Machining

Mitutoyo America Corp. announces a sales program based on "packaging" select Coordinate Measuring Machines and Vision Systems with related equipment and service packages at no extra cost over the price of the base machine.

OML's new Genius 5-axis vice from Lexair Inc. reportedly turns workholding concepts on their head with a unique design that maximizes clamp force at the top of the jaws by pulling them closed at the top with a collapsing lead screw, while holding the bottom of the jaws in place with an opposing force screw.

NUM has released a sophisticated system-wide functional safety architecture for its CNC system, providing an exceptionally scalable solution that can be applied very easily to almost any type of machine tool — regardless of complexity or number of axes. Known as NUMSafe, it includes a dedicated safety PLC, safe input and output modules, and digital servo drives with built-in safe motion monitoring.

GF AgieCharmilles' Mikron HSM 20U LP (linear performance) milling machine is available in 3- and 5-axis versions and can produce parts via simultaneous 5-axis high-speed machining. The machine's 50,000-rpm, 11.4-hp Step-Tec spindle assists in imparting surface finishes as fine as 0.05µm Ra.

A wheel supplier urged a shop to use a 150 mesh grit wheel to put a 0.005" radius into a part, but when the shop went from its 80 mesh grit to the smaller grit the result was horrific chatter. In fact, the shop always gets chatter from small grit wheels.

A fixturing system for enabling ceramic coatings to be efficiently deposited via cathodic arc evaporation.

Lightweight and easy-to-program robotic arms.

END USER: 1-866-Dial-EDM, (866) DIAL-EDM, 1866dialedm.com. CHALLENGE: Produce a high volume of 0.006"-dia., 1/16"-deep blind-holes in an exotic material. SOLUTION: An EDM drill.

END USER: Continental Motors Inc., (800) 718-3411, www.genuinecontinental.aero. CHALLENGE: Boost productivity when rough and finish milling cast aluminum crankcases. SOLUTION: PCD-tipped, cartridge-type facemills.

END USER: David Buchberger, (585) 208-7382, www.hispeedcorp.com. CHALLENGE: Efficiently machine lightweight components for an "extreme" racecar. SOLUTION: High-performance cutting tools, including a drill and endmill.

Manufacturing faces more uncertainty than usual in 2013, but the year ahead could be a good one.

Holding a few tenths tolerance on a piece of 60-HRC steel was once the domain of expensive grinding equipment. Today, it's no big deal.