General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

HEIDENHAIN Corp. announces the start of series production of the new generation of LC encoders. The LC xx5 Absolute Sealed Linear Encoders have long been available for use with Siemens, FANUC, Mitsubishi and HEIDENHAIN controls and can now be ordered with Panasonic interface (Pana01).

"Manufacturers who conduct a lot of machining know that the cost of productivity of a machining operation is inextricably connected to the selection of the cutting tool and the process for managing them," writes GE Industry Analyst Andy Henderson in a GE Digital blog post. "In the utopian future, the manufacturing intelligence system will automatically control how cutting tools are used and automatically optimize the cost of machining operations."

Helical Solutions LLC recently announced a top-tier finish in the 2015 Boeing Industry Challenge II, which is an invitational tournament meant to test the world's strongest and highest-performing milling tools in aerospace titanium.

Sandvik Hyperion is introducing diameter tolerances in high-performance endmill blanks described as RUGI. New tolerances exceed the industry standard with an advanced round tool blanks specification.

Doosan Machine Tools America offers its latest generation of advanced multi-tasking turning centers: the PUMA SMX series. There are six models in the line, stepped in size and capabilities. Most offer the configuration of equally sized and powered left and right spindles plus a B-axis milling spindle.

Sandvik Hyperion's new AM60 carbide grade is an advanced substrate developed to increase machining productivity and performance for applications that require CVD diamond coating.

Walter Surface Technologies launched its redesigned Zip Wheel. The new abrasive disc offers even higher efficiency and better performance than its predecessor.

Spectroline TRITAN 365 series are multi-LED, broad-beam UV-A (365 nm) lamps for a range of NDT applications. Each lamp features three ultra-hi-flux UV-A LEDs for NDT inspection, plus a white light LED to illuminate dark work areas.

Sandvik Materials Technology offers Sanmac, a stainless steel material that can significantly increase machining rates. Year on year Sandvik Research & Development has applied and tested process improvements upgrading the melt of Sanmac material. The result is the introduction of new generation Sanmac, a dedicated stainless steel material available in a range of grades.

Preco Inc. announces the Lightning Bolt 2000 laser system for processing of accurate micro features on metallic, ceramic and polymer materials. The system is customizable to accommodate a range of IR, green and UV wavelengths and nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond lasers and can be configured for specific process requirements.

C.R.Onsrud introduces and demonstrates a machining center designed for complex machining and sawing ofnextrusions. This machining center is able to process five sides of thick-walled extrusions and index parts by using its independent servo programmable clamping system. The optional large capacity saw is available for material cutoff and mitering.

Memex Inc. announced two new modules to the MERLIN open platform: MERLIN Financial Overall Equipment Effectiveness (FOEE) and MERLIN DNC. According to the comany, most manufacturers are totally in the dark in terms of knowing in real-time if they are making or losing money on a given machine tool, shift or plant. With the introduction of MERLIN FOEE, the company addresses this critical issue by combining OEE with financials.