IMTS 2012 Show Daily 1900 Issue
January 1900
Features
Featured articles from the IMTS 2012 Show Daily 1900 issue of Modern Machine Shop
Building a Smartforce for U.S. Manufacturing
In July, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology issued a report on “Capturing Domestic Competitive Advantage in Advanced Manufacturing” outlining a list of recommendations, some of which mirror the things that we have been saying and doing in the industry, as well as some of the things you’ve heard coming off the campaign trail.
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DMG/Mori Seiki Exhibit Includes Machine Built at New U.S. Plant
DMG/Mori Seiki’s massive exhibit of more than 40 machine tools in Booth S-8900 includes one noteworthy machine that didn’t have to travel quite so far to get to the show.
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Product from a Problem
Sometimes machine shops that develop a neat solution for their own machining challenge decide to turn it into a product line. KME CNC is such an operation.
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Shared Space, Shared ‘Vette
For the first time, Faro Technologies (leader in portable CMMs) and Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology (leader in bridge-type CMMs) are sharing an IMTS booth to demonstrate how manufacturers can benefit from their complementary precision measurement technologies.
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Industrial Automation Show Makes North American Debut with IANA
In a first for IMTS, the well-regarded Industrial Automation show is now on site in the East Hall of McCormick Place.
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Mazak Showcases Machines Designed and Built in Kentucky for Global Export
The United States is a great place to design and build world-class machine tools. That’s one of the messages Mazak Corp. hopes visitors to its Booth S-8300 will take home with them.
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Play Your Cards Right
Last month, Absolute Machine Tools mailed 10,000 postcards to companies in the metalworking industry.
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Presentation: How to Conquer Corrosion
Corrosion issues plague all manufacturing processes, particularly those involving metal substrates for the high technology, medical and industrial markets.
Read MoreNew and Different—Really
“New” and “different” are often overused terms, but a new multi-spindle machine introduced by Tornos at this year’s IMTS (Booth S-8666) does fit the description. The Multi-Swiss is a six-spindle multi machine with the additional wrinkle of providing sliding headstock capability on all six spindles.
Read More2013 U.S. Budget Proposes Enhanced Tax Incentives
President Obama’s 2013 Budget Proposal outlines a few major—but positive—changes for small- to medium-sized business owners, according to Brian Cameron of Paradigm Partners, an international consulting firm specializing in complex federal and state tax and funding incentives across a host of industries.
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Ultra 4 Race Car on Display
WIDIA (Booth W-1452) is announcing its sponsorship of David Buchberger’s Ultra 4 Unlimited Class racer for the 2012-2013 season and has his car on display in the booth.
Read MoreAutomated Induction Heating Demo
See a live demonstration of automated induction heating in Ambrell Precision Induction Heating’s Booth N-6042.
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Future of Manufacturing on Display Now in Emerging Technology Center
No one is promising that everything you see on display in the Emerging Technology Center (ETC), Booth N-650, will be in your shop next year. But based on past IMTS ETCs, it’s a good bet that something there will directly impact your company’s future.
Read MoreBoeing Headlines Advanced Manufacturing Center
IMTS is the event that connects the people, the products and the processes responsible for manufacturing industry innovation and growth.
Read MoreJob Center Debuts in West Building
Helping manufacturing face the current shortage of skilled workers is critical to our industry and the future of our country. IMTS is doing its part by offering its first Job Center, both for job seekers in the industry and for IMTS exhibitors looking for skilled workers.
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Three-Part Industry Focus Marks AgieCharmilles Booth
GF AgieCharmilles, a provider of wire and die-sinking electrical discharge machining (EDM) systems, thee- and five-axis milling machines and laser texturing technology, is showcasing how it can help a manufacturing company improve its part processing in Booth S-8754.
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Turning Shrink-Fit on Its Side
Haimer has developed a new oriented shrink-fit machine to speed and simplify cutter changes.
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Don’t Leave Possible Savings on the Table
The right workholding equipment can go a long way to reducing setup times, speeding change-overs, facilitating automation and optimizing five-axis machining operations. But how do you know if you’re getting the most out of your current workholding devices?
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Automated Welding Takes Center Stage at Lincoln Electric Exhibit
Lincoln Electric Co. showcases welding automation in Booth N-6618, with high-speed gas-metal-arc-welding (GMAW) systems, systems designed to tackle difficult aluminum welding and technologies that make robotic welding a cost-effective option for job shops.
