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MANUFACTURINGTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information
Guide
for Manufacturing, Production and Automation Engineers
=======================================================
ISSN 1475-2921 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered
circulation: 22,792
Published every Monday from the UK.
Issue 110: 28 April 2003
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6662
product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all
fully searchable at
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/ - take a
look!
=======================================================
In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new
Products Selection
[1] HMCs provide new slant on high speed
machining
[2] Higher speed VMC offers expanded capacity
[3]
Demand increase spurs more CNC investment
[4] Machining centre
designed to machine graphite
[5] Linear drives speed CNC turret
punch/laser press
[6] Reworked CNC tool store offers more
capacity
[7] Tough adhesive holds composite GRP bridge
together
[8] Electronics assembly software increases
efficiency
[9] Large roller and CARB bearings mounted easily
[10] Automated vision systems keep an eye on quality
* New
Technical Articles and Case Studies
* ...And take a look at these
stories too...
=======================================================
Mike Page, Editor, writes:
Two things came to mind to
write briefly on. One is graphite electrodes and the other is high
speed machining.
About graphite electrodes - I attended an EDM
manufacturer's seminar two weeks ago and was rather interested to hear
that UK - and some European - mould and die makers still use copper
electrodes, while, it seems, 'everyone else' in the world uses
graphite. Why? I remember writing about this years ago in the long
since disappeared IPC weekly tabloid "Engineering News" (1968). Either
you cope with graphite, or you can not.
It was said that if you
want to EDM fine details in a die, then copper is the way to go. It
can be machined in standard machining centres or millers. Graphite
dust can wear out machine bearings and give the operator that
permanently 'dusty' feel.
There are now very affordable high
speed machining centres, with all the 'bells and whistles' to contain
graphite dust. There are also graphite grades, which, I am told, can
do as fine work as copper. Not being a 'hands-on' mould and die maker,
I can not argue. Maybe it is time to take a second look at EDM
graphite electrodes.
The other topic - high speed, or let us say
'dynamic' - machining; doing it 'dry' is not easy. There is no
flushing coolant to clear the swarf. Some swarf gets nicely
electrostatically charged and clings lovingly to the machining area.
The machine tool builders have been tackling this one. Anyone who has
been involved in jig and fixture design - or machining - knows that
efficient swarf clearance is often the key to reliable, unattended
machining. So we have a slant bed horizontal machining centre to look
at this week. It is not the first, there are two or three such makes
around.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter
useful. In addition to the new products, news and ideas featured here,
there are hundreds more on our website and dozens more being added
daily, so do take a look if you can.
Alternatively, the full
stories behind all the summaries and headlines in this newsletter can
be retrieved by email alone: see details below.
In the meantime,
if you have any suggestions as to how we might make the site or the
newsletter better, email me directly.
Best wishes
Mike Page, Editor
mailto:ne[-email
removed-]turingtalk.com
=======================================================
Looking
for an engineering directory of suppliers for specific
products/services? EngNet is the place to start.
http://www.engnetglobal.com/
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=======================================================
THIS
WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
=======================================================
To read
more, use the web links. Or get the full stories emailed back to you:
just send a blank email to the address shown. It's a free service. Try
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DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AIDS MANUFACTURING
PROFITS
On average, companies using digital manufacturing can
reduce time to market by 30 %, design changes by 65 %, and time spent
in manufacturing planning process by 40 %, says a study.
Delmia, 22 April 2003
mailto:del1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/del/del127.html
POWER PRESS BUILDING TO END AT DERBY
The factory site of Aida
UK is to be restructured as a sales, engineering, service and spare
parts facility. The manufacturing portion of Aida UK's activity is
expected to close this summer.
AIDA Engineering UK, 23 April
2003
mailto:aid1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/aid/aid111.html
HOW SAFE IS THE EN 693 PRESS SAFETY STANDARD?
Concern is
expressed that EN 693, aimed at harmonising safety standards for
hydraulic presses across the community, could open the door to the
increased risk of serious injury in the factory.
