexamples of the challenging wire edm tasks that the companytackle for these engine parts include cutting very fine splineson the ends of crankshafts and also creating crankshaft damperweights.

These latter items are manufactured in the same materialthat is used to make armour-piercing bullets, and so demand agreat deal from the machines that cut them.

Naturally, with suchrapid turn-around times, rock-solid reliability is crucial, asBob explains; 'We can't afford down time in our market.With Sodick machines the service is good, the back-up isexcellent and the running costs in terms of consumables, is verylow.

When it came to investing in a new wire machine, we wanted asolution that provided us with scope for the future as well asbenefits now.

We knew the technology was moving towards linearmachines - so the choice was obvious.'

VMCs run in the fast track to meet sport's needs

2007-03-22T22:48:00.001-07:00

Installed over Christmas 2003 to machine bespoke components aspart of a fast reaction, in-house supply philosophy to meetrequirements of the race team at Honda Racing, two FanucRobodrill Alpha T21iD vertical machining centres are themselvesrun flat-out every day. According to Simon Buckmaster, workshopco-ordinator: 'Not only did they meet our technicalrequirements but with the backing of supplier 600 Centre, theyare really repaying the investment with dividend.' Indeed,as a result of the support given in the early days ofinstallation by the 600 Centre of Shepshed, near Loughborough tohelp Honda Racing to maximise its component manufacture responsetime and the provision of such high levels of machiningflexibility given by the two machines, Honda Racing invited the600 Group PLC company to form a three-year technical partnershipagreement. While the deal involves the machine tool supplier inthe race team's activities, it is providing front lineapplication engineering support whenever they need help andadvice.

As Honda Racing demonstrates, racing motorcycles is ahigh pressure, high profile sport that demands the best, not justfrom its support team at the track, but also its suppliers.Component response time and machining flexibility is of paramountimportance in a hectic racing calendar, as the team drivesforward in its quest for yet further British Superbike,Supersport, 125GP and Motocross championship glory.

Honda Racinghas been based at its current, pristine facility in Louth since1998, from where it manages Honda's UK motorcycle racingactivities and logistics.

The impressive, high technologyworkshop is the location for bike development and maintenance,and even includes a dyno room with high speed fans capable ofblowing in excess of 100 mph to simulate track conditions.

It wasbecoming evermore apparent last year that most of its in-housecomponent manufacture now centred on milling operations and itneeded to expand both its capability and capacity.

Says SimonBuckmaster: 'We went to the market looking for two highquality machining centres that would give a good return incapability for the investment.

After looking at a few vendors wevisited 600 Centre and saw the Fanuc Robodrills in action andknew immediately we had our machines.' Buckmaster follows onto explain: 'Not only did the Fanuc Robodrills meet all ofour technical requirements, the package price for two machineswas very competitive but more important to us was the supportelement and this is proving worth while because the decision tobuy is now paying dividends.' Installed at Louth overChristmas, the two Fanuc Robodrill Alpha T21iD vertical machiningcentres were immediately employed to produce parts such assuspension linkages, bridge mounts and link arms, as well asspecial wheel spacers for the new CBR1000RR Fireblade.

AsBuckmaster maintains: 'We are also producing an improvedgear change lever on the Robodrills for our motocross team butwhat we have found is that we really do have the ability to reactvery quickly to team requirements.

Since installing the machineswe also have the capacity to manufacture commercial parts such asfootrest assemblies.' As components such as the suspensionand gear change parts require the machining of very complex 3Dprofiles, one of the Robodrills was specified with a Nikkenrotary table to provide a fourth-axis capability.

This can alsobe mounted at 90 deg to the table if required to give evengreater freedom to machine the component design.

The othermachine is permanently set with a pair of twin vices, tomanufacture backplates for instance, as well as a standardmachine vice.

Both machines have the flexibility of a 21-toolautomatic toolchanger and 10,000 rev/min spindles with a workingvolume of 500mm in X, 400mm in Y and 330mm in Z.

Table size is650mm by 400mm.

Such is the complexity of many of the parts thattwo or sometimes three set-ups are required using specialfixtures and these are also developed and produced in-house usingthe Robodrills.

Honda Racing has found that fast setting andchangeover are helped on the T21iDs by the machine tool'slatest features included in the control such as set-up file -able to hold 30 sets of program data with automaticinitialisation.

Through 2004, Honda Racing enjoyed yet anothersuccessful season on the track in the British SuperbikeChampionship, with riders Michael Rutter and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Inthe British Supersport Championship, rider Karl Harris has provento be a winner claiming his second consecutive title aboard theHM Plant Honda Racing CBR600RR.

Karl Harris chalked up a massive222 points in the 12 round series beating his nearest rival by 39points.

One of the influential issues of race outcome is weight.Here Simon Buckmaster estimates that up to 95 per cent of thecomponents that are machined on the Robodrills are aluminium,either 6082 grade or 7075 aircraft specification aluminium.

Thisis chiefly to give strength and reduce bike weight to help shavefractions of a second from lap times.

And, despite many of thecomponents produced being part of superficial assemblies, manydimensions demand tight tolerances.

For example, the bore on thesuspension linkage which is designed to accept a bearing journal,is tied to +/-0.015mm.

Surface finish is also important as manyof the components are visible and need to reflect quality and notcreate stress points.

Software improvements to the Fanuc 16i-MBcontrol which Honda Racing are making use of, includeFanuc's optional Auto Intelligence (AI) contour control andNano contour technology, which uses a RISC processor to read upto 600 blocks in advance.

This capability enables precise contourcontrol when milling to be maintained involving axis accelerationand deceleration without feed rate variation.

This ensures acontinuous, ultra-smooth surface texture.

'We manufactureparts to very high standards so there were high expectations forthe machines when they arrived.

To date, I can't recall asingle reject that could be attributed to either machine,'Buckmaster says.

Manufacturing precision surface contours on theT21iD is helped by a jerk control option, with automatic feedrate control at corners, which reduces mechanical shock from the1.5G acceleration capability to the 54m/min rapid traverse rate.High resolution is achievable through the latest fast responseservo motor developments that introduce an ultra-precise pulsecoder offering 16 million pulses per revolution.

'This hashelped as all the components processed through the Robodrills sofar are machined out of solid in batch sizes ranging from five to50,' explains Buckmaster.

He is first to admit the companyis not in the volume market.

'As we don't make partsfor any Honda road bikes, batches are quite modest in size.However, with quality our highest priority the parts machined area promotion of Honda Racing and our customers at the top end ofthe market.' To which he concludes: 'We feel ourfacility here at Louth is second to none in UK motorcycle racing.The Fanuc Robodrills are quick and precise and they have helpedus take an important step forward.

We can now make any componentin-house.

It is impossible to put a high enough value on that fora team that is winning championships and competing at the highestlevel.'

Autosport machining and inspection seminar is free

2007-03-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

How the latest developments in machining and inspection technology can improve quality and boost productivity will be demonstrated for autosport manufacturers at a free seminar.

Delcam will demonstrate how the latest developments in machiningand inspection technology can improve quality and boostproductivity at a free seminar at its Birmingham headquarters on10th November. While the seminar is aimed principally atautosport applications, the programme will be of interest to allcompanies looking to produce complex prototypes, tooling orcomponents in shorter lead times and at reduced cost. The seminarwill cover recent innovations in five-axis and high-speedmachining with the latest release of Delcam's PowerMILL 5.5CAM system, plus new functionality in the PowerINSPECT softwarefor inspection with CMMS and for on-machine verification.

Inaddition, Geo.

Kingsbury Machine Tools, the UK distributor forHermle, will cover the latest techniques for single-visitmachining of components from solid, while Renishaw will describeprogress in on-machine probing.

The seminar will also show how amore integrated approach to machining and inspection can improveproductivity.

As the developer of both PowerMILL andPowerINSPECT, Delcam is the only supplier of industry-leadingsoftware for both applications and so is in a unique position tohelps its customers gain maximum benefit from closer integrationof the two operations.

Following the presentations, delegateswill be able to tour Delcam's in-house toolroom and seedemonstrations of the various techniques in action.

Fve-axis machining developments shown at Autosport

2007-03-22T22:46:00.002-07:00

How recent developments in machining and inspection technology can improve quality and boost productivity will be shown at the forthcoming UK autosport show.

Delcam will show how its recent developments in machining and inspection technology can improve quality and boost productivity in the autosport industry at the Autosport Engineering Show to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, on 13th and 14th January. Particular attention will be given to recent innovations in five-axis machining with the latest release of Delcam's PowerMILL 5.5 CAM system, plus new functionality in the PowerINSPECT software for on-machine verification. The major benefit of five-axis machining is the ability to machine complex shapes in a single set-up.

This gives greater machining productivity compared to performing the job in a series of set ups, as well as significantly reducing the time and cost of preparing fixtures.

Furthermore, with multiple set-ups, there is always a possibility of incorrect alignment each time the part is moved.

Another important advantage of five-axis machining is that it enables shorter cutting tools to be used since the head can be lowered towards the job and the cutter oriented towards the surface.

As a result, higher cutting speeds can be achieved without putting excessive load on the cutter, so increasing tool life and reducing breakages.

The use of shorter cutters also reduces the vibration of the tool that can result when machining deep cores or cavities with three-axis machines.

This allows a higher quality surface finish to be obtained, so reducing, or even eliminating, the need for time-consuming hand finishing.

Another major benefit from the use of five-axis machining is the ability to machine extremely complex parts from solid that would otherwise have to be cast.

For prototypes and very small runs, this approach is much quicker and cheaper.

It can give lead times of one or two weeks, instead of two months or more that would be needed for castings.

Five-axis machining can give also huge time savings in the drilling of holes.

While this may seem trivial in comparison to the difficulty of machining a complex core or cavity, drilling a series of holes with different compound angles is extremely time consuming.

If a three-axis machine is used, a different set-up must be used for each hole.

With a five-axis machine, the head can be oriented along the correct axis for each hole automatically, allowing drilling to be completed much more quickly.

Autosport Machining, Inspection Workshop is free

2007-03-22T22:46:00.001-07:00

Delcam is to host a free workshop on the latest developments in machining and inspection technology at the NEC, Birmingham, on 13th January, the first day of the autosport Engineering Exhibition. The workshop will show how these techniques can help all companies looking to improve quality and boost productivity, especially those that need to produce complex prototypes, tooling or components in shorter lead times. The workshop will cover recent innovations in five-axis and high-speed machining in the latest release of Delcam's PowerMILL CAM system, with particular attention being given to port machining and to the manufacture of components by five-axis machining from solid.

Machining from solid is especially attractive to motorsport companies that need to produce small numbers of components in very short timescales.

New functionality will also be described in the PowerINSPECT software for inspection with CMMS and for on-machine verification.

This software is used by both the FIA and NASCAR to ensure compliance with their regulations.

Companies within the autosport industry already using Delcam's software include Proton KR, the only independent motorbike team taking part in the Moto GP series, ATR Group, pioneers of the use of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics in autosport, Centro Ricerche Cagiva, the research centre for the Cagiva, Agusta and Husqvarna brands, and Zytek, which recently won the contract for the manufacture of all engines for the new A1 Grand Prix series.

Five machine tools shown for autosports use

2007-03-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

Five machine tools that between them are ideally suited to prototype, small batch and volume production work will be the focus of XYZ Machine Tools' stand at the autosport Engineering exhibition. On display at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, 13-14 January 2005, will be the XYZ 200 TC turning centre, now available with full c axis and driven tooling, and the groundbreaking XYZ Mini Mill 560. Both machines are equipped with Siemens CNC systems.

Visitors will also be introduced to the new XYZ ProTURN 300 VL lathe as well as the established XYZ SM 1500 variable speed turret mill and XYZ VM 3500 variable speed bed mill.

All three feature the innovative ProtoTRAK control that allows each machine to be operated in manual or computer-controlled mode.

XYZ Machine Tools has customers involved at every level of motorsport - from Formula One teams to specialist sub-contracting companies - and understands the crucial importance of on-time delivery in this sector.

