General Shop Equipment & Supplies

When was the last time you took a serious look at your supply chain? You may be surprised to learn that many of the advantages to offshoring have eroded in recent years.

With the new Version 14.5 the CAD tool KeyCreator comes with new, powerful functions on the software marke, K2D-KeyToData GmbH reports.

Industrial part cleaning equipment manufacturer Dürr Ecoclean uses virtual reality in training its global service staff to carry out maintenance support on its complex manipulators.

Makino offers the next-generation MAG3.EX 5-axis horizontal machining center, a machine platform updated with expanded capabilities for the processing of complex aluminum structural parts for the aerospace industry. With its speed, power and motion control enhancements, the new MAG3.EX provides aerospace manufacturers with the productivity necessary to exceed customer demands for costs, quality and lead-times, according to the company.

CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies says the TJR AR-5C pneumatic collet rotary table provides an affordable alternative to 3- or 4-jaw chucks for users whose workpieces require the use of 5C collets. The AR-5C rotary table employs a 5C collet closer system and can be integrated into a machine's control as a full 4th axis or operated as an indexer via TJR's single-axis controller (SAC).

Shape Corp., a tier-one automotive and industrial component supplier, is partnering with the SME Education Foundation to expand its manufacturing education program for high school students. The Foundation, Shape Corp. and Grand Haven Area Public Schools will collaborate through SME's Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education (PRIME) initiative, to develop and launch an advanced manufacturing education program at Grand Haven (Mich.) High School beginning in the 2018 academic year.

An article at HR (as in Human Resources) Dive revisited the ongoing skills-gap issue, noting that "today's talent lacks the skills required to complete manufacturing tasks in a computerized world." Two experts—Mitch Free, chairman and CEO of ZYCI CNC Machining and founder of MFG.com, and Chris Hobbs, reliability solutions manager at Advanced Technology Services—make the case that certification programs offer "at least a partial solution" to the problem.

With more than 75,000 implemented, customer-specific solutions, SCHUNK has been developing and manufacturing hydraulic expansion arbors for high-precision applications in milling, hobbing, turning, grinding, assembly, inspection and balancing for over 35 years. The hydraulic expansion technology is now with VERO-S Module quick-change capabilites.

Koenigsegg, the Swedish manufacturer of high-end, high-performance sports cars, was featured in the 2016 documentary "APEX: The Story of the Hypercar," which describes the battle for a new class of high-speed, fast-pickup sport scars.

Desktop Metal Inc., a 2-year-old startup, developed a different method of metal 3D printing that it calls an "office-friendly" system for rapid prototyping. The Desktop Metal (DM) Studio system is based on a new approach—Single Pass Jetting (SPJ), which was created by the inventors of the binder-jetting and the single-pass inkjet processes.

END USER: Manes Machine & Engineering Co., (970) 224-3311, www.manesmachine.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Lang Technovation Co., (262) 446-9850, www.lang-technovation.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate the time spent machining dovetail cutouts and holes in a workpiece so it could be held in a dovetail-type vise for machining. SOLUTION: A stamping unit that creates dimples in a workpiece for holding it in a self-centering vise, referred to as form-closure technology.

END USER: Amsted Rail – Brenco Inc., (804) 732-0202, www.amstedrail.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Jorgensen Conveyors Inc., (800) 325-7705, www.jorgensenconveyors.com. CHALLENGE: Eliminate bushy stringers from repeatedly jamming chip conveyors. SOLUTION: A chip conveyor with a dual-belt conveyor that reduces or eliminates jamming problems.