IMTS Preview: Metalworking products

STOCK MODELS.

CNC Software Inc. says its Mastercam X6 CAM software can create accurate, fully associative stock models. According to the company, a precise machining stock model provides numerous benefits, including viewing and verifying work as it progresses, performing stock model comparisons and easily choosing existing stock for rest machining. The CAM software enables users to create stock models at any point in the machining process.

CNC Software Inc.
Booth: E-3340.

DEBURRING MACHINE.

Earth-Chain Inc.’s sPINner machine deburrs batches of small parts made of nonmagnetic materials, such as titanium, aluminum and brass. Parts are automatically demagnetized at the end of the deburring cycle, so residual magnetism is reportedly not an issue. The machine removes light burrs and whiskers without changing part dimensions or adding ferrous material to part surfaces. The stainless steel pin media can access threads, slots, cross-holes and blind-holes.

Earth-Chain Inc.
Booth: W-1732.

CABLE CARRIER.

igus Inc. developed a compact cable carrier system that can turn through 3,000° in minimal space. The TwisterBand TB30 guides energy, data and media with little wear. At high rotating speeds, the cable carrier stays close to the axis. Applications for the slim, circular chain system are mainly in robotics, test jigs and lifting and assembly equipment.

igus Inc.
Booth: E-5610.

MACHINE SIMULATION.

CGTech’s Version 7.2 of its Vericut CNC machine simulation, verification and optimization software includes enhancements to the user interface to simplify common user actions. The software eliminates manual prove-out of NC programs and reduces scrap and rework, according to the company. A new feature optimizes a program from a saved simulation. Users can adjust and re-optimize without rerunning the simulation.

CGTech
Booth: E-3346.

DIGITAL LASER SCANNER.

Nikon Metrology Inc. says its LC15Dx digital laser scanner is an alternative to a tactile probe for many coordinate measuring machine applications, including molds, small turbine blades and medical devices. The LC15Dx achieves a probing accuracy of 2.5µm and a multiple-stylus test accuracy of 6µm in tests comparable to EN/10360-2 and -5. A thermal stabilizer inside the scanner body eliminates the uncertainty and delay caused when scanning before operating temperature is reached, according to the company.

Nikon Metrology Inc.
Booth: E-5371.

VALVE SEAT INSPECTION.

The VSM/SIKO valve seat inspection system from Euro-Tech Corp. is for measuring cylinder heads in automobiles, small engines, off-road vehicles, motorcycles and diesel engines. The VSM is a manual gage and uses mandrels armed with inductive built-in transducers. The VSM consists of a mandrel, joint coupling, hollow shaft and driving component.

Euro-Tech Corp.
Booth: W-2453.

WIRELESS BALL BAR.

The QC20-W ball bar from Renishaw features a company-developed linear sensor and Bluetooth wireless technology, allowing testing in “closed-door” manufacturing settings, where access for wiring can raise safety and procedural issues. The device enables testing in three orthogonal planes through a single reference point. A single hardware setup means quicker testing and the ability to produce a representative volumetric measurement of positioning accuracy.

Renishaw Booths: E-5530, N-650.

NONCONTACT LASER MEASUREMENT.

Beta LaserMike’s BenchMike tabletop laser measurement device does not touch a part, eliminating part distortion and operator influence that can impact measurements. The instrument can measure diameters, multiple ODs, TIR, taper and part position. Four models are available, providing a measurement range from 0.001 " to 2.0 ". Linearity is as low as ±0.000020 ".

Beta LaserMike
Booth: E-5326.

WIRELESS MEASUREMENT COLLECTION.

MobileCollect from MicroRidge Systems Inc. wirelessly collects measurements from hand-held gages using “mobile modules” that attach to the gage or fixture and then send those measurements to a PC. The technology is ideal for applications with heavy radio frequencies, significant machinery, robots and electrical noise, the company reports. Transmitter and receiver options fit individual gaging and measurement collection requirements.

MicroRidge Systems Inc.
Booth: E-5552.

