Managing Cutting Tool Resources Through Shopfloor Connectivity
A manufacturer of cutting tool measuring equipment says that by using the data already available from devices such as tool presetters and vending systems, shops can easily establish an effective “smart” tool management system.

Presetting, Measuring Machine Increases Reliability
IMTS 2018: Zoller’s Venturion is a presetting and measuring machine for a range of tools.

Zoller Showcases "Smart Factory" Solutions at Open House Event
Zoller Inc. recently showcased its “Smart Factory” solutions at an Open House and Innovations Days event at its new headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

From Universal Tool Clamping to Automated Presetting
The opening of Rego-Fix's new U.S. headquarters caps a long series of developments in precision tool clamping technology.

Automated Tool Clamping, Measurement
This system combines tool presetting with tool clamping to automatically set, measure and clamp tools.

Tool Management System Pumps up Plant-Wide Communication
Zoller’s Tool Management System helped Bosch Rexroth streamline tool design, product manufacturing and tool quality. As a result, the plant has seen a reduction in quality issues and an increase in production efficiency.

Adopting a 24/7 Mindset
This shop considered a number of factors before establishing an effective process to run an HMC cell around the clock for applications in aerospace, oilfield and other industries.

3D Measurement Machine Eliminates Need for Reference Points, Backdrops
Zoller’s 3dCheck five-axis CNC measurement machine enables fully automatic measurement and evaluation of current standard geometries of round tools.

Automotive Industry is Booming in Germany
Before heading off to Esslingen, Germany (near Stuttgart) to help Index celebrate its 100th anniversary, my publisher told me that the area is “the Detroit of Germany.” I soon found that to be an apt description as a large number of shops I visited were heavily vested in automotive manufacturing. What’s even more noteworthy is that business was booming.

Presetting Becomes Prevalent
Next Intent implemented presetting and shrink-fit toolholding when it bought a five-axis machining center, but it has since seen these resources deliver value to machining centers throughout the shop.

Robot Increases Tool Measuring Accuracy
Zoller’s RoboSet features a six-axis articulated arm robot equipped with a force-moment strain gage and two pneumatic parallel grippers.

Minimizing Turnaround Times for Big Parts
The key to success (and the primary challenge) for any job shop is minimizing turnaround time for non-repeating work. This Indiana shop shares some of its strategies for reducing lead times for the various large-scale jobs it encounters.

Tool Presetter/Measuring Machine Handles Cutting Tools, Electrodes
Traditionally, electrodes have been measured in two different ways: either directly in the erosion machine or on a CMM.

Tool Certainty
For GKN Aerospace to overcome tool-related variations on its largest milling machines, it had to confront error sources that go unnoticed in many shops.

Thinking About Shopfloor Interoperability-And Making It Happen
The significance of “plug-and-produce” integration for machine shops and manufacturing plants becomes clear from the perspective of an ERP software developer.

Measuring And Inspection System Slashes Machine Time
This shop bought an inspection system to complement its five-axis wire EDM.

Toward More Seamless MQL
One of the small perils of a new technology is that it often involves new steps or new considerations that present special opportunities for error. Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is a technology that exemplifies this point.

Marine Supplier Meets Tricky Tolerances With Presetter And Measuring Machine
For its supercharged six-cylinder Verado outboard motor range, Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) set and met multiple new tolerances. One of the trickier tooling tolerances had to do with the valve seat boring tools. The company's Mazak machining centers incorporate 15 of these long, narrow, multi-insert tools to finish machine the 24-valve seats, intake and exhaust in the one-piece aluminum cylinder head. Because valve clearances are factory-adjusted and are designed to remain within tolerance for several thousand hours, close machining tolerances are essential.