CNC tool grinding, space-saving automation

The FX7 Linear’s AM5000 control system delivers fast processing, an HSK40 taper for increased rigidity and accuracy, linear motors on the X- and Y-axis, and an AR300 robot loader to automate repetitive manual tasks.

The 3-axis ANCA robot can hold up to 380 tools with sizes up to 20mm x 150mm (0.75" x 6") long. The AR300 loader is contained within the compact FX Linear machine footprint, so no additional floor space is required, and operators don’t need to change gripper fingers between batches.

The AR300 loader uses ANCA motion control technology and is an auto tool-loading solution for the FX7 Linear two-wheel changer machine. It provides quick tool loading directly from the pallet to the collet in a single gripping action.

ANCA Inc.

DC resistance spot welding power supplies

DC1013-T and DC613-T series linear DC resistance spot welding power supplies incorporate statistical process control (SPC) data collection and reporting capability via Ethernet. The 1,000A power supplies offer touch-panel-integrated database process control and monitoring. A high-accuracy, zero-ripple linear transistor output stage supports 10µs dynamic process response rates with absolute closed loop 1A incremental accuracy and repeatability.

Operators can select constant current, voltage, and power modes with programmable multi-pulse combinations in 1A steps up to 1,000A. Programmable part and weld checking are coupled with optional displacement and force limit checking. The DC1013-T offers three-phase operational variants, while the DC613-T supports single phase operations.

Amada Miyachi America

Medical equipment & supplies exports

#1 in the Southeast, 14 consecutive years

#2 in the nation

$3.34 billion, 2017

More than 30% since 2010

61% of exports go to Netherlands, Belgium, China, Japan, Singapore

Top counties employment concentration in medical manufacturing

Shelby (More than 1,500)
Davidson (More than 1,500)
Williamson (500 to 1,500)
Wilson (500 to 1,500)
Roane (More than 1,500)
Sullivan (500 to 1,500)

Low pressure/high volume (LP/HV) valves are versatile systems which provide proper flow control in a wide range of medical, industrial, and commercial applications. Valves control the flow of large volumes of gasses or fluids at low working pressures – typically 36 lb per square inch gage (psig) or less. Applications that frequently use LP/HV valves include fluid or gas sampling systems, oxygen concentrators, air beds and other applications for systems that need to control a large volume of media at low pressure. (See sidebar, below)

How they work

Typically, LP/HV valves consist of two ports (input and output) connected via a common orifice through the valve body. They are similar to conventional valves but with much larger orifices to permit higher flow rates. Most high-volume valves use poppet-style valve mechanisms to compensate for the large openings (Figure 1). LP/ HV valves are available in both normally closed (NC) and normally open (NO) configurations, but NC is more common. The NC-style valve shown in Figure 1 uses a solenoid-operated stem with a poppet to cover the internal passage. A spring holds the poppet in the closed position until the solenoid is energized. When energized, the stem with poppet pulls away from the seat, allowing air to flow through the valve. Actuation voltages for these valves can vary, but most products can be specified for 12VDC or 24VDC. Since the spring is the only mechanism keeping the valve closed, the working pressure of the system it’s controlling must not exceed the force it can exert on the poppet. This limit is referred to as the valve’s rated working pressure.

LP/HV valves can be configured to support mono-directional or bi-directional flows (Figure 2). In bi-directional valves, the retention spring is enhanced to counteract the additional forces created during reverse-flow operation. As with mono-directional valves, care must be taken to not exceed the bi-directional valve’s rated working pressure.

Features, benefits

Since LP/HV valves offer significantly less restriction than conventional valves, it takes less energy to pump an equivalent volume of fluid through them – lower actuation pressure demands less power to operate. LP/HV valves’ poppet mechanisms offer several other advantages. Straightforward valve action produces a very rapid response rate, enabling precise control of timing and flow volume. In addition, the poppet provides a closed crossover, sealing the exhaust port before opening to flow. This prevents a transitional state from one function to the next, providing the operator precise control between positions. Poppet valves also impose less wear on internal seals than equivalent spool valves, resulting in typical valves with rated life expectancies of more than 50 million cycles.

Manifolds

Manifolds are often used to provide a common source or exhaust for an array of valves. One of the most common applications is connecting a single pressure source to multiple actuators. In this configuration, manifolds are also used as common pressure sources in hospital equipment such as air beds (alternating pressure mattresses) and gas dispensing systems. Manifolds can also be used to combine the exhausts from multiple valves. One of the most common applications for this configuration is multisource sampling systems, such as those used to analyze air quality throughout a building.

Bimba

About the author: Bradlee Dittmer is a product marketing manager at Bimba and can be reached at 720.283.5417.

CloudPlatform data analytics allows condition-based monitoring of SW machines, processing machine data to detect performance and reduce maintenance costs. CloudPlatform also monitors automated processes, so if a cycle gets out of sync, users can act before productivity suffers.

CloudPlatform monitors machine component conditions, uploading a daily status to the NC monitors, with most of the monitoring done via universal axis tests – equability tests supplemented by circularity tests.

The equability tests measure axis movement to detect factors in need of attention, such as worn ball screws, guideways requiring slide lubrication, damage or parallelism errors, and backed up chips in covers and seized cover fragments.

Areas that equability tests might miss are covered by circularity tests, such as determining slack and reversal errors with bearings and ball screws.

CloudPlatform’s intuitive user experience provides advice on specific actions to take for optimal machine availability.

SW North America Inc.