CAROUSEL DISPENSING.

CribMaster says its ProStock carousel dispensing system provides flexible sizes, on-site reconfigurability and high capacity in a small footprint. It keeps the necessary production tooling next to the machine and automates replenishment with direct communication to distributors. The unit measures 82 " tall × 34 " wide × 34.75 " deep and weighs 625 lbs. unstocked.

CribMaster
Booth: W-1446.

AUTOMATIC FORM MEASUREMENT.

Hommel-Etamic America Corp.’s F435 and F455 systems automatically measure geometric tolerances, surface roughness and straightness in one setup. According to the company, an advanced probe permits roughness and waviness inspections along with form and position tolerance measurements via a simple adjustment on the rotary control, significantly enhancing productivity. The system is for workpieces up to 430mm in diameter and weighing up to 40 kg.

Hommel-Etamic America Corp.
Booth: E-5545.

MIST COLLECTORS.

The Darwin centrifugal mist collectors from Losma Inc. offer throughputs from 353 to 1,767 cfm. The collectors are reportedly suitable for all types of machine tools. During operation, centrifugal force pushes oil mists through an annular filter medium. Collected oil is then sent back to the machine through a drainage pipe. Three designs are available for air that contains soluble mists and heavy particulate, soluble mists, and neat soluble mists and vapors.

Losma Inc.
Booth: E-5718.

ACTUATORS.

Rollon USA’s Acturatorline actuators are available in belt- and screw-driven models. The actuators are for a variety of OEM machinery applications, including robotic handling systems, conveyors and packaging machines, semiconductor equipment, lab automation and life sciences platforms, machine tools and machine accessories, and part-transfer and assembly lines.

Rollon USA
Booth: E-4351.

MACHINE SIMULATION.

Spring Technologies Inc.’s NCIMUL 8.9 software is for simulating, verifying, optimizing and reviewing CNC machining programs. Three-dimensional graphics help users avoid machine crashes while algorithms and embedded, process-based know-how optimize cutting conditions. To verify part programs, the software investigates and corrects coding errors, simulates to locate and correct motion errors and validates the program.

Spring Technologies Inc.
Booth: E-3267.

METAL PLATING.

Incertec’s capabilities include precious, semiprecious and alloy metal plating; metalizing plastics; custom masking; and advanced testing methods. The company serves the aerospace, medical, military, automotive and electronics industries. Its processes use advanced recycling and water treatment systems.

Incertec
Booth: N-6270.

FIRE DETECTION, SUPPRESSION.

Firetrace International offers automatic fire detection and suppression systems for CNC machines and EDMs. The systems are for extinguishing machine fires sparked by oil-based metalworking fluids, coolants and lubricants. The systems are compatible with most extinguishing agents, including nontoxic, nonconductive and noncorrosive ones. The agents leave no residue on machines or workpieces and will not contaminate lubricating oils or fluids, the company reports.

Firetrace International
Booth: E-5387.

BELT CONVEYORS.

MunchMan hinged steel belt conveyors from Jorgensen Conveyors Inc. transport heavy chip loads generated during machining. They employ a stocked conveyor arrangement at the lower curve and through the incline and system chip discharge. As the chips go through the transition at the lower curve, they are sucked in and pinched between two moving belts through the incline and discharge area. Chips are effectively compressed and trapped until forced off the discharge end of the conveyor.

Jorgensen Conveyors Inc
Booth: E-5724.

MOTOR STARTER.

LQ Mechatronik-Systeme GmbH’s A-TEC motor starter for control cabinets can be integrated into existing wiring schemes and machine layouts. This is because of its clear input, output and software interfaces, according to the company. To install it, users must have an ASi-bus or ASi-gateway for overall control. In this way, the power and data reach the motor starter module via the standard input interface. The ASi communications interface is housed inside the module mounting.

LQ Mechatronik-Systeme GmbH
Booth: E-4020.

Programming SOFTWARE.

