Micro components continue to shrink in size, demanding ever-greater precision and improved handling of parts with sub-micron-sized features. New approaches in micro machining technology include higher-precision systems from traditional micro machining developers, as well as techniques using additive manufacturing processes and semiconductor wafer-scale technology on the smallest of micro parts.
The challenges to manufacturing as it evolves into the 21st century are now familiar, and impact how metrology must contribute. Manufacturers face uncertain production volumes with roller-coaster demand, shorter production runs and faster product development cycles. Automation, while alluring as a way to reduce cost, needs to adjust.
Today’s products require high finishes, burr-free edges, freedom from contamination, and often close tolerances. Electropolishing provides all of those conditions and more in a matter of seconds for many metal parts. It is a process that has been used for more than a hundred years. It is widely known and the science is widely discussed, but its ability to run job shop lots and high-precision high-volume parts in the same equipment makes it a bit unique.
When you walk into the Redeye On Demand facility in Eden Prairie, MN, you enter into one version of the factory of the future. There you will see a bank of 100 high-end Fortus fused-deposition modeling (FDM) machines from Stratasys that provide the capacity to build real, functional parts with production-grade thermoplastics directly from CAD data.
It is reported that, not too long ago, before the current precipitous decline in machine-tool shipments, the number of 30-taper machines that were being manufactured and sold in Japan had surpassed the numbers of 40-taper and 50-taper machining centers.
Kevin Smith, senior commercial application engineer at Markforged, explains how the Markforged Metal X 3D printing process works, for starters. He also gets into how FFF metal printing differs from DMLS and other processes. And he goes over materials that can be printed on the Metal X, as well as the applications that are best suited for metal 3D printing.
CNC Software Inc., developers of Mastercam, has a new reseller available to customers in the San Diego area. CAD/CAM Consulting Services Inc. (CCCS) has been among Mastercam’s top 10 Resellers for 27 years in Southern California, with offices in Anaheim and Newbury Park.
DP Technology Corp., the parent company of CAM system ESPRIT, has announced the 2020 dates for its annual conference. ESPRIT World 2020 will be held from June 8-12 in Las Vegas–the location of the company’s first conference in 2003.
The L.S. Starrett Company, a global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, and metrology systems, has appointed David Allen as Vice President, Starrett Metrology Systems, effective November 18, 2019.
CNC Software Inc., developers of Mastercam, has announced a new partnership with TITANS of CNC Inc. to help train the next generation of highly skilled CNC machinists and eliminate the widening skills gap.
