Machining

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.

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.

Introducing the Pramet Econ LN square shoulder milling cutter from Dormer Pramet. Its positive axial geometry reportedly allows for lower cutting forces and smoother machining.

Delivering power, precision and versatility, the Powergrind-XP variable-speed buffers from Palmgren can handle a wide range of finishing applications. They are equipped with the latest technology variable-speed inverter, enabling them to deliver intermediate blending, polishing and surface conditioning applications at maximum rpms.

RÖHM Products of America introduced the lightweight, compact AGILIS power-operated cartridge mandrel clamping system. This new mandrel provides consistent, rigid workpiece ID clamping of small diameters for grinding, turning, milling, drilling and measuring applications.

Kurt's DoveLock dovetail vises are ideal for clamping strength and specifically designed for allowing access to five sides of the workpiece in 5-axis, 4th-axis and palletized CNC machining systems. DoveLock vise is available in two sizes: a 1-inch jaw width DTR10 model and 2-inch jaw width DTR20 model.

Methods 3D, Inc., a newly formed subsidiary of Methods Machine Tools, Inc., continues to broaden its presence in 3D printing through the completion of seven additive manufacturing laboratories strategically located across the U.S. The labs are outfitted with printers capable of Direct Metal Printing (DMP), Select Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA) and Multi-Jet, running 14 different materials.

Allied Machine & Engineering offers a program of technical education seminars. Allied's highly trained and knowledgeable engineers focus the 3-day TES program on problem-solving.