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“Touch Once” Theme in Tsugami’s Booth
One of the outstanding capabilities of CNC Swiss-type machines is their ability to produce complex parts complete in a single handling. In an effort to emphasis this capability, Tsugami has adopted the theme “touch-once” manufacturing in its IMTS Booth S-9410.
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Coming Home: Reshoring is Real
The reshoring worm has turned for many manufacturing businesses. Work is coming home from distant shores, and it’s a good time to learn how best to take advantage of the trend.
Read MoreCatch "Shop Talk" on IMTS TV
A new IMTSTV show launches this year: Shop Talk: Technology and Trends from Gardner Business Media.
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More Productivity Through Reduced Scrap
The market for precision parts in the supply chain for automobile, aerospace and other sectors is mainly characterized by medium- and large-sized batches.
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Test a Presetter, Win a Presetter
Not only is Koma Precision introducing a new tool presetter in Booth S-9153, but it’s also giving one away.
Read MoreHardinge Offers Broad Product Line, Machine Giveaway
Hardinge's booth features 13 milling turning and grinding machines—nearly double the number from two years ago.
Read MoreNew Cutting Tools Unveiled
Among the 10 products being introduced in the U.S. for the first time are the 109 type Supermini series grooving and boring tools and the S100 cutting insert with internal cooling.
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Newly Developed Mist Collection Technology
Donaldson Torit has developed its Synteq XP filter media, which is an engineered blend of small and large fibers that uses a proprietary, resin-free bonding system.
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IMTS Conferences at a Glance
Besides being North America’s greatest manufacturing exhibition, IMTS 2012 offers a variety of educational opportunities for manufacturing professionals. Listen, learn and network with your peers at one or more of these sessions:
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Next Edge Factor: Injured Athlete Competes with Custom Leg
The next episode of The Edge Factor Show promises to tell the most dramatic story to date of manufacturing improving lives and expanding the scope of what human beings can do.“Metal & Flesh” tells the story of Mike Schultz, a renowned motocross and winter sports athlete whose competitive career might have ended when he lost his leg in a snowmobile accident.
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Change is a Good (Actually, Necessary) Thing
Schunk’s IMTS 2012 theme is “Change leads to success in manufacturing.” The company wants manufacturers to realize that the process upgrades they make today will enable them to become more competitive, profitable and successful in the future.
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August Metalworking Business Index: Industry Growth Flattening
Employment continues to increase in the metalworking industry. Supplier deliveries are still lengthening, indicating strength throughout manufacturing, but they are lengthening more slowly.
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CAM Software Keeps “Grave Digger” Alive
Talking shop with visitors to Mastercam’s Booth E-3340 all day Wednesday and Thursday is a departure of sorts for Pablo Huffaker, a monster truck driver whose public appearances are typically more about pulverizing metal than shaping it. However, when he’s not crushing cars, buses or even mobile homes from behind the wheel of the crowd-favorite Grave Digger, he and the rest of the team at the RaceSource fabrication shop in Tomball, Texas, rely extensively on Mastercam CAM software to keep the black-and-green behemoth in working order.
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Hurco Puts Mind Over Metal
The CNC might be the “brains” behind the machine, but even the most sophisticated control can’t operate in isolation. The human side of the equation is equally important.
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Grinding App Has Handy Calculators
Saint-Gobain Abrasives, one of the world’s largest abrasives manufacturer, has introduced a Norton Abrasives Grinding App, available for IOS and Android operating systems on mobile devices.
Read MoreAround the World in a Single Booth
Visitors to Sumitomo Electric Carbide’s Booth W-2422 have the opportunity to win not only a free cutting tool, but also a trip for themselves and a guest to Hawaii, Colorado, Las Vegas or even Japan. All they have to do is get their passports stamped.
Read MoreTitanium Machining Seminar
ATI Stellram’s seminar, “Advanced Machining Solutions for Titanium Alloys,” will be held from 2 to 2:30 p.m. today and tomorrow (Sept. 12 and 13) in meeting room W-177.
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ICON Premieres PKM
ICON Technologies, a division of Hydromat (Booth S-8348), is showing the company’s new Tripod 700S Powerflex for the first time in North America.