Its range of machines has established an enviable reputation for reliability, although XYZ also lays claim to the most efficient and cost-effective after-sales service and support operation in the UK.

Although the ProtoTRAK-equipped manual/CNC mills and lathes are much in demand, the XYZ Mini Mill 560 is, according to managing director Nigel Atherton, 'probably the best selling vertical machining centre in the UK as an individual model'.

Designed to cater for the widest possible range of components within the smallest machine footprint, the 13HP XYZ Mini Mill 560 has a working envelope of 560mm (X) by 400mm (Y) and 500mm (Z).

It has now been joined by the competitively priced 12kW XYZ 200 TC, the smaller of two turning centres equipped with driven tooling and the easy-to-use Siemens conversational programming system.

Formula One company invests in latest EDM

2007-02-15T02:14:00.001-08:00

Latest EDM machines will give a Formula 1 racing car company improved machining performance - faster removal rates; increased accuracy and superior surface finish.

Formula One company invests in latest EDM Latest EDM machines will give a Formula 1 racing car company improved machining performance - faster removal rates; increased accuracy and superior surface finish. Nine new high-performance Charmilles wire and spark erosion machines to be delivered by end of the first quarter of 2007. Market-leading EDM specialist - Charmilles - part of AgieCharmilles GF has announced that it has taken an order for nine new EDM machines from Renault F1.

The order for Charmilles' high-performance wire and spark erosion machines will be completed in March 2007 when the final batch of five machines will be delivered to Renault F1 Team's facility in Enstone, Oxfordshire, UK.

This final batch includes delivery of a new Robofil 640 CleanCut wire EDM machine - the very latest model available from Charmilles' popular and highly-successful CleanCut range of machines.

The nine machines purchased by Renault F1 are as follows.

* wire edm machines are: one Robofil 2050; two Robofil 440 CleanCut; two Robofil 240 Cleancut and one Robofil 640 CleanCut.

* Spark erosion EDM machines are three of the Roboform 350 type.

Said Peter Pearce, Charmilles product specialist: 'We have developed strong partner relationships with Renault F1 since 1995 - and today Charmilles EDM technology is right at the heart of Renault's manufacturing operations.' He explained: 'There are over 6000 parts that go into making a F1 car - and more than 300 of these are manufactured on our Robofil and Roboform machines.

This represents some 5% of all drawn parts and embraces a diverse range of titanium, aluminium, exotic and high-strength steel components used in the cars' front and rear wings; braking, transmission and suspension systems - shafts, flanges, uprights, struts, etc.' The new EDM machines will give Renault F1 improved machining performance - faster cutting speeds (removal rates); increased accuracy; superior surface finish; greater process reliability.

The machines will operate around-the-clock ensuring that new and/or modified parts can be manufactured quickly to meet the most stringent of deadlines.

Concluded Pearce: The delivery of nine new Charmilles EDM machines to the Renault F1 Team reinforces the dominant position Charmilles technology occupies in the motor sport sector.'

CNC machine tool builder aids autosport firms

2007-02-15T02:13:00.001-08:00

UK CNC machine tool company has developed close associations with autosport suppliers and teams in aiding them to making manufacturing lead times as short as possible.

Yamazaki Mazak UK, the world's largest manufacturer of Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) metalcutting machine tools, has developed extremely strong links with the autosport engineering industry. This reflects its long-standing status as official supplier of CNC lathes and machining centres to Formula One's Team McLaren Mercedes and its support for the numerous sub-suppliers to the many facets of the autosport sector. The machine tools available from Yamazaki Mazak are at the pinnacle of manufacturing technology and, irrespective of component type or company size, the Worcester-based company has a machine to suit most metalcutting applications.

These range from entry level 2-axis Nexus lathes through to multi-function/multi-axis Integrex machines, which will deliver productivity improvements even on the smallest batch sizes.

The extensive autosport related customer base of Yamazaki Mazak UK supplies components to competitors from clubman level to Formula One.

The common denominator with all of these customers is that they are able to rely, not only on the machine tool but also on the technology and engineering support provided by Yamazaki Mazak UK.

Given the demands placed on suppliers to the racing teams, whereby components have to be delivered in short lead times to the highest standards of consistency and quality, the knowledge that the world's largest manufacturer of machine tools is supporting those efforts makes the machine tool purchasing decision a much easier one.

The engineering support provided by Yamazaki Mazak is the key to reducing lead times for all of its customers, irrespective of industry sector.

However, in developing its Done in One strategy Mazak is eliminating much of the expense of set-up, work in progress and the number of machine tools required.

CAD/CAM combined with 5-axis machining centre

2007-02-15T02:11:00.000-08:00

Latest CAD/CAM software and a Mikron 5-axismachining centre demonstrated how high specification motorsport components can be taken from concept to the final product at AutoSport 2007.

At autosport 2007, Open Mind Technologies UK demonstrated its technology leading 5-axis CAD/CAM system hyperMILL. hyperMILL provides UK manufacturers and in particular the Motorsport industry with a major competitive edge through faster setups and increased machine tool productivity unrivalled in the industry. Something that has recently been proven, with Open Mind winning a major contract with a world renowned F1 team.

The exhibition held at the Birmingham NEC proved the ideal platform for OPEN MIND to demonstrate the hyperMILL.

The stand was occupied by a Mikron machining centre and a racing bike that both generated considerable interest.

Working in conjunction with Hemlock Engineering , a subcontract manufacturer to the Motorsport industry that specifies Mikron machine tools and Open Mind CAD/CAM software, the exhibition demonstrated how high specification motorsport components can be taken from concept to the final product.

The main attraction on the stand was the revolutionary hyperMILL.

Ideal for almost every machining operation, including hole and pocket milling, feature based solid machining, freeform surface machining, deep cavity, dome and tube machining as well as demanding motorsport components the motorsport sector is currently demonstrating considerable growth for Open Mind and this was highlighted at AutoSport 2007.

The high performance geometry oriented cam software offers 2.5D, prismatic, 3D and revolutionary 5-axis machining strategies under one uniform interface.

It is these attributes combined with the 40 dedicated 5-axis cycles (11 of which are 5-axis drilling cycles) that enables manufacturers to select the operation best suited to the job in hand.

This ensures the user does not have to rely on the 5 or 6 generic 5-axis operations typically offered by other CAM vendors.

Richard Nolan, sales and marketing director at Open Mind Technologies UK said: 'Many people are surprised that with hyperMILL you also have industry leading 2-, 3- and 4-axis cycles.

hyperMILL's advanced collision avoidance technology gives customers a new level of confidence not just in 5-axis, but also 2-, 3- and 4-axis.' Encompassed within the forty 5-axis cycles is what Open Mind calls 'Logic Cycles'.

These logic cycles are dedicated to single and/or multi-blade machining and tube machining, taking ease-of-use to a completely new level.

If you are a competent CNC control programmer or have good CAD or CAM skills (2D or 3D), with less than two days training with hyperMILL's logic cycles, you can be cutting highly complex 5-axis, simultaneous parts.

* About Open Mind - Open Mind Technologies UK is a subsidiary of Open Mind Technologies AG, which is part of the Man and Machine Group, one of the world's largest Autodesk distributors with a turnover of EUR 140 million.

Formed in 1994, Open Mind is the developer of hyperMILL CAM software.

It has over 7,500 installations worldwide, served through a global distribution network.

The company offers a comprehensive range of 2D, 3D and 5-axis modules providing a fully integrated manufacturing concept which covers the entire manufacturing process.

Nesting betters CNC sheet metal cutting efficiency

2007-02-15T02:05:00.001-08:00

Ever higher metal sheet and plate costs can be offset by using nesting software that gives a tighter nest and reduces the overall cutting time.

Soaring material costs make any improvements in sheetmetal nesting and profiling efficiency worthwhile. Sharing a single cut path between neighbouring components can provide a tighter nest and reduce the overall cutting time, but there are technological problems. Lantek's nesting software considers the practicality of component shape and layout when generating nests which incorporate common line cutting, to overcome these difficulties.

Typical problems encountered during common line cutting include small parts tipping up; components sliding under their neighbours, resulting in recutting; larger parts distorting, which can stop the laser cutting any further; witness marks on component edges; and warping of the sheet itself.

The Lantek Expert software solves these problems by only common line nesting pairs of parts, and those which have an identical side length of at least 100mm.

This helps to keep the sheet stable by avoiding distortion, and ensures good edge quality.

The software also calculates a safe path around the parts which have already been cut, avoiding potential collisions.

Elsewhere gaps are automatically left between components to produce a reliable result.

Going one stage further, the software can introduce bridging between small parts to connect them to one another.

The result is fewer piercing operations which allows several small parts to be cut in one continuous path.

Bridging also adds to the stability and security of the whole sheet.

Small parts are prevented from falling into the bed of the machine, and linking them together adds to the rigidity of the full sheet of products.

Combining these two approaches to nesting will help Lantek users reduce cutting times with shorter paths; reduce the number of piercing operations; improve material utilisation; and minimise the use of consumables, directly adding to profit margins.

* About Lantek Systems - Lantek Systems, formed in 2000 is the UK arm of Lantek Spain, which has its headquarters in Vitoria-Gasteiz near Bilbao.

Lantek specialises in the creation and delivery of software to optimise the performance of sheet metal and fabrication machines; products to maximise economy of material usage; and software for effective production control in a fabrication environment.

Lantek has offices in France, Spain, Italy, UK, USA, Japan, Germany and South Korea.

Wedge clamp moves in arced path, doesn't stick

2007-02-15T02:03:00.001-08:00

Serapid, a recognized leader in quick die change equipment will feature several new hydraulic clamps at MetalForm 2007. The TBHS wedge clamp, also referred to as the escaping arc clamp, is a fixed clamp that moves in an arced path to allow for maximum clamping force. Due to the motion of the clamp, there is no risk of it sticking.

The TBHS includes a mechanical safety lock so dies will not drop in the event of a pressure failure.

The BTSC is a heavy duty rod clamp.

It features an adjustable clamping height.

The BTSC can be fixed or slide into the T-slots on the press.

This clamp is a great replacement for traditional nut and bolt clamping.

It is very compact and cost-effective.

Radan Sheet Metal software open house

2007-02-10T02:29:00.003-08:00

Radan Sheet Metal Software, a division of Planit Solutions, is pleased to announce the opening of new offices in Forest Lake, MN. A Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony and Open House will be held on January 25th, 2007 at the Forest Lake office, located at 25 North Lake Street, Suite 320 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. The move to new offices was undertaken to better meet the needs of its customers, with brand-new specially appointed training room and offices for sales and technical staff.

Radan is a global leader in CAD/CAM for the sheet metal industry.

Radan software enables manufacturing companies to significantly reduce inventory and increase material utilisation, realising true return on investment.

CAM covers complex 3- and 5-axis machining

2007-02-10T02:29:00.001-08:00

Delcam will demonstrate the latest versions of all three of its CAM product ranges, PowerMILL, FeatureCAM and PartMaker, on Booth 3368, at the WESTEC exhibition to be held March 26-29 in Los Angeles, USA. Together, the complete set of programs comprises the world's most comprehensive collection of CAM systems, giving Delcam unrivalled ability to provide solutions to all of a company's programming needs. The latest release of PowerMILL, the world's leading specialist cam system for complex machining operations, includes new and improved functionality for roughing and finishing with both three-axis and five-axis machines.

The enhancements include a wider range of five-axis strategies for both roughing and finishing, including the ability to generate a five-axis toolpath from any three-axis toolpath, three-axis swarf machining and parametric surface finishing, together with faster calculation times, improved point distribution and easier data management.

FeatureCAM 2007, the latest version of this industry-leading feature-based machining software, includes major enhancements to the software's automatic feature recognition functionality and additions to its range of 3D machining strategies that have enabled significant improvements in calculation speeds and the surface finish that can be achieved.

In addition, creation and editing of toolpaths has been made quicker, easier and more flexible.

