General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

G2 Technologies has developed a customizable, automated 3D inspection system in response to a customer's need to inspect small electronic connectors. This niche is very specific, but impacts aerospace, automotive and other industries. The global market for the connectors industry is projected to reach $80.3 billion by 2022, according to G2.

Peak oil demand is in the news. In a May Wall Street Journal article, for instance, authors Lynn Cook and Elena Cherney stated, "The world's largest oil companies are girding for the biggest shift in energy consumption since the Industrial Revolution: After decades of growth, global demand for oil is poised to peak and fall in the coming years."

GF Machining Solutions says its new AgieCharmilles CUT P Series of wire EDMs provides users precise positioning and contouring capabilities for enhanced part quality and productivity. The CUT P 350/550/800/1250 machines feature efficient power generators, robust designs and intuitive human-machine interfaces (HMIs), as well as several automation options for lights-out operation.

PI (Physik Instrumente) has engineered and released two new compact multiple-axis positioning stages based on low-profile parallel-kinematic motion devices. Driven by piezo ceramic motors, nanometer precision is achieved along with high stability based on low heat generation and a drift free auto-position-clamping feature.

With the advent of technologies like the iPad, the field of predictive maintenance has become an accessible and achievable goal for many businesses. The iPad allows anyone from small companies to large multi-facility corporations to implement and commit to a predictive maintenance program utilizing technology that is constantly improving.

Removing coolant that naturally accumulates in a chip hopper enables longer production runs, eliminates messy cleanouts and reduces coolant costs. A new venturi pump kit from LNS makes the process of removing coolant from chip hoppers virtually effortless.

A new cyclonic coolant filtration kit from LNS extends coolant life and reduces disposal costs by removing fine chips from the fluid before it returns to the machine tool tank. The process also protects the machine tool from potential damage, extends cutting tool life and improves product quality, according to the company.

The U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report for May 2017 showed gains for the month and year over year, according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. May orders were up 3.1 percent over April, and 21.8 percent over May 2016.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that manufacturing employment rose by only 1,000 in June after falling by 2,000 in May. Manufacturing sectors with gains in June included machinery, electrical equipment and appliances, primary metals, and computer and electronic products.

The worldwide installed base of Internet of Things (IoT) endpoints is expected to grow from 14.9 billion at the end of 2016 to more than 82 billion in 2025. However, a study conducted by Cisco shows that 60 percent of IoT initiatives stall at the Proof of Concept stage and only 26 percent of companies have had an IoT initiative that they considered a complete success. A third of all completed projects were not considered a success.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence launched PC-DMIS 2017 R2, the latest edition of its measurement software. This is the second of two major releases scheduled for PC-DMIS in 2017, with continued service pack updates to reportedly ensure maximum reliability of the platform.

Allied Machine & Engineering announces the expansion of its AccuPort 432/AccuThread 856 program to include more than 120 kits for manufacturing hydraulic ports and manifolds. The kits are available to meet SAE J1926; ISO I6149; John Deere G1731; and SAE AS5202 (aerospace standard/Mil-Spec) specifications.