Read MoreBIG Kaiser Embraces “New Media” Tools
While the main attractions at BIG Kaiser’s Booth W-1600 are aimed at maximizing efficiency on the shop floor, the company has also embraced technology that helps attendees make the most of their time on the show floor.
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New Index Multi-Spindle IMTS Debut
Stop by the Index booth (S-8450) and see for yourself an example of where multi-spindle technology is headed.
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American Precision Museum Highlights History of Precision Manufacturing
The American Precision Museum, located in Windsor, Vermont, is exhibiting at IMTS in Booth E-4783, showcasing the history of precision manufacturing via a collection of fine historic American machine tools.
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Why Is Additive Manufacturing Important?
One of the important ideas showcased in this year’s Emerging Technology Center is additive manufacturing. 3D Systems, ExOne, Objet and Renishaw are all companies exhibiting in the ETC, located in Booth N-650.
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Crash Protection for Machine Tool Spindles
Jakob Antriebtechnik is showing its new spindle collision protection system at Booth W-1779. Personnel from GAM, Jakob’s North America marketing partner, are at the booth to demonstrate the system and answer questions.
Read MoreSee Turbine Blades Cut From Solid Stock
Mitsui Seiki will feature the new Vertex 550-5Xb ("Blade Machine") in Booth S-8319.
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Waterjet Technology Moves Further into 3D
Visitors to Omax's booth can learn how Intelli-MAX 18 waterjet machines support up to six axes of coordinated motion (X, Y and Z, two tilt and one rotary).
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Tooling Tips for Turreted Machines
Increasing the number of usable cutting tool edges is one way to make turreted machines more productive. This quad square shank holder from Eppinger Exsys enables roughing and finishing tools to be mounted in one station.
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Trumpf Showcases Laser-Marking Technology
In Booth N-6223, Trumpf Inc. is displaying the latest advancements in laser marking, a versatile and rapidly growing segment of the laser market.
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Turn a Robot into a Metrology Device
In Booth E-5202, Hexagon Metrology is debuting the Cognitens WLS400A, a 3D optical measurement solution that transforms a robot into an automatic, high-accuracy metrology device.
Read MoreSee How You Stack Up
The best way to determine whether your machine shop is as successful or effective as it could be is to compare its key performance indicators with industry leaders. Modern Machine Shop’s “Top Shops” benchmarking program enables you to do just that.
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Dürr Ecoclean Makes Buying Cleaning Technology a “Snap”
Dürr Ecoclean is rolling out its SnapPlanner 3D virtual planning tool at IMTS to help machining manufacturers select the ideal cleaning technology based on a number of input factors, including equipment cost, personnel, number of shifts and other variables.Once this data has been entered, the SnapPlanner software then calculates load and basket sizes, volumes, and weights for the various cleaning machines so that Dürr Ecoclean can help manufacturers make complex capital equipment buying decisions more manageable.The company says SnapPlanner’s focus is tailored to the industrial parts cleaning customer rather than the larger automotive systems customer.
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Software Booth Design Reflects Strong Year
Delcam is predicting that IMTS will be its most successful metalworking exhibition worldwide for 2012.
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An Ambitious Plan: Become a Top-Five Machine Tool Brand
Hyundai WIA’s message for rapid growth is summed up in its show slogan: “Reaching New Heights.”
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Today’s Technology Center Boasts Alternative Fuel Racecar, Synthetic Human Body
Booth W-100 is the place for a close-up look at the Buckeye Bullet alternative-fuel racecar from The Ohio State Universit, as well as the opportunity to see (and feel!) the inner workings of a human (synthetic)body from SynDaver.
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Orange Draws Visitors to Expanded Quick-Change Line
The eye-catching orange booth practically calls out for visitors to stop in. Micro 100 Tool Corp. (Booth W-2374) has doubled its typical booth size to help highlight its expanded quick-change tooling product line.
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Cleaning and Finishing Answers
Miraclean's parts-cleaning and passivating lines are used by the aerospace, medical device, and tool manufacturing industries, among others.
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Beyond Tools
Komet, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary here in the United States, has a revamped booth design compared to last IMTS, and visitors to Booth W-2400 also will note ways that the company is striving to be more than just a provider of quality tools.
