Product News

Beckhoff Automation announced the incorporation of comprehensive image processing capabilities into its PC-based control system with new TwinCAT Vision software. TwinCAT unites a comprehensive range of machine functionality – PLC, motion control, robotics, high-end measurement technology, IoT, HMI and now machine vision – all in an end-to-end engineering and control platform.

Osborn introduced a second wave to its line of abrasive products. The line expansion includes additional depressed-center grinding discs, cut-off discs and flap discs.

Beckett Packaging offers a full line of Grip-Paks. Grip-Paks are individual packaging for endmills, drills, solid-carbide tools and other cutting tools.

Easily adaptable, Palmgren's 20-inch, variable-speed drill press allows the operator to select the best rpm for the tool and material without stopping the job. The ergonomic side-mounted hand wheel instantly adjusts the speeds.

The 2018 R1 release of Alphacam, from Vero Software, includes considerable enhancements to automation and nesting functions. There is now the ability in Automation Manager to have a connection between "parent-child" parts, as job files can now be added to another job file as a sub-component. This enhances the management of parts that should be manufactured in groups.

The ORLAS CREATOR hybrid 3D printing and milling machine from O.R. Lasertechnology Inc. brings together the benefits of both additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing within a single platform to offer a comprehensive manufacturing solution. The advantages of 3D printing complex metal components using the direct AM powder melting process in combination with the OR LASER’s advanced milling capabilities for precision finishing ensure that the ORLAS CREATOR hybrid is a compelling manufacturing solution at an accessible price point for SMEs.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies has sharpened the market fit of its Bonderite L-FM FL portfolio of polymeric coatings for the surface conversion of metals used in cold forming operations. The optimized Bonderite L-FM FL process reduces the number of treatment steps from as many as 10 to one or two and is emerging as an attractive alternative in the production of high-performance automotive bolts and screws, according to the company.

As increasingly stringent carbon emissions regulations are being imposed on the automotive industry, one solution to ensure compliance with these regulations is with variable engine timing using cam pieces. The JUCAM 1S from JUNKER specializes in the ultraprecise, efficient grinding of cam pieces.

Kurt’s new KHU6 hydraulic unit comes ready with both single- and double-acting capabilities providing a convenient option to the users preferred clamping method. Single-acting method uses hydraulic clamping and spring return for unclamping. Double-acting capability uses both hydraulics to clamp and unclamp for faster, more precise setup.

A portable pipe milling machine that sets up fast and provides precise, perfectly square bevels on either torched off or rough cut pipe for better weld integrity is available from Esco Tool. The Esco Wart MILLHOG is a portable pipe beveller that sets up fast using a self-centering draw rod assembly which fits into the pipe ID and has a mandrel with expanding clamps for rigid mounting.

MultiCam has added the Arcos Bridge & Rail Plasma to its fabrication product portfolio. The Arcos Bridge & Rail Plasma provides enhanced accuracy and speed with a 200 percent increase in acceleration and 50 percent increase in traverse speeds over prior models.

To meet the demanding mold and die machining needs of high-tech industries, GF Machining Solutions has unveiled the new Mikron HSM 500 Graphite high-speed mill. The system combines the features of a dedicated graphite machine with the flexibility of the company’s HSM 500 high-speed milling platform.

FANUC’s new SCARA robots feature high-speed, precise operation for pick and place, assembly, testing/inspection and packaging processes in a wide range of industries including consumer electronics, auto component, plastics, food and beverage, lab automation, appliances and medical device manufacturing. A compact, lightweight design provides significant space savings.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence announced the Leica Absolute Scanner LAS-XL, a new ultralarge-scale portable laser scanner. Designed for industries and applications where both speed of measurement and metrology-level accuracy are indispensable, the expanded measurement field and point acquisition rate of the LAS-XL means large parts and surfaces can be quickly and fully digitized.

New Presto Black SSB room temperature stainless steel blackening process is an immersion or brush-on solution for most stainless steel alloys and substrates. Creating an esthetic appealing finish, Presto Black SSB can be used in production finishing, for manual touch-up needs, or for distressed decorative or architectural metalworking.

Lexair’s new Flex Grip closers are designed for versatility and efficiency, and they are proven to boost productivity for a variety of machining operations including 5-axis, rotary indexer and stationary applications. The manual/hydraulic closers are clamped through a screw pump with a spring return opening.

JW Winco Inc. announced it has available GN 223 steel control levers with round through-bore, with or without keyway and square through-bore versions.

Whether it is drilling, milling or turning, residues from the machining are not only left on the part surface but also in the tools and fixtures. Cleaning of the latter is usually still done manually, even though cleaning of the manufactured parts is carried out in a cleaning machine. Specifically, for toolholders (e.g. HSK) and tool fixtures, Metallform has developed inserts, which can be easily placed in standard cleaning baskets.

Major enhancements to the 2018 R1 release of Surfcam, from Vero Software, include time-saving updates to roughing cycles for milling, turning and mill-turn machining, as well as the prevention of unnecessary CAM regeneration.

ANCA offers the FCP4 high-production drill grinder (FCP4). Producing drills from 0.8 to 4mm with the new technology provides an exciting opportunity for drill makers, with important efficiencies and cost benefits by manufacturing a complete HSS drill on a single machine, according to the company. From a blank piece of raw material, the FCP4 grinds the flute, relief and point, producing a finished drill.