Implanting Success

Reducing Purchase, Maintenance, Fixture Costs
Equator delivers a unique construction and method of operation while being capable of high-speed comparative gaging for inspection of high-volume manufactured parts. Developed and proven on the shopfloor, the result is a lightweight, fast, and highly repeatable gage that operators can use with push-button simplicity. Equator can switch between parts in seconds, making it ideal for flexible manufacturing processes or accepting parts from multiple machines.

Based on an easily scaleable and adaptable parallel kinematic structure, Equator’s patented principle allows high-speed scanning and rapid moves between features. All of this occurs while retaining stiffness that delivers impressive point-to-point repeatability, critical for accurate gaging.

WESTEC Booth #1600
Renishaw Inc.
Hoffman Estates, IL
renishaw.com

Productivity Tools
GibbsCAM productivity enhancements will be available for demonstrations during WESTEC 2012. GibbsCAM engineers will highlight automatic color and hole feature recognition, 5-axis drill cycle options, and support for 5-axis tilting live tooling (B-axis) on lathes and multi-task machines. Also featured will be GibbsCAM’s various high-speed machining (HSM) capabilities, such as plunge roughing and VoluMill, which yield the lowest bulk-material-removal costs for most geometry.

WESTEC Booth #2720
Gibbs & Associates
Moorpark, CA
gibbscam.com

Expansion to Product Lines
The EXSYS/Eppinger Preci-Flex Adapter System is continuously expanding to meet the toolholding needs of manufacturers. Joining the Preci-Flex line of high-precision modular tooling systems are the Type 02 extended adapters and Shrink-Fit adapters.

Type 02 extended adaptors, within the Preci-Flex system, feature extended collet chucks that allow tooling to be positioned closer into a machine spindle or chuck; because of their extended lengths, the adaptors eliminate any tool interference issues.

Next, all the benefits of shrink-fit toolholding technology adds to the Preci-Flex system with the development of Shrink-Fit adapters. The adapters deliver 100% clamping and connectivity around a tool’s entire shank diameter while providing the holding power, rigidity, and accuracy associated with shrink-fit toolholding.

WESTEC Booth #2108
EXSYS Tool Inc.
San Antonio, FL
exsys-tool.com

Workholding, Material Handling Technologies
The extensive clamping, gripping, locating, positioning, roller, bumper, and support products will be the showcase of Fixtureworks’ exhibit at WESTEC 2012. Highlights to the exhibit will be the abrasive diamond surface and Sof-Top grippers in addition to new urethane covered bearing, cam follower covers, and press fit rollers.

Also on display will be products from Fairlane, Kipp, OK-Vise, Mitee-Bite, and Modern Industries.

WESTEC Booth #1845
Fixtureworks
Fraser, MI
fixtureworks.net

Swiss Precision Tooling
The Rego-Fix staff will display the dual-contact Rego Plus line of holders, the slimmest powRgrip toolholder, and a new series of toolholder vises.

The Rego-Fix slim-nose powRgrip 6 toolholder (PG6) has a minimal outside diameter of 0.4" (10.0mm), as well as a clamping diameter ranging from 0.008" to 0.125" (0.200mm to 3.175mm). Because of its small, slim design, the PG6 provides less tool interference, easily machines tight pockets, and delivers high levels of productivity. Furthermore, the PG6 has a runout accuracy of <3μm and provides quick, simple, and safe tool changes. Pairing with the company’s secuRgrip tool-locking option and expanded line of HSK 40 E holders, the PG6 further enhances the capabilities of the company’s existing powRgrip toolholding system, offering better TIR, improved tool dampening, easy presetting, longer tool life, and unparalleled clamping forces.

WESTEC Booth #1839
Rego-Fix Tool Corp.
Indianapolis, IN
rego-fix.com

Simulation, Optimization
Vericut 7.2 features many enhancements to improve speed, thereby reducing the time required for manufacturing engineers to develop, analyze, inspect, and document the CNC programming and machining process. Along with proactively adding new features, CGTech developers and engineers are focusing on implementing hundreds of customer-driven enhancements.

For Vericut 7.2, added features are to the user interface to simplify the most common user actions and an increase to speed by more thoroughly taking advantage of multiple processors and background processing.

Another new feature is the ability to optimize an NC program from a saved simulation. Users can adjust and re-optimize without rerunning the simulation. A new interactive panel displays cutting conditions immediately, anywhere in the machining process. The user can navigate the NC program to evaluate cutting conditions and quickly see the results of adjustments to optimization settings.

WESTEC Booth #2801
CGTech
Irvine, CA
cgtech.com

30°/60° Toolholders
An expansion to the Thinbit selection of Groove ’N turn toolholders will be on display at WESTEC, and are available in 3/4" and 1" square – used for making undercuts and thread reliefs at a 30°/60° angle. The toolholders are for use on conventional, Swiss, and CNC machines for grooving inserts in sizes from 0.004" to 0.150". Inserts are available in three grades of material: D2 for steels, D5 for non-ferrous, and HSS. TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, are available, while a full selection of radius and special configurations are offered.

