Back to newsletter listDate:
Mon, January 08, 2007 03:00:01 AMFrom:
Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team
Subject:
The Manufacturingtalk Newsletter: 08 January 2007
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MANUFACTURINGTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide for Manufacturing,
Production and Automation Engineers
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ISSN 1475-2921 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered circulation: 41926
Published every Monday from the UK.
Issue 299: 08 January 2007
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Manufacturingtalk operates a double opt-in subscription policy.
To ***: send an email with a blank subject line to
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40400 product announcements and technical articles on our
website http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/ - all fully searchable
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top new products selection
[1] Automatic ladling raises diecasting output
[2] Neat metal cutting oils are chlorine-free
[3] Doubling productivity with stack moulds
[4] Smart metering technology for small organisations
[5] EBusiness is now more flexible
[6] Ethernet Direct announces new benefits
[7] Visualising the effects of manufacturing variation
[8] Multi-function data acquisition boards
[9] High power plasma-arc cutting offers quality
[10] Rotary shear included in cut-to-length line
* Other industry news
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Mike Page, Editor, writes:
Looking back at the progress of the metal working machinery
developments in 2006, one could say there have been many detail
developments and improvements, but in general, the increasing take-up
of 'recent technology' in western Europe and the USA has been the main
trend.
By 'recent technology' I refer to five-axis and five/six-side
machining, an increasing use of laser - and very significantly -
water-jet profiling and cutting and the ever rising strength, heat and
electrical resistance of adhesives. Also noteworthy is the growth in
use of laser sintering of plastics and metals - not just in 'rapid
prototyping' but also in 'rapid production'.
Five-axis machining - whether 3 + 2, 4+1 or simultaneous 5-axis
machining has pushed beyond its more considered applications in the
machining of complex, contoured workpieces (like freeform profiled
surfaces in mould tools, jet engine BLISKs and BLINGs and turbine
blades in general - to making use of 5-axis machining to reduce
set-ups and existing cycle times. Go beyond 3-axis machining and you
have the possibility of reducing fixturing or multi-machine set-ups as
far as milling, drilling, tapping, reaming and miscel***ous machining
operations, with different angles of approach.
Multi-tasking machines - that is the true mixing of metal cutting
processes (such as turning and milling) with grinding, honing,
deburring, welding and the like - a demand driven by the aerospace
industry - is becoming much more talked about. Industries that have to
comply with highly stringent quality control procedures have realised
(not just in 2006) that with conventional machine tools, they had a
lot of components sitting around waiting for inspection before moving
on to the next operation. Adoption of multi-tasking machines -
including mill-turn centres - plus on-board in-process gauging and
measuring - significantly reduce work in progress (or production
inventory). Developments of ever-fine-tuned CNC software and process
control software have brought about the development of fast and
reliable multi-function/multi-tasking machine tools.
Significantly, in all types of metal cutting machine tool, the latest
CNC software systems have significantly reduced what some production
engineers call 'air cutting' time - that is, the time spent between
selecting a tool and it physically beginning metal cutting and the
time a tool takes to move from feature to feature on the workpiece.
Even on the latest CNC sliding head automatic lathes from Japan,
Germany and Switzerland, machining cycles already considered to be
'fast' two years ago have been almost halved yet again.
On tooling - it had been said in the technical press a few years ago
that machine tool development had outstripped cutter progress. High
specification machine tools capable of more than halving roughing
cycles were waiting for the milling cutters - and drills - to do it.
The cutters needed - and formerly jealously guarded by the few that
knew about them - began to appear at the last EMO (2005, Hannover,
Germany) and at the IMTS (2006, Chicago, USA), so this year's EMO show
should be significant as far as tooling developments are concerned.
Think about it - a machinist of 15 years ago would run for cover if he
saw today's drills and milling cutters in action!
