General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Although Microlution Inc. has been based in multiple locations since the builder of micromachining centers was founded in 2005, the company held its first grand opening event June 28 as part of GF Solutions Days USA 2019. The first location for Chicago-based Microlution, which has operated as a subsidiary of GF Machining Solutions since 2016, was in Andy Phillip's apartment in Champaign, Phillip said. He is one of the company's founders and now head of laser micromachining.

ARCH Cutting Tools is facing the same talent shortage as the cutting tool industry overall, but the company is meeting the challenge with an aggressive workforce development strategy aimed at Millennials and Generation Z. In partnership with Delta College, ARCH Cutting Tools hosted an Introduction to Machine Tools Forum at its Flushing, Michigan, facility June 6 for five students interested in careers as machinists.

Tungaloy is introducing NDL geometry for TOHT inserts for the DeepTri-Drill line of indexable gundrills.

Targeting the medical industry, the GF Machining Solutions Microlution MLTC is an ultrafast laser that provides manufacturers with exceptionally precise holemaking in metal and polymer tubes. As an economical and technically advanced micron-scale machining system, the MLTC is optimized for microscale holemaking and fine cutting without the creation of heat-affected zones in tubular workpieces.

The GF Machining Solutions Microlution ML-10 is a femtosecond solution for industries ranging from automotive to medical. As an economical and highly capable micron-scale machining system, the ML-10 performs microscale holemaking and fine cutting without the creation of heat affected zones (HAZ). The machine's compact, high-performance, ultrafast laser reduces cycle times and tooling costs to enable the production of precision parts in seconds.

Electromate introduces Dual Absolute encoder versions of the FHA-C mini actuator, which feature BiSS-C bi-directional communication for both encoders. The dual encoders are incorporated in essentially the same package size as the long-standing FHA-C mini single incremental encoder version. Without increasing the size, the dual absolute encoder offers single turn absolute position at the output, without the need for battery back-up.

The DeHoff 1536T is a gundrilling machine used to manufacture high-performance military helicopters. Several of the helicopter's drivetrain components are gundrilled to produce hollow centers, which reduces mass while maintaining high rotational rigidity.

Precision motion specialist PI (Physik Instrumente) adds a new integrated XY stage to its compact high-speed positioning stage roster, all powered by ultrasonic piezo-linear motors. The patented motors provide smooth motion, high resolution and rapid step and settle response while the self-clamping drive principle locks the platform in place without power, an advantage in applications where position stability and low power consumption matter.

McPond, a peer-to-peer platform based in Chicago, lets manufacturers list their idle machines for rent.

Get highly accurate and long-lasting carbide miniatures with RobbJack's SS and SR series micro endmills.

A full line of rigid shaft couplings that come in many styles to provide machinery builders with a wide variety of shaft attachment options are available from Stafford Manufacturing Corp.

The new KISSsoft Release 2019 contains numerous new features, including KISSdesign, which provides the user with a tool that allows intuitive concept design on a system level. So, in addition to the elementary components (gear pair, bearing or shaft/bearing system), complete gears can now be designed in a separate module (Module KSD).