PartMaker pioneered the field of cam software for Turn-Mills and Swiss-type lathes with its patented Visual Programming Approach for programming multi-axis lathes with live tooling.

It provides substantial gains in programming efficiency by remembering the tools, material and process information necessary to machine individual part features.

Integrating CAM into Solidworks CAD

2007-02-10T02:28:00.001-08:00

The new CAD integration hyperMILL in Solidworks will be presented at SolidWorks World in New Orleans from February 4-7, 2007 at Open Mind booth 727. It allows CAM programs to be created with hyperMILL under the familiar user interface. Thanks to the integration, the cam software takes on the 'look and feel' of Solidworks.

Both CAD and CAM access an identical database, thus working on a uniform data model throughout the entire process.

Open Mind Technologies's hyperMILL CAM software is used worldwide by mechanical engineering, automotive and aerospace industries as well as by tool and mould manufacturers.

Users value the versatile machining strategies, ranging from 2D and 3D through multi-axis machining.

The user-friendly, intuitive control panel with graphical user interface and the high ease of programming ensure reliable operation.

At the same time, integrated automation features reduce programming effort and help to prevent faulty entries.

In addition, the sophisticated feature technology allows the reliable transfer of geometry information from the design to hyperMILL and its subsequent processing.

Existing production expertise is thus efficiently utilised and programming efforts are kept to a minimum.

Many programming tasks can be automated and standardised using macros.

* Integrated processes through CAD integration - integrated processes with universal data models guarantee security and transparency in the production process.

Familiar user interfaces simplify operation and increase user acceptance.

These are the reasons why Open Mind Technologies has long been providing integration with leading CAD systems.

* All strategies under one interface - hyperMILL in Solidworks offers the user an array of strategies for 2D, 3D, HSC and 5-axis simultaneous machining.

They allow an optimum machining of prismatic parts, making this solution perfectly suited for mechanical engineering.

These include 2D cycles for face and contour milling, for milling various pocket geometries, as well as drilling and helical drilling.

Roughing of any stock, 3D finishing, free path milling, ISO machining, automatic rest material machining and multiple-job stock tracking offer numerous options for an efficient 3D machining.

A number of intelligent additional functions let the experienced user realise optimum machining quality and machining times.

With 3D roughing, for example, functions such as automatic plane detection, outside-in machining, automatic rounding of corners, milling area boundaries and the definition of in feed macros ensure optimised machining to meet user requirements.

* Easy programming of 5-axis tasks - whether for indexing or 5-axis simultaneous milling, many users shy away from having to define tool positions themselves.

To address this, Open Mind Technologies has developed a range of automated functions that make the programming of 5-axis machining steps as simple as 3D programming.

This was made possible by a fully automatic collision avoidance feature.

All that is required for generating the 5-axis simultaneous machining job are the preferred and maximum tilt angles.

The software automatically calculates the best collision-free position for the model.

* High-performance postprocessors - postprocessors are the link between the CAD/CAM system on the one side and the machine and controller on the other.

So as to ensure that the quality and performance of the CAM programs are not lost to the controller and the machine, Open Mind Technologies has developed postprocessors individually adapted to the machines, controllers and components used.

In this way, for example, the controller's capabilities - control cycles, path correction, program part repetition and free work planes - can be used more efficiently.

* About Open Mind Technologies - Open Mind Technologies AG is a leading developer of CAD/CAM software and postprocessors for designing and manufacturing complex moulds and parts.

Open Mind offers an extensive range of products, from 2D feature-oriented solutions for milling standard parts through to software for 5-axis simultaneous machining.

With over 7,500 licenses sold across the automotive, tool and mould manufacturing, mechanical engineering and aerospace industries, Open Mind Technologies is represented in all the important markets in Asia, Europe and North America.

Open Mind Technologies is a Mensch und Maschine (People and Machines - Ed) company (www.mum.de).

CAM covers high speed machining 3D parts

2007-02-10T02:27:00.002-08:00

SolidCAM, the leading and fastest-growing supplier of integrated software solutions for the manufacturing industry, will exhibit at SolidWorks World 2007, the world's largest annual 3D CAD event. This international user conference and exposition takes place in the newly renovated Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, USA, from February, 4 - 7, 2007. SolidCAM2007 is the Gold-Certified integrated CAM engine for SolidWorks 2007 software and provides seamless, single-window integration and full associativity with SolidWorks.

SolidCAM will show a preview of the new SolidCAM2007 R11.1 version at SolidWorks World.

This version complements the main SolidCAM2007 R11 release, which was introduced in the autumn of 2006.

While the main R11 release is primarily targeted to the Tool and Die market with its new module for high-speed machining of complex 3D parts, the R11.1 version adds important extensions for production applications.

The automatic feature recognition capabilities are greatly enhanced with the addition of a powerful automatic pocket recognition and machining capability, that complements the existing versatile interactive pocket definition tools.

This new feature can handle any prismatic part with multiple, complex, interconnected pockets.

For the shop floor user, the documentation and toolsheet output is now available in XML-format and customizable.

The mill-turn module has been greatly extended to support 4- and 5-axis mill-turn centers such as Mazak Integrex and Okuma MacTurn.

The new R11.1 version will also provide a photorealistic machine simulation with toolcutting verification for turning and mill-turn machines.

This will improve the optimum part setup and avoid unnecessary tests on the actual machines.

Emil Somekh, managing director of SolidCAM, stated, 'Last year, a lot of new customers purchased the combined SolidWorks / SolidCAM solution.

We are looking forward to meeting them at SolidWorks World 2007, to demonstrate the software's power in integration and manufacturing automation.' Emile Bloemen, strategic sales manager, Europe for SolidWorks Corporation, added, 'The successful partnership with SolidCAM gives SolidWorks a better competitive position for applications where integrated CAD/CAM solutions are essential.

Using SolidCAM and SolidWorks, our customers can not only design better products, but also streamline design time and reduce costs throughout the entire manufacturing process.' * About SolidCAM - founded in 1984 by its managing director Dr Emil Somekh, SolidCAM provides manufacturing customers with a full suite of cam software modules for 2.5D and 3D milling, high speed machining, multi-sided indexial 4/5-axis milling, simultaneous 5-axis milling, turning, turn-mills up to 5-axis and Wire EDM.

SolidCAM is a SolidWorks Certified Gold Product and provides seamless, single-window integration and full associativity with SolidWorks software including parts, assemblies and configurations.

Today, SolidCAM has more than 11,000 seats installed in industry and education.

SolidCAM is sold by a worldwide reseller network in 40 countries.

SolidCAM has been on a very rapid growth path since it implemented the SolidWorks integration strategy.

In the CIMdata NC Software Market Assessment Report, CIMdata named SolidCAM as the worldwide fastest growing CAM vendor in 2003, 2004 and 2005 with revenue growth rates of +39.4%, +51.1% and +40%.

* About SolidWorks Corporation - SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes - (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management.

Rondine Motor uses Visi-series CAM software

2007-02-10T02:27:00.001-08:00

A new Italian superbike prototype has been designed and produced by Rondine Motor using the Visi-series product suite from Vero International Software. Filippo and Marco Nuccitelli founded Rondine Motor with the idea of wrapping quality and leading edge technology around a centre of human passion, experience and knowledge. They mixed their passion for motorbikes and their years of experience in the design and production industry to create this innovative model for the race track.

The frame and struts of the RRV1 are machined from blocks of aeronautical aluminium alloy and lightweight composite materials.

Components are held together using structural glues and titanium bolts to keep the weight down to just under 140kg.

The carbon-fibre fuel tank is found under the engine and the airbox, which fills the dummy tank, serves as a major structural part of the frame, adding strength but not weight.

The titanium exhaust has a very original curved design and is hidden under the Rondine's tail.

The frame can mount virtually any Ducati engine, from an air-cooled two-valver to a superbike-specification four-valve liquid-cooled version.

This flexibility allows riders the choice of engines to compete in different races with the same basic bike design.

Rondine Motor, based near Rome, have two CNC machine tools and stereolithographic facilities for the creation of various components and prototypes in aluminium alloys, titanium, steel and resins.

They quickly realised that they needed a cam software solution in line with the design and production policies of their company.

The Nuccitelli brothers selected Vero International products primarily for their advanced functionality and simplicity of use.

Filippo Nuccitelli believes 'It is not easy to find qualified CAD/CAM personnel and if the software does not have a simple and guided interface, it's difficult to limit learning problems and obtain optimum results in the short space of time we require'.

'The benefits we've obtained to date are proof that we made the right decision' adds Nuccitelli 'and the acceleration of the development process in our CAM department is thanks not only to the intensive hard work of our technicians, but also to the Vero specialists'.

Creative design and innovative materials coupled with advanced CAD/CAM technology and the passion of the Nuccitelli family have given birth to this fine example of ambitious engineering, the Rondine RRV1.

Rondine Motor now plan to build a road-going version.

Complete CAM covers 2- to multi-axis machining

2007-02-10T02:26:00.001-08:00

The most complete version of CAM software, containing operations for the machining of 2D and 3D models, undertakes many tasks in 2-, 2.5-, 3- and multi-axis CNC machining.

Advanced Engineering Solutions is to sell Sprut Technologies products on the new AES Website. Advanced Engineering Solutions is an authorized SprutCAM reseller for Canada, USA and Mexico. The new SprutCAM Expert V4.0 b1.28 is the most complete version, containing operations for the machining of 2D and 3D models including engraving.

Designed for undertaking many tasks in 2, 2.5, 3 and multi axis CNC machining.

Importable formats include the following.

* IGES (*.igs, *.iges).

* DXF (*.dxf).

* STL (*.stl).

* VRML (*.wrl).

* PostScript (*.ps, *.eps).

* Parasolid text (*.x_t, *.xmt_txt).

* Parasolid binary (*.x_b, *.xmt_bin).

* Rhinoceros (*.3dm).

* Sprut Models (*.sgm).

* SolidWorks (*.SLDASM, *.ASM, *.SLDPRT, *.PRT, *.SLDDRW, *.DRW).

* Step (*.stp, *.step) (if SolidWorks installed).

Keep it simple.

That's what SprutCAM Expert is all about.

You don't need to be a computer 'whiz' to be able to use it.

The reaction we get when we show SprutCAM Expert to people, who have already bought other (far more expensive) systems, is always the same, disbelief.

Some people fall into the trap of 'Cost and Value', it's human nature to believe that because you are paying more for something, that it is going to be better than a cheaper product.

NC programmers can simulate machine tools

2007-02-10T02:25:00.002-08:00

ICAM Technologies Corporation (ICAM) is pleased to announce the release of Control Emulator (CE), a new software product allowing NC programmers to simulate and test NC programs using Machine Code Data (MCD) within the CATIA V5/DELMIA environment. As compared to traditional APT-based verification systems, which simulate the programmer's planned tool path, CE provides a more meaningful simulation that represents how the machine tool will react to the MCD output generated by the post-processor. Furthermore, deploying CATIA V5/DELMIA/CE as an integrated package enables the user to run simulations on a per operation basis during the NC programming session, resulting in a significant reduction in NC programming time.

CE accommodates an 'in-process' or 'on-demand' CATIA V5/DELMIA simulation environment versus the existing multiple process loop currently offered by independent competitive solutions.

Benefits include improvements to NC programmer productivity and manufacturing process efficiency, resulting in faster time to market.

CE reads MCD to emulate the actions of CNC machines and controllers and provides users with the following advanced functions.

* Validates the accuracy of the MCD.

* Verifies the actual tool path as described by the MCD.

* Tests the MCD for machine / tool / part collisions.

* Allows users to compare the design part against an MCD-based material removal part simulation.

* CATIA V5 / DELMIA / CE MCD simulation - CE provides a powerful validation method allowing users to determine the association between MCD and specific operations within the NC program and allows for specific modifications to the tool path (CATProcess) depending on simulation results.

