Product News

Thomson Industries Inc. has expanded its WhisperTrak actuator line to give motion system designers greater ability to extend quiet, compact actuation to more demanding applications. New additions to the WhisperTrak linear actuator line double force-handling capability from 2kN to 4kN; provide higher-speed operation at 2kN; and offer new options for low-level switching, limit switching and position control at both 2kN and 4kN operation.

Amada Miyachi America Inc. announces the availability of the LMF70-HP, an addition to its popular LMF series of lasers. The 70-watt LMF70-HP is suitable for welding small components and thin metals up to 0.01-inch (0.25 mm) thick. It is particularly well-suited for welding battery tabs to cans (two thin sheets of metal), but can also weld thin wires (thermocouples, guide wires). In addition to welding, the unit is capable of engraving, deep engraving and cutting metal, plastic welding and general-purpose high-speed marking.

Walter says it has introduced a new and innovative cutting geometry, the MS3, teamed with a new high tech grade, WSM01. The new WSM01 grade, manufactured using the HiPIMS (high-power impulse magnetron sputtering) method, provides extremely smooth surfaces that are characterized by excellent layer thickness, outstanding layer bonding and high-level wear resistance, according to the company.

Rockford Systems LLC is bringing added safety to the factory floor with a new line of noncontact magnetic switches that ensure a machine's chip deflection shield is properly positioned between the operator and machine's point of operation hazard while running. Chips are very sharp and can cause serious, sudden injuries to the operator without the shield in place.

Power, speed, tactics, stamina – successful boxers need to bring together many different characteristics to emerge victorious from the ring. This image of versatility and talent is an apt metaphor for the new four-edged FIGHTMAX HPC roughing/finishing endmill for steel materials without a significant chromium content, developed by Inovatools.

New from Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc. is the TSX series tangential milling cutter that is designed for exceptionally efficient shoulder milling. For stable, highly efficient machining at high feed rates, the TSX series is engineered with a tough and sharp cutting edge, according to the company. It provides the strength required for increased depths of cut ranging from a small job to a heavy-duty roughing application.

Fast and reliable milling of stainless steel, titanium, heat-resistant alloys or even CrC alloys is a huge challenge for many machine operators and tool manufacturers. To overcome the challenge, the Swiss cutting tool manufacturer Mikron Tool launched CrazyMill Cool, a product family that promises a valuable solution in a diameter range from 0.3 mm (0.012”) to 8 mm (0.315”). CrazyMill Cool Ball is the newest product of this line.

Simonds Saw introduces QUAD 7 carbide-tipped bandsaw blades for demanding production cutting operations, such as steel service centers, foundries and aerospace sawing applications. QUAD 7 blades are suitable for alloy; high chrome alloy; Inconel and other nickel-based alloys; titanium block and plate; stainless steels; and mold, tool and bearing steels.

Palmgren says its two-speed belt grinders provide the ultimate flexibility from roughing, to intermediate grinding and blending, to final finishing. By changing the belt, the grinder quickly converts from heavy stock removal to shaping, forming, snagging, deburring, chamfering and finishing operations.

BENZ Inc. has introduced a new product called NanoFix, a modular quick-change system for Swiss lathe live and static tools applications. The BENZ NanoFix modular quick-change system is designed for Swiss-type tooling with a minimum spindle distance of 22 mm and makes it simple to change tools inside the Swiss lathe in as little as 15 seconds.

In the USA, time is the most expensive component of the manufacturing process. Tool set up prior to any job being run represents a significant amount of that time, which is why tool presetters represent a monetary savings for any shop, because they save time. Haimer’s new Microset tool presetting equipment streamlines tool setting processes, reducing set up times by as much as 70 percent, thereby minimizing idle time and increasing machine utilization.

Automation is essential in helping manufacturers achieve maximum return on investment from their machine tools. Makino offers the availability of a new design configuration for its MMC2 automated pallet-handling system, which enables full compatibility with the company’s a61nx-5E 5-axis horizontal machining center.

Seco Tools has expanded its family of Duratomictechnology-based TP grades to include TP3501, a grade that reportedly provides optimal application security. The new grade is ideal for steel turning applications that involve numerous interrupted cuts, less stable machines, short time in cut or weak setups due to part size or shape.

Fine filtered cooling lubricants represent an important cornerstone in tool manufacturing and are instrumental in achieving high tool quality quickly and economically. Tool manufacturers, who rely on the right technology and competence of their filtration system manufacturer, capitalize optimally on the many advantages offered by efficient coolant filtration.

Wildeck Inc. has announced its new NetGate pick module safety gate, which will transform open rack loading zones into protected, safe access areas by providing full height fall protection within the pallet zone.

Kurt Workholding offers a complete line of high-density CarvLock workholding towers for precision machining with eight or 12 clamping stations in both manual and hydraulic models. Equipped with easily changeable jaws, these Kurt towers enhance setup flexibility and provide fast changeover between jobs.

Sandvik Coromant says it has unveiled a new turning concept that offers improved machining flexibility and the potential for significant productivity gains. The company’s PrimeTurning methodology and supporting tools provide manufacturers, particularly in aerospace and automotive sectors, with a true "all directional turning" solution.

With the Sinumerik 828 CNC family, Siemens is now offering a simple solution for connecting robots to machine tool, which has become an integral part of automated production cell setup. Different types of robots designed by different manufacturers can be connected to CNC machines equipped with the Sinumerik 828D family using the Sinumerik Integrate Run MyRobot/EasyConnect interface to perform handling tasks.

Walter Surface Technologies announces the launch of FLEXSTEEL, a high-performing general-purpose flap disc designed for use on steel in light industrial, metal fabrication and construction applications. FLEXSTEEL is the newest addition to Walter’s ENDURO-FLEX family of flap discs and furthers Walter’s commitment to helping customers work better.

Wildeck Inc. has introduced a new LiftLok VRC safety system to prevent lift operation by untrained or unauthorized personnel. A basic key switch or a more feature rich 10-key pushbutton digital keypad can be added to any Wildeck mechanical or hydraulically-operated VRC (Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor).