Fabrication & Cutting

PFERD has introduced the POLIFAN PSF Z-TRIM flap disc. These versatile new universal flap discs have a light-weight composite backing that can be trimmed to extend service life and reduce time consuming disc changes.

PI (Physik Instrumente) LP announces a new compact closed-loop motion controller. The new E-871.1A1N digital servo controller is the latest model in a series of drivers and controllers specifically designed for inertia-motor based opto-mechanical actuators (piezo ratchet drives) that are widely used in the semiconductor, laser and photonics industry for fine-tuning of complex systems.

InterCoat ChemGuard from Chemcoaters Inc. is a new type of corrosion protection for galvanized steel. InterCoat ChemGuard uses a new type of coating technology that incorporates covalent bonds and enhances the effectiveness of zinc and substantially improves corrosion protection on galvanized steel.

At the BWM Group's engine plant in Steyr (Austria), in a reference project accompanied by the Technical University of Vienna, Ecoclean Monschau has significantly raised the energy efficiency of a flexible EcoCFlex Classic robot cell that had been in service for several years. The system's electric power and water consumption were each cut by around 30 percent. These energy efficiency measures are now intended to be implemented on another 95 systems of the same type installed at various sites throughout Europe and Asia.

Advanced CAM software provides the additional modeling that is needed to achieve total part quality, according to the Get With the Program column in the October 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Maxum has announced the Nozzle Bar, a patented air blow-off device that looks and installs like an air knife but offers the full blow-off power of individual air nozzles, while using less energy and reaching further distances. Its internal nozzle system is fully customizable for optimal blow-off of any part, providing powerful force to reach deep cavities and varying part shapes and distances.

EXAIR's new Soft Grip Back Blow Safety Air Gun delivers a blast of air to effectively blow debris and liquids from pipe or hose inside diameters, channel, bores, holes, internal threads and other internal part features. The ergonomic design of the air gun keeps the operator's hand in a comfortable position so it can be used for hours of continuous use without fatigue.

In cooperation with Audi, Henkel has developed an auto body pretreatment process. The patented two-step process enables surface treatment of multi-metal auto bodies with an aluminum content of up to 100 percent.

Madison Chemical introduces Compound RP-99S, a versatile water-based rust preventive for use on ferrous and copper metals. Applied to previously cleaned parts by immersion, manual spray or recirculated spray methods, Compound RP-99S leaves a nearly invisible, dry-to-the touch film that provides short-term indoor storage protection for treated parts lasting up to four weeks, or longer depending on concentration.

OMAX Corp. announced the release of the new ProtoMAX abrasive waterjet, a compact, self-installed cutting system suited for prototyping and relatively low-volume cutting of almost any material under 2" thick. The ProtoMAX brings all the versatility benefits of large abrasive waterjet cutters in a sleek and economic package that's suitable for small job shops, engineering classrooms, makerspaces and personal use. It's also a handy addition for large shops and fabricators that need occasional waterjet capabilities to complement their other cutting systems.

Eriez introduces two new metal detector/magnetic separator "Double Team" systems, which offer customers protection against ferrous and nonferrous metal contamination. In both of these system configurations, the metal detector and the magnetic separator work in conjunction to reportedly produce as close to a perfect product yield as possible.

Machine tool manufacturer and Industry 4.0 pioneer TRUMPF has opened a new technology center in Chicago that showcases the interaction between people, machines, storage technology, automation, software and Industry 4.0 solutions. The company calls it "the first smart factory for Industry 4.0 solutions that was designed for digitally connected production processes throughout."