Medical & Healthcare

Lasers are good for far more than slicing sheet metal and defending against alien space invaders. Without them, many of today's high-tech products would be impossible to manufacture. Microfluidic devices, integrated circuits, medical stents and catheters, automotive fuel injector nozzles are all drilled, milled, surface-textured and ablated via laser micromachining.

Ever machined parts so small that they not only fit on a penny but can sit on old Abe's nose? Cutting parts and part features in this Tom Thumb world often comes with Titanic-sized challenges, such as unexpected cutting tool breakage, deburring parts the size of typical burrs and machine tool spindles speeds that come up short.

The HAINBUCH SPANNTOP high-precision workholding system offers users the option of converting the basic chuck for OD, ID and 3-jaw clamping operations with a change-over time of 2 minutes or less. Equally important, in each mode, the chuck delivers proven performance and high repeatability, according to the company.

GF Machining Solutions, , will purchase micromanufacturing machine builder Microlution Inc., Chicago, according to a comany news release issued May 11. Described as a specialist of micro-machining based on milling and laser technologies, Microlution was founded in 2005 and reportedly generated $10 million in 2015 with a workforce of 30 employees.

Okuma's MULTUS U series general-purpose multitask CNC lathes are designed to reduce setup time, improve accuracy and keep noncutting time to a minimum. Built with Okuma's heavy-duty construction, the MULTUS U series lathes provide a sturdy platform for long-term rigidity and accuracy.

Doug Wetzel, managing director at contract manufacturer Protomatic, Dexter, Mich., is finding business to be slower than he wishes. Like many other U.S. job shops, the 45-year-old company is experiencing a slowdown caused by tumbling oil prices and worldwide political and economic uncertainty. The difference is Wetzel isn't too worried.

IBAG North America offers the HF 120.4 high-speed spindle for Haas and other leading machining centers, delivering up to 42,000 rpm, 16kW and equipped for HSK40 and BT30 Tooling. The HF 120 is ideal for production manufacturing in aerospace, medical, mold and die machining and can be used in hardened steels, aluminum, brass, copper, graphite and various plastics.

Ceramics Expo takes place April 26-28, 2016, in Cleveland and is dedicated to providing a marketplace for all raw materials, equipment, machinery and technology used within the ceramic manufacturing supply chain. Ceramics Expo is attended by technical leaders, production directors, engineers, project leaders, buyers and senior executives interested in exploring the latest ceramic manufacturing innovations.

END USER: Homeyer Precision Manufacturing, (636) 433-2244, www.homeyertool.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., (888) 866-5776, www.bigkaiser.com. CHALLENGE: Minimize endmill runout to extend tool life when producing aluminum-based forceps. SOLUTION: A collet chuck that provides minimal runout.

Though Rosie the Riveter and a multitude of her sisters proved that women were perfectly capable of working in manufacturing when the men were called to serve during World War II, many of these patriotic women graciously stepped aside to allow the returning soldiers to resume their jobs.

KKS Ultraschall AG develops, produces and markets solutions in the fields of industrial cleaning, ultrasonic technology and surface refinement.

PhotoMachining Inc. recently installed its new MicroMachine – USP III ultrashort pulse laser micromachining workstation at a world renowned medical care and research institution for the development of novel medical, implantable, surgical and diagnostic devices.