Machining

Tests on the new nesting engine unveiled in Alphacam 2018 R2, by Vero Software, show a 17 percent improvement in material yield. Using proprietary technology to deliver what Brand Manger Hector Henry says are "best-in-class geometry," toolpath optimization and part handling, the nesting engine also provides faster calculation times, along with improved feedback and graphics.

WIDIA has created an app to quickly access machining speeds and feeds for WIDIA tooling without interrupting production. The newly released Machining Central app scans the WIDIA product bar code or searches the tool's corresponding order number or an ANSI or ISO catalog number to automatically generate product information and availability along with feeds and speeds in seconds.

Marposs Corp. has expanded its MIDA VTS visual tool setter family with the addition of the VTS WF45 and WF85 wide field versions suited for noncontact measuring and verifying "double-sided", large-diameter tools. Relying upon LED technology, the wide field versions can perform both profile and surface integrity inspection of the entire tool front to back, identifying any minor faults in the work tool that could affect workpiece integrity.

The Junker Group has extended its range of grinding machines: With its new Zema corundum line, the company offers efficient solutions for conventional grinding. Versatile, robust, durable – Junker corundum grinding machines fulfill the requirements of series production for a wide range of different workpieces.

UNITED GRINDING has unveiled its new EWAG PROFILE LINE, an indexable carbide insert grinding solution. Developed in a partnership between Ewag AG and sister company Walter Maschinenbau GmbH, the PROFILE LINE serves as an efficient grinding center for the advanced processing of highly complex interchangeable insert geometries and interfaces.

Mitee-Bite Products has just completed a new Kit for the TITANS of CNC Academy, helping to educate in the Art of Fixturing Series. In the kit, students will receive multiple Mitee-Bite clamps, pins and grips to build Titan's Project Series #400-404 fixtures.

Mitsui Seiki says its new Vertex 100 5-axis vertical machining center is engineered to fulfill manufacturers' demands for a compact, high-speed machine capable of high-precision milling of larger parts such as blisks for aircraft engines. The Vertex 100 can machine workpieces 1,250 mm in diameter and 850 mm tall while occupying only 3 m x 4.2 m of shop floor space.

Mitutoyo America Corp. offers the MACH series of coordinate measuring machines. The product line is comprised of the MACH-V (pictured), MACH-3A and MACH Ko-ga-me.

A good friend and I have had a running argument lately about 3D printing. He says the fervor over additive manufacturing is, for the most part, hype, something he likes to call the boondoggle of the manufacturing century. He could be right.

KBH10 is an uncoated PCBN turning insert that offers exceptional wear resistance and very low cutting forces. As a result, many customers are now enjoying double the tool life together with improved part quality.

Coatings for metalcutting tools have made tremendous advances since their introduction more than 40 years ago. As coatings have improved, our understanding of their behavior in a variety of cutting operations has increased, and this has led to further developments to enhance performance. A technology that has made big strides in the past few years is post-coating treatment.

When productivity decreases, some leaders assume that machinists are not adequately doing their jobs. After all, they directly operate the machines. Before jumping to this conclusion, however, ask if you are being fair to these skilled workers who are the backbone of the manufacturing industry.