Software & Digital Solutions

Used in conjunction with HEIDENHAIN's PWM 20 diagnostic tool, the new ATS (Adjustment and Testing Software) software reportedly provides a powerful and easy-to-use platform to diagnosis encoder faults and to evaluate the output signals of HEIDENHAIN encoders.

Two new Power Pick Global software features improve pick and pass operations in organizations. Power Pick Global software from KardexRemstar Inc. can improve material flow by directing operators to the next pick within the pick zone reducing operator dwell time.

HEIDENHAIN's latest version of the PC-based QUADRA-CHEK metrology software provides advanced functionality for quality control inspection measurement machines.

SPRING Technologies has announced that it is among the first NC simulation software developers to offer mobile functionality in its latest release, NCSIMUL Machine 9, running on Windows 8 Pro and INTEL certified.

As someone who visits job shops and manufacturers almost daily, I know why some are thriving, while others struggle. The ones that are thriving have invested and continue to invest in equipment, software, training and consulting services. Those struggling often say, "I would invest more in these areas, but I can't afford them because my competitors keep underbidding me. They must be giving parts away."r More often than not, owners of thriving shops are not underbidding their competitors -- they're out-machining them. They are taking full advantage of all the competitive benefits made available by their machining systems and advice from consultants to operate more profitably. In short, they've learned to pick the low-hanging fruit available to them and reinvest their profits to bring even higher fruit within easier reach.

Zontec Inc., a developer of Statistical Process Control (SPC) software, announced an update to Synergy 3000.

A machine vision system for inspecting cutting tool wear.

The heart of rail technology beats in Germany, where the Bombardier Transportation division of the Canadian conglomerate is headquartered in Berlin. Its plant in Netphen, Germany, annually produces 2,500 to 3,000 carriage bodies and bogies (a chassis or framework with wheels that is attached to a railway vehicle). This equipment is used in vehicles ranging from trams to high-speed trains. Despite the European economic crisis, order volumes have risen over the last few years, to the point where the plant, which has a workforce of 700, is nearly at full capacity.

From HEIDENHAIN Corp. comes a new online interactive training tool for CNC instruction called HIT (HEIDENHAIN Interactive Training).

This month's Get With The Program column in Cutting Tool Engineering looks at the benefits of nesting software for shops that make parts from flat raw materials.

The latest release of the market-leading CAM software, Edgecam, contains a direct interface with Autodesk Vault 2013, allowing users to manage their Edgecam files in it.

New tools help parts makers design for manufacturability, which reduces machining costs and improves part quality.