P J Hare, 25
April 2003
mailto:pjh1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/pjh/pjh104.html
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OUR TOP
TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
=======================================================
1. HMCs
provide new slant on high speed machining
With rapid
traverse rates up to 100m/min, acceleration rates 15m/sec2 and spindle
speed options up to 24,000 revs/min clearly define the 'Dynamic'
branding to the latest Heckert CWK 400D and CWK 500D horizontal
machining centres. Now available through StarragHeckert UK of
Brackley, these 400mm by 500mm and 630mm by 500mm pallet size machines
have been developed to span the machining spectrum of materials as
diverse as cast iron and steel to magnesium and aluminium.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/srr/106/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/srr/srr106.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:srr1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
2.
Higher speed VMC offers expanded capacity
CNC Machine
Tools have just announced that the MV series from Eikon has been
increased in capacity with the addition of a new model, the MV4. This
new machine boasts increased axis travels to X 1850mm Y 700mm and Z
480mm. These vertical machining centres feature a moving column design
enabling maximum rigidity and maximum reliability. The MV4 machine is
equipped with a 12,000 rpm (ISO 40) or 24,000 rpm (HSK 63) spindle.
The spindle power can reach 18.5kW from 1,500 rpm.
*
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/cxw/101/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cxw/cxw101.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:cxw1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
3.
Demand increase spurs more CNC investment
Less than 6
weeks after installing a new Nakamura WT-150 machining centre and CNC
grinding equipment at its Birmingham headquarters, Holmes UK has
invested a further GBP 200,000 in production plant with the purchase
of a second multi-axis turning centre from Warwick-based Mills
Manufacturing Technology. The continued expansion of Holmes'
facilities reflects a rapidly-growing order book for the company's
range of machine tool collets and sub-contract machining services.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/hlm/104/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hlm/hlm104.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:hlm1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
4.
Machining centre designed to machine graphite
The Paso
Profispeed 400GR machining centre from OCN and PPL Services is
particularly aimed at electrode makers and graphite machinists. It is
also well suited to mould and die production for those who require a
dual purpose machine. Other types of dust generating work such as
machining composites, carbon fibre and modelling/prototyping materials
are also handled with ease. Profispeed GR models feature several
levels of built-in protection against dust and graphite.
*
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/ocn/102/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ocn/ocn102.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:ocn1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
5.
Linear drives speed CNC turret punch/laser press
A new
machine for integrated punching and laser profiling of sheet metal,
featuring linear motor drives in the X and Y axes, has been introduced
by the Finnish manufacturer, Finn-Power, and is available in the UK
through sole agent, Press and Shear, Tamworth. Called Laser
Brilliance, it combines a hydraulic, 300kN punch press acting through
a 30-station turret with a CO2 laser rated at 3.5kW. Positioning speed
in the 3 metre X-axis is up to 228m/min and maximum nibbling hit rate
is 1,100 per minute.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/pri/118/0
* Read
more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/pri/pri118.html
or
send a blank email to mailto:pri1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
6.
Reworked CNC tool store offers more capacity
Bott, the
class leading manufacturer of workplace and storage equipment have, as
part of their continual product development, reworked their CNC Tool
Store unit to give an amazing 33% increase in ISO 40 tool storage for
the same floor area. The Tool Store has an internal carriage mounted
on industrial castors allowing full access and ease of action; when
retracted the unit is fully enclosed giving a clean, tidy,
professional appearance whilst protecting personnel from sharp
tooling.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/bot/101/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/bot/bot101.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:bot1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
7.
Tough adhesive holds composite GRP bridge together
Chosen
due to its superior bond strength, curing speed and proven durability,
an adhesive is bonding sections of a novel composite bridge.
Construction of a novel composite suspension bridge provided a bonding
challenge which Permabond met with a two part epoxy adhesive E32. The
bridge was 50m long, 3m wide and spanned a busy new highway in the UK.
It was constructed from GRP sections and all the moulded parts were
bonded exclusively with Permabond E32.
* Request a free
brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/per/109/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/per/per109.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:per1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
8.