Version 2013 of PartMaker software from PartMaker Inc. is for programming CNC mills, lathes, wire EDMs, turn/mill machines and Swiss-style machines. The software has a revamped surface machining module for simultaneous 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling. The module enables use of the Vortex area-clearance strategy to gain the maximum benefit from a solid-carbide tool, in particular using the full flute length as the cutting surface, according to the company.

PartMaker Inc.
Booth: E-3222.

SAFETY SWITCH MATS.

Tapeswitch Corp.’s safety switch mats, used to guard machines, provide millions of actuations at any point and are fail-safe protected. The safety mat is a simple, normally open switch. When a specified minimum weight is applied to the safety mat, the switch closes and a stop signal is sent to the guarded machine. Standard actuation forces range from 22 lbs. (100 nominal) to 66 lbs. (300 nominal). Custom products can be ordered.

Tapeswitch Corp.
Booth: E-5814.

GUSSET MAGNETS.

Gusset magnets from Strong Hand Tools align, locate and hold steel gussets, base plates and steel panels against a steel frame or substructure when assembling, tacking and welding. Four rare-earth disc magnets embedded in the faceplate hold steel panels with direct, even clamping pressure. Three positioning pins on the faceplate act as a guide for quick alignment and positioning of the gusset magnet.

Strong Hand Tools
Booth: N-6276.

LIFT MODULE.

Kardex Remstar LLC’s Shuttle XP vertical lift module delivers parts to the operator at an ergonomic height. The system is comprised of two large sections of racking with an extractor that runs up the center to store trays in the racking and deliver them to an access opening at the operator’s request. Maximum tray capacity is 1,598 lbs. (246,550 lbs. per system).

Kardex Remstar LLC
Booth: W-1617.

SURFACE EVALUATION.

Mahr Federal Inc.’s MarSurf M 400 skidless surface gage has motorized probe-height adjustment that automatically zeros the probe in seconds. It features a magnetic, breakaway probe mounting system, which protects sensitive probes from accidental damage and facilitates fast probe changes. 

Mahr Federal Inc.
Booth: E-5242.

TOUCH PROBE.

Marposs Corp.’s Mida VOS optical touch probe system is for use on large 3- and 5-axis machining centers. The system consists of a receiver with integrated interface and a transmitter unit that is compatible with Mida touch-trigger probes. Mida VOS permits up to four transmitter/probe units to be used in an application with only one receiver, enabling multiple-channel operation. 

Marposs Corp.
Booth: E-5519.

MACHINE LUBRICANT.

Creative CNC LLC’s Metaflux Gleitmetall is a lubricant for machine tools. It contains titanium, which reduces vibration noise and prevents seizing, wear and corrosion, but doesn’t contain nickel or copper so there is no possibility of electrolyte formation, according to the company. The lubricant is abrasion-resistant, nonflaking and temperature-resistant from -180° to 1,350° C.

Creative CNC LLC
Booth: E-4195.

CAM SOFTWARE.

SURFCAM 6 CAM software from Surfware Inc. has an updated interface, new tools and a material database engine. It also has a redesigned help system, four new toolpath strategies, updated CAD translators, new productivity utilities and updated digitizer interfaces. The 64-bit version offers faster and improved verification technology, according to the company. The software includes new versions of editNC and SDNC.

Surfware Inc.
Booth: E-3320.

MULTITASK MACHINING SOFTWARE.

GibbsCAM multitask machining programming software from Gibbs and Associates helps end users use the full capabilities of multitask machines. The software’s easy-to-learn and use interface walks users through complex part programming, such as for multiple spindles and turrets cutting multiple parts simultaneously, according to the company. Graphics enable users to reportedly see an accurate simulation of the part being machined.

Gibbs and Associates
Booth: E-3310.

BELT CONVEYORS.

Jorgensen Conveyors Inc.’s MunchMan hinged steel belt conveyors handle heavy chip loads, including large stringy chips and balls of chips. The conveyors employ a stacked arrangement at the lower curve and through the incline and chip discharge to compress, or “munch,” the chips and reduce material handling costs, the company reports. The company can design a conveyor to fit most CNC lathes and machining centers.

