Medical & Healthcare

Progressive miniaturization in the watch making industry, medical technology and electronics industries continue to put increased pressure on tool manufacturers: They are routinely required to produce increasingly smaller drilling and milling tools to meet the demand for high-quality machining results. But how can tools with diameters as small as 0.03mm be manufactured? The grinding machine experts at Rollomatic provide the answer: The GrindSmart Nano6.

In the olden days, riggers were the guys on the ground placing slings and chains around the object to be moved while the crane operator waited for their signals to begin lifting. Today, rigging in a small shop falls to the guys standing closest to the equipment when something needs to be moved.

Nickel-base superalloys can withstand hot and tough conditions, but are difficult to machine. With the right approach, machinists can keep their cool when cutting them.

Swiss Automation's success is based on machining complex parts quickly, accurately and consistently.

END USER: Southwest Greene International Inc., (760) 639-4960, www.greenegroup.com. CHALLENGE: Effectively measure small, complex medical parts.SOLUTION: A measurement system that combines vision and touch-probe inspection. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Hexagon Metrology Inc., (800) 274-9433, www.hexagonmetrology.us.

END USER: Thortex Inc., (503) 654-5726, www.thortexinc.com. CHALLENGE: Maximize tool life and reliability when threading cobalt chrome. SOLUTION: Replace solid-carbide taps with high-performance thread mills. SOLUTION PROVIDER: OSG Tap & Die Inc., (800) 837-2223, www.osgtool.com.

The new generation of the DMG/Mori Seiki's monoBLOCK series has become a sales hit since its introduction in 2010. The most recent version of the first model of this series, the DMU 65 monoBLOCK NEXT GENERATION, also impresses with its dynamics and efficiency.

Primary Cutter LLC has introduced the SUPERMILL TOMCAT 5-flute carbide endmill line designed to run at high RPM and high feed rates providing rapid stock removal.

RD 531 aqueous cleaner from Miraclean removes buffing, lapping and drawing compounds for exceptional surface preparation prior to coating or other critical applications.

END USER: Acumed LLC, (888) 627-9957, www.acumed.net. CHALLENGE: Accurately direct high-pressure coolant on Swiss-style machines to control chips when turning. SOLUTION: A Swiss-style insert holder with high-pressure, through-coolant capability. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Streamliner & Associates Inc., (814) 440-1548, www.streamlinertools.com

Shop Operations columnist, Tom Lipton, discusses the issue of safety when workers transport sheet metal in the January 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering.

Bridging the gap between academic and shop floor grinding knowledge.