Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team

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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: 43709
Published every Monday from the UK.
Issue 305: 19 February 2007
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43413 product announcements and technical articles on our
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top new products selection
[1] CNC turning centres offer power, precision
[2] CNC systems avoid machine tool collisions
[3] Sharpener regrinds different drill types
[4] No angular backlash with cylindrical ball spline
[5] Performance management eases collaboration
[6] High performance embedded controllers
[7] Twin piston system meters filled plastics
[8] Production execution and real-time finance
[9] Approval for fieldbus device coupler
[10] High speed data with optical cabling from BASF
* Other industry news
* New technical articles and case studies
* Other featured product news
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Mike Page, Editor, writes:

Referring again back to the AMS Europe automotive manufacturing
conference held in Leipzig, Germany, two weeks ago, an interesting
paper was presented by Marc Seghers, of Volvo Europa Truck. A summary
is presented as a news item in 'Industry News' below.

The Volvo truck plant at Ghent, Belgium, you will read, now claims to
be the first emissions-free plant in Europe. It has been achieved with
an outlay of some EUR 10m and, I note, very, very close co-operation
with the local populace. You will see what I mean, when you read that
the closest any residence is to a 100m tall tower holding a generator
equipped with 80m diameter rotors, is just 300m. By 'very, very' close
co-operation, I mean that the company made sure that the facts,
figures and information given to the populace were exactly the same as
given to the local and national press. Once the populace understood
what the whole project was about and what it was set out to achieve,
then objections diminished.

So the Ghent plant, meanwhile, expects pay-back on the investment to
be realised within two years, as opposed to the original five years
projected. The reason is, simply, that gas and electricity prices in
Europe - as in the UK - have 'sky-rocketed'. Volvo Europa Truck shows
zero emissions can be achieved. Whether plants in the middle of
Birmingham, Essen or Lille can do the same, remains to be seen. There
are always objections to having big wind turbines next to one's
street. Someone I heard suggested that if they were made to look like
medieval windmills, then everyone would want one!

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
For packaging news mailto:news@packtalk.com

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OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION
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[1] CNC TURNING CENTRES OFFER POWER, PRECISION
(Leader CNC, 15 Feb 2007)

Leader CNC of Nuneaton, UK, is proud to announce that it has been
selected as the UK Distributor for German manufacturer Monforts, whose
range of high specification CNC lathes complements the DMC turning
centres and Toshiba and Kitamura machining centres already distributed
by Leader CNC.

> Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/led/122/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/led/led122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:led122@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[2] CNC SYSTEMS AVOID MACHINE TOOL COLLISIONS
(GE Fanuc Automation, 16 Feb 2007)

GE Fanuc has developed the '3D Interference Check' function for its
standard 30i/31i/31i Series CNC controls, which helps to avoid machine
collisions. The machine manufacturer or the machine operator can
install this software on standard CNC controls to define any areas
that pose a risk of collision.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/gef/gef150.html
or send a blank email to mailto:gef150@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[3] SHARPENER REGRINDS DIFFERENT DRILL TYPES
(Kitagawa Europe, 12 Feb 2007)

Ideal for general machining or fabrication shop use, the new V391
costs less than 100 new drill bits and enables even inexperienced
users to sharpen drills from 3mm (1/8in) to 19mm (3/4in) diameter in
less than 60s. This versatile and affordable unit is suitable for
drills with point angles from 118 to 140 deg.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kit/kit121.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kit121@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[4] NO ANGULAR BACKLASH WITH CYLINDRICAL BALL SPLINE
(THK UK, 14 Feb 2007)

THK, developer and manufacturer of linear motion technology, has
introduced LBS cylindrical ball spline, which is designed to eliminate
angular backlash while providing high levels of rigidity and accuracy
from a compact, rugged device. In addition, the LBS ball splines can
transmit torque at high linear and rotational speeds.

> Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/thk/167/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/thk/thk167.html
or send a blank email to mailto:thk167@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[5] PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT EASES COLLABORATION
(Invensys Wonderware, 16 Feb 2007)

Wonderware has released three software offerings that work together
seamlessly with the latest Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft SQL
Server reporting services. These software applications are designed
to make the collaboration of plant-production and performance
information faster and easier than ever before.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/itq/itq112.html
or send a blank email to mailto:itq112@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[6] HIGH PERFORMANCE EMBEDDED CONTROLLERS
(National Instruments, 12 Feb 2007)

National Instruments has announced a family of PXI, PXI Express and
PXI real-time embedded controllers based on the 2.16 GHz dual-core
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7400. The NI PXI-8106 and NI PXIe-8106
controllers deliver a performance improvement of more than 100%.

> Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/nat/328/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/nat/nat328.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nat328@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[7] TWIN PISTON SYSTEM METERS FILLED PLASTICS
(Krauss-Maffei (UK), 16 Feb 2007)

Krauss-Maffei's Tandem Hybrid PUR metering machine is the right
solution for many different application areas - from processing
glassfibre (RRIM) and abrasive flame inhibitors to fillers and
reinforcing materials, such as wollastonite, barite or chalk.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kra/kra120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kra120@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[8] PRODUCTION EXECUTION AND REAL-TIME FINANCE
(Invensys, 16 Feb 2007)

Invensys has announced that it is introducing two xMII XApps Certified
Packaged Composite Applications (PCAs) that will help drive
incremental business value by offering manufacturing clients a single
solution environment extending from the plant or factory floor up
through the enterprise.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ive/ive164.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ive164@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[9] APPROVAL FOR FIELDBUS DEVICE COUPLER
(Moore Industries International, 14 Feb 2007)

MooreHawke, a division of Moore Industries-International,announces
that the Route-master Fieldbus System, composed of power supplies and
device couplers, has been approved by Factory Mutual as an
intrinsically-safe apparatus for use in the US and Canada.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/mxg/mxg127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mxg127@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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[10] HIGH SPEED DATA WITH OPTICAL CABLING FROM BASF
(BASF IT Services, 12 Feb 2007)

BASF IT Services now offers its customers optical fibre network cable,
making it easy to transport enormous amounts of data at high speeds
over distances of several kilometers. The IT service provider put an
initial high-speed data line into operation for Wintershall, running
between Kassel and Ludwigshafen.

* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/bwt/bwt101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:bwt101@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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This week's industry news
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BOOMING CHINA MAY FACE RISING LABOUR COSTS
(Economist Intelligence Unit, 16 Feb 2007)
While manufacturing executives' confidence in China remains high,
concerns about rising labour costs there are growing, reports a recent
business confidence index.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/eci/eci120.html
or send a blank email to mailto:eci120@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

TRUCK PLANT IS CO2 EMISSIONS-FREE
(Volvo Europa Truck, 16 Feb 2007)
Volvo Europa Truck has invested some EUR 10 million in on-site
alternative energy supply systems and expects to see payback within
two years as oil and gas prices continue to rise.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/vov/vov101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vov101@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

ENGINEERING FIRM CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
(SKF UK, 15 Feb 2007)
Originally founded in 1907, the Swedish company SKF has expanded from
being a designer and maker of bearings into providing a wide range of
engineering products and systems.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/skf/skf231.html
or send a blank email to mailto:skf231@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

MANUFACTURING SWITCHER LOCOMOTIVES RESTARTS IN UK
(Corus Automotive, 14 Feb 2007)
Although the British locomotive building industry has declined
considerably in the last 20 years, Corus Northern Engineering Services
is now producing 1000HP 'switcher' or 'shunter' types.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/cpk/cpk107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cpk107@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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CNC AUTOMATICS REPLACE CAM-DRIVEN LATHES
(NC Engineering, 14 Feb 2007)
Replacing cam-driven automatic lathes with CNC sliding head automatic
lathes means a couplings maker can benefit on delivery and price and
run machines 'lights out'.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/nce/nce225.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nce225@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
> Request free details from the supplier on Citizen CNC sliding head
automatic lathes:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/nce/225/4

BIO-STABLE COOLANT RAISES MACHINING EFFICIENCY
(Batoyle Freedom Group, 15 Feb 2007)
By using a high performance bio-stable soluble metal working fluid, a
lathe chuck manufacturer noted an immediate cost saving owing to
improved operator and system efficiency.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/baf/baf104.html
or send a blank email to mailto:baf104@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com
> Request free details from the supplier on Bio-stable soluble metal
working fluid:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/baf/104/4

