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2019 or earlier clear Electronics Manufacturing clear Smart Manufacturing clear Materials clear Controls clear Machining & Metal Cutting clear Quality/Inspection/Test clear Automation clear Plant Engineering & Maintenance clear Software clear

So, You Want to Implement MTConnect?

Shops today must track or measure their manufacturing operations to improve them. This need drives the growing use of MTConnect—an open, royalty-free protocol for extracting data from practically any piece of equipment, including machine tools and other manufacturing systems. The integration of MTConnect is a major undertaking, and can be a bit challenging unless certain preparations are made ahead of time.

Machining with Robots

Robotic machining technology has advanced to where it poses a serious alternative to metalcutting applications on more traditional machining centers. With the latest robotics equipment and related software, automation suppliers and robotic system integrators are gaining some traction using robots in many material-removal applications previously done only with machine tools.

When Clamps Aren’t the Answer

Workholding techniques using a magnetic field, a vacuum, or an adhesive can be effective alternatives to clamps. When these techniques are used, more part area is available for the cutting tools, thin parts can be held, and initial setup can be fast and simple. Plus, there is a potential for smoother surfaces and a shorter overall production cycle.

Bar Feeders Boost Turning Productivity

One of the most cost-effective ways to obtain the benefits of automation is by adding a bar feeder to a CNC lathe or other bar machine. Costing anywhere from about $10,000 to $40,000 depending on configuration, the devices can add hours of untended operating time for part volumes of a few hundred to tens of thousands.

Control Software Improvements Spurring Manufacturing’s Digitization Push

More and more manufacturers are seeing productivity as a crucial factor to their business success. In the meantime, business models are changing from the large quantities and few variants to small quantities with frequently changed variants. This change requires high flexibility during production.

Prima Power Announces Official Opening of New Manufacturing Plant in Finland

Metalworking technology manufacturer Prima Power (Turin, Italy; Arlington Heights, Ill.) announced the opening of a new site in Seinäjoki, Finland. Finn-Power Oy—the company of Prima Industrie Group manufacturing Prima Power turret punch presses, combined machines, and systems—relocated its manufacturing plant and Tech Center previously sited in Kauhava into a new facility in Seinäjoki.