General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Combining operations in a single tool is a significant trend sweeping through the metalcutting industry. Combining cutting operations reduces the cost per hole by eliminating tool changes. It improves production efficiency and machine utilization, ultimately increasing manufacturers' speed to market.

The McKinsey Global Institute released new research this week that outlines opportunities to boost manufacturing by up to $530 billion, or 20 percent, over current trends by 2025—and create more than 2 million jobs. The report also provides fresh details on why the US manufacturing sector has suffered steep declines.

Simonds Saw has announced hat its European partner, WESPA, has introduced the ability to produce instant "blade-to-machine" data transfer of machine-specific cutting parameters for its Individual Performance Cutting (IPC) custom bandsaw blades program. This instant data transfer technology directly supports the Industry 4.0 concept.

The new Walter Cut MX grooving and parting tool reportedly improves accuracy, stability and process reliability by adopting and improving on proven technology. These new indexable inserts have four cutting edges per insert.

A novel 3D printing process that relies on melting aluminum wire and manipulating it with electromagnetism is no longer just another lab project. Vader Systems, which developed the process, has announced the first commercial sale of its signature Mk1 3D printer to Becker CAD-CAM-Cast, a tier-one supplier of engineered aluminum automotive components.

Who says American manufacturing is dead? The young innovators on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in Manufacturing and Industry are finding plenty of opportunities to design useful new products, make factories more efficient and create better materials. More at the link.

Manufacturing technology orders in September continued their upward trend, ending the third quarter on a strong note. According to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report, bookings for September 2017 were up 6 percent from August and posted a year-to-date figure 5 percent higher than the first nine months of 2016. The monthly total of $403 million fell short of September 2016 by 26 percent, a typical drop-off in odd-numbered years when IMTS, the largest manufacturing technology show in the Americas, does not occur.

Makino offers EDGE-Series machines, the EDGE2 and EDGE3, to the U.S. manufacturing market. Built for general precision machining applications, both EDMs provide accurate and reliable performance for standard die/mold components or contract manufacturing with a space-saving design for shop floors of any size.

The compact, high-precision Quicktech S-32 ATM 9-axis, twin-spindle mill/turn center combines integral-motor main- and sub-spindles with a 190° B-axis milling head and a fast automatic toolchanger to maximize output of small, complex parts. Quicktech machines are distributed in North America exclusively by Absolute Machine Tools Inc.

JW Winco Inc. offers GN 196 aluminum angle connector clamps in metric sizes. These clamps offer many more application opportunities within the expansive range of tube clamps currently offered.

For today's industrial manufacturing applications, it's all about output. The goal is to machine as many parts as possible in the shortest amount of time to maximize profitability. In industries that regularly take huge blocks of metal and machine them down to a part that's approximately 10 to 20 percent of the size and weight of the original piece, that process generates high volumes of metal chips, shavings, grindings and turnings.

Produced by 3M, here’s a brief take on the company’s first 3M PG&F Round Tool Seminar, which was held in August at the 3M Corp. headquarters in St. Paul, Minn.