SUCCESSFUL MBO FUNDED EXTERNALLY
(GE Commercial Finance, 16 Feb 2007)
Financial consultants advised and funded the management team of a UK
precision turned parts manufacturer on its recent management buy-out
of the company.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/nmb/nmb105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:nmb105@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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Other featured new product news
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ETCHING/DEGREASING BATH SOLUTIONS CHECKED
(Metrohm UK, 13 Feb 2007)
An at-line analyser for use in plating departments for etching and
degreasing baths will also automatically analyse plating baths -
copper, nickel and zinc - for content.
> Request free details from the supplier on Analyser for
etch/degrease/plating baths:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/moh/565/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/moh/moh565.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moh565@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

HOT AIR BLOWERS HEAT, CURE AND DRY
(Secomak, 16 Feb 2007)
Said to be ideal for industrial drying, heating and curing, hot air
blowers deliver a constant stream of hot air at up to 300 deg and can
be used for testing products' heat resistance.
> Request free details from the supplier on Hot air blowers:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/sek/132/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/sek/sek132.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sek132@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

PROCESS VISCOMETERS CERTIFIED FOR COMBUSTIBLE DUST
(Hydramotion, 14 Feb 2007)
Hydramotion's Intrinsically Safe XL7-15x series process viscometers
are now available certified to ATEX Ex II 1GD for use in hazardous
atmospheres.
> Request free details from the supplier on Process viscometers:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/hyd/127/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/hyd/hyd127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:hyd127@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

EMC PROBLEMS AND POWER QUALITY ISSUES
(REO (UK), 13 Feb 2007)
REO UK's web site gives visitor members access to problem solving
resources to help them overcome everyday EMC problems and Power
Quality issues.
> Request free details from the supplier on Problem solving online:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/reo/127/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/reo/reo127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:reo127@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

SERVOS SUPPLIED READY TO DRIVE OUT OF THE BOX
(Lenze, 13 Feb 2007)
9400 servo drives from Lenze are supplied built and tested, ready to
work out of the box, saving time and money on installation.
> Request free details from the supplier on Servo drives:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/len/140/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/len/len140.html
or send a blank email to mailto:len140@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

NEW DATALASE CASEMARK TAPE APPLICATOR
(DataLase, 14 Feb 2007)
DataLase, originator of the award winning DataLase process, will be
unveiling its latest addition to the DataLase product line at Total
Packaging 2007.
> Request free details from the supplier on CASEMARK tape applicator:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/srw/184/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/srw/srw184.html
or send a blank email to mailto:srw184@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

USB INTERFACE FOR MCU DEVELOPMENT KIT
(Ramtron International, 12 Feb 2007)
USB-based JTAG interface enables faster programming and superior
in-circuit debugging.
> Request free details from the supplier on VJTAG-USB,JTAG interface:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/rar/107/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/rar/rar107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:rar107@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

INDUSTRIAL FORCE REBALANCE ACCELEROMETER
(Inertial Aerosystems UK, 13 Feb 2007)
A force rebalance accelerometer for Industrial applications has been
made available by Inertial Aerosystems incorporating the Q-Flex etched
quartz proof flexure seismic system.
> Request free details from the supplier on Force rebalance
accelerometer:
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/rdx/ml/ilx/163/4
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/ilx/ilx163.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ilx163@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

ACCURATE MACHINING CENTRE HAS LATEST CNC
(Colchester-Harrison, 13 Feb 2007)
A high specification CNC with a manual guide for milling is fitted to
a mid-range vertical machining centre, which has a positioning
accuracy of five microns.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/clc/clc211.html
or send a blank email to mailto:clc211@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

MODULAR CONVEYOR SERVES AUTOMATIC ASSEMBLY
(Modular Automation International, 13 Feb 2007)
A modular conveying system for automated assembly lines uses a stable,
extruded aluminium profile with a range of standard components to
create complex, practical conveyors.
* Read more: http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/moa/moa119.html
or send a blank email to mailto:moa119@fetch.manufacturingtalk.com

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The Manufacturingtalk Newsletter: 19 February 2007