October 2007 Edition

FABTECH PREVIEW

Fabrication Show Coming to Chicago

The 2007 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show returns to McCormick Place in Chicago. Taking place November 11 to 14, it is the largest event in North America dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal-forming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology.

Co-sponsored by the American Welding Society, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and supported by industry partner, the National Association of Manufacturers, the event is expected to showcase about 1,000 exhibitors, covering 475,000 ft2, and host 25,000 attendees. Buyers and sellers from more than 75 countries will gather at the show to exchange products and services, network with peers, see new products, problem-solve, and educate the industry about the latest technologies.

Compact Laser Cutter on Display

The ByVention and the Byspeed 3015 laser-cutting systems, EP and PR bending systems, and the Bysoft system software will be on display. The ByVention laser-cutting system offers simplicity, compact size, a re-invented material flow concept, reassuring performance, system completeness, and affordability. The compact laser-cutting machine handles standard-sized material up to 5"×10" and has a working footprint of 20"×20". The control has step-by-step user direction for operators.
Bystronic Inc., Booth 12095

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Combinations and Compilations Exhibited

A compilation of machines is available for viewing. The 3400 XP plasma-punch combination machine features a pneumatic tapping unit for cutting, punching, forming, and tapping in one operation. Several sizes of ironworkers with a variety of options will be demonstrated. New Bertsch brand bending rolls will be unveiled at the show. All of the machines are from MegaFab, the parent company of Whitney, Piranha, and Bertsch.
MegaFab, Booth 15095

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Free Multi-Lingual Catalog

A burr, router, and abrasive catalog is available at the show. The catalog features multi-lingual application information about products such as the Imperial routers engineered for plastic and composite materials; Quick Change abrasives for light grinding and finishing; non-woven products engineered for finishing applications; and coated burrs.
ATI Garryson, Booth 38053

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Portable CMM Debuts

A portable CMM will be unveiled at the show. It features an exclusive combination of technologies for performing inspections, tool certification, CAD-to-part analysis, and reverse engineering. It is a repeatable device and a tool for companies desiring coordinate measuring machines.
Faro Technologies, Booth 8117

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3D Laser Available

The Domino Evoluzione is a 2D/3D laser-cutting system with high-speed axes and acceleration for the X- and Y-axis for 2D cutting, enhanced Z-axis height, and 3D cutting. A high-speed CNC control provides enhanced graphics for easy, user-friendly programming. It also has a quick piercing function. There also will be a demonstration of Synchrono, a 2D laser-cutting system. The machine features the CV5000 Laser Resonator. The Syncrono system has a patented laser head, designed with two additional small, linear-driven parallel kinematic axes on the moving gantry, creating a "machine within a machine." This allows the cutting head to cut to accelerate up to 6g.
Prima North America, Inc., Booth 10195

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That'll Leave a Mark

The LMW marking workstation, coupled with the LMV1000 laser marker, is a configurable marking system. Available in four sizes, the LMW also comes in two heights to accommodate different focal height optics – from 75mm to 420mm – and parts handling options. The LMW systems are available with an optional pneumatic shuttle parts handler for increased throughput by automatically sequencing parts through the system and positioning them for marking. It has two horizontal doors with safety interlocks and laser-safe windows for process monitoring. The LMW also can be fitted with an optional off-axis camera sub-system for in-process verification of the mark quality. The LMV1000 diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser marker produces finer and smaller marks on small parts. It uses a different crystal lasing medium, YVO4 – also known as vanadate – but also pumps the laser through the end of the crystal rather than from the side.
Miyachi Unitek, Booth 6127

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Precision Positioning Swivel-Base Magnetic Drill