Jorgensen Conveyors Inc.
Booth: E-5724.

BENCHTOP COMPARATOR.

Certified Comparator Products’ CC-V Video Contour Projector incorporates large-field-of-view optics into a horizontal benchtop comparator to enhance versatility. The comparator has a digital zoom camera and advanced image processing for automatic operation.

Certified Comparator Products
Booth: E-5602.

COOLANT FILTRATION.

The HPF-100 (Hydrostatic Paper Filter) and HPF-500 coolant filtration systems from Mayfran International reportedly utilize a unique side-sealing method to prevent chip and particulate bypass. The automatic systems provide a clean and continuous supply of coolant to a machine tool without downtime, according to the company.

Mayfran International
Booth: E-5072.

CONTROL CABLES.

Helukabel USA Inc.’s JZ 603 and JZ 603-CY control cables are oil-resistant, flame-retardant and suitable for medium mechanical stresses with free movements in dry, damp or wet indoor environments. The control cables have received five global certifications: UL (U.S.), HAR (Europe), CSA (Canada), CCC (China) and GOST-R (Russia).

Helukabel USA Inc.
Booth: E-4256.

TOOL DATA MANAGEMENT.

ParleVision PGC Plus software from Parlec Inc. shows how users can manage tool data in a shop environment. The company also offers new tools and technologies for MTConnect, high-speed machining, submicron tool inspection, RFID data transfer and CAM integration.

Parlec Inc.
Booth: W-2300. 

VIBRATION ANALYSIS APPS.

GTI Spindle Technology offers the iPad vibration analysis system with VibePro and VibeTrend apps. VibePro collects and analyzes machine vibration signals, allowing a user to take readings and leverage the iPad platform. VibeTrend stores and graphs overall RMS vibration amplitude levels for condition-based maintenance. Users can view vibration amplitude levels in acceleration (g) and velocity (ips) through a free DropBox account.

GTI Spindle Technology
Booth: N-7317.

MACHINING MATH CALCULATOR.

Calculated Industries’ Model 4087 Machinist Calc Pro is an advanced machining math calculator. Model 4089 is an international version that defaults to metric drill and thread sizes. Both versions allow users to choose the default setting as U.S./imperial or metric. Functions include right-triangle and trigonometric solutions, bolt-pattern hole layouts, drill and thread size tables, wire size measurements and machining parameters.

Calculated Industries
Booth: E-5413.

RETRACTABLE MAGNET.

Master Magnetics Inc. offers a retractable and flexible magnet for retrieving metal parts from hard-to-access tight spaces, such as engine compartments, behind heavy equipment and down drains. The tool, which uses a neodymium magnet, has shielded sides so it won’t be attracted to metal surroundings until activated. The 23 "-long shaft can snake through confined areas and holds its shape, the company reports.

Master Magnetics Inc.
Booth: W-2088.

OPTICAL METROLOGY DEVICE.

The Cognitens WLS400A from Hexagon Metrology is a 3-D optical measurement product that can transform a robot into a metrology device. The light-based system accurately measures large components, analyzes early root causes of potential assembly problems and lowers scrap costs during assembly ramp-up, according to the company. The system uses digital stereovision technology to generate accurate 3-D data in vibration-prone shop environments.

Hexagon Metrology
Booth: E-5202.

SCRAPER CONVEYOR.

Jorgensen Conveyors Inc.’s Wedgewire drag flight scraper conveyor separates chips and fines from coolant, enabling clean coolant to pass through the conveyor into a machine’s coolant tank. Chips and fines fall to the bottom of the conveyor or are brushed off the top of the filter cell. The conveyor can filter particles as small as 150µm.

Jorgensen Conveyors Inc.
Booth: E-5724.

VENDING MACHINE.

