Software & Digital Solutions

More shops and builders are remotely monitoring machine tools, which quickens maintenance and repair.

END USER: Richardson Manufacturing Co., (217) 546-2249, www.rmc-bigcnc.com. CHALLENGE: Achieve a tight tolerance without increasing cycle time. SOLUTION: A combination drill that eliminated an unreliable boring operation. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Allied Machine & Engineering Corp., (800) 321-5537, www.alliedmachine.com

END USER: Helac Corp., (800) 327-2589, www.helac.com. CHALLENGE: Reduce maintenance and programming time on a large vertical turning center. SOLUTION: Retrofit the VTC with a new CNC and AC digital-axis servodrives and servomotors. SOLUTION PROVIDER: MAG IAS LLC, (859) 534-4600, www.mag-ias.com

END USER: Cincinnati Mine Machinery Co., (513) 728-4040, www.cinmine.com. CHALLENGE: Improve throughput and maintain higher part-quality consistency. SOLUTION: A machining cell with 24 pallets and two horizontal machining centers. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Makino Inc., (513) 573-7200, www.makino.com

Get with the Program: CNC systems, metrology equipment and other types of machinery often require a linear motion component. This may be because of a need to move a cutting tool back and forth, position measuring probes, convey material or clear debris from the work area.

Part Time: While some shops shy away from difficult projects, others welcome them. According to Bob Perkins, president of PDS (Precision Defense Services) Industries, Irwin, Pa., the company has built its business on doing things others can't do.

Gibbs and Associates announced that GibbsCAM has been certified for Autodesk Inventor 2013 3D mechanical design software under the Autodesk Inventor Certified Applications Program.

Mastercam's Blade Expert add-on greatly simplifies the toolpath creation process for any multi-bladed parts, including fans, propellers, impellers, turbines, marine screws, and more.

From simple bushings to critical engine components, producing replacement aircraft parts requires unwavering commitment.

Delcam has launched the 2012 R2 release of its FeatureCAM feature-based CAM system, which includes important new strategies for roughing and turn-mill operations, alongside a range of more general enhancements to allow faster toolpath generation.

END USER: A large aerospace manufacturer. CHALLENGE: Avoid buying a new machine by retaining use of a 25-year-old lathe. SOLUTION: Rebuild the lathe and retrofit it with a new control. SOLUTION PROVIDER: Infinity Rebuild Inc., (704) 588-4995, www.infinityrebuild.com

The Get With The Program column in the January 2012 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering addresses how software can simulate and optimize multitask machines.