May 2008 Edition
EASTEC 2008
EASTEC 2008 Preview
The East Coast manufacturing tradition is back. About 14,000 manufacturers, plant managers, and shop owners from throughout the region’s diverse industries will be in West Springfield, MA, May 20 to May 22, 2008 to evaluate advanced technologies, production methods, and management concepts from some 600 industry-leading exhibitors.
EASTEC’s 2,000 products are in five technology-focused buildings: Precision Manufacturing Equipment and Systems – Buildings 1 and 2; Automation, Supply Chain, and Process Improvement – Buildings 3 and 4; Plant, Energy, and Environmental Efficiency – Buildings 3 and 4; Design, Engineering, and Rapid Technologies – Building 5; and Tooling, Workholding, and Machining Accessories – Building 5.
Getting a Grip with Workholding Components
Workholding components, clamping hardware, gripping products, and fixturing and material handling equipment will be highlighted as part of the display of more than 20,000 items offered by the company at the show. This includes One-Touch clamp designs and a mini-clamp series – both from Imao. Also, focus will be on an expanded range of stainless steel handles, knobs, and levers from Kipp for applications in harsh environments. The display will illustrate how OEM, machine and fabrication shops, and others can build custom fixtures and applications with the economy and access of standard parts. Also on display will be Fairlane grippers and rest pads; Swivots swivel/pivoting positioning components; Quick Release ball-lock pins, rollers, and bumpers; and a range of products from other manufacturers.
Fixtureworks, Booth 5754
CAD/CAM Software with Automatic Evaluation
Mastercam’s Feature Based Machining – FBM – will be unveiled at EASTEC. The FBM automates the machining process, which offers shops speed improvements and programming time reductions. It evaluates part and programs pockets, contours, bosses, and drilling routines with minimal user input. New users will be able to machine 2D solid parts because of the short learning curve. It will be part of the Mastercam X3 release later this year.
CNC Software, Inc., Booth 5245
Software Solutions for Job Shops
ShopMill and ShopTurn software updates are featured at the show. The applications increase productivity with simplicity and speed. With step-by-step, on-screen programming, job shops can respond to customer demands by reducing programming, tooling, and production times. Also featured is the SINUMERIK 802D solution line CNC, an operator panel-based control system that combines the numerical control, the programmable logic controller, and the human machine interface in a single unit. It has the capability of five-axis machining – two of which may be spindles – and is a solution for the low- and medium-range milling and turning machine markets.
Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc., Booth 2037
No Pump Required for Vacuum Pallet Changing System
The Vacmagic is a vacuum pallet changing system that runs off 70 to 80 psi of standard shop air with no vacuum pump required. Customers can run high volume production runs at the same feeds and speeds they normally would, with precise repeatability. Jobs too difficult to clamp can use the Vacmagic pallet with no time lost. Mounting a vise on the standard pallet eliminates indicating the vise before every use.
Mitee-Bite, Booth 5572
Single-spindle and Multi-spindle Vertical CNCs Available
The SV-1000 vertical CNC honing machine series is engineered to scale up from a single-spindle machine to an automated multi-spindle unit. Designed for part diameters of 3mm to 65mm the machines can size bores to accuracies of 0.25µm. The basic single-spindle SV-1000 module is designed for future automation with removable side enclosure panels to facilitate flow-through part processing. It is available with a fixed tooling plate or servo rotary table with 12-position rotary air union for fixture control. An industrial PC offers software-based updates and replacement parts. The machine’s cast-polymer base provides vibration damping and structural rigidity. Automated versions with the servo rotary table or linear part transfer, integrated part handling systems, and up to four spindles can be specified. The vertical design of the machine conserves shop floor space, with a footprint of 95"×91"×107". The high-torque, belt-driven spindle is rated at 7.5 kW for a range of sizing and finishing work at speeds of 100 to 4,000 rpm.
Sunnen, Booth 2120
Faster Cutting with 87,000 psi
HyperPressure waterjet technology, featuring 87,000 psi cutting, is available on the Integrated Flying Bridge and the WMC2 waterjet machines. It enables faster, cost-effective cutting, lower part cost, and higher production. Benefits include cutting speeds that are 20 to 50 percent faster than 60,000 psi; 20 to 30 percent lower part cost than 60,000 psi; lower abrasive consumption, with 30 to 50 percent less abrasive used than 60,000 psi; and simpler, faster maintenance, among other benefits. The Dynamic Waterjet head offers accuracy by controlling the straightness or taper of the edge quality.
Flow International, Booth 1515
Thread Inspection Systems Assure Conformance
Portable or Bench External and Internal Thread Inspection Systems incorporate functional and pitch diameter size measurements for UN, Metric, NPT, and all other thread forms. These systems assure dimensional conformance of thread characteristics from verification of assembly to process control systems for safety-critical applications. Also demonstrated will be the ThreadSpecs 2.0 integrated thread engineering software program designed to simplify the calculation of thread elements and characteristics for UN, UNJ, Buttress, Acme, Metric, Metric J, and Whitworth thread forms.
Johnson Gage Co., Booth 4004
Uni-directional Repeatability for Styli up to 200mm
The RMP600 touch probe combines accuracy strain-gage sensing and frequency-hopping spread-spectrum radio transmission. The design allows part checking precision on 5-axis machining, contours, deep cavities, and undercuts. The probe makes possible rapid, automated part setup and changeover, in-process control of critical dimensions, and final parts inspection to speed throughput. Robust construction, compact design, solid-state electronics, and interference-free signal transmission allow application to all sizes of machining centers in harsh machine environments and plant floors with competing Wi-Fi communications. Using Rengage strain-gage technology, the touch probe delivers uni-directional repeatability of 0.25µm with a 50mm long stylus and 0.35µm with a 100mm stylus. It can be used with high-speed, single-touch, or double-touch probing routines.
Renishaw, Booth 3033
Video Measurement System Suited for Many Different Environments
The Galileo AV1824 Video Measurement System has multi-sensor measuring capabilities including vision, touch probe, and laser scanning. It provides an intermediate travel multi-sensor metrology solution suited for QC labs, research, engineering, and manufacturing environments. The AV1824’s color optical system provides zoom magnification of 12:1 with a programmable magnification range from 15x to 550x with auxiliary lenses. A dual output LED illuminator, ring light, and coaxial illumination provides exceptional lighting. The system includes dual flat panel LCD displays. Its size is 39"×39"×60" and the system weighs approximately 900 lb. Accuracy is ensured by a stable granite base design. It includes Metronics Quadra-Chek QC-5000 3D Metrology Software with video edge detection and full CNC control.
The L. S. Starrett Company, Booth 3013
High-speed Spindles for Precision Cutting
A heavy-duty, 40,000-rpm spindle using HSK toolholders is available for high-speed applications, such as engraving and marking in a range of light and heavy metals and plastics. The spindle is used for precise cutting at high speeds up to 40,000 rpm. The radial rigidity and clamping force of the toolholders have been optimized with a concentricity of less than 3µ. The larger diameter toolholders have been field-proven to improve rigidity and resist radial forces. A special chamber system, filled with thermosetting plastic, has vibration-dampening properties, resulting in better surface finishes and tool life extension.
Datron Dynamics, Booth 1261
Deep-cutting Blade-style Tools
Deepgroove support blade-style tooling accommodates cutting depths to 32mm. Blades are in-face grooving – 20mm major diameter and greater – or OD/parting configurations and are compatible with 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm inserts. These tools, along with the entire Thinbit line of cutting tools, will be on display.
Kaiser Tool Co., Booth 5344
Ultra-precision Part Match Grinding
A process control system for match grinding of ultra-precision parts will be shown. The demonstration of high-precision process control will feature pre-process and in-process gauges that are integrated using a single P7 multi-function amplifier. The P7 unit is available in configurations including a modular design that can be embedded inside the machine’s control. In match grinding, the OD of one component is ground to precisely match the ID of a mating component – a process that eliminates the requirement for classifying and sorting finished parts for assembly. This is accomplished by sending measurement data from a pre-process gauge used to measure the ID of one part to an in-process gauge on the grinder that controls the finished size of the mating part’s OD. The P7 electronic unit in this application provides the ability to accomplish the required measurements and calculations.
Marposs Corp., Booth 3006
Bar Feeders, Chip Conveyors, and Mist Collectors
Bar feeds, chip conveyors, coolant systems, and other machine tool accessories for lights-out manufacturing and other efficiencies, will be showcased. Featured products include Alpha Series bar feeds starting at $20,300. The model ST 320 feeds round bar stock from 0.12" to 0.78" diameter. The Alpha ST 212 is designed to load small diameter, round bar stock from 0.078" to 0.47". The Microfine three-chip conveyors are for installations with limited floor space and machines requiring lower discharge heights. This system handles heavy chip loads of mixed or dedicated materials and filters coolant to 50µ. Five models of oil mist collectors with capacities of 170 to 1250 cfm filter water-soluble or straight oil coolants to eliminate mist, vapors, smoke, and odors. Although designed for wet applications, the devices can also be used in mixed – wet or dry – situations.
LNS America, Inc., Booth 1117
CAD/CAM Software Update
A new release of GibbsCAM will be previewed at the show. This release introduces enhanced capabilities across the entire GibbsCAM product family, along with a complete range of 3-axis milling functionality with support for high-speed machining. Some of the enhancements include virtually unlimited undo/rollback capability; multiple viewport display capability; toolpath tool traversal visualization; hidden line toolpath display; pre-select highlighting; expanded display color management; advanced 3D, high-speed machining for SolidSurfacer; support for 3D Material Only; and support for more advanced tool shapes, such as tapered tools.
GibbsCAM, Booth 5429
End Mills, Carbide Drills, and More
An array of products on display include OTMT T-Slot Blocks, NACHI High Performance Roughing End Mills, TTC Long Length Solid Carbide Drills, and more.
For more information Travers Tool Co., Booth 4238
Insert Cutter Rings for Swiss-type Machines
An expanded line of thread whirling 12 form insert cutter rings for many Swiss-type machines will be at the show. The system delivers faster thread whirling of long threaded forms, bone screw thread profiles, and miniature ball screws, as well as using standard 1600 series Multidec-Cut insert blanks. Also on display will be the 2150 Series Precision Micro-Broach holder for Swiss-type machines for rotation of broach tools 2mm and smaller. This series is suited for hex profiles under 2mm.
Genevieve Swiss Industries, Booth 4305
Meeting Micro Machining Applications
The Solid Carbide Micro End Mills are designed to meet the requirements of micro machining applications. A geometrically-optimized cutting edge combined with a slim, concave, tapered neck provide flexible milling solutions in materials from hardened steel to graphite. The tools are offered in cutting diameters from 0.008" to 0.080", with effective cutting length-to-diameter ratios of 2.2:1, 5:1, and 10:1. The tools have use in milling injection molds and extrusion dies, or graphite and copper electrodes. They are also suited for high-precision surface structuring of macroscopic components as well as micro-mechanical parts production. They are available in 24 different designs, uncoated or with TiAlN coating.
Emuge, Booth 5222
Thermal Contraction Gives a Tight Grip
Shrink Fit Holders, designed and constructed for optimum accuracy, rigidity, and balance, offer minimal variations of unbalance when changing cutting tools. Used in combination with a Shrink Fit Unit, they heat up to expand the inside diameter of the holder. As the holder cools, the thermal contraction exerts a uniform pressure that shrinks around the tool for uniform gripping. This process ensures accuracy and tool changes of less than 30 seconds. Shrink Fit Holders are designed to be symmetrical. They are pre-balanced – to G2.5 at 40,000 rpm on all HSK32E/40E holders, to G2.5 at 20,000 rpm on all #40 taper/HSK63 holders, and to G2.5 at 15,000 rpm on all #50 taper/HSK100 holders. They come in both inch and metric sizes.
Lyndex-Nikken Inc., Booth 5355
Brushes Offer Increase in Fatigue Resistance and Tool Life
Nylox Composite Metal Hub Wheel Brushes are suited for use with robotic or dedicated equipment. Internal metal components are eliminated through use of polymer technology to retain brush filaments, which creates a densely-packed brush. The result is an increase in fatigue resistance and an increase in tool life. Constructed with a steel shell, the brushes provide dimensional stability with minimal vibration. They have a 2" bore for direct mounting on equipment without adapters. They come in either crimped or rectangular filament wheels, both made with silicon carbide. As with all abrasive nylon products, these wheels work through a filing action that removes burrs by abrasion, not impact.
Weiler Corp., Booth 5707
Machine Different Lengths Without Setup
The LB3000EX Space Turn CNC Lathe offers 66 option variations. The machine provides multi-tasking capacity for a 2-axis lathe. Built on a box slant bed, it can achieve machining dimensional change over time of less than 5µm. It is equipped with a Prex motor, and has a maximum machining diameter of 16.14" and maximum machining length of 19.69" . Up to 10 pairs of NC tailstock positions can be set, enabling continuous machining of workpieces with 10 different lengths without setup, along with X and Z rapid traverse rates of 984 ipm and 1,181 ipm, respectively. It comes in two bed sizes, 500mm and 1,000 mm, and two spindle sizes.
Okuma America Corp, Booth 1305