Read MoreBoeing Headlines Advanced Manufacturing Center
This year’s Advanced Manufacturing Center celebrates that connection with a display that offers attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to network, collaborate, learn and, most importantly, join together in celebrating a revitalized, active manufacturing industry.
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Meet the Teacher with a Bold Idea about Manufacturing Education
Craig Cegielski, a high school teacher who leads one of the most innovative manufacturing education programs in the country, is appearing in IMTS’s Advanced Manufacturing Center (Booth W-160) Monday starting at 3 p.m.
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Booth Offers Eye Candy, Interactive Displays
A subtle military motif underlies two of the most prominent displays at Republic Lagun Machine Tool Company’s booth S-8470, while others are somewhat unusual in their own right, albeit for different reasons.
Read MoreIntegrated Cutting-System Technology Highlights ESAB Offerings
Innovations include torch-height control as well as hole-cutting and cycle control to eliminate wasted, unproductive motion and optimize repeatability.
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See the U.S.-Made Machine Tool That’s Exported to China
Manufacturers in China often use a machine tool built in the U.S. to finish critical bores.
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Gibbs Supports Record Number of Machine Tool Builders
Gibbs and Associates has been offering CAM software to its customers for 30 years and is making the most of its ample experience in the metalworking industry this year.
Read MoreMTConnect is Fast Becoming Factory Floor Lingua Franca
Would you buy a computer that could only “talk” with just a couple of other devices, like a printer and one other desktop? Neither would most people. They’d make sure their new unit has all the ports and protocols that will get them to the whole outside world.
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NASCAR Display Paired With Real-World Applications
NASCAR fans have the opportunity to not only get up close and personal with two high-powered stock cars at machine tool builder Doosan Infracore’s Booth S-8100, but also meet their drivers.
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Pavilion Highlights Partnerships in Multifunctional Gear Machining
In a niche market like gear manufacturing, the advantage goes to the company that seizes each opportunity when it comes to new technology.
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World’s Smallest Production V8 Engine
See the world’s smallest production V8 engine and meet the man who made it in Sunnen Products’ Booth N-7400.
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Samchully’s Focus on Five-Axis Machining
Samchully Machinery Co. has manufactured workholding devices for a variety of machine tool builders in South Korea for 30 years, and in March 2010, it made a move to gain greater market share in the North and South American markets by establishing a U.S. operation in Irvine, California.
Read MoreDrink Up Tooling Expertise at the Knowledge Bar
Seco cutting tool experts to meet with attendees in a forum-based setting to share their knowledge and present on a variety of metalworking topics.
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Be More Productive With One Stop
Attendees can visit Booth S-8586 for a “one-stop-shopping” experience in finding peripherals to optimize the productivity of new or existing machine tools.
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New Machines Are Only Part of the Story
Haas Automation has sixteen machines on display in its booth (S-8119), but those tell only part of the story for a machine tool builder that markets its products globally. “Building the brand” is a consistent effort that goes well beyond introducing new models at every major manufacturing show.
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Integrated Cutting-System Technology Highlights ESAB Offerings
CNC plasma cutting systems take center stage for ESAB Welding & Cutting Products in Booth N-6129.
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Software Manufacturers Reveal Mold/Die Offerings
The resurgence of U.S. manufacturing has kept two mold/die software manufacturers extremely busy.
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Cryogenic Machining Increases Material Removal Rates and/or Tool Life in Hard-to-Machine Materials
MAG demonstrates its Minimum Quantity Cryogenics (MQC) machining technology and explains the technology’s capabilities and advantages in a Learning Lab conducted throughout every day of the show in Booth S-8519.
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Machining Center Control Offers Optional Turning Functions
Minimizing setup time by combining machining operations is a priority for many manufacturers, and the technology to achieve this is part of what they’re looking for at the show. Heidenhain says one of the keys to this is the CNC.
Read MoreMakino Lunch-and-Learn Schedule Announced
Enjoy lunch while hearing how a user of sophisticated machine tools is succeeding with technology. Makino offers a different presenter, along with lunch, on each weekday of the show. Sessions run from 12 to 1 p.m. in Room S104B (South Building, first floor).
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Swiss-Type Company Zooms in on Micro Drilling
Shops focused on Swiss-type turning should add GenSwiss Booth W-1592 to their IMTS exhibitor “hit lists,” according to GenSwiss Marketing Manager Scott Laprade. He says the company differentiates itself by focusing solely on Swiss-type machining.