Two new holemaking products, developed for efficient hole production for fabricating applications, will be shown. The HMD904S swivel base portable magnetic drill features a drill body/magnetic base coupling that provides a pivot axis for up to 1-1/8" side-to-side motion plus an axis for up to 1-3/8" front-to-back movement. The HMD904S weighs 30-1/2 lb, and provides drilling capacities of 1-1/2" diameter and 2" DOC using Hougen's Rotabroach annular cutters. Also highlighted will be the carbide-tipped Holcutter sheet-metal cutters available in diameters from 11/16" to 3". The cutters do high feed rate holes in tough-to-cut sheet-metal and plates up to 1/8" thick, such as stainless, alloys, cast iron, and materials with high Brinell hardness.
Hougen Manufacturing, Inc., Booth 10028

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TIG Grinder Kit

The Triad – TTG Plus – tungsten grinder provides the accuracy and versatility needed to prepare tungsten for orbital and hand-held TIG applications. It features an industrial motor, precision-drilled entries that can accommodate six different tungsten electrode diameters, and four different grinding angles for reliable arc starting and weld penetration. Each Triad ships in a carrying case, and includes a dual-sided, diamond-coated grinding wheel, an electrode holder, a Torx 20 screwdriver, and a machine holder designed for bench top mounting.
Weldcraft, Booth 4080

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"Rocket" Launches for Stick Electrodes

The Rocket 7024 stick electrodes reduce clean-up and rework, including a slag system that provides slag release from the weld joint – in some cases self-peeling – with no entrapment in the toes of the weld. It features a smooth arc and low spatter levels, along with the ability to weld through moderate mill scale or dirty materials. The Fabshield XLR-8 is a self-shielded flux-cored wire for out-of-position welding capabilities at both high and low heat inputs. It is suited for vertical-up welds at high current levels and has lower diffusible hydrogen levels. It meets the new D-Designation under AWS A5.20:2005, making it useable for AWS D1.8 Demand Critical Welds.
Hobart Brothers, Booth 4070

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Waterjet Keeps Ballscrews Clean

Capable of producing complex parts from virtually any material, the High Rail gantry waterjet features an overhead design for full access to the work envelope and raising critical components out of the process environment. It uses high-volume, low-pressure air around the ballscrews and linear motion guides and bearings, for durability by preventing contamination from entering. The High Rail gantry has a repeatability of 0.002" over the work envelope. It is available in 2" increments from 4"× 4", 24"×14". Custom sizes are available, and the system expands as a business grows. It powers a line of intensifier pumps, which range from 30hp to 200hp and rated at 60,000 psi.
Jet Edge, Inc., Booth 11086

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Carbon Dioxide Laser Pumps Out 6 kW

The TLM Series laser features a 2.5kW PRC CO2 laser. Among the available TLM models are six sizes and four power options of up to 6 kW, with size ranges from 51"×51" to 110"×169", with vertical travel of up to 31". Controllable optical head angles of +200° with 359°, and +180° rotation are the 4- and 5-axes. There is an optional welding function as well as a 6-axis command. The TLZ Series' CO2 3-axis laser- cutting systems has flying optics and cutting rates of up to 1,575 ipm along with rapid traverse speeds of 3,937 ipm in the X- and Y-axes, and 2,362 ipm for the Z-axis. Also offered is 5kW of power for deep penetration cuts.
NTC America Corp., Booth 10107

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See How to Get Bent Into Shape

The EBe servo-electric bending machine has an automated bending operation cycle from the loading of the flat parts to unloading of the components. This EBe bending cell has a maximum bending length of 84.65" and maximum opening height of 8". The system is operated by CNC control and it exchanges information and synchronization with the PLC through digital communication. Machine main functions and all axes involved in the bending process are numerically controlled.
   Actuation of the bending blade movements – vertical and horizontal – are by servo NC-axes instead of hydraulic cylinders. The upper tool movements are done by another NC servo-axis. A fundamental characteristic of the EBe bending technology is the movement of the blades. With a new bending principle, when the "rolling mode" is used, there is a wider contact surface between the blade and the sheet but no relative friction so part marking and tooling wear is minimized.
Finn-Power International, Inc., Booth 16047

