The three keynote speakers of HOUSTEX, EASTEC, SOUTHTEC and WESTEC—the Manufacturing Technology Series—offer perspectives pertinent to manufacturers in general, but of particular use to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
With the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the pickup in the economy, suppliers of welding equipment are finding ways to making welding easier for those working in manufacturing. Automation is the leading technique among many.
Prima Power Laserdyne recently presented a Zeiss high-resolution microscope to the welding program leaders of Anoka Technical College as the college expands its robotic and laser welding program.
March 2021 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $177.6 million, up 18.8 percent from February's $149.5 million and down 2.6 percent when compared with the $182.3 million reported for March 2020.
New features mean more choices in cutting with inserts
On paper, it should have been smooth sailing. When Fairbanks Morse installed a robotic welding cell at its Beloit, Wis. headquarters, the goal was to increase output of the massive marine propulsion systems they manufacture.
Some trends in machining remain constant. Machine speeds continue to increase. Difficult-to-cut materials are used more frequently.
SMW Autoblok has introduced the TX Series 3-jaw pull-down chucks featuring repeatability of up to 4 µm (0.00015”) and precise, self-centering accuracy for heavy duty metal cutting applications.
IPG Photonics Corp., a manufacturer of high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers for materials processing and other applications has appointed Jeanmarie Desmond and Natalia Pavlova to its board of directors, effective January 7, 2021.
Greenleaf Corporation introduced its carbide insert grade G-9610 for higher material removal rate and longer tool life.