In sheet and plate-working, the speed and accuracy of CNC punching
continues to go up - as do the performances of CNC laser and water-jet
cutting. We saw in 2005-2006 the steel industry taking up water jet
cutting systems to replace oxy-fuel gas and plasma-arc in plate
cutting up to certain thicknesses. meanwhile, makers of plasma-arc
systems have worked on improving edge quality - and cutting speeds.
For 2007, we may see a growing emergence of rapid
prototyping/production using robotic welding systems - such as
TIG+wire - as well as rapid metal melting using lasers and metal
powder. Multi-tasking machine tools will be on the increase and the
use of superabrasives to replace the more traditional milling
techniques for machining 'difficult' alloys may increase too.
Our Manufacturingtalk editorial team will continue to update the website
with metalworking developments throughout the coming year. We
also wish you all a very happy new year and importantly, a prosperous
one with - in western Europe - less 'red tape' to hinder business!
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:news@manufacturingtalk.com
For manufacturing news mailto:news@manufacturingtalk.com
For subcontracting news mailto:news@subcontractingtalk.com
For quality, measurement and testing news mailto:news@qa-talk.com
For computers and software news mailto:news@cimtalk.com
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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] AUTOMATIC LADLING RAISES DIECASTING OUTPUT
(Frech, 05 Jan 2007)
The latest generation of Frech cold chamber machines has, for metal
ladling, a Feedmat automated feeding system - the company's first
machine with such a facility. As well as making life for the operator
easier, automatic ladling contributes to the faster cycle times of
which the Frech is capable, increasing the throughput of metal in one
case from 40 to almost 60 shots/h.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fra/fra121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fra121@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[2] NEAT METAL CUTTING OILS ARE CHLORINE-FREE
(Houghton Plc, 05 Jan 2007)
Houghton have announced a new European range of Cut-Max neat cutting
oils in January this year which takes advantage of their leading
technology throughout Europe for all common neat oil applications
including gear machining, gun drilling, broaching, honing and turned
parts. Products are also available for specialist applications such
as tool grinding.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hoh/hoh104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hoh104@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[3] DOUBLING PRODUCTIVITY WITH STACK MOULDS
(Mason Pinder Toolmakers, 04 Jan 2007)
Everyone in moulding is under pressure to reduce costs, improve
productivity and increase capacity; all on restricted capital budgets.
Perhaps moulders aren't as aware as they should be of the potential
productivity benefits given by stack moulds, which can double or
treble production yields for each closure of the moulding press.
> Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/mso/107/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mso/mso107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mso107@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[4] SMART METERING TECHNOLOGY FOR SMALL ORGANISATIONS
(Utility Auditing, 08 Jan 2007)
The vast majority of smaller manufacturing organisations are working
in the dark when it comes to gathering accurate management information
on their electricity consumption - wreaking havoc with forecasting,
budgeting, bill payment and the identification of waste, according to
energy management company Utility Auditing (UAL).
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/uti/uti111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:uti111@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[5] EBUSINESS IS NOW MORE FLEXIBLE
(ABAS Software AG, 04 Jan 2007)
Abas Business Software supports the flexible data exchange between
different IT applications. In the abas eB area in Version 2006 the
use of the ERP data has been further simplified and the purchasing
process was optimised. Companies require a flexible and comprehensive
supply of internal data. Different, isolated IT solutions, which
exist in parallel, are to be reduced increasingly.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/abw/abw158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:abw158@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[6] ETHERNET DIRECT ANNOUNCES NEW BENEFITS
(Ethernet Direct, 05 Jan 2007)
Ethernet Direct announces new benefits especially to control engineers
with a free webinar about Industrial Ethernet Networking. From
Ethernet basics and Ethernet Protocols to complex MAC Addressing, IP
addressing, SNMP, ARC, IGMP, Ethernet Direct shows interactive
Web-based seminar presentation.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/eth/eth138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eth138@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[7] VISUALISING THE EFFECTS OF MANUFACTURING VARIATION
(Icona Solutions, 04 Jan 2007)
Icona Solutions, developers of aesthetica, the unique CAE software
product for interactively visualizing the impact of manufacturing
variation on the aesthetic quality of product assemblies, has
announced the availability of Version 2.3 of the software. The top
requests from the industry have been for improved CAD integration.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/icn/icn109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:icn109@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[8] MULTI-FUNCTION DATA ACQUISITION BOARDS
(Adept Scientific, 05 Jan 2007)
Measurement Computing Corporation (Norton, Massachusetts) has
introduced eight new multi-function data acquisition boards that are
available in the UK from Adept Scientific (Letchworth, Herts.). Both
the PCI-2500 series and the USB-2500 series boards provide true
multifunction high-speed performance with analogue inputs.
> Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/ade/385/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ade/ade385.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ade385@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[9] HIGH POWER PLASMA-ARC CUTTING OFFERS QUALITY
(Plasmatech (UK), 05 Jan 2007)
With innovative design features that raise the bar on true precision
plasma-arc cut edge squareness and offer unparalleled consumable life,
Kaliburn's new Spirit275a system is the company's most advanced
cutting system ever. This high amperage high definition plasma-arc
cutting and marking system offers expanded thickness capability and
optimized cutting speeds.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/psm/psm102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:psm102@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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[10] ROTARY SHEAR INCLUDED IN CUT-TO-LENGTH LINE
(Fagor Arrasate SDAD.Coop, 01 Jan 2007)
An important Russian service centre has chosen Fagor Arrasate, Spain,
for the installation of a large cut-to-length line with a rotary
shear. This type of machine, a Fagor exclusive design, allows for
cutting different forms, from rectangles to trapeziums, curved sided
formats, 'chevron' and ribbed formats, etc, with an investment 50%
lower than that necessary for a press cutting line.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fao/fao102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fao102@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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This week's industry news
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E-COMMERCE TO GAIN MOMENTUM IN 2007
(hybris UK, 03 Jan 2007)
New technologies and market trends mean that 2007 could become the
year of e-commerce said supplier of management software systems.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hyb/hyb102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hyb102@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
THREE METAL CUTTING TOOL BRANDS MERGED
(Walter GB, 03 Jan 2007)
Three cutting tool brands merged Walter GB and Titex-Prototyp UK have
combined the Walter-Titex-Prototyp tooling brands into a single sales
organisation based at a new UK headquarters.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/wal/wal221.html
or send a blank email to mailto:wal221@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
UK PRECISION GRINDING MACHINE BUILDER ACQUIRED
(Holroyd, 03 Jan 2007)
UK manufacturer or precision, superabrasive grinding and gear cutting
machines, Holroyd Edgetek, has been acquired by the Precision
Technologies Group.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hoc/hoc132.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hoc132@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
IT OUTSOURCING PREDICTIONS FOR 2007.
(Luxoft, 05 Jan 2007)
Luxoft has issued its predictions for the IT outsourcing industry in
2007.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/luo/luo101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:luo101@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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RETOOLING FREED HMCS FOR NEW CONTRACT
(Heller Machine Tools, 03 Jan 2007)
Horizontal machine tool builder assisted a major automotive
manufacturer, through new fixture design, to make four existing
machining centres available for a new contract.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hel/hel147.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hel147@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
> Request free details from the supplier on Horizontal machining
centres refurbishment:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/hel/147/4
SOFTWARE HELPS MOVE INTO LARGE-SCALE 3D MACHINING
(Delcam, 05 Jan 2007)
The introduction of design, machining and inspection software has
helped a subcontractor move into large-scale 3D machining for a range
of industries.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/dea/dea621.html
or send a blank email to mailto:dea621@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
> Request free details from the supplier on CAD, CAM and inspection
software:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/dea/621/4
CNC PUNCH PRESS PROGRAMMING IS RELIABLE, EASY
(Jetcam International, 03 Jan 2007)
CNC punch press programming software selected as it was easier to
learn than other systems and generates 100% reliable code for all a
user's machines.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/jea/jea152.html
or send a blank email to mailto:jea152@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
DVD PACKAGING LINE USES WRAP FILM
(Sealed Air Shrink Packaging Division, 05 Jan 2007)
Sealed Air, leading global manufacturer of packaging products and
machines, beat off competition in the UK and France to secure a series
of major contracts with Cinram International.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/seq/seq115.html
or send a blank email to mailto:seq115@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
> Request free details from the supplier on Packaging products and
machines:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/seq/115/4
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Other featured new product news
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WORKPLACE POSTERS EXPLAIN SAFETY TESTING
(Clare Instruments, 05 Jan 2007)
Technical conformance and safety testing specialist Clare Instruments
is aiming to make manufacturing areas safer with the introduction of a
series of distinctive new workplace posters.
