Automation & Controls

Makino has released its new real-time machine process monitoring and data management software solution, the MPmax (Machine Productivity Maximizer).

END USER: Sonic Industries Div., Sargent Aerospace & Defense Group, (310) 532-8382, www.sargentaerospace.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce cycle times while holding critical dimensional and finish tolerances. SOLUTION: Automated honing machine with superabrasive tools. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Sunnen Products Co., (800) 325-3670, www.sunnen.com

NB Corp.'s rotary ball spline has a nut that rolls on the ball spline shaft making it capable of both linear and rotary motion and provides sub-millimeter accuracy every time.

Five shops use different lights-out machining strategies, but all are focused on creating stable processes.

END USER: The M.K. Morse Co., (800) 733-3377, www.mkmorse.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate dirt and debris from machine coolant when grinding cermet-tipped saw blades. SOLUTION: Filtration system capable of removing particles to 1μm. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Transor Filter USA, (800) 354-3040, www.transorfilter.com

Continuing to provide the Quadra-Chek metrology digital readout for 2-D geometries, Heidenhain Corp. introduces it with a new dark gray faceplate. It is now called the Quadra-Chek ND 1200.

Productive Times. End user: Specialty Carbide Products. Challenge: Productively and consistently grind carbide burs. Solution: A CNC grinding machine integrated with a robot for loading/unloading. Solution provider: Excalibur Tool Inc.

While some may question its use, on-machine probing can reduce setup time while boosting in-process dimension control and enabling part verification.

Even low-volume operations producing many different parts can benefit from lights-out production.

A multitasking lathe, coupled with robotic loading or bar loading, is a simple but effective form of automation.

Automation of sawing operations. Just as there are numerous ways to saw bar stock, multiple methods exist to automate the sawing operation.

Targeting only certain processes for automation and maintaining flexibility can pay big dividends.