General Inspection’s VisionLab gaging system enables first piece inspection, statistical process control (SPC) sampling, final audits or 100% inspection using pick-and-place automation. VisionLab measures all profile characteristics and is the only 3D gaging system that provides complete part measurements in less than seven seconds, according to the company.

The VisionLab system can measure all profile features, including pertinent geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) characteristics as well as all thread features using its optics and software algorithms. An integrated thread database provides point-and-click programming. An optional end-view feature measures and detects defects on both ends of parts measuring features such as recesses, IDs, ODs, through holes and counterbores. Optional surface control is used to detect surface defects, such as bad plating, thread patch presence and quality, as well as measure knurling width, gap and height. Upper tooling and a bit kit are available for uneven parts or parts with a recess drive. VisionLab provides comprehensive data reports and graphs with data collection that can be exported to third-party SPC packages.

VisionLab is designed to be easy to program with Windows-based software. Templates are saved by part number and then recalled for instant inspection. VisionLab is well suited for measuring and inspecting turned components and is intended to be in the lab or on the shop floor so that it can be fully utilized, replacing manual inspection. Three models are available: VisionLab-75, VisionLab-150 and VisionLab-X. The VisionLab-75 can handle parts up to 75-mm length and up to 35-mm diameter. The VisionLab-150 can handle parts up to 150-mm length and 50-mm diameter. For larger sizes the VisionLab-X can be custom-designed to fit most applications.

Tungaloy has upgraded its MiniForceTurn by introducing 30 new DXGQ/U0703 inserts with brazed cubic boron nitride (CBN) tips and an HP chipbreaker. This upgrade is said to boost productivity in hard part turning applications. The CBN inserts will now be sold in newly designed boxes containing five inserts each.

MiniForceTurn turning tool series offers double-sided turning inserts with positive-rake cutting edges on both sides. These inserts enable free cutting action like that of positive inserts with an added advantage of double cutting edges.

The new DXGQ/U0703 inserts feature a 55-degree nose angle with brazed CBN tips that are designed for hard part turning applications. The inserts incorporate HP chipbreaker and use WavyJoint brazing technology for the CBN tips, which are designed to provide enhanced insert reliability during hard part turning. Also, the inserts feature four total cutting edges for better cost-per-part efficiency.

The inserts are available in three coated-CBN grades: BXA10, BXA20 and BR35F, which cover an application range from continuous to interrupted cuts.

The new DXGQ/U0703 CBN inserts fit the existing toolholders: SDXXR/L style toolholders for internal profiling and SDZXR/L style toolholders for internal back spot facing. The enhanced MiniForceTurn CBN inserts are designed to  boost productivity for users involved in internal turning applications of hardened steel parts.

Sumitomo has developed its AC4125K turning grade to lower overall tool usage and tool-change frequency while providing stable, long tool life in cast iron applications in the automotive industry, among others. Gray cast iron is used for parts like engine blocks and brake discs where sliding is required, while ductile cast iron is used for parts such as differential cases and carrier cases where strength is required. Gray cast iron is an alloy primarily composed of carbon and silicon. Gray cast iron appears gray on the fracture surface because carbon is more present in the form of graphite than in the form of cementite. Ductile cast iron contains somewhat more carbon and silicon than gray iron, with the graphite becoming spherical due to the addition of magnesium and/or cerium.

AC4125K is said to be Sumitomo’s first recommended grade for interrupted machining of cast iron. Through the use of Absotech Coating, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coating technology, the turning grade provides optimal chipping resistance by maximizing compressive stress to achieve stable and longer tool life for roughing of components such as differential cases and carrier cases. The gold color of the inserts makes it easy to identify used corners, assisting in the improvement of tool management.

Edge Technologies’ second-generation Patriot 338 and 551 include enhanced features, new sheet metal and a new color scheme.

Faster changeovers, ease of use and safety were the driving forces incorporated from customer feedback and thousands of installations, the company says. Edge Technologies has equipped the latest Patriot bar feeder with quick-change guide channel sets, a larger viewing window and an internal LED light bar around the gripper area — features that ease setup and production monitoring. The main bushing device and second movable anti-vibration device (MAVD) are improved to stabilize bar stock between guide channel and lathe spindle, maximizing RPM potential.

The bar feeder also boasts major upgrades to the motion control system and human-machine interface (HMI). The touchscreen control is said to be interactive and easy to program. Programming is powerful and flexible enough to accommodate basic part processing on fixed and sliding headstock lathes as well as more advanced applications. The new Schneider motion control system is the latest in programmable logic controller (PLC) technology with built-in ethernet ports to accommodate advanced interfacing and the ability to push and pull data from a CNC lathe. The machines feature part program storage of 500 jobs.

Seco Tools’ Nanojet solid-carbide reamers enhance chip control with a through-coolant outlet for optimal chip evacuation. According to Seco, this design eliminates costly scrapped parts, jamming and edge damage to increase safety, part quality and tool life.

On blind and through bores, Seco’s Nanojet reamers stop chip jamming and enhance application stability. The specialized design of these new tools delivers a powerful, precise stream of lubrication directly to the cut zone for optimal chip evacuation and tool life. Seco Nanojet solid-carbide reamers maintain cutting speeds as well as part quality, contributing to production stability.

This versatile range of multi-flute reamers comes in eight grades and more than 10 geometries, along with custom sizes and tolerances. The tools reportedly work with any precision toolholder. They hold tolerances from 10 µm-15 µm (0.0004"-0.0006") and produce surface finishes from Ra 0.2 µm-Ra 1.2 µm. Seco inspects each Nanojet solid-carbide reamer and documents its measured diameter for consistent performance.