Electronics assembly software increases efficiency
Tecnomatix Unicam has introduced eM-Assembly Expert 2.0, as a major
upgrade to its proven electronics assembly and test solution. Claimed
to be the only complete solution for new product introduction (NPI) on
the market, the new version has several industry-exclusive features
that will enable electronics manufacturers to increase productivity,
reduce costs and easily transfer and share jobs between different
plants.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/tec/141/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/tec/tec141.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:tec1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
9.
Large roller and CARB bearings mounted easily
To combat
the mounting problems associated with large bearings, SKF has
introduced the SensorMount system. Mounting large bearings can be time
consuming, often involving feeler gauges and specially trained
personnel. The process is costly and can be unreliable as the
expansion of the inner ring is controlled indirectly by measuring
axial displacement of the ring, rather than the expansion of the inner
ring itself.
* Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/skf/114/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/skf/skf114.html
or send a
blank email to mailto:skf1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
10.
Automated vision systems keep an eye on quality
Vision
Controls, the UK's leading manufacturer of automated vision inspection
systems, reports a keen interest in its standard systems at the
Fastenex exhibition at the NEC earlier this month. 'Manufacturing
companies realise that quality and inspection is a permanent part of
their job,' says Vision Controls sales and marketing director, Janis
Zakis. 'The costs of getting this wrong can be crippling. Where
possible, automated vision systems are the most cost-effective way of
handling these tasks.'
* Request a free brochure by
post:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/ajp/100/0
*
Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ajp/ajp100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ajp1[-email
removed-]ufacturingtalk.com
=======================================================
New
Technical Articles and Case Studies
=======================================================
SPECIAL MILLING HEADS DOUBLE THREAD DIE OUTPUT
(Centreline
Machine Tool Company, 25 April 2003)
Special double-sided
right-angle heads are able to mill a pair of flat thread rolling dies
simultaneously on any of six Cincinnati Arrow VMCs instead of
machining singly as before on HMCs
* Free brochure on
Double-sided right-angle milling heads:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/cea/109/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cea/cea109.html
(or email
mailto:cea1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
LASER + ARC WELDS LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINIUM DOORS
(TPS-Fronius, 28
April 2003)
The VW specialists at the lightweight Aluminium
centre in Wolfsburg have been successfully mass- producing doors using
a hybrid laser + arc welding process to overcome joint fit-up gap
problems.
* Free brochure on Laser-Hybrid welding process:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/tps/106/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/tps/tps106.html
(or email
mailto:tps1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
OFF-LINE SYSTEM PROVES SPEEDIER AND SIMPLER
(Pathtrace, 28
April 2003)
Off-line programming software has virtually
eliminated geometry creation by a bearing maker's programmers, and
simplified the programming its CNC lathes, turning and machining
centres.
* Free brochure on EdgeCAM off-line programming
software:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/pat/151/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/pat/pat151.html
(or email
mailto:pat1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
PRECISION BLANKING BENEFITS GARDEN TOOLS
(Bauer Springs, 25
April 2003)
Precision blanking is able to maintain tight
tolerances cost-effectively on component features including holes,
radii, contours and slots as well as overall flatness.
* Free
brochure on Precision blanking:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/bau/103/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/bau/bau103.html
(or email
mailto:bau1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
=======================================================
...And take a look at these stories too...
=======================================================
INSERT MANUFACTURER EXPANDS MACHINING CAPACITY
(Horn UK, 22
April 2003)
Tooling inserts maker has installed a second CNC
insert grinding machine is already operational, to be followed by a
third in April 2003, while a new laser engraving machine is also on
order.
* Free brochure on Indexable inserts:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/hor/103/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hor/hor103.html
(or email
mailto:hor1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
LINEAR MOTION MODULES BUILD SYSTEMS UP QUICKLY
(R A Rodriguez,
24 April 2003)
Linear motion modules are designed to be freely
combined enabling dedicated multi-axes handling systems to be created
simply and quickly.
* Free brochure on Werner linear motion
modules:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/rod/132/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/rod/rod132.html
(or email
mailto:rod1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
GEARS AND TRANSMISSIONS REPAIRED AND SERVICED
(Renold Gears, 22
April 2003)
Gear and transmission manufacturer has developed a
comprehensive Service and Repair Department - on a round-the-clock
call out - to provide a rapid response to customer requirements.
