IMTS Manufacturing Conference, McCormick Place, Chicago, Sept 4-11, 2002 (Designfax Booth CL-80)

Planetary gearboxes, Booth D-4222
GTM gearboxes mount directly to servomotors for high precision applications. The small internal cavity of the unit reduces noise to 10 dB lower than its nearest competitor. A large taper bearing allows high radial and axial loads, and additionally functions as a lubrication pump, minimizing the amount of oil required for vertical, horizontal or angled installations. Bosch Rexroth Corp, Hoffman Estates, IL.   www.rsleads.com/209df-160

Thrust screws, Booth E-2832
This line of thrust screws — both threaded/setscrew-types and headed/socket head capscrew type — allows straight-line static load thrust without transmitting torsional or radial forces on an object or work piece. The screws are ideal for contoured or irregular surfaces, and have a free-floating design that allows the thread to rotate while the ball holds stationary against the surface. Fairlane Products Inc, Fraser, MI.   www.rsleads.com/209df-161

Hollow shaft gear reducer, Booth D-4630
The precision, heavy-duty RV-C offers high ratio gear reduction in a compact design. It offers a thru-hole ranging from 1.2- to 5.4 in., suitable for allowing vacuum lines, wiring harnesses, concentric shafting or cooling lines to pass through the center. Rated torque range is 867 – 27,754 in. lbs, with a peak torque range of 4,337 – 138,768 in. lbs. Built-in output bearings support large thrust and overhung loads. Harmonic Drive Technologies, Peabody, MA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-162

Bellows & way covers, Booth E-2267
The current catalog from this company contains over 60 pages of design information on Gortite protective covers for machine tools, robots, automated handling systems, mobile equipment and medical equipment. Features include custom-engineered bellows covers, rod boots, linear rail covers, camera bellows and bellows-type way covers. A & A Mfg Co. Inc, New Berlin, WI.   www.rsleads.com/209df-163

Compact gearmotors, Booth D-4354
The TitanTRUE line of brushless gearmotors is offered in lengths as small as 5 in. for a 2 in. (60mm) frame size. At that size the unit outputs a continuous rated torque up to 60 in.-lbs. These gearmotors allow customized selection in each of the four basic power transmission components: gearhead, motor, brake and feedback device. Thomson Industries Inc, Port Washington, NY.   www.rsleads.com/209df-164

Machine mount, Booth D-4064
The MHD mount will be displayed at the booth of this manufacturer of anti-vibration and leveling machine mounts. Offering exceptional horizontal and vertical stability while still providing vibration damping, the MHD is suited for machines that generate large dynamic forces. It can carry loads from 3000 to 15,500 lbs, and can be adjusted across a 30 mm range. Sunnex Inc, Natick, MA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-165

Ball screws, Booth D-4266
A combination wiper option effectively keeps contaminants from entering the ball nut while simultaneously lubricating the ball screw. This version consists of a friction-type plastic finger in front of a felt wiper. The felt doubles as a lubricant reservoir, reducing oil consumption. The combination of wipers conforms exactly to the thread profile and provides superior sealing. Steinmeyer Inc, Bedford, MA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-166

Pumping and filtration system, Booth D-4638
An automated system delivers coolant to machine tools free of grit, dirt and chips. A heavy-duty pump circulates the coolant, which returns first through a diffuser tray. It then passes into a filter bed where it is sieved by a paper filter media. Gathering contaminates trigger a float switch, which changes the filter media for a clean element, while the soiled filter is dumped into a sludge box for disposal. Graymills Corp, Chicago, IL.   www.rsleads.com/209df-167

Hard materials, Booth E-2384
Designed for the performance needs of cutting and forming tools, ToolMet powders are micron- and submicron-sized tungsten carbide and other hard material grains encapsulated with a 10-50 nm performance modifier. Besides making longer-lasting cutting tools, the powders allow designers to create cutting tools at a nanometer scale using existing manufacturing/process equipment. Powdermet Inc, Akron, OH.   www.rsleads.com/209df-168

Rotary tables, Booth A8441
The Tsudakoma TN Series rotary tables feature high clamp torque of up to 625 ft lbs, and up to 44 rpm indexing speed for the rotating axis and 22 rpm for the tilting axis. With its small footprint, the TN Series’ compact design suits a wide range of VMCs, plus it requires no hydraulics, has a wide tilting range, and offers maximum machine flexibility. Koma Precision Inc, East Windsor, CT.   www.rsleads.com/209df-169

Fixturing design service, Booth E-2600
This company’s use of solid modeling software to design and build workholding fixtures for horizontal machining centers has reduced fixture lead times, enhanced tool path programming and interference checking, and improved production planning. The company produces creative fixturing solutions for a variety of industries, including automotive, construction, aircraft and power generation. Ahaus Tool and Engineering Inc, Richmond, IN.   www.rsleads.com/209df-170

Industrial CNC, Booth D-3248
The S-100M will be offered as a software package suited for four-axis machining centers, three-axis knee-mills, EDM machines, grinding and shearing machines and more. An intuitive GUI interface includes spindle functions, tool-related compensations, work coordinate offsets, and all standard CNC operational functions and features. Soft Servo Systems Inc, Waltham, MA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-171

Cutting tool inserts, Booth E-2305
The introduction of two coated carbide grades improves the ability of this company’s cutters to machine titanium, as well as nickel- and cobalt-based materials. SV209 features a micro-grain carbide substrate with a multi-layer CVD coating, and VC 949 has an AlTiN PVD coating over the micro-grain substrate. Both grades are offered on the LM chipbreaker design. Valenite, Troy, MI.   www.rsleads.com/209df-1721

