Automation & Controls

Products • April 7, 2016

Brankamp CMS Collision Monitoring System

Marposs Corp.'s Brankamp CMS system for collision monitoring is designed to reduce or even eliminate machine collisions that generally lead to high repair costs and long downtimes. The Brankamp CMS system detects dynamically increasing forces with damage potential within milliseconds and sends a stop signal to the machine drives.

Articles • April 1, 2016 • Evan Jones Thorne

Pallet changers help VMCs hold their own in production environments

Vertical machining centers are machine shop mainstays, owing in no small part to their versatility, small footprint and relatively low cost. However, in high-volume environments, they tend to lag behind their horizontal counterparts. Fortunately, a pallet system provides a fairly simple fix.

News • April 1, 2016 • Evan Jones Thorne

Rise of the robots

One constant fear in regard to automation is that it will make human workers obsolete. Citing a 2013 University of Oxford study, University of Cincinnati Assistant Professor of Economics Michael Jones wrote that almost half of those employed in the U.S. are at risk of being replaced by automation over the next 10 to 20 years, with transportation, logistics and administration as the most vulnerable occupations.

Products • March 31, 2016

LoadAssistant Robotic System

HALTER's LoadAssistant is a robotic system for loading workpieces into CNC machines. It is a universal for both CNC lathes and machining centers, with a rotating loading system that can handle a large range of workpieces quickly. It assists in increasing production output and improves profit immediately, even when dealing with small batches, according to the company.

Products • March 24, 2016

Robot Compact 80

Much like its predecessor, the EROWA Robot Compact 80 has a small footprint (less than 22 sq. ft.) and can load two machines, but a number of upgrades reportedly has made it an ideal solution for tool and mold making.

Videos • March 16, 2016

Haas Automation covers MQL advantages

The Haas Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) system delivers a steady flow of compressed air and a small quantity of cutting oil directly to the cutting tool or tap, which reduces heat, removes chips and provides lubrication, according to the Haas Automation Inc. website, which features a video report looking at the key features and benefits of MQL.

Products • March 16, 2016

M800 and M80 Series CNC

Addressing the need for a fast, precise and affordable CNC for complex machining applications, Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc. offers the M800 and M80 series CNC and components. The M800 is a high-grade CNC for high-speed, high-accuracy machining and multiaxis, multipart system control and features a fast CNC, while the M80 provides high productivity and easy operability.

Products • March 15, 2016

FANUC CNC Simulator

FANUC America Corp. has released the new FANUC CNC simulator, bringing the popular CNC to the classroom and providing students with exposure to FANUC CNCs without the need for a full mill or lathe. The FANUC CNC simulator is based on the FANUC series 0i - Model F platform and can be operated in either milling or turning configurations. Students can program the simulator as a 3-axis mill or a 2-axis/1-spindle turning system.

Products • March 15, 2016

Top Loader Loading System

WALTER says it offers a completely new type of loading system for new machines of the types HELITRONIC MINI POWER, HELITRONIC DIAMOND EVOLUTION and HELITRONIC ESSENTIAL. The new space-saving and cost-effective automation solution "Top loader" is integrated directly into the machine, therefore requiring no additional floor space and no restriction of the working envelope of the machine.

Products • March 8, 2016

ECO Compact 20 Automation System

Lang Technovation Inc. has introduced its new ECO Compact 20 space-saving and simple automation system.nThe ECO Compact 20 is reportedly designed for complete ease of use and flexibility within a production shop. It is ideal for use with vertical machining centers, housing 20 pallets in a 2m x 2m footprint, saving valuable manufacturing space without sacrificing capacity.

Products • March 8, 2016

TNC 640 Mill/Turn Control

The TNC 640, HEIDENHAIN's mill/turn control, has added powerful new cycles and features. Enhanced graphics, interpolation turning and gear hobbing are some examples that will extend the versatility of the TNC 640 to new applications such as for machining large parts for power plants.

Articles • March 1, 2016 • Alan Richter

Chips Away

The chip collection bin at a shop's turning center is full, so a worker grudgingly begins the mundane task of moving the bin via a forklift to the chip collection station at the opposite end of the plant. Unfortunately, the bin leaks and coolant drips on the shop floor, causing the shop's biggest customer to slip and fall while visiting to check on his latest order. There's got to be a better way.