Product News

As automakers strive for increasingly fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, they’re turning away from traditional iron favorites such as gray and ductile iron (GCI and DCI) to compacted graphite iron, or CGI. Also known as vermiculate graphite iron, CGI’s mechanical attributes meet or exceed its counterparts, sometimes drastically so. Unfortunately, CGI is also more difficult to machine, requiring cutting tools both tough and wear-resistant. And because of the continuing call for cost-effective machining solutions across all manufacturing industries, these tools must also offer a low cost per part and predictable tool life. For facemilling applications, Kennametal says that tool is Mill 16.

Amacoil-Uhing Model RS drive nuts provide smooth backlash-free linear motion in machine design. Unlike a screw, the RS drive nut runs on a smooth shaft. This eliminates the potential for debris to become trapped in threads which could then clog or jam.

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH has expanded its machine portfolio for small workpieces with the small-footprint (Platform 1) LS 180 F shaping machine equipped with an electronically operated, movable cutter head slide. The machine can shape smaller gears in different axial positions with only short setup times.

Kitagawa NorthTech Inc. introduces its digital grip force analyzer software and kit (PC version) for machine tool users and machine shops. The gripping force provided by the workholding and chucking solution is paramount to successfully machining high quality parts. It is often the single largest reason why a machine tool user encounters a variety of issues hindering productivity, performance, reliability and accuracy of the workholding.

For “smart” factories to function at their best, real-time communication between machines at all levels is of paramount importance. To ensure that all stations can properly share data, Ethernet cables will be used in increasing numbers throughout factories and equipment. To suit the needs for Ethernet cables in moving applications, igus offers more than 30 types, all exclusively designed to suit a range of dynamic industrial applications and mechanical requirements.

Steute Industrial Controls offers a comprehensive line of industrial-grade wireless switches.

Introducing the Pramet Econ LN square shoulder milling cutter from Dormer Pramet. Its positive axial geometry reportedly allows for lower cutting forces and smoother machining.

Delivering power, precision and versatility, the Powergrind-XP variable-speed buffers from Palmgren can handle a wide range of finishing applications. They are equipped with the latest technology variable-speed inverter, enabling them to deliver intermediate blending, polishing and surface conditioning applications at maximum rpms.

Kurt’s DoveLock dovetail vises are ideal for clamping strength and specifically designed for allowing access to five sides of the workpiece in 5-axis, 4th-axis and palletized CNC machining systems. DoveLock vise is available in two sizes: a 1-inch jaw width DTR10 model and 2-inch jaw width DTR20 model.

EXAIRs new Ion Air Jet removes static electricity, contaminants and dust from parts prior to shrink wrapping, packaging, printing, painting or finishing. This engineered product has undergone independent laboratory tests to certify it meets the rigorous safety, health and environmental standards of the USA, European Union and Canada that are required to attain the CE and UL marks.

An OD-clamping machine for beveling small heavy wall tube and pipe that adapts to virtually any work environment and is ideal for training welders is being introduced by Esco Tool. The C-Monster MILLHOG can bevel, face and bore simultaneously, and pull a thick chip dry without cutting oils.

RÖHM Products of America introduced the lightweight, compact AGILIS power-operated cartridge mandrel clamping system. This new mandrel provides consistent, rigid workpiece ID clamping of small diameters for grinding, turning, milling, drilling and measuring applications.

J.W. Winco Inc. offers GN 820.4 steel horizontal acting toggle clamps with safety hook latch, including a vertical mounting base. These RoHS-compliant horizontal acting toggle clamps, which are also available in stainless steel, have a safety function whereby, during closing, a spring-loaded safety hook latch ensures a secure locking connection.

PROMETEC, a manufacturer of monitoring solutions for machining processes and part of Sandvik Coromant, is releasing its new PROMOS 3+ system. This advanced connectivity solution, which provides a first look at the world of Big Data and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), is considered an important component for the Industry 4.0 initiative from Sandvik Coromant.

KEYENCE has released two new ultracompact contact sensors with 1mm and 5mm stroke lengths. These advancements allow for use in narrow spaces and can be used in more applications. With the addition of these short-range models, KEYENCE’s GT2 series digital contact sensor lineup now includes a full-range of sensors to choose from.

ANCA’s new RoboTeach solution enables greater efficiency and accuracy when setting up robot automation on their CNC grinding machines. By automating the teaching of the RoboMate FANUC 200iD robot, the new product significantly decreases downtime, supports greater productivity, and reduces the need for specialized operator skills.

Weiler Abrasives Group has added a new flap disc to its Tiger coated abrasives lineup. New Tiger Angled flap discs deliver aggressive grinding and long life, along with greater flexibility for grinding fillet welds, T-joints, hard-to-reach places, and for repair and rework, according to the company.

Custom industrial safety guarding provider Faztek announces the launch of its Quick Quote mobile app, which allows companies to request a custom machine guarding quote in minutes. The free Quick Quote mobile app enables users to take a few photos of a machine that requires custom guarding, eliminating the need to speak with a salesperson.

Northfield Precision Instrument Corp. designs and manufactures of precision workholding chucks. When a good customer required a chuck to hold parts to be mounted to a Studer grinder for contour grinding into special cutting tools, it turned to Northfield for help. Northfield’s engineers customized the Model 650 chuck to use only one jaw for clamping.

Tebis America has announced the release of its Version 4.0 Release 3 software. The highlights of the new launch include: toolbars and menu panels that can be easily docked to the edge of the application window; software interface that allows a user to learn to operate it more quickly and easily and with less effort; and a new project dialog with the most recently used files is displayed immediately after the program is started.