CE is fully integrated with CAM-POST, ICAM's NC post-processor development software; therefore, users may easily employ advanced features inherent to CAM-POST such as Macro Tracing, Call Stack Status, Input and Output Stepping and NC Variable Watching and Modification to optimize the machining process.

Other advanced features supported by CE include linear / circular / helical interpolation, drilling cycles, tool change and tool pre-select, length / diameter / fixture compensation, spindle / coolant and feed, subprograms, tool plane, program units, absolute versus relative positioning and program dwell.

'MCD-based machine tool simulation provides NC programmers with the most accurate representation of the machining process,' said Brian Francis, ICAM's director of Research and Development.

'CE integrated with CATIA V5 / DELMIA provides a powerful simulation tool that allows NC programmers to avoid and correct possible programming errors that may have resulted in costly machine tool collisions and defective parts.' * About ICAM Technologies Corporation - for over 35 years ICAM Technologies Corporation has been specializing in the development and implementation of advanced NC post-processing solutions for manufacturers in major industries around the world.

In 2002, ICAM has added an integrated machine tool simulator, Virtual Machine, to its product mix that further strengthened its position in the NC manufacturing market.

ICAM customers benefit from dramatic improvements to CNC machine optimization, NC programmer productivity and manufacturing process efficiency.

ICAM's unique technology and services provide its customers and industry partners with the competitive edge that their business operations and customers demand.

Multi-axis drilling software ups competitiveness

2007-02-10T02:25:00.001-08:00

One of Europe's leading designers and manufacturers of models and components for aerodynamic assessment in wind tunnel environments, Future Advanced manufacture have significantly reduced the production time for aerospace components using a powerful multi-axis drilling application designed for them by Vero International Software. Cheltenham based Future advanced Manufacture specialise in manufacturing high precision, high performance and safety critical components, offering project management, design and prototyping facilities alongside batch production of complex assemblies. One area of particular expertise is in the manufacture and development of new wing shapes.

Having first installed VISI software in 1997, Future has worked closely with Vero and now operates seven seats running on a network license throughout 10 PC workstations.

After several years experience of using Vero, Future Advanced Manufacture had confidence that Vero could help them develop a dedicated application for micro-drilling of aerospace components.

Part of the process of manufacturing wings for aircraft involves drilling minute surface holes into the components so that they can be pressure tested within a wind tunnel.

Micro-tubes the size of hypodermic needles are fitted to connect each of these holes to pressure sensing equipment inside the model.

It is also necessary to drill 1mm diameter holes up to 300mm long to connect these surface features and invariably these are all running at differing vectors.

The technical brief then was for up to 350 holes per wing (ranging from 0.3mm - 1mm) to be precisely positioned and to be perpendicular to the surface at that point.

At that time, the only feasible approach to the problem was a series of steps to calculate the vector direction and rotations for each compound hole - a task that was time consuming, cumbersome and with a high potential for error.

This involved creating a line that defined the vector through the centre of the hole, and then a calculation of two angles and two rotations that would enable true alignment of the hole for drilling down its vertical Z-axis.

At each stage of the process, angle values had to be written down along with the final X, Y and Z and depth values for each hole.

Having to perform this sequence for typical parts with more than 100 holes meant many hours and even days worth of effort, before any of this information could be passed down to the manual 7-axis EDM machines.

The bespoke solution provided by Vero was developed in two stages.

The original specification provided by Future was to provide a solution for quickly identifying all the compound holes, including the diameter, depth, positional co-ordinates and the rotations required to manufacture each hole.

The initial request was to output this information in a table format that could then be passed to the machine operator who would then use this information to produce each required hole.

Constant liaison between Future and Vero ensured that stage 1 of the project completely satisfied all parties.

Mike Sullivan, managing director explained: 'The first result was great and surpassed all of our expectations, the complete hole identification process was now taking a matter of minutes as opposed to a matter of hours or days.' Having now streamlined the hole identification process, Future decided to investigate the possibility of automating the complete process, bringing together both the identification and manufacturing of holes into one application.

Future decided that although long internal holes should still be drilled by EDM, the 0.30mm dia surface holes could be drilled by solid conventional 5-axis drilling and this led to a purchase of a 1.5m capacity multi-axis high speed CNC machining centre.

After further consultation with Vero it was decided to embark on development of a complete solution that could produce drilling toolpaths automatically from the solid or surface model data provided.

The application was continually tested and benchmarked by both Future and VERO during the development cycle.

'The engineers from Vero were incredibly knowledgeable and able to react to any product changes.

This was a major factor in the overall success of the project,' claimed Sullivan.

'We can now produce an automated programme that needs no editing on the machine tool and has therefore reduced our manufacturing timescales by 80%.' In conjunction with the development of the application, post processors were developed for the multi axis machining centre to ensure that the toolpaths created by the application were 100% accurate and could be read into the machine tool control without any manual editing.

When the CNC machining centre was delivered to Future, the new fully automated drilling application was installed and within one day of commissioning from both parties the solution was ready to run.

It soon became clear that the application met and exceeded the specification laid out by Future.

Not only could the application detect all the compound holes, it could now produce a post processed NC file from the multi axis drilling toolpaths.

Using a CNC approach eliminated any possible 'manual' errors and the components could be manufactured in a fraction of the time.

The automation concept had also been taken one step further by the inclusion of feature recognition that allowed the engineers at Future to apply different types of drilling cycles based upon the hole types and colours applied to the CAD model.

Commenting on Future's decision to embark on manufacturing automation, Sullivan concluded: 'This process has given us an edge over European Aerodynamic model manufacturers and has cemented our relationship as a preferred supplier to the major European aircraft developers.' Vero International Software is represented in over 40 countries by more than 80 distributors and, in addition to its extensive dealer network, has its own direct sales operations in the UK, France, Italy, USA, Japan, China and Canada.

CAM system offers efficient nesting

2007-02-10T02:24:00.001-08:00

Embraer, based in Brazil, is one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers, employing approximately 19,000 staff worldwide Their original cam system was purchased in the late 1990's to drive both their CNC routers and a Lectra conveyor knife cutter. The cam software company ceased trading, so Embraer set about evaluating several systems. After a detailed research of the market, they finally benchmarked five systems.

Commented Fernando Araujo, manufacturing engineer: 'Of the five systems tested, two could not generate better nests than our existing system.

Jetcam's nests were by far and away the most efficient.

Besides this, when we approached Jetcam we felt that they had an open approach to our further requirements.' The system was installed in May 2004, and the composite programming was the first to be integrated to their ERP system using Jetcam's RCP (remote control processing) module, which immediately reduced their composite programming time by 6h across two shifts.

'In our old process, we had to select the orders to be nested, wait until they were nested and sometimes manually redo a part or even the complete nest because the operator saw that it could be better optimised if made manually.

After that, the operator had to select another 'pack' of orders and do the same process again, spending all the day in front the PC.'Araujo said: 'With Jetcam, the only time we spend is grouping the orders and generating the batch orders.

After this, we press a button and come back later to get the results that are sent directly to the machine, without any rework.' While Jetcam was installed to drive both the composite and sheet metal technologies, Embraer concentrated on optimising and automating the composites first due to the general manufacturing costs normally associated with them.

With RCP already in place and delivering savings, they were surprised at the additional benefits that the FFHPN (free form high performance nesting) module provided.

'Through less effort of programming we were achieving a 4% saving on our nest efficiency, which quickly mounts up to a considerable sum.

We could also produce dynamic nests, and have much better flexibility with static nests due to revision control.

We have some very big part numbers that are cut 3 or 4 times a week.

These nests usually have more than 100 meters or 300 different plies'.

'To obtain a better optimisation, we let the nest running overnight or the weekend and save the results for later use.' Araujo said: 'Every time we have to cut this part, we just generate a new NC file and send it to the machine.

With static nesting and revision control, if the revision is old Jetcam will warn us when we try to open the file so we will not use it.

Using static and not dynamic nests with these cases enables us to save a lot of material.' About routing, Araujo said: 'On the routers Embraer are also making use of mosaic nesting, which has shaved an hour a day from programming times.' Commented Araujo: 'Mosaic is a nest of nests.

It is used when we have many orders from different materials with few parts on each order.

The advantage is that with only one machine setup we can produce many different small orders.' Ongoing support and development is always a concern for a company embarking on a large software implementation.

Embraer drew up a detailed specification for the system.

Said Araujo: 'Most of our wish-list was delivered with the system, after which we provided a further list of 20 items.

The most important of these were delivered within a few months of installation, and we are constantly receiving new releases related to the additional features requested.' Fernando finished by saying: 'We don't yet have full performance data on the routers, but the savings achieved within the composite manufacturing cells alone paid for the entire Jetcam investment in under a year.' Coupled with FFHPN and RCP, Jetcam is alone in its field for material optimisation and a high level of automation, it is a complete set of tools for a complex task.

Benefits achieved are as follows.

* Jetcam was the most efficient from the 5 systems benchmarked for both composite cutting and sheet metal fabrication.

* Single CAM system supporting routing and composite cutting.

* Save 6 hours per day programming time on composite parts due to RCP automation.

* 4% reduction in material on composite cutting.

* Can now create both dynamic and static nests.

* Can now perform Mosaic nesting, which was done outside of previous CAM system and saves an hour a day.

* Received several software updates under maintenance, each with major benefits.

Machines in use:.

* Trumpf BFZ 3000 Router.

* Creneau CNC Router.

* Lectra Vector 2500 conveyer knife cutter.

Software helps move into large-scale 3D machining

2007-02-10T02:23:00.000-08:00

The introduction of design, machining and inspection software from Delcam has helped Birmingham-based Pro-Mil move into large-scale 3D machining for a range of industries. Pro-Mil was established as a division of the Kingsbury Group 25 years ago to specialise in large-scale production machining. It installed the first twin-drive Asquith machine ever built and has since expanded to five machines, with the largest having a 9m x 4m bed.

Since then, Pro-Mil has developed broad experience in machining large components to high accuracies, especially for the aerospace, automotive, marine and railway industries.

The company added its first seat of PowerSHAPE and PowerMILL in 1998.

'At that time, we were still doing mainly 2D work but we could see the way the industry was going, with both more competition for the simpler work and more demand for more complex 3D machining,' explained Pro-Mil's general manager, Ian Hinton.

'We looked at the type of work that we wanted to take on and planned accordingly.' The success of that plan was confirmed four years later when the amount of 3D work had increased to the level where a second seat of Delcam software was needed.' He said: 'The Delcam software was pretty easy to pick up.

You can try different strategies very quickly so I soon found the best ways to use the software for the various types of work that we do.

The flexibility of the software is a big benefit for us.

Like other sub-contractors, we have to be able to do anything our customers demand, including working in all types of materials from specially-hardened steels to polystyrene foam.' Davies added: 'PowerMILL is also totally reliable, which is essential for the size of project we handle.

For example, one aerospace component that we machined started from a specially-made block of aluminium that would have taken 12 months to replace.

In another case, we spent almost four days roughing 15 tonnes of steel from the starting block.

You don't want to think about the cost of scrapping a part like that with a gouge during finishing.' Pro-Mil's second programmer, Mo Khan, said: 'PowerSHAPE is equally important, we still receive many of our projects as drawings so we need to be able to create 3D models for programming.

Even when we are sent CAD models, they often need work to make them suitable for manufacture.' Both programmers were equally enthusiastic about the hardware that was also supplied by Delcam and the support provided by the staff on the help desk.

'We've never had a job we couldn't do, thanks to their assistance,' claimed Khan.

'The user meetings and seminars organised at Delcam are also a great help; you always learn some useful tips.' The latest addition to Pro-Mil's Delcam software is the On-Machine Verification version of the PowerINSPECT inspection software.

'We have never had a coordinate measuring machine,' said Hinton.

'With the size of parts that we produce, it would be impossible to justify the cost.

On-Machine Verification has been an ideal fit with the work that we do.' Explained Davies: 'Before we added PowerINSPECT OMV, I had to create a probing program manually.

I would select a number of points on the model, extract the xyz data with PowerSHAPE and create G-code to drive the probe to the points.

