Machine Tool Attachments & Accessories

Articles • February 1, 2016 • Kip Hanson

Horizontal machining centers’ enhanced capabilities shorten payback periods

At roughly twice the price of a vertical machining center, do horizontal machining centers make sound financial sense? Absolutely, according to Scott Baldus, product specialist at Okuma America Corp. The Charlotte, N.C., machine builder offers both VMCs and HMCs, yet, Baldus noted, HMCs provide, on average, more than three times the spindle utilization of VMCs.

Articles • February 1, 2016 • William Leventon

A machine for dry grinding gears

Italy-based Samputensili S.p.A. unveiled a machine that eliminates the need for cutting oils when manufacturing gears, thereby reducing grinding costs. During grinding, oil-based lubricants cool the workpiece, as well as reduce friction and help evacuate chips. On the downside, however, oil use accounts for a significant amount of a grinding operation's total cost. Expensive equipment is required to supply, chill, catch and wash away oil in grinding processes. In addition, Samputensili estimates that oil-treatment equipment accounts for 75 percent of the energy consumed by a grinding machine.

Products • January 27, 2016

Speroni MAGIS Tool Presetter

The Speroni MAGIS benchtop tool presetter is now available in a CNC version for operator-independent measuring results. Latest-generation electronics and motors allow for fast movement and repeatable positioning of the X and Z axes and spindle, delivering full CNC measuring with uncertainty of the two linear axes of +/- 1 µm. With the MAGIS CNC, users can automatically execute measuring cycles, adding speed and precision to what's already one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use vision system tool presetters on the market.

Products • January 22, 2016

rConnect communications system

GF Machining Solutions, Lincolnshire, Ill., this week introduced rConnect, a new central communications platform for the company's milling, EDM and laser texturing machines. Advancing the Industry 4.0 vision of the smart factory of the future, rConnect offers the industry's most in-depth remote machine tool analysis, according to a Jan. 20 news release from the company.

Videos • January 21, 2016

Haimer: Easier to find edge with new 3D sensor

The 3D-Sensor New Generation from Haimer USA LLC builds on the success of its predecessor, the Haimer Universal 3D-Sensor, according to a Haimer USA blog post dated Jan. 12. The 3D-Sensor New Generation reportedly features enhanced mechanics, a compact and easy-to-grip casing, and a large 1/100mm dial gauge with two easy-to-read hands.

Products • January 21, 2016

3D-Sensor New Generation

These enhancements improve operations, eliminate restrictions to the working area and allow an extremely precise display of the spindle position, the company said. The new sensor is said to be capable of fast, "math-free" positioning of the spindle axis on the edges of the workpiece, and offers precision of 0.01mm when used with original Haimer probe tips.

Products • January 20, 2016

LuxPro LED Fiberoptic Light System

Titan Tool Supply Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., this month unveiled a new fiberoptic illuminator that reportedly brings sustainability, performance, efficiency and convenience to users of illuminated borescopes and microscopes, the company announced in a Jan. 19 news release.

Products • January 20, 2016

Ball and Trapezoidal Screw Drives

Isotech Inc., a supplier of precision linear motion products based in Hatfield, Penn., has expanded its line of motion-control products to include ball and trapezoidal screw drives for positioning and other motion-control applications, according to the company website.

Products • January 20, 2016

RBX12 Air Power Spindle

BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., this month introduced the RBX12 Air Power Spindle, a high-speed, air-driven spindle said to be capable of achieving a variable rotational speed of 100,000rpm to 120,000rpm, according to a BIG KAISER news release issued Jan. 18.

News • January 8, 2016

Urso & Urso acquires CECOR

CECOR, which manufactures the "Sump Shark" coolant sumpcleaners and industrial carts, announced Jan. 8 that Urso & Urso Inc. has acquired the Verona, Wis.-based company from the RuMo Group LLC. The transaction, accorinding to a CECOR news release, will provide the company with greater access to more opportunity and resources for future growth.

Products • January 5, 2016

BL2711U CAD/CAM Monitor

BenQ America Corp., Costa Mesa, Calif., has introduced the next version of its CAD/CAM-specific monitor. The BL2711U is said to be the world's first 27" 4K2K ultra-high-definition resolution monitor with built-in 100 percent sRGB, IPS technology and exclusive CAD/CAM, animation and low blue light modes for designers to improve design efficiency.

News • January 4, 2016

Fives Machining adds service center in Seattle

Fives Machining Systems is set to open a service center in Seattle today as the company expands to meet the needs of its customers nationwide, according to a news release issued by the Fives Group. The Seattle center will stock spare parts, repair unit assemblies and dispatch service engineers to customers in the Northwest.