* Free brochure on Service and Repair Department, gears,
transmission:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/ren/102/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ren/ren102.html
(or email
mailto:ren1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
ILLUMINATED SWITCHES IMPROVE RECOGNITION, SAFETY
(Matsushita
Electric Works UK, 23 April 2003)
An illuminated pushbutton range
uses LED's that are much brighter than incandescent bulbs. This
greater brightness improves colour recognition and consequently
safety.
* Free brochure on Pushbutton and selector switches:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/mat/139/0
* Read
more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mat/mat139.html
(or
email mailto:mat1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
WEBSITE DETAILS PNEUMATICS AND AUTOMATION
(Hoerbiger-Origa,
24 April 2003)
A new website has been launched by international
pneumatics and automation company Hoerbiger-Origa, dedicated to its UK
operation.
* Free brochure on Website:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/hoe/119/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hoe/hoe119.html
(or email
mailto:hoe1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
THERMOGRAPHY IS NOW AFFORDABLE FOR MAINTENANCE USE
(Flir
Systems, 24 April 2003)
The world's smallest infrared thermal
imager, has made thermography an affordable tool for all maintenance
engineers.
* Free brochure on ThermaCAM E2 thermography
camera:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/fli/113/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fli/fli113.html
(or email
mailto:fli1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
PROCESS CONTROLLERS SEND TEXT MESSAGES
(Eurotherm, 25 April
2003)
Family of temperature / process controllers include plain
language scrolling text message displays that provide operators with a
fully customisable 'message cent
* Free brochure on 3000 Series
temperature / process controllers:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/eua/115/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/eua/eua115.html
(or email
mailto:eua1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
ONLINE CMM SOFTWARE AUDIT SERVICE OFFERED FREELY
(Perspective
CMMS, 22 April 2003)
Designed to assist manufacturing,
facilities, plant and maintenance managers who are looking for CMMS
software an online audit service is now offered free.
* Free
brochure on Free Online Audit Service for CMMs software:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/prs/103/0
* Read more:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/prs/prs103.html
(or email
mailto:prs1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
CONTRACT MACHINIST AWARDED ISO 9001:2000
(H C Holifield
(Oxford), 22 April 2003)
One of the first contract machinists to
receive the new ISO 9001:2000 quality standard specialises in water
jet cutting, turning and prismatic machining for a wide variety of
industries.
* Free brochure on Holifields and ISO 9001:2000:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/hli/105/0
* Read
more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hli/hli105.html
(or
email mailto:hli1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
ORDERS WON FOR FLATNESS, SHAPE AND GAUGE CONTROL
(Industrial Automation Services Pty, 22 April 2003)
Automatic
flatness, shape and gauge control, and latest hardware and software,
feature in a number of orders for rolling mill upgrades won by IAS,
Australia.
* Free brochure on Industrial Automation Services:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/da/ius/107/0
* Read
more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ius/ius107.html
(or
email mailto:ius1[-email removed-]ufacturingtalk.com )
=======================================================
Have
you seen our other newsletters?
=======================================================
We also
publish other professional technical newsletters like this once a
week. All are free, so take a look:
Electronicstalk - for
electronics engineers
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Engineeringtalk - for
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Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
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Processingtalk - for process engineers
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QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
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for your copy
*** Coming soon - join now ***
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for the building and construction industry
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CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT
sector
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Engineering units converter - free
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Many
engineers have found this free engineering units converter very
useful. Use it online or download it to your computer.
EngNet
Converter - Online: http://www.engnetglobal.com/tips/convert.asp
EngNet Tools Download:
http://www.engnetglobal.com/tips/toolsapp/default.asp
=======================================================
Engineering vacancies on the internet
=======================================================
There
are many recruitment websites out there, but Manufacturingtalk can
recommend the following as we have had a relationship with them for
some time:
Engineers Online:
http://www.engineers-online.co.uk/
GoJobsite:
http://www.gojobsite.co.uk/
Jimfinder.com:
http://www.jimfinder.com/
=======================================================
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