Even a basic inspection would take two or more hours to prepare.' Davies said: 'With PowerINSPECT, the process is much easier and much faster.

This means I can take many more measurements in much less time.

In addition, I have customised the report template to our company standard, so our customers can confirm quickly that the job is within the specified tolerances.' He added: 'The PowerINSPECT interface is similar to our existing Delcam software so I was taking measurements with the program within a day of receiving it.

I have also started using the system to assist in set-ups, especially to check the amounts of material left on castings that we are sent for finish machining.' With the specialist nature of its business, Pro-Mil is less vulnerable than many other subcontractors to competition from overseas.

'The equipment and expertise we have built up here would be very difficult to duplicate anywhere else,' said Hinton.

'In addition, the weight of the components would make shipping very expensive.' Hinton commented: 'Unlike many companies that are always looking to cut costs, even when it means risking a drop in quality, we are prepared to spend what we need to spend to provide the best possible service to our customers,' he commented.

GeomCaliper Version 2.0 for Pro/Engineer

2007-01-04T02:54:00.000-08:00

Geometric Software Solutions (Geometric), a leader in product lifecycle management (PLM) services and technologies, has announced the release of GeomCaliper for Pro/Engineer version 2.0. GeomCaliper is an innovative tool for measuring and checking wall thickness of Pro/Engineer Wildfire 3D models. Accessible within a Wildfire session, it provides immediate feedback to designers during the design process.

GeomCaliper assists Engineers in quickly detecting thin areas in plastic molded components that may result in warps or thick sections in castings that may result in hot spots.

It is easy-to-use and requires minimal training to interpret the results.

Users commonly save over 75 - 80% of the time spent in thickness analysis.

In addition, an innovative visualization process allows the detection of hidden critical regions.

GeomCaliper provides quick and easy design reviews for manufacturability, early analysis and design correction results in improved part quality and downstream cost savings and improved design productivity.

Key features of GeomCaliper for Pro/Engineer version 2.0:.

* Ability to cut cross sections and automatically compute thickness.

* Improved performance in computation time and peak memory.

* 25% faster in loading model in GeomCaliper.

* 25% faster in computing thickness.

* 10% reduction in peak memory consumption.

* Allows the editing of names in critical regions during analysis.

* Displays chord distance in sphere method - shows the minimum thickness of model in 3D.

GeomCaliper is based on PTC's Pro/Toolkit and exploits the mature API provided by PTC to 3rd party developers.

Wildfire customers will benefit from 3D oriented productivity features such as advanced thickness map display and manipulation.

Cooperation results in 3Matic-for-fluent

2007-01-03T02:53:00.000-08:00

Materialise, the world leader in software development for rapid prototyping and industrial design applications, is glad to announce the first release of 3Matic-for-Fluent, a custom-developed batch geometry preconditioning module. This software is the outcome of the successful collaboration between Materialise and Fluent , a wholly owned subsidiary of ANSYS, a world leader in engineering simulation software and services. When combined with the Fluent TGrid 4.0 wrapper technology, 3Matic-for-Fluent improves the CFD process of geometry to meshed model for a wide range of applications.

Materialise' 3Matic technology provides powerful geometry conditioning tools that have been used in rapid prototyping (RP) successfully for years.

Last year, Materialise and Fluent decided to team up to further develop this triangular meshing technology to meet the specific needs of Fluent CFD software users.

Materialise' specialised Software Development Services (SDS) team has worked closely together with Fluent on the automation process.

The 3Matic-for-Fluent software from Materialise is a supplementary conditioning module for converting hundreds of files from mixed geometry sources in native or standard CAD file formats (Catia, UG, Pro/E, STEP, IGES), or in faceted formats (STL, WRML), into an optimal triangular meshing format for TGrid 4.0 software's new Surface Wrapper.

This cleanup process ensures that each CAD part is fully connected, of minimal size, and with sufficient resolution to capture the underlying geometrical details.

3Matic-for-Fluent supplements TGrid 4.0 by allowing users to work more efficiently during the pre-wrapping phase of their preprocessing efforts.

'Teaming up with Fluent to develop 3Matic-for-Fluent has been an extremely satisfying experience' says Wim Michiels, Director Materialise Software.

'It has been one of those collaboration projects which was driven by the strong match between powerful technologies - for the good of the customer'.

'By combining 3Matic-for-Fluent with TGrid software, Fluent can now offer a new, complete preprocessing solution for Automotive Underhood Thermal Management (UTM) and similar complex analyses'.

Magics for Objet released by Materialise

2007-01-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

Materialise NV, world leader in software development for the rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RPandM) industry, and Objet Geometries, the world leader in ultra-thin layer photopolymer jetting, are proud to announce the release of Magics for Objet, a customised version of Materialise' Magics software that has been developed to meet the specific requirements of production on Objet 3-D printing equipment. With Magics for Objet's highly automated, powerful tools, designs can be easily corrected and modified. By examining STL files thoroughly and quickly on-screen, quality issues can be avoided later on.

Magics for Objet allows users to highlight and locate problems in STL files, perform 2-D and 3-D measurements, orientate parts, and document part features or measurements in clear print-outs.

Magics for Objet provides unmatched means to correct errors and create the perfect STL file in a matter of minutes.

The Fix Wizard automates the repair of the STL model, which drastically reduces the skill level and time required to repair files.

The Wizard's intuitive interface quickly identifies errors and recommends successive steps for correcting them, guiding the user step by step through the repair process.

Automatic and manual fixing tools are available for, for example, inversion of flipped triangles, stitching of bad edges and filling of complex holes.

Magics for Objet also offers intelligent tools to make process-related design changes directly on the part.

Parts can be cut to reduce the build height or length, and to optimise the amount of support material needed.

The 'teeth' cut ensures an easy, perfect fit.

Parts can be hollowed and thus become faster to produce, while ensuring a minimal material cost.

The powerful automatic part placement nests all parts on the platform in the most optimal way, by minimising the travel distance of the print head and therefore reducing the build time.

Tall parts are automatically flipped down to minimise the build height.

Platform and part properties can be easily documented by using Microsoft Word templates to generate reports.

Collaboration throughout distributed enterprises

2007-01-01T02:52:00.000-08:00

Cimmetry Systems, an Agile Software company, has announced the release of AutoVue v 19.1, Web Edition, for Documentum 5.2.5 and 5.3 SP2/SP3. Through its integration with EMC Documentum Content Management Solutions, AutoVue facilitates the way information is communicated throughout distributed enterprises, and fosters team collaboration at all stages of the document lifecycle. AutoVue 19.1 for Documentum adds powerful native document visualization, markup, digital mockup and real-time collaboration capabilities to EMC Documentum Desktop, RightSite Intranet, WDK, and Webtop Clients.

AutoVue facilitates design review and team collaboration by providing ready access to hundreds of native document file formats, including 2D/3D CAD, EDA, image and Office, stored in the Documentum repository.

By handling data natively, AutoVue delivers instant and secure access to original documents without undergoing costly and error-prone conversions and without leaving a document footprint on the client's machine.

TopSolid'Mold - preliminary design mode

2006-12-31T02:51:00.000-08:00

TopSolid'Mold 2007, which will be available in the New Year, has made important improvements in the domain of collaborative work. A big first step towards this was the introduction of the preliminary design mode in the 2006 version. This mode enables 2 people to work on different parts of the mold design.

For example, one person can work on the mold carcass while a second person works on the cavity blocks, thereby benefitting from important time gains in the mold design process.

Let's take a closer look at TopSolid'Mold's preliminary design mode - The mold parting process and the corresponding definition of the parting lines and surfaces is one of the most time intensive actions in the construction of a tool or mold.

In order to deliver quotations, order raw materials and discuss drafts with customers the parting elements are not necessarily needed.

Furthermore, at this stage there are many possible changes which may occur in the mold design that require a redefinition of the parting elements.

That's why in TopSolid'Mold Missler Software offers the possibility to design an initial draft of the mold without the creation of its parting elements.

Thus, the mold maker can provide initial mold designs including the cooling system design, ejector pin insertion, 2D drawing, etc in a quick turn-around time.

Mold makers can thereby offer preliminary, 'light' mold designs to sub-contractors - speed is an important element in such early stages.

Aberdeen schools standardise on Autodesk Inventor

2006-12-30T02:49:00.000-08:00

Imass Design Solutions (Imass) has won one of the largest single Scottish education orders for manufacturing design solutions and training to date. The deal involves the supply of 13 autodesk inventor Professional bundles, each including 40 network licences, 30 standalone licences and 50 student licences for secondary schools in Aberdeen. Bill Heeps, the Principal Teacher of Design and Technology at Dyce Academy, Aberdeen and area co-ordinator for the subject, says that one of the reasons Imass was chosen was its local training facilities.

The firm has recently doubled the size of its customer training suites in its Inverurie, Aberdeenshire office - making it one of the leading facilities of its kind in the area.

Inventor was chosen because it is easy and intuitive to use and, as the world's top selling manufacturing design software, it is the 3D solution students are most likely to encounter in the outside world.

'In this area in particular where there are many businesses associated with oil and gas production, CAD engineers are very much in demand.

'Being familiar with the complete solution, rather than an educational cut-down version, will stand students in good stead for the future,' says Heeps.

Also, because Inventor Professional ships with the latest version of AutoCAD, it integrates 2D and 3D capabilities, enabling students to learn traditional drafting methods.

'The Scottish curriculum still requires the teaching of 2D drafting, so this way we have the best of both worlds,' he says.

Heeps adds that a big advantage of standardising on Inventor will be that all relevant teaching staff will have proper training from Imass.

Previously schools were using a variety of different solutions and many teachers had received no formal instruction.

Inventor is now fully installed at the Dyce Academy and Heeps reports that it is already helping students model their designs quicker and more effectively.

High-end speaker maker uses SolidWorks

2006-12-29T02:50:00.000-08:00

Sonance, the company that invented the in-wall speaker, has standardised on SolidWorks software to design speakers that fill homes with great music while conserving space and aesthetic appeal. SolidWorks 3D CAD software helps Sonance pack surprising performance into its award-winning products, including: its in-wall and in-ceiling flush-mounted speakers; 'invisible speakers' that are indistinguishable from wall or ceiling panels; weather-proof speakers for outdoor use; speakers hidden in planters, pillars, or synthetic 'rocks'; amplifiers, keypads, and controllers; and systems that let homeowners use their iPod devices to orchestrate music throughout the home. According to Ray Call, supervisor of mechanical design, Sonance uses SolidWorks on all new and existing products to help make speakers that continually exceed expectations for acoustics, aesthetics, wiring, and mechanical action.

Better designs may involve bigger magnets or woofers in constricted spaces, or components that rotate within their housings for directional sound.

SolidWorks also helps Sonance sustain great sound in highly architected rooms with acute angles and niches, and make ceiling speakers produce surround effects.

'SolidWorks software is extremely valuable in helping us meet all of these challenges'.

'It helps us ensure that our designs are spot on prior to tooling because we never want to have to stop, back up, and revise approved designs,' said Call.

'SolidWorks isn't just a great mechanical design tool, it's also a great visual communications tool'.

'We can do design reviews right at my desktop, which would be impossible in a 2D environment'.

'SolidWorks also enables us to send 3D designs directly to manufacturing with very little or no additional work on the drawing side'.

Sonance recently garnered a pair of awards from Design Journal for the company's new Mariner line of outdoor speakers and Symphony family of audiophile-grade 'architectural' designs, both designed in SolidWorks software.

Sonance also uses the COSMOSXpress analysis tool for fine-tuning the performance of its unique snap-fit mounting components.

'Sonance is a great example of how teams are using SolidWorks software to blend superior form and function in products that are setting their companies apart,' said Rainer Gawlick, SolidWorks Corporation's vice president of worldwide marketing.