CAD/CAM, Booth D-3224
Besides demonstrating SURFCAM 2002, the company will be showing products from their Advanced Machining Logic Series, including Step Reduction Milling. This is a multiple tool programming procedure that creates one optimal NC program to run an entire set of milling tools as one set-up process, all of which can be created in a single step. Surfware Inc, Westlake Village, CA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-173

Machining control, Booth D-4232
Version 6.2 of OpenCNC provides enhanced high-performance machining algorithms that can increase machine performance by up to 25%. In this version, servo algorithms have been enhanced, as well as the software’s high-speed machining architecture. Rotary tool center point compensation has also been expanded, enabling programming from the tool’s center point for five-axis machining. MDSI, Ann Arbor, MI.   www.rsleads.com/209df-174

Machining CAM, Booth D-3037
PowerMILL 4.5 has been enhanced with options for 5-axis machining, such as the addition of true 5-axis swarf cutting. There is also a trochoidal machining option, which avoids full-width cuts when the cutter encounters heavy engagement. The AutoCAM module of the software, which automatically selects the cutters and the cutting strategies, has also been upgraded. Delcam International Inc, Windsor, ON.   www.rsleads.com/209df-175

Vertical pump, Booth D-4796
The Hydra-Cell D-17 Series of industrial pumps are suited for direct mounting on top of fluid tanks where space is limited. They can be constructed of corrosion-resistant materials, and provide flow to 13.4 gpm and pressure to 2500 psi. The pumps are self priming and can run dry without damage. Metric versions are also available. Wanner Engineering Inc, Minneapolis, MN.   www.rsleads.com/209df-176

Machine communications, Booth D-4202
This 100BASE-TX Ethernet card provides high-speed communications between Series 15i, 16i, 18i and 21i CNC and a manufacturing network. Data rates are approximately 10 times faster than the company’s 10BASE-T Ethernet board, and concurrent connections have increased from 10 to 20. The board automatically selects between 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX communications. GE Fanuc Automation, Charlottesville, VA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-177

Linear-rotary modules, Booth D-4266
A moving three-axis stage will be displayed, constructed of linear modules from the ALM series. These units use Ball Monorail guideways for accurate guidance under high tilting or tipping torques. Ballscrews or synchronous belt drive provides rapid and accurate movement, and a tape cover protects against contaminants. The ALM series is offered in four sizes and drive options. Schneeberger Inc, Bedford, MA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-178

CAM software, Booth D-3015
ESPRIT 2002 Plus includes SolidMill, SolidTurn and SolidWire products for high-performance machining of solid, surface or wire frame part geometry. ESPRIT’s KnowledgeBase Engine captures key practices and rules, organizing cutting tools, machining cycles and technology, and part features to create optimized work plans for enhanced part quality and programming efficiency. DP Technology, Camarillo, CA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-179

Scanning probe, Booth D-4511
The SP600Q analog probe is just 98 mm in overall length, and mounts directly to the quill of the CMM for increased rigidity and improved performance. With a wide range of styli and 0.1 micron resolution, the probe is suited to part inspection and measurement, as well as scanning finely detailed molds, dies, models or prototypes, including jewelry, coins and buttons. Renishaw Inc, Hoffman Estates, IL.   www.rsleads.com/209df-180

Pulley drive system, Booth D-4616
The gearbox of the LPB integrated geared pulley drive system has a flange output, allowing the gearbox to be nested inside the pulley. This eliminates the need for a right-angle gearbox, couplings and/or additional bearings, while reducing package size and increasing radial load capacity. The system is offered in sizes 70-120 mm, with ratios of 1:1, 3:1, 5:1 and 10:1. alpha gear drives, Elk Grove Village, IL.   www.rsleads.com/209df-181

CNC lathe software, Booth D-3024
Mastercam Lathe Version 9 adds smart toolpaths that transition between various types of cuts and toolpaths within a single process. The machine operator can use V9 to program directly off a solid model, eliminating the need to convert or define edge geometry. Start points can now occur anywhere on a contour, and roughing overlap control has been made more flexible. CNC Software Inc, Tolland, CT.   www.rsleads.com/209df-182

CNC controls, motors and drives, Booth D-4206
This company will be showing its range of CNC products and services for the machine tool industry. Amongst them: the SINUMERIK 840D control now has a program that determines both tool path and orientation by separate spline-curves. Also, the ShopMill and ShopTurn software packages have been supplemented with functions for processing in individual or low-volume production. Siemens Energy & Automation Inc, Alpharetta, GA.   www.rsleads.com/209df-184

Ceramic balls, Booth D-4278
According to the manufacturer, Cerbec balls last longer, and provide better performance than steel bearings because of their inherent lower thermal expansion, smoother surface, increased hardness and stiffness, lighter weight, and corrosion- and electrical-resistant properties. Several manufacturers of linear guides and spindles will be at the show with products using these ceramic balls. Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics, East Granby, CT.   www.rsleads.com/209df-185

Workholding, Booth E-2504
A line of threaded body hydraulic cylinders for workholding has been introduced for applications such as clamping, positioning, punching and pressing. They are offered in capacities ranging from 380 to 8800 lbs, with stroke lengths from ¼- to 2-in. The cylinder bodies are fully threaded for fine positioning on the fixture. Single- and double-acting versions are available — all have standard rod end threads. Enerpac, Milwaukee, WI.   www.rsleads.com/209df-186

Fast milling CAM, Booth D-3062
Version 6.5 of this company’s CAD/CAM software package includes the Quick Milling suite, with a full range of material handling and cutting techniques supported to allow extremely complex milling in 3D. The software also includes a mold design “wizard” that automates the design of the mold electrode, and an automatic multiple parting line utility. VX Corp, Palm Bay, FL.   www.rsleads.com/209df-187