October 2007 Edition

NEW PRODUCTS

 

Five-Sided Inserts

MAN

The ValMILL V556 system consists of face mills, endmills, and an array of insert grades and geometries. The V556 series features inserts for rough- and finish-face milling operations, as well as plunging, ramping, and helical interpolation applications, and options for face mill- or end mill-style bodies. The endmill tools are available in 1.25" and 1.5" diameters; there are six V556 face mills in 2" to 6" diameters. The system uses pentagonal-shape inserts with five cutting edges – an extra index surface priced competitively with four-edge square or three-edge triangular tools. Valenite LLC

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-241 for more information.

Long Torches Added

MAN

Four extra-length torches have been added to the Bulldog series. Three are 36", 48", and 72" with 180° head angles. The fourth is a 36" torch with 75° head angle that holds a seat to accept Harris-style tips. The torches can be used with alternative fuel gases, but not acetylene, hydrogen, or gasoline. They have high-flow capacity, light for continuous use, and useful in scrap, construction, and demolition. Victor

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-242 for more information.

Custom Tooling Blocks

MAN

The distributor now offers Abbott blank tooling blocks that reduce tooling cost and lead time. They are made from A713 Tenzaloy aluminium alloy for light weight, strength, and dampen vibration. These blocks fit standard machining center pallets from 300mm to 1,000mm. They are available in various shapes and sizes, including two-, three-, four-, six-, and eight-sided versions. The company stocks them as unmachined blank castings for machining to customer specifications. Carr Lane Mfg. Co.

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-243 for more information.

Adapter For Unilock Systems Speeds Setups

MAN

For use with the Unilock clamping system, the Rotary Indexer adapter kit makes it easy to change setups and parts. The 210mm adapter has 0.0002" repeatable accuracy and retention force greater than 11,000 lb. Its clamping provides a system to position and clamp workpieces for efficient part loading. The kit attaches to rotary tables with T-slot faceplates. BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc.

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-250 for more information.

New Press Brake Series

MAN

The TruBend 3000 Series is an addition to the company’s series of press brakes. It features a new crowning system that uses hydraulic cylinders combined with a passive crowning technique, as well as a 5-axis backguage with ±3" on the X2 axis. The series has Delem T3000 controls, radius programming, and machine diagnostic functions. The TruBend 3180 has a bed length of 162", 144" between the columns, and198 tons of press force. Trumpf

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-244 for more information.

Grooving Inserts Sport Coolant Passages

MAN

The VHM series of face grooving inserts are made of solid, micrograin carbide. The AK-40 grade is for machining aluminum, brass, copper, plastics, and high-temperature alloys. The AL-40 grade has a high-temperature coating for machining steels, stainless steels, and cast steels. Through-the-insert coolant provides maximum cooling directed at the cutting edge and aids in chip evacuation. The inserts have a ground design, and are available in 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, or 4mm widths, plus made to special sizes. They may be used as inserts in existing collets, or in Rouse holders. H.B. Rouse & Co.

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-245 for more information.

Cutters Deliver Metal-Removal Rates

MAN

The manufacturer of KSOM clampless cutters reports they deliver high metal-removal rates and good surface finishes in steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, and high-temperature alloys. The cutters also do roughing and semi-finishing. These cutters come in four geometries, six grades, and medium or fine-pitch styles to handle most applications. They sport a steel body with eight tungsten carbide cutting edges and come in 1.25" to 6" diameters. Kennametal Inc.

Visit www.rsleads.com/710mn-246 for more information

Industry News

Blue-collar Jobs Lead Employment Decline
According to information released by the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing – NACFAM – seasonally adjusted manufacturing employment was reported at 13.4 million by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in September.

NTMA and PMA Join to Strengthen Industry Advocacy
The Precision Metalforming Association, Independence, OH, and the National Tooling and Machining Association, Fort Washington, MD, are combining their federal government advocacy programs to promote the U.S. government to ensure a strong manufacturing sector.

Unemployment Trend by State
According to the Economic Policy Institute, since the economic downturn began in December 2007, the U.S. has lost more than 600,000 jobs, and the national unemployment rate has risen to a five-year high of 6.1 percent.

Manufacturing Technology Consumption Falls in July
July U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $303.44 million, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association and the Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption – USMTC – program, was down 21.5 percent from June but up 5.7 percent from the total of $287 million reported for July 2007.

GE Fanuc Backs MTConnect
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, Japan, announced its support of MTConnect, a new communication protocol to link machine tools from varying suppliers around the world.

Flow Executes Definitive Agreement in Omax Merger
Flow International Corp., Kent, WA, a developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines, executed a definitive agreement to merge with OMAX Corp., Kent, WA. OMAX was a privately-held provider of waterjet systems.

Dimension 3D Printing Provides $400,000 in Grants to Schools
The Dimension 3D Printing Group, Minneapolis, a business unit of Stratasys, Inc., gave more than $400,000 to schools across the nation to underwrite the purchase of 3D printing systems for the 2008-09 school year.

PennEngineering and Peninsula Components Announce Patent Fight Agreement
The patent infringement suit brought by PennEngineering & Manufacturing Corp., Danboro, PA, against Peninsula Components, Inc., San Carlos, CA, was settled.

Shuttle Follow-on Builder Chooses PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software, Plano, TX, announced Space Exploration Technologies – SpaceX – a privately-held leading space launch vehicle developer and services provider, standardized on Siemens’ NX and Teamcenter software for product design, simulation, and product data management.

Lincoln Electric Opens Automation Center
The Lincoln Electric Co., arc welding products manufacturer, opened its Automation Center of Excellence on October 23, adjacent to its Cleveland headquarters. The 100,000 ft2 facility showcases the company’s robotic welding solutions.

Association For Manufacturing Technology Elects New Board of Directors
The Association for Manufacturing Technology – AMT – elected its 2008-2009 officers and directors at its 2008 Annual Meeting in Austin, TX.

Some Good News in a Sour Economy
There may be at least three silver linings in the dark cloud of global economic crisis, according to a Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Rockford, IL, economic consultant.