WESTEC Booth #3116
Kaiser Tool Co. Inc./Thinbit
Fort Wayne, IN
thinbit.com

CAM Capabilities Expanded
Mastercam X6 introduces new capabilities, including new stock models, Mastercam Blade Expert, the OptiRest toolpath, Hybrid Finish Filler Passes, and more.

One new area, demonstrated during WESTEC, is the precise machining stock model that delivers a variety of benefits – viewing and verifying work as it progresses, performing stock model comparisons, and easily choosing existing stock for rest machining. There will be demos of how the 3D high-speed toolpath performs rest-milling operations to remove remaining material with optimized roughing motion. In addition, 3D high-speed Hybrid toolpaths now maintain all of the Z-level cuts in the steep areas of parts while filling in the shallow areas with scallop motion within a single Z section. These toolpaths combine the best of both worlds with waterline (constant Z) motion and scallop where needed.

WESTEC Booth #2612
CNC Software Inc.
Tolland, CT
mastercam.com

Design for Manufacturability Module Offered
PartMaker Modeling is a 3D design tool developed specifically for the needs of CNC manufacturers. It lets users create, repair, and modify 3D CAD data of any origin or level of quality, and make flawless solid models they can use for the most efficient level of machining, CNC programming, and 3D simulation. PartMaker Modeling is a hybrid modeler working with surfaces and Parasolid, providing high quality solid models for use at any level of the supply chain.

PartMaker Modeling gives PartMaker users the most powerful 3D design tool of any PC-based CAD system, allowing for 3D modeling, direct modeling of dumb solid models, and data repair in a manner other CAM systems simply do not and cannot offer.

Based on Delcam’s PowerSHAPE 3D design package, and specifically tuned to the needs of part manufacturers, PartMaker Modeling is a very easy to use, yet versatile and powerful CAD system, delivering state-of-the-art tools directly to the desktop.

WESTEC Booth #2812
PartMaker Inc.
Ft. Washington, PA
partmaker.com

CAD/CAM Series Showcased
The range of enhancements to the Delcam CAD/CAM product line enables faster and easier programming for CNC machining – producing faster and more efficient toolpaths while allowing greater machine productivity.

One enhancement shown at the show will be PowerMILL 2012 and its Flowline Machining. FeatureCAM 2012 demonstrated features include a range of enhancements for quick and accurate CAM programming for production machining on lathes, mills, and mill/turn machines. In addition, the 2012 version of Delcam for SolidWorks includes programming of wire EDM for the first time, alongside the comprehensive options for the programming of turning, mill/turn, drilling, and 2- through 5-axis milling. Finally, the major change to the 2012 release of PowerSHAPE is a range of direct modeling options, also offered for demonstrations at the show.

WESTEC Booth #2812
Delcam
Salt Lake City, UT
delcam.tv/lz

Expanded Workholding Group
With the Arnold Vise product line now distributed in North America exclusively through Zagar Inc., the range of products will be a highlight in the Zagar Workholding booth at WESTEC. With this new distributor agreement, Zagar intends to continue to grow its’ workholding products that hold and locate parts for machining on vertical and horizontal milling machines. Compared to conventional vises, Arnold Vises are an investment grade quality product featuring safe and easy clamping, repeatability, zero wear, and maximum machine productivity.

WESTEC Booth #3351
Zagar Inc.
Cleveland, OH
zagar.com

Workholding Range on Display
Kurt engineers will be available to demonstrate the Kurt MaxLock Vise, Kurt PinLock, Kurt swing clamps, and much more.

Designed with Kurt’s AngLock feature to reduce part lift, the new MaxLock vise holds parts with maximum rigidity for close tolerance repeatability in all axes. The vise securely clamps parts for continuous 5-axis cutting motion of complex pockets, sculptured and contoured surfaces, and intricate 3D features with repeatable, high precision accuracy. MaxLock delivers up to 7,000 lb clamping force at 40 lb of input torque, features a 0.625" stroke with minimum jaw opening of 0.150" to a maximum 15.500" with various screw lengths.

WESTEC Booth #1900
Kurt Mfg. Co., Industrial Products Division
Minneapolis, MN
kurtworkholding.com

Challenges: Solutions Available
A range of cost-reducing, productivity-enhancing solutions from MSC Industrial Direct will be the highlight of the company’s WESTEC exhibit. In addition to the full-line of metalworking products, MSC Tech Team and Solution Specialists will be providing application expertise and demonstrating the company’s inventory management solutions.

Visitors to the MSC booth will have the opportunity to see MSC’s range of metalworking products, including those from brands such as Accupro, Hertel, and SPI.

In addition to its metalworking products, MSC Solution Specialists will demonstrate customizable inventory management systems that reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve bottom lines.

WESTEC Booth #2620
MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc.
Melville, NY
mscdirect.com