> Request free details from the supplier on Workplace posters:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/clh/132/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/clh/clh132.html
or send a blank email to mailto:clh132@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
INDUSTRIAL TORQUE SENSORS IN GAMING GIVEAWAY
(Kistler Instruments, 05 Jan 2007)
To mark the launch of a new range of industrial torque sensors,
Kistler Instruments will be presenting one of the new Nintendo Wii
games consoles to a lucky visitor to Stand No: B84 at Mtec 2007.
> Request free details from the supplier on Industrial torque sensors:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/kst/166/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kst/kst166.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kst166@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
PIPE CUT/DEBURR/CLEAN TOOLS OFFERED IN PACK
(Kopex International, 01 Jan 2007)
Professional pipe working tools for cutting copper pipe as well as
cleaning and deburring copper pipe ends are now available in handy
combination packs.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kop/kop152.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kop152@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
INJECTED METAL ASSEMBLY CAPACITY UPPED 10-FOLD
(FisherTech, division of FisherCast Global, 03 Jan 2007)
The capacity of an injected metal assembly process has been increased
10-fold to 500g, allowing the forming and joining of larger assemblies
and end terminations.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/fcw/fcw100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fcw100@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
INTEGRATED ROBOTIC WELD MONITORING ENHANCED
(Panasonic Industrial Europe, 03 Jan 2007)
Robotic arc welding monitoring system incorporates all data processing
and programming for the power supply, wire feeder, and robot
controller on the same CPU board.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ptd/ptd100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ptd100@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
ADHESIVES RESIST HIGH TEMPERATURES
(Eurobond Adhesives, 05 Jan 2007)
A ceramic compound is very resistant to thermal shock and can
withstand rapid heating or cooling at wide temperature fluctuations.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/eub/eub103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eub103@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
MULTIPLE EXHAUST WELD PURGE DAM DEVELOPED
(Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, 03 Jan 2007)
A multiple exhaust dam concept allows welders the option of increasing
purge gas flow rates and vent pressures without interrupting the
pipe-dam seal.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hun/hun163.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hun163@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
EASY-TO-FIT DEVICE RAISES GRIT BLASTING SAFETY
(Hodge Clemco, 03 Jan 2007)
Valve greatly increases the safety of grit blasting operations by
reducing the time taken for equipment to depressurise when it is shut
off.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hdg/hdg106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hdg106@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
CONVEYOR MAXIMIZES USABLE BELT WIDTH
(Automation Supplies, 01 Jan 2007)
Conveyor users can maximise useable belt width and minimize the space
used by the conveyor structure as a belt is only 2.5mm from the
conveyor's edges.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ahp/ahp102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ahp102@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
UV VIDEO MICROSCOPES ARE CONTINUOUSLY FOCUSABLE
(Edmund Optics, 05 Jan 2007)
Edmund Optics' now offers the Infiniprobe UV Video Microscopes which
feature a continuously focusable design as well as easy mounting to
video cameras.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/edm/edm111.html
or send a blank email to mailto:edm111@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
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About the Manufacturingtalk Newsletter
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The Manufacturingtalk Newsletter is published by Pro-Talk Ltd.
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Articles included in the Manufacturingtalk Newsletter are chosen
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the Manufacturingtalk website (see below).
No charges are made or accepted for inclusion.
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