General Shop Equipment & Supplies

Here's something that every shop should consider doing from time to time: a careful evaluation of the many business services and internal processes required to operate a successful company.

The newly-released version of WorkNC from Vero Software introduces two important new tools to the portfolio: a direct modelling CAD system and a Robot Module, making offline programming of robots easy, even for inexperienced users. Described as "the right CAD for CAM," WorkNC Designer is a powerful new application focusing on the specific needs of machinist programmers, enabling users to create designs or modify existing geometry from third-party CAD systems.

The new release of Vero Software's powerful high-speed CAD viewer and analyzer, WorkXplore, can now import files in batches. The software was created to efficiently import and analyze all file types and sizes at high speed. It often takes less than half the time to open a file compared to the original CAD application, and this new batch-converter function speeds up the overall process even more.

Sonaca Montreal, a manufacturer of large aerostructures and a subsidiary of Belgium-based Sonaca Group, inaugurated a new high-speed milling center at its plant in Mirabel, Que.

KERN Precision says the new KERN MicroPro 4/5-axis milling machine is designed with production and productivity in mind. It is powered by the highly productive HSK40 spindle with feed ranges up to 1,181 ipm and 42,000 rpm.

The latest release of VISI, from Vero Software, provides a wide variety of new and enhanced items of functionality for both CAD and CAM, specifically for the mold and die market. VISI 2018 R1 introduces a new Mold Tool module based on VISI's Assembly-Ng technology.

Clemson University announced the creation of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. CU-CAM will consolidate all interdisciplinary education, research, innovation and engagement involving manufacturing-oriented activities under one umbrella with the overarching goal to improve manufacturing effectiveness, quality and sustainability. This confluence of expertise and infrastructure will enable the center to provide timely, relevant translation of innovation directly to industry partners.

The unemployment rate in the manufacturing industry for private wage and salary workers is at its lowest point in 17 years, reports the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. November had a rate of 2.6 percent unemployment, down from a high of 13 percent in January 2010 and the lowest since 3.1 percent in June 2000.

Parallel Keepers - Separators are available from Sta-put123.com. They are hardened and ground, plated, 0.0002" flat, and parallel.

Deloitte projects that in the next decade, 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled. However, many manufacturers struggle to fill the employment vacancies they have now. With five website enhancements, a manufacturer can improve its chances of recruiting talented, experienced millennials.

The structural steel industry is bracing for – and counting on – a huge increase in demand for structural steel products. The anticipated surge in demand arises from a renewed focus on improving the country's infrastructure, as well as a high level of private sector construction. Manufacturers are investing in machinery that enables them to increase part production speed. This emerging metalcutting trend is supported by a variety of new tools, including the structural steel GEN3SYS XT holder and insert system and T-A structural steel drilling system made by Allied Machine & Engineering.

Vero Software has launched a new direct modelling system to fill the gap between CAD and CAM, focusing on the specific needs of machinist programmers. As a stand-alone, optional application for its CAM portfolio, Designer enables users to create new designs or modify existing geometry from third-party CAD systems.