There’s an old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Throughout the years, that expression has been adapted to fit different situations, including a “team is only as strong as its weakest player” or “your brand is only as strong as your weakest link.” 

Driven by the need to make parts faster, better, and for less, manufacturers of all sizes are embracing various forms of automation in the quest to lower costs, increase production, and reduce response times. 

CNC rotary tables play a vital role in the performance of multi-axis machining centres. As table accuracy and reliability are of paramount concern throughout the product’s lifetime, Matsumoto Machine Corporation (MMK) has taken a pragmatic two-pronged approach to reducing indexing errors and improving performance.

For as long as there’ve been in-process gaging systems, they’ve used hydraulic or pneumatic actuators to drive them. 

The fundamental requirement of any probing cycle on a machine tool is acceptable and reliable metrology. In addition to this, the metrology must be achieved in an acceptable time.

Heimatec, a world leader in live tools and angle heads, is excited to announce the availability of their Citizen tool program at IMTS 2018.  This line includes both live and static tools for most Citizen lathes.

While controls are becoming easier to use, they’re also becoming much more powerful.

Technology highlights from the Metal Cutting Pavilion exhibitors at IMTS 2018 include more collaboration between CNC and automation providers, more process integration to create multi-tasking machines and more powerful software and user-friendly CNC controls.

Marposs Corp. has announced its Ready2Probe™ software application designed to assist CNC users when programming cycles for measuring and checking components and tools using Mida spindle probes, lasers, TBD (Tool Breakage Detector) and VTS (Visual Tool Setter). 

The proverb “time is money” applies to almost every profession today, but especially to manufacturing, and certainly to CNC machining. Lights-out facilities are becoming more prevalent, and the importance of active controls with automated feedback is growing, too.