Sonance relies on authorised SolidWorks reseller GoEngineer for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

CaptureStore re-launched

2006-12-28T02:48:00.000-08:00

Cad-Capture is pleased to announce the re-launch of its document services e-commerce website with impressive features designed to tackle internet browsing time and corporate buying power. CaptureStore is a new form of website; as well as including physical products such as large/small format scanners and document management software, Cad-Capture's Bureau services are also available. These range from Scanning and CAD conversion to Software Programming and Support Services.

The enhanced site offers easy navigation that presents the right information within two or three clicks.

An important new feature is the inclusion of customer accounts.

Anyone can set up an account for their organisation.

There may be more than one person within the organisation who requires 'buying power'; therefore, each person can be provided with their own user ID and password to buy under the organisation's name.

Employees can also be allocated financial buying limits dependent on the account owner's wishes.

Registered customers can also inform Cad-Capture of a specific product range that meets their interests.

Once logged onto the CaptureStore website the products not specific to that customer are invisible, enabling an easier navigation experience throughout the site.

CaptureStore boasts over two thousand data capture and document management products featuring many leading manufacturers such as colortrac, Opentext, Kodak, Canon, Fujitsu, Kofax and Panasonic.

Cimmetry releases Autovue 19.1 for mySap PLM

2006-12-27T02:47:00.000-08:00

Cimmetry Systems, an Agile Software company, has announced the release of AutoVue v 19.1 for SAP's PLM platform, Enterprise Central Component (ECC) 5.0. The combination of AutoVue and mySAP PLM fosters team collaboration and optimises product development and document review processes. AutoVue's SAP certified solution integrates with mySAP PLM, providing users with a single point of access to hundreds of document types stored in the mySAP repository for viewing, printing, markup and real-time collaboration.

AutoVue's unique web-based streaming technology provides a high level of document security by ensuring that documents are never transferred to the client machines for viewing or annotation.

AutoVue for SAP PLM works directly with the mySAP PLM CAD integrations to provide visualization for any supported native CAD format, including CATIA, Pro/E, NX, SolidWorks, Inventor and AutoCAD, as well as EDA, Office and PDF documents.

Users can create markups or annotations on all supported document types, including PDF documents, which are saved back in the SAP repository.

Users do not require Acrobat Pro to be able to view and annotate PDF documents with AutoVue.

With hundreds of native document formats supported, AutoVue provides virtually instant and secured access to crucial information, without undergoing costly and error-prone conversions.

AutoVue also eliminates the cost and complexity of maintaining multiple client-side viewers and server-side conversion systems.

CNC production miller is low-cost, dependable

2006-12-26T04:10:00.001-08:00

CNC production miller is low-cost, dependable Toolroom CNC milling machine is low-cost, has many standard features that make it well suited for the production environment with faster speeds, an automatic tool changer and full enclosure. Those who watch the worldwide machine tool market, and manufacturers with cost and production headaches, have recognized the need for a dependable low-cost production mill. The TM-1P Toolroom Mill from Haas Automation, combines the best of both worlds: It is 'easy on the wallet', and has the power and flexibility of full CNC.

This model is based on the shop-proven Haas TM-1, but has many standard features that make it well suited for the production environment.

It comes 'out of the box' with faster speeds, an automatic tool changer and a full enclosure.

Sensible design and utility are characteristic of Haas Toolroom Mills.

The reliable 7.5HP vector drive spindle spins to 6,000 rev/min and uses standard 40-taper tools.

Rapids and cutting feedrates are 400in/min, double that of the non-enclosed TM-1.

The machine's 30in x 12in x 16in travels and a 57.75in x 14.5in T-slot table provide plenty of room for workholding and larger parts, and a 10-pocket tool changer is standard.

The TM-1P operates on either single- or three-phase power, and a one-piece cast-iron base/column damps vibration and provides rigidity - ensuring a high level of precision and repeatability.

One of the most-appreciated features of the TM-1P is the famous Haas Control.

Toolroom CNC miller has larger travels

2006-12-25T04:09:00.000-08:00

Toolroom CNC miller has larger travels A versatile CNC milling machine combines the functionality and simplicity of a manual milling machine with the power and flexibility of CNC suits toolrooms and shops transitioning to CNC. Haas expands its line of toolroom products with the new TM-3 Toolroom Mill, a versatile machine that combines the functionality and simplicity of a manual mill with the power and flexibility of the Haas CNC control, making it the perfect machine for toolrooms and shops transitioning to CNC. The TM-3 provides all the advantages of the Haas TM-2 Toolroom Mill, plus a larger table and extended Y-axis travel.

And the Haas Intuitive Programming System makes the TM-3 extremely easy to set up and operate - without knowledge of G-code programming.

The TM-3's 40in x 20in x 16in (X,Y and Z-axis) travels provide plenty of room for machining larger workpieces, and the large table accommodates multiple vises and/or chucks, as well as 5C indexers and rotary tables.

The non-enclosed format and standard T-slots simplify clamping of oversized and odd-shaped parts.

The machine runs on either single- or three-phase power.

The TM-3 features a 7.5HP (peak) vector drive spindle that uses standard 40-taper tooling and spins to 4,000 rev/min.

A push-button tool-release system makes tool changes fast and easy, and either a 10- or 20-pocket tool changer can be added for automatic operation.

Programming and setups are simplified with the Haas Intuitive Programming System.

Operations such as setting tool and work offsets, drilling and tapping cycles, engraving and pocket milling are easily accomplished without knowledge of G-code programming.

Mechanical locking drawbars up milling output

2006-12-24T04:09:00.000-08:00

Mechanical locking drawbars up milling productivity Automatic or mechanical PowerLock drawbars greatly improve knee-type milling machine output by reducing tool change time up to 75% so operators pend less time changing tools. Now there is a way to automate knee-type milling machines for faster and easier tool changes using Kurt Automatic or Mechanical PowerLock Drawbars. They greatly improve milling machine output by reducing tool change time up to 75%.

Spend more time in the cut and less time changing tools.

To operate, just insert the tool and push a button on the Automatic Model or push a lever on the Mechanical Model.

Both models assure fast, uniform collet tightening without the need for hand tools and manual tightening.

The Kurt Drawbars prevent under tightening and tool slip or over tightening and drawbar breakage.

These Kurt Drawbars have operator-friendly design to reduce milling machine operator fatigue, increase safety while improving productivity, and eliminate operator stretching for tool setup.

In addition to providing consistent torque on the drawbar rod, these Kurt Drawbars eliminate drawbar tapping to free tool in the collet.

Available in automatic and mechanical models, Kurt PowerLock Drawbars can be operated with existing tooling.

(They operate R-8, 30 and 40 taper toolholders.

Additional special toolholders are not needed).

These Kurt Drawbars are easy to install on most milling machine models.

Portal milling machine uses linear axes drives

2006-12-23T04:08:00.000-08:00

With the new FZ 38, Zimmermann-Boko is presenting a CNC portal milling machine with linear drive. The impressive dynamism of this machine bears witness to the highest level of compe-tency in the field of demanding drive technology. The aim Zimmermann is to offer optimum drive concepts for the specific requirements of their customers.

Towards this end, Zimmermann is making use of decades of experience at the peak of technological developments.

Current drive tech-nologies, such as linear motors, rack and pinion drive and ball screws are assessed objectively and customers profit from this: the result is comprehensive machine concepts with optimum drive for precisely defined employment pur-poses - an example of this is the FZ 38 with pure linear drive technology.

This is further proof that Zimmerman assimilate the individual requirements of each customer and focus their solutions accordingly - customer orientation of the highest quality.

F.

Zimmermann - the innovative company from Denkendorf near Stuttgart, Germany - offers state-of-the-art constructions for large-scale CNC portal milling machines and CNC plano-milling machines with high-speed technologies.

This year, the experts from Zimmerman will once again impress their target group at the trade show.

With the FZ 38, Zimmermann is pre-senting a CNC portal milling machine driven by linear motors that points the way to the future with its special qualities.

* Dynamism dimension 1 - exceptional efficiency - the most important aim when using linear drives is the increase in productivity.

The FZ 38 achieves extremely high time / chip volumes of up to 4500cm3/min (aluminium).

Feed rates on linear axes of up to 60m/min and spindle speeds of up to 35,000 rev/min make genuine HSC processing possible.

Just as im-pressive are the torque motors on rotational axes with feed rates of up to 150 deg/s.

The accuracy and surface quality realised in this way are decisive for this outstanding performance data.

And it is precisely in this point that the FZ 38 sets standards.

Universal millers have 100% better dynamics

2006-12-22T04:07:00.000-08:00

Within months of its launch the new DMU monoBLOCK series of universal milling machines from DMG has been placed on the UK's stock machine list. The reason for its swift popularity is exceptional value for money. It does the job quicker and at no extra cost.

The range provides 100% better dynamics, 30% faster rotary axes (200% on the 5-axis version) and 25% shorter chip-to-chip times.

When combined with the flexibility provided by the extended swivel range of the B-axis, this all adds up to a highly cost-effective investment.

With a starting price in the UK of just GBP 75,900 and available for immediate delivery the DMU monoBLOCK series comprises three basic models - the DMU 60/80/100 - each of which can be expanded.

They can be configured for 3-axis machining with a fixed table with table load of 700kg and manually swivelling milling head and with a B-axis and up to 800kg NC-rotary table for five-sided/5 axis machining.

The 5-axis version has a much larger B-axis swivel range, a total of 150 deg.

This allows the machining of negative angles up to 30 deg.

In combination with the reduction in minimum distance between the horizontal spindle and the table surface to 188mm, this feature considerably extends the production potential of the series.

The machines can be used effectively for a full spectrum of universal machining, including high-speed applications, while providing an increase in accessibility and ease of use.

The new DMU monoBLOCK series is based on the DMU T-series but is much more than a simple upgrade.

These models have been completely redesigned to a much smaller footprint, indeed they are 25% more compact than their forerunners.

In addition to increased productivity and flexibility process safety has been enhanced, a major contributor to this being an integral chip conveyor supplied as part of the standard package.

CNC machining improves harmonica quality

2006-12-21T04:07:00.000-08:00

The late harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler hated seeing his musical instrument of choice described as a 'mouth organ', but loved the way in which a small Lincolnshire, UK-based business headed by Antony Dannecker repaired and re-tuned his Hohner harmonicas. Still a consultant to Hohner of Germany, Antony Dannecker's workshop is also home to the Dannecker Blues Harmonica, a world-renowned combination of Hohner reed plates and covers and the patented Dannecker Blues comb. Every chrome-plated brass comb is machined by M and M Precision Engineering, a 10-strong sub-contract company that relies on machine tools supplied by XYZ Machine Tools to meet the stringent quality demands of this master craftsman.

The end result, according to musicians such as Paul Jones, a '60s legend with Manfred Mann, Joe Brown and Huey Lewis, is a musical instrument with a full rich tone and an unsurpassed dynamic range.

For M and M Precision's Mike Szebeko, it is another chapter in the search for new ways to manufacture precision machined components more cost-effectively without compromising quality.

He and co-director Mick Buceero started the sub-contracting business 'from nothing' in 1988 and sustained investment allows the ISO 9002-accredited company to design and machine a wide range of complex components in various materials and in high or low volume quantities.

Recent purchases include a 10HP, 6000 rev/min, XYZ VM 5000 manual/CNC bed mill equipped with ProtoTRAK control and a 13HP, 8000 rev/min XYZ Mini Mill 560 compact vertical machining centre supplied with Siemens 810D ShopMill conversational CNC.

Both machines are part of what Paul Lowey, M and M Precision's general manager, described as: 'A programme of continuous improvement that enables M and M Precision to quote profitably and confidently on projects that other companies cannot tackle.' According to Szebeko, the Dannecker Blues comb is a classic example of the type of work that the Peterborough-based sub-contractor thrives on.

'We effected an immediate improvement in component quality,' he said, 'Because close tolerance CNC machining gives total control of the volume of air passing through each 'pocket' of the comb.

However, as well as implementing machining changes we have also contributed to design improvements, such as a tip radius to each 'tooth'.

