CNC Machining (General)

The dynamic new generation of the ABC machine from INDEX is ideal for turning out simple to moderately complex parts in cycle times up to 15% faster than the previous generation with rapid spindle acceleration (8 g), shorter spindle ramp-up times, higher rapid traverse rates, and quick chip to chip times, according to the company. Ideal for runs from 5,000 to 50,000 parts in the 42 to 60 mm range, the machine's combination of features supports a low production cost per piece, even for complex parts.

For those shops looking to boost productivity as well as profitability, Mazak's Quick Turn-250MSY turning center sports several new productivity-enhancing features. These include a new direct-drive turret design, higher torque main spindle, a faster more powerful milling spindle and the MAZATROL SmoothG CNC.

CNC Software Inc., producers of Mastercam CAD/CAM software, announced a 3-axis milling postprocessor that will unleash the highest productivity on Sinumerik-controlled machine tools. The new postprocessor was developed utilizing the technical expertise of Siemens CNC engineers.

Siemens announced a new control-only retrofit program for CNC machines. Tailored precisely for milling machines up to four axes plus one spindle or 2- to 3-axis turning machines, users can gain new levels of manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

SPRING Technologies announces the launch of its CAM WorkPackages, a set of interfaces between commercially available CAM solutions and NCSIMUL 4CAM (formerly NCSIMUL CAM). WorkPackages are provided for for CATIA (Dassault Systèmes), NX (Siemens), CREO (PTC), TopSolid'Cam (MISSLER) and Mastercam (CNC Software Inc.). Ultimately, SPRING Technologies plans to offer its users direct interfaces with all the leading CAM products on the market.

Advanced CNC systems from NUM are helping U.S. machine tool control specialist CNC Onestop Inc. to maintain its competitive market edge through use of ultraprecise positioning techniques. Based in Xenia, Ohio, and also operating in Toronto, Canada, CNC Onestop is a CNC engineering company that specializes in full CNC, motor and drive retrofits for machine tools, as well as machine rebuilds and troubleshooting.

The TRAUB TNL18 series Swiss-style automatic lathes perform even more dynamically with an enhanced CNC, axis amplifier and more dynamic drives, resulting in significantly improved accelerations and top speeds. In extensive tests, the developers made sure that the mechanical conditions of the machine harmonize with the new dynamics.

The new GENOS M560-V vertical machining center from Okuma America Corp. combines a new high column design and CAT 40 BIG-PLUS spindle to cut large, complex parts. The large work envelope minimizes restrictions on workpieces, tool lengths and the rotary table.

Renishaw's new enhanced probing software package automatically optimizes on-machine measurement cycles to minimize cycle time and maximize productivity. Inspection Plus with SupaTouch enhances the proven benefits of Renishaw's established Inspection Plus software and features an easy-to-use optimization process that automatically determines and selects the highest feedrates a machine tool can achieve while maintaining measurement accuracy.

ServoBelt rotary stages from Bell Everman are compact, high-torque rotary stages that offer through hole size and speed comparable to direct-drive rotary tables costing thousands more, according to the company.

Autofiltrex, the latest addition to Eclipse Magnetics' range of magnetic filtration systems, is a fully automated sub-micron filtration device designed to ensure ultra-polished fluids on a 24/7 basis.

FANUC America Corp. brought a new look and feel to CNC operations with the introduction of the FANUC iHMI. iHMI, or intelligent Human Machine Interface, provides a simpler, more efficient and intuitive way to interact with the FANUC series 30i/31i/32i-MODEL B CNCs, according to the company.