March 2014
CNC allows the full and scalable integration of a robot into any machining operation, allowing shops and large production departments alike to do so much more.
As automation and multi-axis robot applications sweep through the shop floor, the functions of cable and hoses become critical to overall equipment performance. At first glance, managing cables and hoses may seem simple. But in reality, underestimating cable management can be a big time mistake. Guest columnist Don Nester of igus explains why this has become such an important part of any well-functioning robot.
Many applications in the fabrication industry still require stick welding. Like other filler metals, stick electrodes are available in many types, each of which provide different mechanical properties and operate with a specific type of welding power source. Before you power up your machine and pick up your stick electrode holder, consider these basic guidelines to help simplify your stick welding experience.
Integrating mobile device technology into your manufacturing operations can boost your company’s productivity — but only if you create the right strategy.
The in-house system developed by OMAX helps eliminate bottlenecks, provides active real-time measurable data, makes it possible to quickly adjust to fluctuating production schedules, streamlines processes and shortens manufacturing lead times to get machines on customers’ shop floors faster.
For advanced smooth and accurate simultaneous 5-axis high-speed machining, remote operated 30i-B/31i-B5 CNCs from FANUC FA America boast the new High-Speed Smooth TCP with new fairing technology.
The ProNumeric OP 50 M hand-held operating device from Schleicher Electronic represents one of the first times that a machine tool can be controlled with smart-phone convenience.
When a laser system is waiting for material handling, it is not making money. Automated systems must be able to cope with the common differences between laser types. The process of selecting the best choice becomes increasingly involved when the system uses solid state laser cutting machines. Here are some important points to consider.
The WiBox 1.5 from Spectrum CNC Technologies provides accurate machine tool monitoring by capturing every signal, no matter the interval, in high volume, rapid cycle production.
CNC allows the full and scalable integration of a robot into any machining operation, allowing shops and large production departments alike to do so much more.
High precision hard turning techniques are enjoying ever greater popularity in the metal processing industry. By shortening cycle times and increasing flexibility, high precision hard turning has advantages over grinding in particular when it comes to processing complicated parts such as spindle nuts or threaded spindles in the hard state.
This second generation machining business is using a new technology that makes a 60 millionths tolerance look generous. No kidding.
To minimize costs while achieving required production volumes in shorter periods of time, shops are finding new ways to increase their spindle utilization by doing more processes between changeovers on their machine tools.
The T1 from Makino is ideal for large prismatic or cylindrical parts commonly machined in industrial, energy and aerospace industries.
Here is a brief overview of high power diode laser cladding that can offer improved process throughput, superior overall clad quality, very low dilution levels, reduced heat input, minimal part distortion and better clad deposition control than most traditional technologies.
Some tips and best practices for maintaining a high production yield in micro welding.
Here are some of the latest advances that combine laser flexibility with its increasing power, improved cutting speeds and better edge quality that lower operating costs and help shops reduce their need for secondary operations.
Many applications in the fabrication industry still require stick welding. Like other filler metals, stick electrodes are available in many types, each of which provide different mechanical properties and operate with a specific type of welding power source. Before you power up your machine and pick up your stick electrode holder, consider these basic guidelines to help simplify your stick welding experience.
MIG and TIG welding, plasma cutting, laser cutting or welding all require compressed gases. How these gases are stored, handled and used will determine the extent that the overall cost of these gas products impacts your bottom line. The correct gas delivery system will provide the most economical and efficient results to complement any of these applications – and the normal starting point for all of them is a cylinder of gas and a regulator.
Too often management invests in wiring machines to a central server for uptime and downtime reporting on the machines. These systems are relatively inexpensive and produce colorful dash boards, but may not reveal the reason for the downtime. Knowing the “who, what, why” is more important than just the “where and when.”
The e-F@ctory Alliance Program from Mitsubishi Electric Automation is a third-party referencing program with other automation hardware and software vendors that allows customers to select solutions that best solve their automation challenges.
While LED technology has been available for a number of years and is more efficient than other light offerings, it has not caught on as quickly as advocates hoped. This new LED fixture from Big Ass Fans addresses the issues that have caused industrial and commercial spaces to be slow in adopting the lighting technology.
This energy microsite has been created to help facility managers, plant managers, sustainability mangers and others within the manufacturing sector meet their aggressive energy reduction goals.
As automation and multi-axis robot applications sweep through the shop floor, the functions of cable and hoses become critical to overall equipment performance. At first glance, managing cables and hoses may seem simple. But in reality, underestimating cable management can be a big time mistake. Guest columnist Don Nester of igus explains why this has become such an important part of any well-functioning robot.
Here are some ways to help your shop reduce the risk of injury and health-related overhead costs by making your welding processes safer for your employees.
The Programmable Control Unit from Tapeswitch Corporation is a versatile and cost effective solution to bridge the gap in between traditional safety relays and PLC systems.
Compatible with iPhones, iPods; and iPads, the Walter Safety App from Walter Surface Technologies provides metalworkers around the world with easy access to essential safety information when working on factory floors, job sites, etc.
When a worker screws up and gets hurt, organizations tend to react in one of two ways: Either they rush head long to the conclusion that the errant employee needs more training or they are resolute in the belief that the worker knew (or should have known) that what he or she did was wrong and did it anyway. While these circumstances are sometimes the case, they are far from the only possibility.
As miniaturization pushes the envelope of medical device components, new micro machining technologies and fabrication systems are being developed to address sub-micron tolerances and other related manufacturing issues.
To help verify machine tool accuracy in closed-loop motion control systems, direct load monitoring using secondary feedback encoders eliminates common sources of position error — mechanical backlash, non-linearity, and hysteresis — and saves money along the way.
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