Fabrication & Cutting

Carr Lane Mfg. Co. offers a new LIFE-EX PVD coating as an option on its round and diamond pins. So hard it cannot be measured on the Rockwell C scale, LIFE-EX is a thin film of vaporized solid metal that has been deposited onto Carr Lane's round and diamond pins as a pure metal or alloy coating.

Walter Surface Technologies has announced the launch of its Surfox 205 and Surfox Mini TIG and spot weld cleaning system. This new generation of Surfox 205 uses an electrochemical process to clean and passivate TIG and spot welds on stainless steel, aluminum and titanium.

The welDYNA laser scan head from SCANLAB America Inc. uses beam oscillation to improve both joining and cutting applications. Designed for multiple-kilowatt lasers of high beam quality, the scan head features a digital servocontrol and an integrated sensor system for real-time monitoring.

END USER: Mennie Machine Co., (815) 339-2226, www.mennies.com. SOLUTION PROVIDERS: Engman-Taylor Co. Inc., (262) 255-9300, www.engman-taylor.com; Walter USA LLC, (800) 945-5554, www.walter-tools.com/us. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle times, deburring, inconsistent tool life and varying costs. SOLUTION: A program for productivity services.

Sawing is one of the most common manufacturing processes in a machine shop. It is versatile, simple and reliable. Nonetheless, many young engineers and machinists are quite familiar with lasers and abrasive waterjets but have no knowledge of sawing.

Abrasive waterjet systems have always provided some advantages for parts manufacturers. For one, the high-pressure stream of water and abrasive grit, usually garnet, that is delivered to the workpiece surface can cut through pretty much any material. For another, being a cold process, abrasive waterjetting (AWJ) doesn't create a heat-affected zone.

Ransohoff, a division of Cleaning Technologies Group LLC, has introduced its Mega Jet Pressure Blast; an economical manual high-pressure spray washer for very large, heavy parts where floor space comes at a premium. The parts can be loaded with an overhead hoist crane on to a rotating table.

Weiler Abrasives Group announced the expansion of its resin fiber discs (RFDs) offering to include five new products for varying performance requirements: Tiger Ceramic, Zirc and Aluminum, and Wolverine Zirc and Aluminum Oxide. These discs are designed to provide an aggressive cut rate and a smooth finish on tool steel, aluminum and any material in between.

J.W. Winco Inc. offers GN 2184 edge protection profiles. The RoHS-compliant GN 2184 edge protection profiles are installed on the front edge of metal sheets and plates, protecting the surfaces from damage by sharp edges.

Heule Tool Corp. introduces new COFA-C series tooling for deburring elliptical or contoured surfaces in larger diameters. Replaceable solid-carbide coated blades for holes from 6 - 26 mm are available from stock, with various coatings providing longer tool life and optimum performance based on materials being machined.

Nanodiamond material specialist Carbodeon of Finland has worked with metal finishing specialist CCT Plating of Germany to develop a new electroless nickel, PTFE and nanodiamond composite coating. Electroless nickel-PTFE (EN-PTFE) coatings provide excellent anti-adhesive and low friction properties but are traditionally soft and wear quickly in abrasive conditions.

A full line of OEM-quality drop-in replacement CO2 optics for lasers used in etching monuments, signs and other stone products is available from Laser Research Optics. Laser Research CO2 optics for popular monument and sign etching lasers are available in 0.75" and 1.5" dia. sizes and feature 4" to 7.5" focal lengths to provide deeper cuts.