Medical & Healthcare

In a recent blog post, Joshua Jablons, president of Metal Cutting Corp., Cedar Grove, N.J., discussed a topic that leaves many machinists scratching their heads: What is the proper way to measure feature concentricity on a round workpiece?

As machine tools become increasingly complex and the need to produce parts in less time grows, CNC lathe owners and managers must look to the latest technologies if they're to improve shop floor efficiency. Isn't it ironic then that one of the most productive of these solutions is far from new—in fact, it's been a champion in the war on machine tool downtime for nearly three decades. It's called KMTM Quick Change Tooling, and whether it's an old friend, a complete stranger, or an acquaintance you met briefly and discounted, it's time to take a long hard look at what it can do for your bottom line.

Heule Tool Corp., Cincinnati, has launched a new website at www.heuletool.com designed to provide a more user-friendly experience with improved mobile-responsive navigation and functionality throughout.

Heidenhain Corp., Schaumburg, Ill., which manufactures encoders, digital readouts and numerical controls, acquired AMO Corp., an Austrian specialty encoder company.

BIG KAISER announces its HDC Straight Shank holder to the market, used for increased versatility. The slim design provides superior balance, concentricity and is suitable for reaching into confined areas.

Seco Tools has introduced a cutting tool product line specifically designed for machining medical knee implants. The new Jabro medical range of solid-carbide cutters are suitable for high-speed machining and other aggressive milling strategies that can shorten knee implant cycle times by as much as 50 percent.

The history of robots combines the best of science fiction and real life technology. From Isaac Asimov to modern industrial robots, keep reading to explore the fascinating history of robotics.

Mazak's versatile VARIAXIS i-300 simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining center is now even more flexible and efficient with the addition of a high-capacity auto work changer (AWC). Designed for automated small- to medium-size part-processing operations, the new VARIAXIS i-300 AWC is suitable for machining aluminum and other nonferrous metals for a variety of industries, including aerospace, medical and automotive.

Amada Miyachi America Inc. announces that its state-of-the-art Series 300 electronic weld head offers the precisely controlled weld force profile suitable for miniature parts welding. Originally released more than 20 years ago, there are more than 1,000 Series 300 electronic weld heads in use all over the world, with more than half going into operation in the last decade.

Machine enclosures from Hennig Inc. are designed to protect operators from injury and valuable machinery from the environment. The company's engineers work closely with customers so that their enclosure fits all the requirements for an application (i.e, ventilation, power inlets, conveyor openings).

In connection with the abrasive waterjet machining article scheduled for our March issue, I spoke with Jim Draper, owner of Rocky Mountain Waterjet, Greeley, Colo., who said when a parts manufacturer finds that waterjetting is a suitable process for a part or family of parts, the decision to outsource that work to a waterjet job shop or buy a waterjet machine for in-house production depends on the part quantity.

Gear Motions Inc., Syracuse, N.Y., is partnering with Southeast Industrial Solutions, Atlanta.