General Machining & Manufacturing Processes

Tooling manufacturer BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., hosted a group of U.S. manufacturers on a visit to the Kaiser Precision Tooling Ltd. headquarters in Rümlang, Switzerland, in February. The third annual event paired educational presentations, tours of the assembly and machining areas and traditional Swiss hospitality. "The challenges of manufacturing are universal," Dennis Rosene, owner, Rosene Machine, Firth, Neb., said. "Visiting factories outside the U.S. can help us find new ways to solve the same challenges we face at home."

Presented here is the second part of the Manager's Desk column about Web-based marketing. The first part appeared in the February issue.

Students in the University of Washington's mechanical engineering program successfully petitioned the Dean of Engineering for a new furnace at the school's Engineering Instructional Shop as a replacement for an antiquated, unreliable, smaller unit. The new furnace, a model HL7-P36 from Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., with a work chamber of 18"x24"x36", will allow students to heat treat more parts in-house.

The new >>smile<< tool presetter combines decades of experience and user-oriented development with typical ZOLLER innovation, according to the company.

A new line of Type 27 cotton fiber flexible abrasive wheels for blending and finishing aluminum in one-step without needing waxes or compounds has been introduced by Rex-Cut Abrasives.

OSG Tap & Die (OSG) has introduced the EXOTAP A-Tap, an all-purpose tap series designed to simplify tool management and to excel in a variety of materials and applications.

CoroCut QD, the reliable system from Sandvik Coromant for deep grooves and parting off with long overhangs, expands the offering of inserts and durable tools with over and under coolant.

WEISS North America Inc. has introduced its HP70 Pick-and-Place direct-drive component that is thin at 60mm wide.

ESAB's Global Center of Excellence for Gas Apparatus introduces the SabreCut series of gas apparatus products, a comprehensive line of straight cutting and combination torches, regulators, regulator-flowmeters, cutting tips and complete outfits.