Productive Times

END USER: Form Tool Technology Inc., (803) 788-3686, www.formtooltech.com. CHALLENGE: Polish flutes of drills and other round tools to enhance chip evacuation. SOLUTION: Diamond-abrasive polishing wheels. SOLUTION PROVIDER: 3M Abrasive Systems Div., (866) 279-1288, ext.

END USER: Fulflo Specialties Inc., (937) 783-2411, www.fulflo.com. CHALLENGE: Increase tool life in back spotfacing of stainless steel hydraulic relief valve bodies. SOLUTION: Custom tool for difficult-to-machine workpiece materials.

END USER: Highland Products Corp., (440) 352-4777, www.highlandproducts.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce setup time when employing high-pressure coolant for Swiss-style machining. SOLUTION: A through-coolant Swiss-style toolholder that directs coolant over the insert to the tool/workpiece interface.

END USER: Alpha Machining and Grinding Inc., (704) 871-2183, www.alphamachiningandgrinding.com. CHALLENGE: Achieve cost savings through multiple process improvements. SOLUTION: Magnetic workholding and variable-index, variable-helix endmills.

END USER: RCBS, (800) 533-5000, www.rcbs.com. CHALLENGE: Automate ID finishing of ammunition reloading dies. SOLUTION: Flexible brush hones on CNC equipment that improved quality and throughput while eliminating operator injury and fatigue. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Brush Research Manufacturing Co.

END USER: Axle Alliance Co. LLC, (313) 592-7438, www.daimler-trucksnorthamerica.com. CHALLENGE: Overcome workpiece variations while effectively hard turning large ring gears. SOLUTION: A workpiece measuring process for a vertical turning machine.

END USER: Holmatro USA, (410) 768-9662, www.holmatro-usa.com. CHALLENGE: Maximize productivity by facilitating tool acquisition and application. SOLUTION: Electronic tool catalog and application recommendation software.

END USER: Weir Minerals North America, (608) 221-2261, www.weirminerals.com. CHALLENGE: Streamline workholding and machining of 12', 5,000-lb. cast iron pump housings. SOLUTION: Dedicated fixtures that cut setup and machining cycle time while improving operator safety.

END USER: Behlen Industries LP, (204) 728-1188, www.behlen.ca. CHALLENGE: Reduce maintenance requirements for a plasma cutting machine that the builder no longer services or supports and achieve a more precise kerf angle when cutting steel plates. SOLUTION: A new plasma/oxy-fuel cutting machine equipped with integrated cutting solutions.

END USER: The Boeing Co., www.boeing.com. CHALLENGE: Boost productivity and reduce setup time when machining carbon fiber-reinforced plastic aircraft components. SOLUTION: Abrasive waterjet cutting technology and flexible workholding.

END USER: Sonic Industries Div., Sargent Aerospace & Defense Group, (310) 532-8382, www.sargentaerospace.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle times while holding critical dimensional and finish tolerances. SOLUTION: Automated honing machine with superabrasive tools.

END USER: HITCO Carbon Composites Inc., (800) 421-5444, www.hitco.com. CHALLENGE: Increase productivity when machining composite parts. SOLUTION: A 5-axis machine tool optimized for the process.