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Electro-mechanical Fastener Avoids Hydraulic Fluids

The Pemserter Series 3000 automatic fastener-installation press can install self-clinching fasteners. Full servo electromechanical actuation technology provides operating consistency, reliability, efficiency, and minimized maintenance. Elimination of hydraulic fluids makes it an environmental-friendly system. The electro-mechanical servo drive optimizes ram function for repeatable speed and force. It has a PC-based programming interface with the Windows operating system for customization, menu-driven touch-screen controls, descriptive screen alerts, and an on-screen multi-media instructional video. A patented Lightstream operator safety system provides safeguards by ensuring ram force is applied only to fasteners. The press is designed with a 24" throat depth, has a ram force up to 16,000 lbs, and remotely operates through a network.
PennEngineering, Booth 17027

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"Cyclone" Whirls into the Show

The Cyclone Push-Pull MIG gun and wire feed system is based on a planetary drive, which overcomes problems, such as bird nesting associated with wire feed push-pull systems. The Cyclone is designed for high-speed welding, and welding aluminum. It comes in both air-cooled, 300 amp and 400 amp, water-cooled versions, both versions have a 360° moveable, locking gooseneck.
American Torch Tip Company, Booth 2085

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Get Pipes Shiny

The LRP 1503 VRA Boa pipe sander polishes hand rails, pipe, and tubing. It has an 11-amp motor and variable-speed control of 12 to 40 ft/sec. The sanding arm snakes up to 270° around the radius of the pipe. The operator rotates the Boa slightly to achieve a 360° finish. Its sanding arm – a light alloy – has two deflection rollers. An additional side handle rotates 180° in narrow spaces, such as handrails, that are fixed close to walls. Replacement of the sanding belt requires no tools. Spring resistance between the deflection rollers provide the sanding arm and belt with uniform tension. The Boa is also available as a 1hp pneumatic model with 20 cfm air consumption at 90 psi. Both pneumatic and electric models come with a carrying case and a variety of sanding belts. Additional belts are available in two sizes: 1.5" and 3/4" wide. Grits range from 80 to 220. Non-woven nylon sanding fleece for polishing is also available.
CS Unitec, Booth 6157

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Turret Punch Works With Robotic Placement

The V-Series 1225 30-ton CNC turret punch press has a robotic pick-sort system. The turret punch press handles workpieces up to 98.4"×49.2" with a working area capacity of 196.8"×49.2". The punch press has a hydraulic press drive optimized for high-speed operation; it delivers up to 400 hits per minute on 1" centers and produces 1,000 strokes per minute in continuous nibbling mode.
  The machine's turret capacity allows up to 48 stations with three 3.5" indexable stations and one additional fixed 3.5" station, or one fixed 4.5" station for large parting tools, louvers, or special forms. A 0.984" feed clearance between the upper and lower turret provides production of higher forms, such as lances, louvers, embossments or card-guides. It will be on display with an integrated pick-sort system for unloading of finished parts. The pick-sort system converts the V-Series machine into a freestanding, lights-out production cell. The robotic system loads full-size sheets and automatically retrieves and stacks individual punched parts with dimensions up to 49.21"×98.4". An offload system removes and stacks skeletal frames or nested sheets.
LVD Strippit, Booth 12047

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High-Pressure Press Exerts 150,000 Tons

With Flexform high-pressure presses, sheet-metal blanks are formed over a single rigid, shape-defining tool by a flexible rubber diaphragm under uniform hydraulic pressure. The process results in scratch-free parts regardless of the sheet thickness or complexity of the tool, including undercuts. The system has pressures up to 20,000 psi, with an equivalent press force as high as 150,000 tons. It can form and trim in a single operation. Tool halves and blanks are freely placed in large trays, which shuttle in and out of the press frame containing the pressurized diaphragm. Multiple part sizes, shapes, and gauges can be processed in the same cycle. Cycle times vary from one to three minutes.
Avure Technologies, Booth 17145

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