General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Brad Laux, director of metalworking strategy at W.W. Grainger Inc., discusses how the company fits into the production floor at customer facilities. He also outlines a new study about the metalworking industry.

A shop's product mix, the types of jobs running in the shop, can make or break it. The right mix increases profitability and makes for happy customers. The wrong mix risks demoralizing the shop and upsetting customers, ultimately resulting in more stress and less profit. Actively managing your product mix to correctly fit your shop makes life much easier. However, it does take intention to step away from the jobs you know your shop can, but shouldn't make.

Updated 3D machining functions top the bill for engineering companies in the latest release of Alphacam. Users of Alphacam 2019 R1 will find two major enhancements for 3D Machining – firstly, what Brand Manager Hector Henry says is a much-improved Automatic Collision Detection algorithm, which avoids gouging non-machined faces and surfaces in the Select Solid Faces function.

Vortec has updated their online heat load calculator, allowing users to determine cooling requirements for their specific enclosure. The new tool, available at https://www.vortec.com/heatload/calculator allows users to input enclosure dimensions, compressed air inlet temperature and pressure, current cabinet temperatures, worst case ambient temperature and whether the enclosure is in direct contact with sunlight (and enclosure color).

HEIDENHAIN introduces a new sealed angle encoder that can be used as an alternative to modular angular encoders for use in motion control machining applications that require a larger than usual through-hole. Called the RCN 6000 series, these new absolute sealed angle encoders with integral bearings have an exceptionally large hollow shaft diameter of 180mm (7.09 inches), allowing larger scale machines to take advantage of high resolution and signal quality that's expected from HEIDENHAIN angle encoders.

Hypertherm announced a minor version update of Rotary Tube Pro, software that makes it easier to design and cut tube and pipe parts with no 3D CAD experience required.

Cortec Corp. has developed a simple water treatment for use in cooling systems where low conductivity or low sodium products are required. Based solely on organic components, VpCI-648 does not contain nitrites or any halogen counter ions. At recommended dosages, VpCI-648 does not significantly contribute to the conductivity of water systems. VpCI-648 protects both ferrous metals and copper.

ROCKFORD, IL, OCTOBER 18, 2018 -- To accommodate rapid growth and future expansion, Rockford Systems, LLC., a provider of machine safeguarding products, safety education and industrial safety services, is pleased to announce it is moving its headquarters into a new, larger facility located at 5795 Logistics Parkway in Rockford, IL.

Richfield, WI – – – Jim White, National Sales Manager of Carmex USA, has announced the opening of a new distribution center to serve the expanding West Coast market.

Waukesha, WI – Wildeck, Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome Daniel Lorenz as the new Vice President of Operations.

October 9, 2018 - Haas Automation and MachiningCloud jointly announce that they have partnered to offer Haas CNC machine tool product data, including a comprehensive collection of 3D CAD models for the complete line of Haas CNC machines, on the MachiningCloud platform.

Auburn Hills, Michigan, Oct. 8, 2018 – Marposs, a specialist in measurement and process monitoring technologies, has announced the acquisition of Blulink (Reggio Emilia, Italy), a company specializing in quality control and process management software development.