Product News

Northern Engineering and Manufacturing (NEMI) has released a vacuum chuck compatible with both horizontal and vertical machining centers. This fixture can used either with the Kurt 4-face cage or on a machine bed and is completely compatible with all of NEMI’s standard vacuum fixturing. 

Schunk Inc. offers modular clamping columns that enable direct clamping of molding plates, freeform parts and other workpieces on the machine table without additional clamping devices or interfering contours. The clamping pillars ensure collision-free processes, a defined clamping situation and a reliable simulation of the machining process, according to the company.

Cosen Saws USA, Charlotte, N.C., has introduced MechaLogix Cosen Predictive Computing, a cloud-based system that reportedly revolutionizes the category with an innovative feature that monitors the performance of a blade and can accurately forecast the number of remaining cutting hours left before a saw blade dulls and is no longer cutting with precision or a complete breakage.

Applications that require minimal batch sizes, high precision requirements, and complex geometries need high-tech solutions to get the job done. SCHUNK’s new modular system for direct workpiece clamping is ideal for complex jobs. Modular clamping columns enable direct clamping of molding plates, freeform parts, and other workpieces on the machine table within seconds, without additional clamping devices or interfering contours. The clamping pillars guarantee collision-free processes, a defined clamping situation, and a reliable simulation of the machining. In addition, changes in the workpiece can be implemented quickly due to the high precision of this clamping solution.

PRAB Inc. offers a heavy-duty, open-frame steel belt conveyor designed to minimize downtime and increase worker safety. The exclusive design allows operators or maintenance personnel to quickly and easily see if carry-over has fallen between the belt. The removable guard panels to allow for easy access to the area between the belt and the bottom cover, providing quick and easy removal of scrap. 

The Speroni MAGIS benchtop tool presetter is now available in a CNC version for operator-independent measuring results. Latest-generation electronics and motors allow for fast movement and repeatable positioning of the X and Z axes and spindle, delivering full CNC measuring with uncertainty of the two linear axes of +/- 1 µm. With the MAGIS CNC, users can automatically execute measuring cycles, adding speed and precision to what’s already one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use vision system tool presetters on the market. 

Supermill LLC’s XPV series carbide endmills are for roughing and finishing titanium alloys. The XPVS series tools are for roughing and finishing steel and stainless steel alloys. The 4-flute endmills feature a full eccentric relief, sharp or radius corners, an AlCrN coating and variable helix, variable pitch and progressive rake angles. Standard diameters are from 1⁄8" to 1" (3.175mm to 25.4mm).

Makino introduces its latest innovation in wire EDM technology, the U1310 wire EDM. It is designed to substantially improve ease of operation, machining speed and accuracy in large workpiece applications. The U1310 offers X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 1310 mm by 1010 mm by 520 mm, and is optional with a larger full stroke 620mm Z-Axis. The standard machine configuration can accommodate a maximum workpiece size of 2000 mm by 1600 mm by 500 mm and maximum workpiece weight of 6,000 kg.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, formerly Hexagon Metrology, recently unveiled its new, top-of-the-line addition to the ROMER Absolute Arm portable coordinate measuring machine product line—the 77 Series, which the company described as the most accurate ROMER Absolute Arm to date.

GF Machining Solutions, Lincolnshire, Ill., this week introduced rConnect, a new central communications platform for the company’s milling, EDM and laser texturing machines. Advancing the Industry 4.0 vision of the smart factory of the future, rConnect offers the industry’s most in-depth remote machine tool analysis, according to a Jan. 20 news release from the company.

Seco Tools LLC, Troy, Mich., introduced two new insert sizes to its family of 335.25 disc milling cutters, a line that is said to provide manufacturers with high flexibility and productivity. With the additions of XNHQ inserts in 9mm and 12mm sizes, the cutter now offers a range of cutting widths from 0.531" to 1.26" (13mm to 32mm) for an even greater variety of applications.

Scientific Cutting Tools Inc. (SCT) stocks UN thread mills for cutting from 4-40 up to 3-1/2-8, as well as NPT, BSPP and BSPT 1/16 to 2½ and up, according to the company based in Simi Valley, Calif. Except for staggered-tooth thread mills, all of SCT's solid-carbide, straight-flute thread mills are crest-cutting, and are used for cutting internal threads only.

Wringmaster Systems, Kalamazoo, Mich., recently introduced a new line of live bottom wringers, the company announced in a Jan. 21 news release. The smallest live bottom wringer features a 10" diameter bowl with pneumatic, top-mounted discharge, according to the company.

"These enhancements improve operations, eliminate restrictions to the working area and allow an extremely precise display of the spindle position," the company said. The new sensor is said to be capable of fast, "math-free" positioning of the spindle axis on the edges of the workpiece, and offers precision of 0.01mm when used with original Haimer probe tips.

CNC Broach Tool LLC, Marina del Rey, Calif., recently introduced a line of off-the-shelf, inserted keyway broach tools for CNC lathes and mills, according to a company news release dated Jan. 20. Rather than transfer parts to a separate broaching machine or farm out the job, CNC Broach Tool's patented design reportedly allows manufacturers to use the keyway broaching tools with CNC lathes and mills to broach blind or through internal keyways. 

Isotech Inc., a supplier of precision linear motion products based in Hatfield, Penn., has expanded its line of motion-control products to include ball and trapezoidal screw drives for positioning and other motion-control applications, according to the company website.

Titan Tool Supply Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., this month unveiled a new fiberoptic illuminator that reportedly brings sustainability, performance, efficiency and convenience to users of illuminated borescopes and microscopes, the company announced in a Jan. 19 news release.

BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., this month introduced the RBX12 Air Power Spindle, a high-speed, air-driven spindle said to be capable of achieving a variable rotational speed of 100,000rpm to 120,000rpm, according to a BIG KAISER news release issued Jan. 18.

The Grieve Corp., Round Lake, Ill., recently announced that its 2000°F gas-heated furnace—No. 862—used for preheating molds includes 750,000 BTU/HR installed in four modulating natural gas burners with a floor-mounted combustion air blower. Workspace dimensions are 36" wide x 48" deep x 36" high.

In a news release issued Jan. 16, Walter USA LLC, Waukesha, Wis., unveiled its P6005-WKK45C point drill insert that reportedly brings new levels of performance and cost effectiveness to drilling cast materials (ISO K) as well as other materials. The P6005-WKK45C insert design features a new high-performance geometry for maximum productivity in cast iron materials, and 110° prismatic seat for minimal run-out and stable positioning.