IMC Supply’s industrial vending system connects to the Internet to automatically collect data. The online reporting suite covers product replenishment, usage, on-hand inventory and receipts. It holds up to 60 different SKUs. Users can run multiple units with one computing station. There are no software upgrade charges for the system, the company reports.

IMC Supply
Booth: W-1165.

DIGITAL MEASURING MACHINE.

The QVI SNAP from RAM Optical Instrumentation is a benchtop digital measuring machine. It can measure any 2-D part placed within its field of view, according to the company. It features a large-depth-of-field telecentric lens system, megapixel camera with digital zoom and Measure-X 2-D metrology software.

RAM Optical Instrumentation
Booth: E-5602.

COATING EQUIPMENT.

Platit Inc. says its PVD coating machines, such as the π311, enable a company to bring coating expertise in-house and become a coating profit center by offering “standard” coatings, such as AlTiN. The environmentally friendly machines optimize coating properties, have a short technical learning curve and minimize tool damage via reduced handling, according to the company.

Platit Inc.
Booth: W-1680.

GRINDING FLUIDS.

Grinding fluids from oelheld U.S. include special additives from the company’s laboratories to reportedly increase versatility and quality. New formulated solutions enhance accuracy and cooling when high-speed grinding, the company reports.

oelheld U.S.
Booth: N-6668.

STRINGER BEAD BRUSHES.

Osborn International offers refined TY-encapsulated stringer bead brushes. According to the company, it developed the brushes in conjunction with offshore pipeline companies to quickly and effectively clean J-weld joints. The narrow-face, aggressive knots used to make the TY-encapsulated wheel brushes have been refined with improved elastomers and are reportedly ideal for cleaning stringer bead welds.

Osborn International
Booth: N-7436.

SPEEDS AND FEEDS CALCULATOR.

To make it easier to determine appropriate speeds and feeds, CGC Tools Inc. says it modified its speeds and feeds calculator to select the workpiece material first. Then, users choose the milling method, DOC, tool and tool diameter. The calculator has a reset button to determine the speeds and feeds for as many tools as desired.

CGC Tools Inc.
Booth: W-1948.

CUTTING TOOL VENDING.

With Fastenal’s FAST Solutions program, a user’s local Fastenal store provides the vending machines, keeps them filled via an automated ordering system and only charges for dispensed items. This means there is no capital expense, inventory carrying costs or labor required to manage inventory and refill the machines, which offer Web-based reporting capabilities. Compact, point-of-use units dispense individual inserts and round tools, and all-purpose cutting tool and MRO machines are available.

Fastenal
Booth: W-1154.

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION EQUIPMENT.

Sanborn Technologies’ centrifugal filtration systems remove swarf, sludge and tramp oil from metalworking fluids. The equipment is suitable for use at machine tools, in central systems and at end-of-pipe plant waste streams. The product line includes the new LiquaPac HS2, which produces dry solids because of its unique bowl design and high rotational speeds.

Sanborn Technologies
Booth: N-7538.

MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE.

FORCAM’s Factory Framework manufacturing execution system software is a shop-floor management technology that provides results-oriented performance measurement and benchmarking. It connects, collects and standardizes real-time data from heterogeneous machine controls. The software then delivers Web-based reports on the operating conditions of machines and systems.

FORCAM
Booth: E-4481.

SCHEDULING SOFTWARE.

JobPack Inc.’s Master Scheduler software provides a closed-loop production scheduling system that enables dynamic response to changes in work orders and resource availability. The software automatically schedules production jobs to maximize available machine capacity, personnel and other resources based on delivery dates.

JobPack Inc.
Booth: E-3240.

MAGNETIC CONVEYORS.

Magnetic Products Inc.’s beltless magnetic conveyors are for controlling ferrous metal materials, such as stampings, chips, fasteners and scrap. To move material, permanent magnets are conveyed below a nonmagnetic stainless steel slider bed. The liquid-tight, sealed conveyor housing can be submerged in machine coolant reservoir tanks, the company reports.

Magnetic Products Inc.
Booth: E-5804.