This makes it easier for the player to 'tongue block' a particular note.' The Dannecker Blues is claimed to be the most air-tight harmonica available in the world today, a crucial factor in ensuring that air goes straight to the reeds being played and nowhere else.

This makes for a more responsive instrument and one that does not require great lungfuls of air to play it.

Deceptively simple in appearance, the comb's profile determines the notes produced by the finished instrument and any deviation from the extremely close tolerance profile is unacceptable.

Advanced CNC millers improve mould flexibility

2006-12-20T04:06:00.000-08:00

Buckinghamshire-based injection mould tool specialist - Precision Moulds and Tools (PM and T) - has recently invested in a high-speed milling machine (HSM) and a high-performance milling machine (HPM) from AgieCharmilles GF. The vertical machining centres - a Mikron HSM 800 and a Mikron VCP 800W Duro - have been installed (September 2006) at the company's 10,000ft2, purpose-built facility in Aylesbury, UK - and provide PM and T with a significant increase in machining capacity and capability as well as improving the company's overall manufacturing flexibility. PM and T, established in 1991 by joint managing directors Michael Rush and Paul Newton - and now employing 20 people in the UK - is a market-leading design and manufacturer of complex, high-precision mould tools.

The company has an international reputation for the quality and the sophistication of its tooling solutions (single through to multi-impression) and has a global customer base (US, Far East, Europe, etc) covering a diverse range of industry sectors - medical devices, electronics, white goods, cosmetics, etc * Total solutions - PM and T provides total systems solutions to its customers.

This does not just include the manufacture of complex single and multi-cavity production precision tooling - but also involves working in consultation with customers to develop and design mould tool concepts and prototypes - and providing pre-production testing and sampling services.

The company also has comprehensive mould tool modification and repair capabilities.

This 'concept through to completion' approach helps differentiate PM and T from the competition - it also helps explain the company's continuing growth and success.

Said Rush: 'The days when tool makers just 'made' things are over.

Customers not only expect (and demand) high-quality, reduced lead times and cost competitiveness from their tooling supplier - they are also looking, in many instances, to work in collaboration with them - sharing expertise, shortening design-to-manufacture processes and lead times - and minimising risk.' This pragmatic and strategic approach to business is evident across all of PM and T's operations.

* New technology - forward-looking and forward-thinking companies make prudent and timely investments in new technology - and PM and T is a case in point.

Tool manufacturing with CNC machine tools

2006-12-19T04:05:00.000-08:00

Metaltech Precision claims to be one of the largest, and possibly the most versatile, metalworking sub-contractors in England's West Country. Established in 1973, the company's recently-extended 35,000 sq. ft premises in Chard Junction, Somerset, is home to a 50-strong workforce that can turn, mill, grind, fabricate, shotblast, paint, assemble and test, and does so for some very well-known names in the medical, aerospace, petrochemical and printing industries.

'Total manufacturing' is, in fact, ISO 9001-2000 accredited Metaltech Precision's forte and its success has been achieved through a combination of sustained investment in CNC technology and a willingness to diversify.

The company's plant list reflects this, with prismatic machining capacities up to 6000 mm by 1500 mm by 2000 mm and turning capacities up to 650 mm diameter allied to full fabrication facilities that include MIG/TIG welding.

The plant list features 40 CNC machine tools - a 7.5 kW XYZ VM 5000 three-axis bed mill and a 7.5 kW XYZ ProTURN VL 425 two-axis lathe being the most recent additions - that play an important role in the 'total manufacturing' mix.

The 1930 mm by 355 mm table size VM 5000 and the 480 mm swing-over-bed ProTURN lathe, together with a 5.75 kW XYZ VM 4000 bed mill installed in 2004, are dedicated to low volume work because, says Steve Hill, Managing Director, 'we are as happy dealing with single prototype requirements as we are with a batch run of several thousand components.' According to Danielle Grinter, Quality Manager: 'We machine anything from high precision sliding head work through to large fabrications in materials ranging from aluminium to titanium, Inconel, Hastelloy and 316 stainless, and in batch sizes typically from 1 to 5000-off.

So the machines we buy must contribute to a diverse business servicing a very demanding customer base.

'Smart' solutions offered for low volume machining

2006-12-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

XYZ Machine Tool's new DVD, available free on request, focuses on the Burlescombe, Devon, UK, company's 'smart solutions for low volume production'. There is footage of working examples from the comprehensive range of XYZ machine tools and 'face-to-face' interviews with end-users explaining why the UK's leading volume distributor of CNC machine tools is their supplier of choice. Technical specifications are included in an accompanying Pocket Product Guide 2006-2007.

This fold-out brochure details XYZ's market-leading CNC Mini Mills and other vertical machining centres, turning centres, large CNC bridge mills and 'extra large capacity' CNC lathes as well as manual/CNC mills and lathes and low-cost manual turret mills, lathes and surface grinders.

XYZ's manual/CNC machines are equipped with the exclusive ProtoTRAK control that provides CNC capability at DRO prices, while full-CNC machines feature as standard the easy-to-program Siemens ShopMill and ShopTurn conversational controls.

Simplicity, combined with solid performance, is backed by a full 'no-quibble' guarantee, 'top-notch' nationwide after-sales service and support, and competitive finance packages tailored to the individual customer's needs.

Manual/CNC turret miller improves output

2006-12-17T04:03:00.000-08:00

Charles Corner's garage in rural Suffolk, UK, is home to ISO 9001-accredited CBC Precision Engineering and, like Dr Who's 'Tardis', it must be much bigger on the inside than it appears from the outside. How else to explain the 3.7kW XYZ ProtoTRAK manual/three-axis CNC turret mill that sits in the midst of a garage that is also home to a centre lathe, capstan lathe, horizontal milling machine and pedestal drill? What is equally surprising is that a graduate engineer with senior management experience in blue chip manufacturing companies that led eventually to management consultancy and teaching should decide relatively late in life to set up a one-man sub-contracting business.

'I wanted to run my own business and to have something in later life that allowed me to control my own destiny without the responsibility of managing people,' he said, 'One of my beefs in life is that engineering is regarded as a second-choice career, when the reality is that designing and making things is crucial to the economy and the skills involved are applicable to a wide range of business activities.

I wanted to be hands-on and I am convinced it is the challenge that keeps me going, so it concerns me that youngsters are being given a very poor picture of engineering and are missing out on a wide choice of career opportunities.' Corner added that he has no intention of retiring and, having purchased his first CNC machine while in his seventies, he is now contemplating replacing the two manual lathes with a XYZ ProTURN manual/CNC lathe.

The attraction, he explained, is the ProtoTRAK control that has changed his whole way of working, not least because: 'It is very easy to program and allows me to have a 'dry run' before actually cutting metal.' This is relevant to both sub-contract work and to CBC Firepumps, a long-standing business activity that relates to the reconditioning and modification of fire engine pumps.

In addition to UK Fire Authorities and the British Airports Authority, customers as far afield as New Zealand are benefiting from Corner's ability to come up with novel solutions to engineering challenges by combining design flair with hands-on machining expertise.

Typical of his inventiveness is CBC Firepumps' flagship product, the conversion of the high-pressure section of a fire pump to an all-stainless steel configuration.

By inserting a stainless steel element with a patented throat profile into an existing cast aluminium pump body and replacing the existing bronze impeller with a precision stainless steel alternative, the electrolytic action that is the principal cause of pump erosion is eliminated and performance, reliability and life expectancy significantly improved.

Satisfied customers include around half of the UK's regional Fire and Rescue Services.

Open days help machine tools through target

2006-12-16T04:01:00.000-08:00

At the conclusion of a successful series of open days held at its showrooms in Blackburn, Nuneaton, Waltham Abbey and Burlescombe, XYZ Machine Tools looks set to exceed this year's GBP17 million turnover target. In fact, the August event at Blackburn, where around half of the companies represented placed orders there and then, was so successful that a second Blackburn two-day event was organised for November. A delighted Nigel Atherton, XYZ's Managing Director, says the first Blackburn event resulted in orders to date totalling more than GBP270,000 and set the scene for subsequent open days.

In all, the five events attracted visitors from 189 companies, with the September open days at the Burlescombe headquarters being particularly well-attended.

Machine sales topped GBP430,000 over the two days of the Burlescombe event, including an order for a XYZ BRM 80-150 CNC bridge mill, and have since been followed by further Burlescombe orders valued in excess of GBP170,000.

'The people who took the time to visit one or other of our open day events were clearly in the market for new machines,' says Nigel Atherton, 'and we are confident that further orders will follow.

Filters, lubricators, regulators assembled quickly

2006-12-15T02:27:00.000-08:00

The latest addition to Parker Hannifin's innovative Moduflex modular air preparation system is the new Moduflex 80 range of products. These extend the versatility and convenience of the state of the art FRL system to applications that involve large air volumes, and require 1/2in, 3/4in and 1in ports. Ideal for use in factory pneumatic ring-main installations, the Moduflex 80 range includes filters, lubricators and regulators, as well as comprehensive series of accessories.

Individual components can be quickly assembled in almost any combination, to produce efficient, economical and easy-to-maintain air preparation systems which are exactly matched to their users' needs.

A key feature of the Moduflex 80 range, in common with other products which make up the FRL system, is its use of Parker's novel Cliplok fasteners.

These allow combinations of components to be assembled without the use of tools, in less than half the time needed with conventional systems.

The Cliplok system also eliminates the need for extra items such as pipe connectors and, since the individual components mount directly face-to-face without intermediate blocks, it produces exceptionally compact assemblies.

Further, the Cliplok system allows individual components to be easily removed or exchanged, greatly facilitating maintenance.

Filters in the Moduflex 80 range are available in standard versions with high-efficiency 5and#8209;micron or optional 40-micron filter elements, as well as in coalescing and adsorption versions for special applications.

Adsorption filters have manual drains, while standard and coalescing types can be supplied with manual, semi-automatic or automatic drains.

The unique filter element cartridge design facilitates rapid element change over without the use of tools, a real bonus for maintenance engineers.

Moduflex 80 lubricators are designed to provide constant density lubrication, and feature a large oil reservoir together with fingertip ratchet control for precise oil-rate adjustment.

With a rolling diaphragm and a balanced valve design, regulators in the range are available with secondary pressure ranges of 2, 4, 8 and 16 bar.

Options include padlockable and tamper-proofing kits.

Condensate cleaners take oil from compressed air

2006-12-14T02:27:00.000-08:00

A range of condensate cleaners (oil/water separators) is available from Condensate Systems. The Sepura - has been designed specifically to remove oil from condensate extracted from compressed air systems and uses a unique depressurization element instead of a weir to remove the bulk of the oil. Available in three sizes to suit compressed air systems up to1250m3/h (750ft3/min), up to four units can be install using the optional manifold system allowing condensate treatment of compressors up to 5000m3/h(3000ft3/min).

The Sepura range offers many benefits over conventional systems and is sold with a'100% money back' guarantee.

The Sepura, if sized correctly, is suitable for any compressed air system using any types of compressor, drains and lubricants including poly-glycols and synthetics.

The Sepura range is the most competitively priced condensate cleaner currently available and costs less to maintain than other types of separators.

Use HSS or cobalt cutting tools for NF metals

2006-12-13T01:48:00.001-08:00

Choose high speed steel or cobalt cutting tools for shorter production runs in non-ferrous materials and applications where machining conditions restrict the use of harder, more brittle substrates. These tools exhibit lower wear resistance and notably less heat resistance than carbide cutting tools. The maximum working hardness of high speed steel is 65 HRC.

These types of saws, drills and other cutters are not recommended for applications involving hard or abrasive materials, or high cutting speeds

Routers give clean finish in abrasive materials

2006-12-12T01:47:00.000-08:00

Routers give clean finish in abrasive materials Straight two flute professional router cutters give a clean finish in abrasive materials such as chipboard, MDF, plywood, hardwoods and hard plastics. TCT Tungsten carbide tipped Cutters can be used for abrasive materials such as chipboard, MDF, plywood, hardwoods and hard plastics. Two flutes give a clean finish to the cut edges.

