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.
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.
Point Designs LLC, BuildParts by Cideas Inc. and Eaton take top spots in the annual competition.
Resources and guidance to achieve Industry 4.0 success
Protect, prepare for potential disruptions
Smart Manufacturing talks to Professor Chinedum “Chi” Okwudire about vibration, additive manufacturing and why it’s so hard to get kids to play the piano.
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.
Case Study: Cobots help better serve customers and improve environment for workforce
