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.
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.
Overall, there are two overriding customer needs: reducing cycle time and machine downtime. They want higher feed rates and depth of cut for greater metal removal.
From a conventional machine operator to the founder of a company that manufactures high-precision cutting tools, Kumar Arumugam Naidu took his company to the next level through education and key partnerships.
According to Siemens Industry Inc., the new digital thread leverages technologies from all four companies.
Not every contract manufacturer has the capability to quickly switch production between myriad parts, but that’s exactly the position FPD Co. is in thanks to Grob Systems Inc.’s automated five-axis machining.
Middleton, Wis.-based ACI is joining Dwyer Instruments, Omega Engineering and Universal Flow Monitors under the DwyerOmega brand.
Mazak Corp. will be demonstrating three automation-ready machines designed for motorsports part production at this years Performance Racing Industry Show in Indianapolis.
German industrial machine manufacturer Trumpf posted €5.4 billion in sales as the company turns 100.