All cutters are suitable for plunge routers unless stated.

Shoulder milling at the next level

2006-12-11T01:46:00.000-08:00

Shoulder milling cutters have often been the workhorse of milling, especially when difficult to machine material is being cut. Now, with the introduction of the MaxiMill 211 series, Ceratizit has taken this classic cutter design and moved the square shoulder mill to the next level of high productivity. A key element of MaxiMill success is the versatility of the range, being able to machine slots, peripheral or face milling, trachoidal groove milling or shoulder millling.

Whatever the application, an appropriate tool is available.

The patented insert design is available in Ceratizit's Hypercoat grades of carbide, with a choice of CVD or PVD coatings to deliver optimum performance in the widest range of materials, including steel, cast iron, stainless steel or even heat resistant steels.

Assisting in this productivity drive are the individual chipbreakers, each designed for a specific material group.

These new inserts are designed to provide definite advantages over the commonly used APKT style inserts Ceratizit has also invested heavily in the cutter body design of the MaxiMill 211 range.

Most noticeable is the nickel coating that is a feature on all cutter bodies.

As well as being aesthetically pleasing, this coating plays an important role in extending the tool life of the cutter body.

In regard to insert security Ceratizit has decided to employ the Torx Plus system of insert retention screws.

As well as contributing to insert positional accuracy, Torx Plus is much more robust than the standard Torx screw.

This ensures longer life and a more secure clamping action.

Continuing this theme the insert seat has been designed to deliver much greater insert security and chip evacuation.

The resulting combination of insert design and location has resulted in a cutting action that closely reflects that of a solid carbide cutter, delivering an extremely smooth and quiet cutting action even under arduous cutting conditions.

One other development that has also played its part in allowing MaxiMill to reduce noise and vibration under cut is the introduction of a 'notch' on the insert's end face.

This notch is extremely advantageous when ramping or plunging as it ensures that the cutter cannot be deflected from its position.

This is of great value to users of machines with smaller/lighter spindles.

'In developing MaxiMill 211 we have invested heavily in the design of insert and cutter body, ' says Conan Jackson, Ceratizit's UK Sales Manager.

Distinct advantages for sliding head users

2006-12-10T01:45:00.000-08:00

The introduction by WNT of the System 3000 series of turning, grooving and parting tools dramatically extends the range of tools available for sliding head lathes. With shank sizes ranging from 8 mm square to 20 mm square, System 3000 is suitable for machining bar up to 32 mm diameter in applications ranging from parting off, front turning, back turning, grooving, side turning and threading. Insert location and security were major influences in the design process and the resultant insert pocket and clamping mechanism ensures reliable and repeatable clamping.

This is due in part to the unique axial insert location with a defined stop and the use of a two screw clamping system.

For even greater ease of use WNT offers its 'combined' style of toolholder; these holders feature a threaded bush system to allow the insert to be clamped through the toolholder - A facility that has advantages when the tool is mounted, facing away from the operator.

Furthermore, the design of the toolholder ensures that there are no shear forces in action and the insert maintains its vertical orientation thanks to the large location face.

Edge security is optimised however, should the first cutting edge be damaged, the second edge can always be used due to the insert design.

More service and support for cutter customers

2006-12-09T01:44:00.000-08:00

To further extend the level of service and support for its customers in the UK and Ireland WNT (UK) has recruited eight new technical sales engineers and created four new sales areas to accommodate them. 'We constantly monitor and review our service levels, responding where required to the feedback we get from the regular customer satisfaction surveys we carry out. These new recruits and the associated sales areas are a result of that process,' said Glenn Stanton, WNT (UK)'s sales manager UK and Ireland.

'These new areas are Southern Ireland, Essex/Hertfordshire, along the south coast from Bournemouth to Brighton and the East Midlands.

We already had coverage in these areas but the increase in business demanded that we split the existing territories and further expand our sales team.' The new technical sales engineers are: Jerry Warren, Southern Ireland; Colin Thomson, Essex/Hertfordshire, Phillip Smith, south coast between Bournemouth and Brighton; Simon Cotton, East Midlands; Darren Steer, South West; Iain McEwan, Scotland; Robert Buxton, North East and Paul Griffiths, West Midlands.

WNT (UK)'s external sales team now stands at 27-strong and is supported by an extensive internal sales and support team based at its recently expanded Sheffield office and distribution centre

End mills machine graphites, matrices and Kevlar

2006-12-08T01:44:00.000-08:00

Highlighting its expertise in the Motorsport industry, ITC cutting tools of Tamworth, UK, will be exhibiting at the autosport show at the Birmingham NEC in January 2007. On stand E479 ITC will exhibit a number of new products that have been successfully implemented in the Motorsport industry. Among the complete range of tooling solutions on offer, ITC will be showing the recently launched 2111, 2102 and the 4081 series of end mills.

An addition to the extremely popular Cyber Series of ITC cutting tools, the cutters are ideal for machining graphite, metal matrix, composites, Kevlar, carbon fibre and additional abrasive materials that are commonly used in the Motorsport industry.

Already comprehensively used with many of the F1 Teams, the 2111 series is a high performance two flute PCD end mill with a solid carbide shank and necking for extra reach.

Each cutter in the range has a length of cut that matches its diameter and a corner radius that sees both attributes combine to provide exceptional strength and rigidity when machining.

Available in 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 20mm diameters, the new range guarantees long tool life and high productivity.

Also commonly used with a string of top F1 Teams is the 2102 series of PCD ball nosed end mills.

Similar to the 2111, the 2102 Series has a solid carbide shank with PCD brazed tips for enhanced tool life and productivity when machining carbon fibres as used by racing teams.

The solid shank guarantees rigidity under difficult cutting conditions whilst the PCD tips demonstrate tool life beyond that of its competitors.

In the rapid response motorsport industry, the availability of these cutting tools from stock is a major advantage to the end user.

Another product that will be of specific interest to Autosport visitors will be the 4081 series of AlTin coated four flute solid carbide end mills.

This new cutter has a harmonic flute geometry that provides excellent swarf evacuation.

The result of extensive research and development, this single, square end straight shank with right hand helix cutter has a radical unequal flute spacing that reduces machining noise by eliminating the harmonic effect.

Available with or without corner radius, this standard length, centre cutting series can efficiently machine a wide variety of difficult to cut motorsport alloys.

The 4081 series is available in a diameter range from 3 to 32mm with a length of cut ranging from 9 to 60mm.

This addition to the Cyber Series has an overall length from 58 to 160mm with either a square end or a radius up to 4mm dependant upon the selected diameter.

For the machining of graphite and other abrasive materials commonly used in the industry will be the 2071 and 2072 series plus the new 2101 and 2092 series of two flute cutters with a 30 deg helix plus the 4072 series of four flute diamond coated cutters.

The wear resistant micro grain carbide end mills have a 30 deg helix for highly productive cost effective machining.

ITC will also exhibit the exciting new range of Hanita and Metal Removal Products.

With the exception of Hanita products, all cutting tools are manufactured at ITC's state of the art grinding shop in Tamworth.

Company director Peter Graves believes the facility is probably the best equipped in the UK.

ITC operates a workshop that boasts a host of new CNC grinding machines from acknowledged World leaders such as Walter, Schneeberger, Deckel, Rollomatic, and Anca.

ZOX coated end mills up aluminium cutting speeds

2006-12-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

ZOX coated end mills up aluminium cutting speeds Zirconium nitrogen oxide coated cuttings tools overcome 'sticky' swarf removal and will increase surface finish quality and speed of machining aluminium. A new generation of end mills incorporating a ZOX coating will significantly reduce the machining times of aluminium materials. The zirconium nitrogen oxide ZOX coating is titanium-free and is featured on milling tools within the Garant HPC premium brand range in the 2006/7 Hoffmann Group-Perschmann tooling catalogue.

A particular challenge when machining aluminium is the reliable removal of the sticky swarf generated, as any build up has an adverse influence on surface finish and cutting speed.

The ZOX coating minimises the coefficient of friction at the cutting face and guarantees efficient evacuation of machining chips.

Garant tools incorporating the coating also have large flutes that are polished as well as specially designed hollows that optimise the process of swarf removal.

ZOX coated cutting tools are particularly well suited to machining aluminium workpieces where a high surface finish quality is required.

As the coating is free of titanium, the tools also meet aerospace industry requirements for the contamination-free machining of aluminium alloys.

'In practical tests, the tools with ZOX coating have performed better than previous tools in all respects,' said Robert Riesinger, application technician at the Hoffmann Group.

A solid carbide roughing end mill was used to machine AICuMg2 aluminium alloy at a cutting speed of 1,130m/min, at a feed rate of 0.224mm and a depth of cut of 20mm.

'The results demonstrate that users will benefit from reduced machining times and production costs along with the bonus of improved surface finish,' concluded Riesinger.

In its 37th tool catalogue issued on 1st August 2006, Hoffmann offers seven different solid carbide HPC end mills with ZOX coatings.

The range includes two-tooth solid carbide micro slot drills, two-tooth micro torus cutters, two-tooth micro full radius ball-nosed slot drills, three-and four-tooth roughing end mills without knuckle profile, six and eight-tooth end mills and a variety of two-tooth micro ball-nosed slot drills.

Looking ahead, the success of the ZOX coated tools points towards an extension of the product range.

HPC, solid carbide, end mills see successful year

2006-12-06T01:41:00.000-08:00

WNT's range of HPC, solid carbide, end mills are proving to be a success following their introduction earlier in 2006. Designed to benefit end-users with increased metal removal rates and, therefore, enhanced productivity, the HPC range is delivering major improvements in cycle times and tool-life thanks to its variable pitch geometry, that reduces natural harmonics; the use of extremely tough sub-micron grain carbide; and the development by WNT of its chromium-based Ti 1010 coating with an HV hardness of 3600. The results are cutting speeds up to 250m/min and feedrates up to 0.55mm/tooth when cutting steel.

In addition, the use of HPC cutters also leads to extended tool-life thanks, in part, to the reduced harmonics generated by the variable pitch geometry and innovative flute design that allows high swarf removal rates even at large depths of cut and elevated spindle speeds.

These features also help to reduce the noise generated under the harshest of machining conditions.

In one particular example a customer machining inconel 625 saw a reduction in cycle time equivalent to 62%, generating an annual time saving valued at GBP6500.00.

The increase in tool-life saw the number of components per cutter increase by an amazing 142%, generating a further annual saving of GBP1334.62.

These figures are proving to be fairly common across the user-base of HPC cutters.

The HPC range has cutters suitable for rough and finish machining the following features: grooves from solid material, peripheral milling, pocketing, ramping and helical milling in steels and cast irons; 'HPC has been a real success story for WNT this year.

Solid carbide cutters mill aluminium faster

2006-12-05T01:41:00.000-08:00

Solid carbide cutters mill aluminium faster solid carbide cutters - 3-20mm diameter - deliver much higher cutting speeds and feeds for machining aluminium than conventional cutters. The latest addition to the WNT solid carbide milling cutter range is proving to be extremely advantageous to those companies machining aluminium and other non-ferrous materials. The 93033 series cutters range in size from 3mm to 20mm diameter and feature a single grind geometry with no relief angle.

This provides a very sharp, stable cutting edge, delivering much higher cutting speeds and feeds than conventional cutters.

The improved performance is also helped by the specially designed geometry and helix angle, which enhances swarf evacuation.

Machining of full slots is a particular 'forte' of these cutters, thanks to the extremely strong core.

Full slot milling up to 1.5 x diameter is a straightforward process.

In real life cutting trials WNT (UK) is reporting increases in cutting speeds of 25% and feedrates increased by a massive 250%.

The result at this particular customer was a reduction in cycle time from 13 min down to 4 min, a phenomenal 225% improvement.

This same cutter was still performing at this rate two weeks after first being put on the machine.

'We are exceptionally pleased with the results that our customers are achieving with these solid carbide end mills,' said WNT (UK) managing director Tony Pennington.