Machining

To spur significant innovation and growth in advanced manufacturing, as well as save over $100 billion annually, U.S. industry must rectify currently unmet needs for measurement science and "proof-of-concept" demonstrations of emerging technologies. This is the overall conclusion reached by economic studies funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of four advanced manufacturing areas used to create everything from automobile composites to zero-noise headsets.

Kyocera Group is exhibiting a range of newly developed metalworking tools at the Japan trade show JIMTOF 2016. These will include the new CA3 Series CVD coated carbide indexable cutting tool inserts for cast iron machining; the Magic Drill DRA, a high-performance modular drill; and the MFH Micro, a tiny-caliber high-feed cutting tool.

The Skills Gap dilemma in manufacturing shows little sign of abating amidst Baby-Boomer retirements. One possible solution: Bringing back the once-popular high-school shop class--but with a high-tech slant to interest and prepare a new generation for modern manufacturing. The Tampa Bay Times reports on a Florida high school that is doing just that.

Geometric Americas Inc. released CAMWorks 2017 with significant additions to the software focusing on customer needs and worldwide manufacturing initiatives, such as Smart Manufacturing and Industrie 4.0. The new capabilities in CAMWorks 2017 are a result of more than 60 customer-driven enhancements.

Mazak's QTU-200MY multitask turning center reportedly offers shops of all sizes ease of use, cost-effectiveness and unmatched productivity. The space-saving machine features a main turning spindle, tool turret with rotary milling spindle, Mazak's new MAZATROL SmoothC control and Y-axis off-centerline capabilities for high versatility paired with all the benefits of multitasking part processing.

Glebar has developed a double-disc grinding process on its DD-7 double-disc grinder for materials suppliers and manufacturers of high-performance composites that expedites the grinding of composite strips used as low friction, bearing elements in various industries from aerospace to automotive, leading to reduced production costs and enhanced quality.

Kitagawa NorthTech Inc. introduces its digital grip force analyzer software and kit (PC version) for machine tool users and machine shops. The gripping force provided by the workholding and chucking solution is paramount to successfully machining high quality parts. It is often the single largest reason why a machine tool user encounters a variety of issues hindering productivity, performance, reliability and accuracy of the workholding.

As automakers strive for increasingly fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, they're turning away from traditional iron favorites such as gray and ductile iron (GCI and DCI) to compacted graphite iron, or CGI. Also known as vermiculate graphite iron, CGI's mechanical attributes meet or exceed its counterparts, sometimes drastically so. Unfortunately, CGI is also more difficult to machine, requiring cutting tools both tough and wear-resistant. And because of the continuing call for cost-effective machining solutions across all manufacturing industries, these tools must also offer a low cost per part and predictable tool life. For facemilling applications, Kennametal says that tool is Mill 16.