INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Step change for tape finishing

The precision machining of wave-shaped components to reduce roughness and friction, as well as for structuring and increasing the contact area of functional surfaces, can now be carried out even more efficiently: Thielenhaus Superfinish has released a new self-loading tape-finishing machine for machining shafts, bearing and sealing seats. The Cube Evo is available as a freely programmable unit and is designed to meet future Industry 4.0 standards.

A program with all the parameters required for the machining process, such as workpiece speed, machining time, oscillation, grinding pressure and tape speed can be stored and loaded for every workpiece that needs to be produced. This functionality makes it possible to index precisely to all tape finisher positions via the controller, or manually using the positioning system. Furthermore, the self-explanatory user operation surface with its pull-down menus allows all settings to be carried out quickly and easily by the operator without special training, says Thielenhaus.
Automatic loading technology reduces the machine’s non-productive time and loading processes to an absolute minimum. With its quickly adjustable tape-finish units, the modular construction provides flexible, cost-neutral configuration. In the standard working area, workpieces can have dimensions of up to 200 mm diameter and 800 mm length.
As an option, the new finishing machines can be equipped with an integrated three-axis handling system, programmable via the Siemens central control system. The grippers, tailor-made for the workpiece, have been designed as double loading to achieve short changeover times and can be quickly exchanged to adapt to the respective type of component.
For further information www.thielenhaus.com

Tool grinding software upgrade

NUM has unveiled a major upgrade to its Numroto tool grinding software. Offering numerous additional features and enhancements, Version 4.0 is designed to increase the productivity of tool and cutter grinders without the need for additional hardware.

A notable enhancement sees ball-nose and corner radius tools in Numroto allow the programming of a helix step on end mills. For the first time, it is possible to program different helix angles for the end of the radius and beginning of the cylindrical section.
A further upgrade concerns Numroto Draw, which automatically processes the geometry data used for grinding a tool to generate a basic drawing. Many Numroto users choose to provide this drawing together with the finished ground tool to their customers – to show standards compliance. The latest software release extends this capability by automatically displaying the geometry of the grinding wheels and grinding wheel packages needed to make the tool in the drawing. Furthermore, all the important dimensions are added automatically to the grinding wheels. The time-saving benefits of this approach are said to be considerable: a grinding wheel assembly drawing can be printed out for the machine operator to help speed set up without having to involve the design department, which is especially advantageous for companies handling numerous small production runs.
The 3D simulation facilities of Numroto 4.0 have also been enhanced. For instance, coolant holes in the 3D blank are displayed automatically, and users can now add DXF comparison profiles. What’s more, there is a new measurement mode which provides comparator functionality, while the programmed feed rate can now be displayed during 3D simulations.
For further information www.num.com

Custom-built engine up for grabs

A 727-in3 EFI custom-built hemispherical engine from Sonny’s World Class Racing is the prize in the 2018 Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show.

The engine can be street-driven on 93 octane fuel, producing 1310 hp, naturally aspirated. This will be the 30th anniversary of the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, with all proceeds going to Victory Junction, a camp founded by NASCAR’s Petty family for children living with serious medical conditions. The winning ticket will be drawn at the PRI show in Indianapolis in December.
Valued at more than $60,000, the engine will include: Sonny’s fully in-house ported hemispherical cylinder heads, Sonny’s/Brodix 5000 BS block featuring 1” raised cam with special high-flow water jackets, a Bryant billet crank, Carrillo steel billet rods and much more.
Over the past 30 years Sunnen, PRI and many well-known engine builders have teamed up to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities within the racing community. To purchase tickets for the Sunnen Engine Charity Sweepstakes, or for more information on Victory Junction, please visit the web address provided.
For further information https://victoryjunction.org/sunnen-sweepstakes

German Chancellor meets service robot

Collaborating with robots and controlling them with gestures? German chancellor Angela Merkel experienced first-hand how this can be achieved in her opening day tour at the recent Hannover Messe 2018 exhibition. On the IBG Automation stand, Angela Merkel and the Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife Angélica Rivera, got up close and in person with robotic hands from Schunk.

SCHUNK – HMI 2018, Hannover Messe, Hanover Trade Fair

Schunk’s SVH mechatronic gripping hand, which is designed for applications in assistance and service robotics, is very similar to its human counterpart in terms of size, shape and mobility. The five fingers can carry out all kinds of gripping operations with the help of nine drives. Elastic surfaces on the front phalanxes ensure a reliable hold on objects being gripped. As the hand can perform and imitate numerous gestures, visual communication between humans and service robots becomes significantly easier.
For further information www.schunk.com

On the straight and narrow

The Kennametal Narrow Slotting (KNS) cutter has been developed to ease some of the issues associated with this common machining operation.

Kennametal’s KNS has a double-V design for secure insert retention. A combination of radial and axial positioning not only improves tool life but part accuracy as well, says the company. The insert range accommodates slot widths from 1.6 to 6.4 mm.
Inserts are available in single or double-ended cutting edges, with either a flat or full radiused cutting edge. Cutter diameters range from 63 to 250 mm and, depending on the body size, arbor or shell mounting (or both) is possible.
Three insert grades are offered with the KNS programme. KCU25 and KCPM40 are multi-phase PVD grades that provide edge stability and wear characteristics in steels, stainless steels and high-temperature alloys, even at elevated feeds and speeds, says the company. KCPK30 is a CVD-coated grade suitable for rough milling and the general machining of steels and cast iron.
Good carbide is important, but so too is insert geometry. Thanks to a positive rake geometry and special edge preparation, KNS inserts are free-cutting without sacrificing the edge toughness needed in most slotting applications. What´s more, SGP geometry is said to promote excellent chip flow, curling even the stringiest materials into tight, easily-evacuated Cs and 9s.
The symmetrical Easy-X wrench design means no more digging in the chip pan for lost screws and inserts, no more wedges or clamps to misplace; simply pop the wrench into the cutter body, give it a twist, and the insert is replaced, even in tight quarters. Each cutter body and wrench is also clearly marked, so there is no chance of damaging the cutter body by using the wrong tool.
For further information www.kennametal.com