Product News

Small job shops struggling with the budget, programming and space requirements of traditional welding robots now have an alternative solution: The new SnapWeld Collaborative Robot Welding package developed by ARC Specialties Inc. and Universal Robots is a cobot-assisted, interactive welding system that can be deployed easily and flexibly in existing, manual welding booths, eliminating the need for costly new robotic cells.

JM Performance Products Inc. has engineered its patented hydraulic Clamp Force Gage to provide a quick and inexpensive method to regularly check and measure the clamping/pulling force of the spindle drawbar. The hydraulic gage instantly reads in ft/lbs the amount of pull force being applied to the toolholder.

JW Winco, Inc. offers GN 20 leveling feet in hygienic design, with mounting holes.

The Speed Change pallet system from Pierson Workholding is a manual pallet changer designed to increase production by moving parts in and out of a machine tool faster than traditional workholding. The system's base provides 3,000 lbs. of locking power.

Refresh Your Memory Inc. announceda partnership with Kitamura Machinery on a new IoT platform, Anywhere-Remote specifically for Kitamura Machines. It includes email status updates, machine monitoring software suites that range from basic plug and play packages to those that are customized to suit each individual customer’s application and MTConnect-ready adaptor (basic), all powered by and in partnership with FactoryWiz Monitoring and DNC.

The H80/100/160/200 series is the latest version of Star SU LLC's hobbing machine line for small applications, specially engineered for automotive. These machines have been designed for dry cutting operations in particular, although using oil or emulsion is not a problem.

Klüber Lubrication introduces Klüberquiet BQ 72-72, a low-noise rolling bearing grease for long-term lubrication. The low-noise characteristic of this grease makes it suitable for applications that include rolling bearings in electric motors, fans, air conditioners, generators and belt tighteners in cars, electric household appliances and office equipment.

Eriez introduces two new metal detector/magnetic separator “Double Team” systems, which offer customers protection against ferrous and nonferrous metal contamination. In both of these system configurations, the metal detector and the magnetic separator work in conjunction to reportedly produce as close to a perfect product yield as possible.

What if collaborative robots didn’t just stop at collision but avoided collisions altogether? And while doing that kept performing the task they set out to do? That’s the premise for Universal Robots’ new trade show demo where a UR5 robot arm will pick "widgets" out of a feeder that moves around and is dynamically tracked by the vision-guided cobot. Using a wand, attendees interact with the collaborative robot prompting it to avoid the wand while attempting to reach the widget.

Aerotech’s HEX RC is a 6-axis motion controller ideal for controlling robotic systems like hexapods. The HEX RC is 4U rack-mountable and compatible with the Automation 3200 (A3200) motion platform.

Kitagawa NorthTech Inc. introduces its new AS series of grinding steady rests. The AS series expands and completes the company's portfolio of steady rests specifically designed and engineered for grinding applications. The new AS steady rests feature narrow retractable arms for easy automated part loading, as well as many other capabilities for grinding applications.

Absolute Machine Tools Inc., now the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor of EDMs and supplies from Yougar M&T Inc., has introduced the Yougar YGS CNC Moving Head series and YGS ZNC Manual series of EDM drilling machines.

Marposs Corp. has introduced an updated version of its Merlin Plus embedded gauge computer, now with six USB and two ethernet ports enabling connectivity to multiple data collection devices and the ability to measure up to 250 characteristics. Additionally, the new version features a wider (12”) true flat LCD screen capable of customized page display, a more robust design and multiple capability enhancements.

TigerStop has announced the addition of AutoLoader automatic infeed station, an integration for the TigerSaw 2000 saw system. With the AutoLoader, an operator can load five pieces of material at a time, reducing material handling and increasing operator capacity for performing value-added tasks, such as sorting finished parts.

The new GT 112-E automatic magazine bar feeder from LNS is suitable for sliding headstock machines running unattended or lights-out production using small bar stock with diameters from 0.8 mm to 11 mm (12.7 mm with bar preparation). A dual U-shaped guiding channel with a patented sectional guiding channel cover, combined with a self-centering bar clamping system matches the entire diameter range of the lathe.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence announced the launch of the Leica Absolute Tracker AT960-SR, a lower-budget addition to the popular AT960 range of laser trackers. Only available as part of a bundle offer with one of Hexagon’s leading laser scanner products, the AT960-SR is designed for applications with smaller measurement volume requirements that still demand the unbeatable speed and accuracy performance of Hexagon’s flagship laser tracker line.

Mencom announces new low-profile enclosures for Panel Interface Connectors (PIC). The PIC, also known as programming ports or programming interfaces, provides the ability to communicate with a device inside a cabinet without opening the cabinet door. This helps prevent potential safety hazards (such as arc flash) associated with opening an electrical panel.

Walter has unveiled the Walter Cut G1221-P, an innovative grooving boring bar with precision cooling, for recessing and internal grooving. This monoblock boring bar has two coolant holes.

The new NUMgrind package is specifically designed to simplify the creation of G code programs for CNC machine tools through the use of a highly intuitive graphical human machine interface (HMI), conversational-style ‘fill in the blanks’ type dialogs or a combination of the two. NUMgrind simplifies machine tool programming for an extensive range of tasks, including external and internal cylindrical grinding, surface grinding, wheel shaping and dressing.

With the new Seco Feedmax –P drill, manufacturers gain the potential to significantly boost holemaking performance for ISO P (steel), as well as cast iron, workpiece materials. The solid-carbide Feedmax –P drills can increase drilling productivity by up to 35 percent while also providing longer tool life due to the combination of the drill’s new geometry and advanced coating.