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Pavilion Groups Parts Cleaning Suppliers
Parts cleaning plays a significant role in final product quality for many shops. As technology continues to move forward and regulatory guidelines become even stricter, it is important for these shops to stay on top of the latest cleaning procedures, equipment and accessories.
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Calling All IMTS NASCAR Fans!
Hexagon Metrology will showcase the #88 Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who drives for Hendrick Motorsports on the Sprint Cup circuit.
Read MoreIntegrated Chip Systems
Chip management and coolant recycling can play a large role in a shop’s efficiency and productivity. A first-hand beneficiary of such equipment in its own manufacturing operations, Prab sees twice the incentive in continually strengthening its chip system product line.
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Hwacheon Celebrates 60 Years, Focuses on U.S. Market
Korea’s Hwacheon has a good reputation for quality and has been around for some time. As it celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the company is focusing on improving its presence here in the United States, making greater strides to get its machine tool offerings in front of manufacturers not only here at IMTS, but also throughout its U.S. dealer network.
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Machining Suppliers Hone in on Mold/Die Market
Key machining equipment manufacturers that have been focusing on the mold and die market are showing these wares at IMTS, with features like advanced CNC controls and higher spindle feeds that will result in a better-quality surface finish and reduced cycle times.
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Who Invented the ER Collet?
The standard ER collet is the most widely used cutting tool clamping system around. So who invented it?
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Go Beyond with Okuma…And Possibly Win an iPad
Okuma challenges IMTS attendees to “Go Beyond” by embracing new machining technologies and strategies as a means to capture greater opportunities, increase productivity, improve quality and reduce costs.
Read MoreMarubeni Citizen-Cincom is Ready for Company
Anticipating a great IMTS 2012, Marubeni Citizen-Cincom (MCC) is rolling out the red carpet for show visitors interested in precision machined parts in the 2-mm- to 64-mm- diameter range.
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Can North America Recapture the World Land Speed Record?
In Geomagic’s Booth E-5422, racer Ed Shadle and Keith Zanghi detail the 12-year effort of their group, North American Eagle, to recapture the world land speed record. The group adapted an F-104 fighter jet to try to surpass the world record of 763 miles per hour set by the British in 1997.
Read MoreInside Angles Revealed
It’s common to see sample parts on the show floor as machine tool manufacturers demonstrate the capabilities of their equipment.
Read MoreIMTS Giveaway Heralds Wider Efforts in Chicago
Hyundai WIA’s donation of an F400VM VMC to the Humboldt Park Vocational Educational Center (HPVEC) of City Colleges of Chicago is only the first step in its long-term efforts to strengthen manufacturing education in the Chicago area.
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One Hundred Years of Grinding Advances
With one hundred years’ experience, Studer is one of the best known brands in precision cylindrical grinding.
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Why Your Time at IMTS 2012 Can Make a Big Difference
“Wow.” That’s the reaction that Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology (amtonline.org), the organizer of IMTS 2012, wants you to have when you leave McCormick Place after your visit to the show.
Read MoreIMTS Conferences at a Glance
Besides being North America’s greatest manufacturing exhibition, IMTS 2012 offers a variety of educational opportunities for manufacturing professionals.
Read MoreStudent Skills Center Boasts New Name, Interactive Booths
As we struggle to find skilled workers to fill positions in manufacturing facilities across the country, there are those among us working hard to interest young people in what manufacturing and technology have to offer. The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) again is giving students the opportunity to explore manufacturing at IMTS 2012 in its Student Skills Center.
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Mold and Die as Key Indicator Brings Forth New Cutting Tool Technology
As a single industry, mold and die serves multiple industrial segments. And with a global footprint that yields a high-pressure environment demanding the most up-to-date technology, it’s firmly established as a strong indicator of the manufacturing base.
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Creative Demos Showcase Capabilities of Both Micro-Scale Machine Tools and Machines for Massive Parts
Makino’s Booth S-8700 is full of various machine tools performing live cutting demonstrations in applications including a medium-to-high-volume automated production system for automotive parts, a robot-tended small machining center for orthopedic part production, and a machining center with grinding capability performing aircraft blade and vane machining.
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