General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

With the new Seco Feedmax –P drill, manufacturers gain the potential to significantly boost holemaking performance for ISO P (steel), as well as cast iron, workpiece materials. The solid-carbide Feedmax –P drills can increase drilling productivity by up to 35 percent while also providing longer tool life due to the combination of the drill's new geometry and advanced coating.

The new GT 112-E automatic magazine bar feeder from LNS is suitable for sliding headstock machines running unattended or lights-out production using small bar stock with diameters from 0.8 mm to 11 mm (12.7 mm with bar preparation). A dual U-shaped guiding channel with a patented sectional guiding channel cover, combined with a self-centering bar clamping system matches the entire diameter range of the lathe.

TigerStop has announced the addition of AutoLoader automatic infeed station, an integration for the TigerSaw 2000 saw system. With the AutoLoader, an operator can load five pieces of material at a time, reducing material handling and increasing operator capacity for performing value-added tasks, such as sorting finished parts.

Mencom announces new low-profile enclosures for Panel Interface Connectors (PIC). The PIC, also known as programming ports or programming interfaces, provides the ability to communicate with a device inside a cabinet without opening the cabinet door. This helps prevent potential safety hazards (such as arc flash) associated with opening an electrical panel.

Thanks to their outstanding tool lives, fine surface finish and maximum concentricity, hydraulic chucks found their place in milling. And there is good reason since these chucks offer both continuous action of the cutting edge and excellent vibration-damping properties. Fitted with such a lot of positive features, hydraulic arbors and adapters are suitable for the range of products of POKOLM Frästechnik GmbH & Co. KG.

Gallup found in its 2017 "State of the American Workplace" report that 25% of manufacturing workers are engaged at work—eight percentage points lower than the national average of 33% employee engagement, the lowest in this metric. Why, and what can be done about it? Gallup consultants offer five suggestions.

Sensofar Metrology has announced a new addition to their high-end noncontact 3D surface metrology systems, the »Five Axis«. The new 3D optical profiler combines a high-accuracy rotational module and a high-resolution translation platform, together with advanced inspection and analysis capabilities.

Doosan Machine Tools America presents the PUMA 1000/M, which was specifically developed for industries like oil and aviation that have the need to machine large-diameter parts. The latest model in the PUMA 1000 series incorporates a highly rigid live tool turret and machines large rings, flanges, shafts and pipes.

Seco continues to evolve and develop tooling solutions for the metalcutting industry. Two of the company's latest examples of that are its EPB 5831 slim hydraulic chucks (pictured) and ER-to-Combimaster holders.

Keith Jennings, who writes the Manager's Desk column for Cutting Tool Engineering, never experienced being sad and mad at the same time until recently, according to his September column. The cause? A trusted employee who wasn't so trustworthy.

For the 83rd episode of Cutting Tool Engineering’s Grinding Doc video series, Dr. Jeffrey Badger visits with Rush Machinery in Rushville, N.Y., to begin a three-part series devoted to establishing scientific truing parameters.

July U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $170.95 million according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR) collaboration, was down 8.4% from June's $186.57 million and up 16.0% when compared with the total of $147.43 million reported for July 2016. With a year-to-date total of $1.266 billion, 2017 is up 7.1% when compared with 2016.