General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Two statistics seem unrelated but, taken together, say something significant about New York City's future as an engine of opportunity, innovation and equity. The first is that manufacturing lost more jobs than initially estimated and now accounts for only 69,000 jobs in the city, or 1.5% of the total. The second is that information jobs grew by 6% to about 200,000.

Most CNC machine shops face the same problem: The programming office is backed up, so how can machine tools keep running? Wooster, Ohio-based NobleTek uses Vericut toolpath simulation and optimization software from CGTech Inc., Irvine, California, to ensure smooth operations and prevent late deliveries, lost productivity and unhappy customers.

Sandvik Coromant is strengthening its capabilities in digital manufacturing by signing a strategic research agreement with PARC, a Xerox company, world-renowned innovation center. PARC will provide Sandvik Coromant with a footprint in Silicon Valley and expert resources for R&D in the field of digital manufacturing.

EXAIR's new Mini Cooler with dual point hose kit provides a stream of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) cold air to prevent heat buildup, reduce downtime and increase productivity. It is effective on small-part machining operations to eliminate burning, melting and heat related breakage.

Link Industries released a "revolutionary" drilling tool, the 2+1 Spot-Drill-Countersink x 82°. This newly patented design strategically combines spot, drill and countersink actions in a single tool made from HSS for high-speed machining aluminum. Like most Link Industries tools made from HSS, this drill performs at carbide-like speed and feeds, with HSS toughness.

umati - universal machine tool interface goes live at EMO Hannover 2019 from Sept. 16 to 21 with an exciting presentation. "Around 50 machine tool manufacturers from all over the world will be joining forces to show how umati makes machine data usable," says Dr. Alexander Broos, umati project manager and head of research and technology at the EMO organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association). Trade show visitors will experience live the benefits the standardized interface offers.

No matter what kind of manufacturing facility I'm in, there's one thing I hear over and over when I ask workers on the floor about indirect inventory: They want it available—no matter when, no matter how frequently or infrequently they need it.

ARCH, a Jordan Company platform company that is focused on manufacturing precision cutting tools, precision machined components and medical implants and instruments, has acquired Siem Tool Co., Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Siem Tool is a manufacturer of customized solid-carbide drills, endmills, reamers, thread mills and form tools. Siem Tool will join ARCH's Cutting Tools division.

The eXtended Transport System (XTS) from Beckhoff Automation is now available in the U.S. The EtherCAT-enabled XTS offers paradigm-shifting capabilities for motion control and mechatronics by combining the advantages of proven rotary and linear drive principles into a new modular platform. With its compact and flexible design, the advanced mechatronic system can reduce machine footprint up to 50%.

REGO-FIX offers a new cryogenic coolant technology based on the powRgrip system. Called CRYO-powRgrip (PG-CRYO), the system is produced in conjunction with a European supplier of carbon dioxide coolant and targets customer needs to boost productivity and eliminate secondary cleaning operations, especially for medical industry part-production operations.

Hoffmann Group USA announces the new centering vise called the GARANT Xtric. The vice is equipped with a new chuck jaw quick-change system, which enables easy, tool-free changeover. A click mechanism gives the vise an interchange accuracy in the micrometer range. Top jaws, which can be rotated by 180 degrees, allow for a large clamping range and high variability when fixing components. And clamping using multiple GARANT Xtrics is not a problem, the center can be adjusted precisely to achieve top precision.

JW Winco Inc. offers GN 936 slam latches zinc die-cast, with and without lock. The design of the GN 936 slam latches enable doors and closures to close effortlessly.