General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Dillon full-grip jaws, machined from 6061 extruded aluminum, provide added options for full-grip jaw customers who have traditionally used cast aluminum jaws. Available from 5" to 24" in diameter, these jaws can be modified to heights of 10" and provide widths that extend beyond the chuck face diameter.

PI has added a high dynamics model to its range of compact hexapods. Designed for photonics alignment applications, the hexapod provides 6 degrees of freedom, actuator resolution of 5 nanometers and repeatability as good as 60 nanometers, while providing velocities to 20mm/sec. Sustaining loads to 5kg, the new H-811.F2 features a removable magnetic kinematic plate to accelerate workflow with different fiber optics components. Its compact size, large travel range of up to 34mm for linear motions and up to 42° for rotary motions, and a user programmable pivot point facilitate work with fiber optic and photonics components.

The leveling foot castors offered as part of the WDS Component Parts Ltd. range of castors and wheels for trolleys and mobile equipment are designed to allow vertical adjustment so that the supported equipment can be leveled. The range also includes light-, medium- and heavy-duty capacity models, so that virtually all requirements can be met from a single source.

ZOLLER Inc. inaugurated its new North American Headquarters on May 18, 2018, in the presense of the Zoller family, esteemed architect David Gebhardt, and Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. The entire North American employee base and their families and friends also attended the gala celebration event. The new facility encompasses more than 44,000 sq. ft. and houses the U.S. corporate offices including sales, service and administration. In addition, the facility features an 8,800 sq. ft. Industry 4.0 Tech Center.

Tobii Pro announces a new analytical tool: Tobii Pro VR Analystics, which allows eye-tracking studies to be conducted within 3D virtual reality (VR) environments. The tool integrates into Unity environments and comes with automated features for visualizing and measures what a user sees, their interactions and navigations within a simulated world.

A line of CO2 lenses and mirrors for precision engraving and marking lasers that are in stock for OEMs and as field replacements for end-users is available from Laser Research Optics.

A line of rigid couplings that are ideal for heavy, suspended loads on shafts used in mixers, pumps, fans and related drive systems has been introduced by Stafford Manufacturing Corp.

Some people say there is an art to machining. In some cases, there is actual artwork. Machinists Inc. in Seattle, the largest precision machining shop in the Northwest, has made big sculptures since the early 1990s. The first piece was a 17'×13'×3' steel sculpture that hangs in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and many more have followed. However, art accounts for only about 1 percent of the manufacturer's work, said Weld Engineer Steve Pollard, who has been with the company for 30 years.

Engineering components manufacturer WDS Component Parts Ltd. has extended its range of antivibration and rubber stop AV mounts by introducing stainless steel versions of most sizes and types. These are intended for use in applications where corrosion and/or hygiene are issues.

PFERD offers an extensive line of vitrified- and resin-bond mounted points designed to meet an array of application needs for use in both surface and edge grinding. The mounted points can be used on a variety of materials from stainless steel and cast iron to exotic alloys.

Seventy years ago when the Society of Carbide Engineers launched the trade magazine that eventually became Cutting Tool Engineering as its official publication, the articles primarily covered carbide cutting tools. After all, the association advertised that those who were engaged in studying, using, supervising the use of or furthering the use of carbides were eligible for membership.

The Eldorado M75-30T is a twin-spindle gundrilling machine with a redesigned counter-rotation fixture. To maximize the effectiveness of the gundrilling operation, it is ideal for the workpiece to be rotated in the opposite direction of the drill rotation. This improves the straightness of the drilled hole and reduces drill drift.