General Shop Equipment & Supplies

Dr. Jeffrey Badger, the host of Cutting Tool Engineering's Grinding Doc Video Series, helps a shop that appears to be grinding good pistons, but complaints about cracking from the customer suggest otherwise. In his 68th episode, Badger explains what's happening and how the shop could miss potential problems despite inspection efforts.

ESPRIT 2016 from DP Technology Corp. features a new innovative high speed lathe roughing strategy, called ProfitTurning that implements ESPRIT's new physics-based cutting engine. While traditional cutting strategies only consider the geometry of the part, ProfitTurning creates the toolpath considering multiple cutting factors and machine characteristics that impact machining performance.

Without the right fixturing, you aren't making the most of your 5-axis investment. BIG KAISER's Unilock 5-axis modular system fits seamlessly onto machine tables.

Traditional manual indexable tool repair methods can place limitations on the feasibility of repairing more than moderate pocket damage. GKI says its process using 4- and 5-axis CNC machines removes the damage completely and replaces it with new metal, resulting in a superior-quality tool while enhancing GKI's ability to repair tooling that other repair houses would likely turn away as "beyond repair."

Additive manufacturing (AM) will neither displace existing machining processes nor revolutionize industrial production operations—at least not for the next 5 to 7 years, according to Myron Graw, an AM authority who spoke at METAV 2016, the 19th International Exhibition for Metalworking (Metallverarbeitung) Technologies. Graw, who heads up AM operations at KEX Knowledge Exchange AG, in Aachen, Germany, wasn't just sharing his personal opinion. He was delivering the results of a five-stage AM study conducted by KEX, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology, according to a news release posted to the METAV 2016 website Feb. 23.

Bumotec has launched the s181 turn-mill center, a compact cost effective multifunction machine targeted at industries such as micromechanic, aerospace, medical and surgical instruments, as well as watch and jewelry. Derived from the well-known Bumotec s191 linear CNC turn-mill center, the new s181 is a 5- to 9-axis unit targeted at single-setup machining of complex and high-precision workpieces.

Machinery's Handbook from Industrial Press Inc.. is an authoritative, comprehensive and practical tool, providing its users with fundamental and essential aspects of manufacturing practices. It is a must-have reference for mechanical, manufacturing, and industrial engineers, designers, draftsmen, toolmakers, machinists, engineering and technology students, and the serious home hobbyist, according to the publisher.

Gleason Corp. introduces its latest innovation, the 500CB cutter build inspection machine. The 500CB delivers more accurate and highly automated build, truing and inspection of all types of stick-blade bevel gear cutters.

Microlution Inc., Chicago, recently introduced its MR-4 Precision Micro Lathe turning platform that reportedly offers positional accuracy of +/-0.00004" (1µm), maximum acceleration better than 2g, spindle speeds up to 15,000 rpm, tooling speeds up to 30,000 rpm and torque up to 6 Nm (S1), according to the company's website.

Laser technology company Coherent Inc. will acquire industrial laser maker Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. for about $942 million, according to a joint news release issued by the two companies March 16. "This transaction is aligned with our strategy of increasing our scale and pursuing accretive growth opportunities," said Coherent President and CEO John Ambroseo. "The combination of Coherent and Rofin represents a unique opportunity to strengthen Coherent's position in materials processing. The addition of Rofin's complementary portfolio will build on Coherent's capabilities as a world leader in laser and photonics-based technology and solutions, and create meaningful value for our stockholders."

Daniel Franklin, who began his career at the Rollomatic factory in Switzerland in 1999, will take over the team leader's position with immediate effect, according to a recent Rollomatic news release. Franklin takes over for Mac MacKenna, who transitioned into a sales manager position in the Northeast.

Greenleaf Corporation, a leading developer of cutting tool technology and ceramic materials, has appointed Jan Andersson to the position of Global Manager, Tech Team and Marketing. Andersson comes to Greenleaf from Kennametal Corporation and Sandvik Coromant where he held various positions within Product Management, Marketing, Sales and R&D.