Seco Nanojet solid-carbide reamers are available in stock and custom diameters down to 0.057" (1.461 mm). Through the online Seco MyDesign tool configurator, shops can obtain customized tools with the stability, reliability and availability of commodity products.

Source: Cetec ERP

The Pre-Allocation feature facilitates the early assignment of materials to specific projects and customers, enabling users to designate a customer or work order directly on the supplier’s purchase order or existing on-hand inventory. The tool ensures that customer-supplied inventory is not shared, and that work orders have appropriate inventory allocated to prevent slowdowns in production. By allowing early inventory assignment, contract manufacturers can address key inventory management challenges, such as preserving customer-supplied inventory for the right jobs, material planning for large projects and programs as well as protecting estimated costs.

For job shop contract manufacturers, Pre-Allocation simplifies the purchasing and material planning process and prevents unnecessary inventory from sitting on the shelf. Large projects can have purchase orders quickly placed and pre-allocated to the job, reducing overhead while also protecting the production schedule and critical need dates.

Pre-Allocation also simplifies material planning and strengthens inventory oversight, ensuring that materials are dedicated to intended projects ahead of production, streamlining operations and enhancing project delivery accuracy.

Horn USA Inc. has combined the features of various toolholders into its 224 grooving system. The new toolholder features two coolant connections, which are made either via a transfer on the contact surface or via a threaded connector on the side. The internal coolant supply is fed directly to the insert via the clamping finger or directly to the flank face via a hole.

Horn offers the toolholder in a compact design as a square shank of dimensions 0.63" × 0.63" (16 mm × 16 mm), 0.787" × 0.787" (20 mm × 20 mm) or 0.984" × 0.984" (25 mm × 25 mm). All toolholder sizes are available from stock for widths of cut of 0.079" (2.0 mm), 0.098" (2.5 mm), 0.118" (3.0 mm), 0.157" (4.0 mm), 0.197" (5.0 mm) and 0.236" (6.0 mm). The tool shanks are made of high-strength steel, which provides high precision of the insert seat and a long service life of the system. 

Emuge-Franken USA has expanded its line of thread mills for challenging threading applications and materials such as nickel alloys, titanium, high-tensile-strength steels, hardened high-alloy steels, cast iron, cast aluminum and more.

The five Emuge solid carbide thread mills distinct tool families include:

• Threads-All family of thread mills that are well suited for demanding materials and industries such as aerospace, where nickel alloys, titanium and stainless steel are the norm. The family now includes the Max line of premium sub-micron grain solid carbide thread mills that are designed for maximum performance in high tensile strength and hardened materials from 44-66 HRC. Emuge has also added the new Headed line, featuring circular thread milling bars and bodies with exchangeable face inserts. The line is designed to provide a modular solution for milling larger thread dimensions in stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, cast iron and hardened high alloy steels >25 HRC, as well as mold and tool steels.
• Thriller-style thread mills combine the drilling and thread milling process into one tool, eliminating the need for tool changes and saving machine tool carousel space. Thriller thread mills are said to be well suited for short-chipping cast aluminum alloys and cast iron. Thiller-Aero thread mills are designed for aerospace and nickel alloys, titanium and stainless steel materials. Emuge has added the Thriller-Max line to improve tool life and performance in hard-to-machine, high-tensile-strength materials of 44-66 HRC.
• Shur-Thread thread mills are full profile cutters offering high process stability in a range of challenging materials. Shur-Thread is designed to cut one thread size and pitch, requiring a single 360-degree cutting rotation to complete the full threading operation.
• Vario full-profile thread mills are manufactured to cut one specific pitch size, but can also produce more than one thread size for universal material applications. Emuge has added the Vario-Z external thread mills, which are designed to produce external threads in a wide range of materials and applications, as well as the Vario Skip tooth thread milling cutters with alternating tooth rows designed to reduce radial cutting forces and provide an option to remove the incomplete thread.
• Gigant-Ic carbide-insert-style thread mills facilitate quick setups and rapid changeovers when creating internal and external threads, right-hand and left-hand threads, as well as threads in very large holes. The Gigant-Ic family is suitable for cutting low- and high-alloyed steels up to 1,400 N/mm², stainless steel and cast materials, alloys including aluminum, copper, magnesium and titanium, as well as synthetics.

Dillon Manufacturing’s reversible hard jaws decrease the time and cost of tool setups, yet still accurately grip and locate workpieces for ID and OD workholding applications. Designed to hold a specific range of part sizes, these jaws are usually used for first operation workholding, according to the company.

Dillon’s reversibe hard jaws are available in serrated, Acme key, square key and tongue-and-groove styles to fit all brands of chucks. Single or two-step jaws feature diamond-shaped serrations to provide secure gripping and accurate parts locating. The jaws are manufactured with 8620 case-hardened steel with ground locating surfaces and black-oxide coated for corrosion resistance.

The L.S. Starrett Co. has introduced the latest video system, the KMR-MX 200 Manual Video System. The new system offers a specialized platform that is said to fill the gap for companies that want the speed and accuracy of a video-based platform, but do not need Windows-based software or a PC. Well suited for a range of industries such as medical, aerospace, defense and others that require traceable and secure measurement data, operators can take a wide range of measurements with the system.

“We are very pleased to offer our customers a new option for video inspection and measurement which ensures the highest quality control, without requiring a PC,” says Mark Arenal, general manager of Starrett’s metrology division.

The KMR-MX 200 has a manually driven 8" × 4" (200 mm × 100 mm) X-Y stage motion with a 5" (125 mm) Z-travel, paired with a 6.5:1 zoom lens. The system includes a MetLogix Mx200 Digital Readout in a stacked display format with a 14" (355 mm) monitor. Scale resolution is 0.5 μm.