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Quality Control

Guided by mirrors

09/01/2012
Author:
Alan Richter
One of the Look Ahead items in the September issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine features a robotic fiber laser machine without a working optical fiber in which the laser beam is integrated in the robot.
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A sound system

10/01/2012
Author:
Alan Richter
A second item in the Look Ahead section of the October 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine covers an automatic, scalable component-testing system that combines acoustic and functional testing.
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VS 101 Camera System

VS 101 Camera System
Schaumburg-based Heidenhain recently introduced the VS 101 camera system as a new feature of its flagship TNC 640 mill-turn machine in order to automatically monitor the setup situation and machining result, according to a a company news release.

A special electrical cabinet that lets users connect sensors to gather machine data

03/01/2016
Author:
William Leventon
Networking option: Could the introduction of a small electrical cabinet turn out to be a big step toward more widespread implementation of the Industrial Internet of Things? This special electrical cabinet, called the SmartBox, was developed by machine tool builder Mazak Corp., working in collaboration with networking equipment provider Cisco Systems Inc. The SmartBox is designed to overcome concerns about complexity and security that have led to resistance to connecting machine tools to a plantwide network.
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Testing, testing ...

03/01/2016
Author:
Evan Jones Thorne
How often should a metalworking fluid be tested? It depends. Metalworking fluid is used in most machine shops, because it aids in evacuating chips and cooling and lubricating the tool/workpiece interface. To optimize fluid performance, it must be maintained, which is done by testing a fluid for performance and chemistry. 
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Controlling the process

03/01/2016
Author:
Christopher Tate
Careful consideration when implementing inspection processes yields efficiencies. Manufacturers continually search for ways to increase profits and reduce costs. Trying to find cost savings where chips are made makes sense and is usually where the most-significant improvements are found. However, efficiency gains can also be made in nonvalue-adding areas, like inspection.
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GTI PowerReader

GTI Predictive Technology, Manchester, N.H., today announced the immediate availability of GTI PowerReader, the latest tool in the GTI Predictive Technology Tool Box. The GTI PowerReader allows users to optimize machine cycles to help increase output and avoid new capital equipment purchases, according to a GTI Predictive Technology news release.

Now hear this

Acoustic emission (AE) sensors detect ultrasonic sound waves emitted when the grinding wheel contacts a part or the dressing wheel and send that information to a process control unit. Monitoring the sound waves and comparing them with reference values allows operators to control the grinding and dressing processes. Variations in acoustic emissions indicate changes in cutting forces, which can then be modified. Some AE sensors are stationary while others rotate with the wheels. Electronic filters reduce or eliminate acoustic emissions from other nearby devices, such as bearings.