The New Age Technology of Vertical Machining Centers

The visionary Mazak Corporation has invited more than 2,000 different industry experts to the North American Technology Center, allowing them to take part in their Discover 2013 spectacle. The much anticipated event will provide each tech professional with various trade discussions and business related metalwork demos that promote a large assortment of innovative Mazak machinery. Considered to be the biggest machine based seminar in the business, this event will totally amaze its participants.

Mazak Has Outdone Themselves

Commonly known to entertain a variety of industry meetings, the president of Mazak, Brian Papke, has been noted as stating that this years’ event will offer an elevated adventure for visitors. In fact, Papke is quoted as saying that, “It’s no longer practical to just have an open house. The time of people is so much more valuable that, in order to have an event like this, it has to be technology drive”.

Realizing that a vast majority of other businesses are not on their same operating level, the president of Mazak has even gone as far as saying that his company is “representing what manufacturing will be”.

While this might come off a little arrogant at first, it is the truth. Aggressively sustaining their investment in assembly technology, Mazak has quickly become a top industry producer in machinery creations that offer top of the line, dependable merchandise. Held in their beautiful Florence venue that manufactures over 100 different prototypes of vertical machining centers, turning centers and multi-tasking machines, Mazak is definitely an industry leader is machine technology.

New Equipment Includes Vertical Machining Centers

With 37 newly created machines available for demonstration during the Discover 2013 event, there are a total of 5 products that have already been invented for specific customers. Additionally, out of the 37 machines, each one of them has at least one new specific characteristic while other models have been completely reinvented.

Some of the new models have been exclusively re-calibrated with advanced specifications and accessories that can manufacture at an incredibly high production rate.

Not stopping there, Mazak has also developed 11 new machine tools that have been specifically designed to assist in their Florence expansion. They also produced 7 more prototypes to help with individual parts of the creation process. Teaming up with some of their VIP helpers, Mazak wants to go further than exhibiting their different machine models.

The company president has said that “It adds another dimension of technology to some of the things we do. We are in the final stages of putting this show together and the technology is incredible”.

Realistically, the Discover 2013 event is the perfect way for Mazak to promote and create an industry buzz in regard to their new line of vertical machining centers and other machinery.

Hot Foil Stamping Machines Are Used in the US and Abroad

Hot foil stamping machines are indispensable in a variety of industries both in the United States and abroad. The need for reliable and versatile presses and stamping machines is undeniably the first thing that many companies need to deal with in order to be productive.

These features are exactly what precision industries are looking for and this is also what BOBST has to offer. Hot foil stamping, folding, gluing and die cutting is the heart of every Laser AG premium packaging printer. This industrial-sized printer uses the latest BOBST technology which means quality in hot foil stamping, precision in folding and gluing and the most efficient in die-cutting. These machines are expected to boost the productivity of any industry.

How Hot Foil Stamping Machines Increase Productivity

Laser AG printers are considered one of the best quality industrial printers that have a variety of capabilities. In hot foil stamping for instance, which is needed in a variety of industries locally and abroad, Laser AG has three BOBST machines.

A VISIONFOIL 104 hot-foil stamping machine, a MASTERFOLD folder-gluer and an EXPERTCUT 106 per flat-bed die cutter. These machines are the ultimate all-in-one solution for hot foil stamping along with die-cutting and stripping.

They can save business owners hundreds of dollars over buying three individual machines. This has a stamping format of up to 1,010 x 702 mm while the VISIONFOIL 104 has a 70/100 format throughout.

This machine is expected to be the heart of the production line for a variety of industries. These include the manufacture of cosmetics, food stuffs, chocolate, champagne, car parts and many more. It is efficient too with an output of 5,000 sheets in an hour in full format with eight foil webs.

Hot Foil Stamping Functions

Along with the mentioned uses of this printer, a die-cutter and folder-gluer increases its flexibility even more. The MASTERFOLD has an accessory called SPEEDWAVE GT device that can boost the machine’s work by working a folder-gluer. This is an ideal accessory that is handy in folding and gluing lock-bottom boxes at maximum speed.

Even boxes with unusual openings and irregular shapes will work with this accessory. Approximately 3,000 different types of boxes can be folded and glued. This includes cardboard boxes, solid board boxes, corrugated board and even plastic boxes.

Folding, gluing and die-cutting machines offer increased versatility in most industrial applications. Since this machine offers a wealth of possibilities it has been chosen by more and more local and international companies.

This is a change from obtaining separate machines to work on each function. It does not just improve production, but can also save space and reduce the need to hire more employees or operators as well as reduce maintenance costs. These are truly indispensable machines that will serve a multitude of purposes for years to come.

Wirtgen Milling Machines Impress Ronyak Paving

Maintaining roads is never an easy task. Work has to be done as fast as possible to allow motorists proper access to the roads or highways. While speed is a factor, it has to be completed with great accuracy in order for the roadway to maintain its integrity. This is why paving contractors should invest in the best equipment to deliver fast and efficient performance.

Ronyak Paving, a family owned company, is one paving contractor with a reputation for properly maintaining roads. As such, they do require efficient machine tools which they can rely on to complete tasks. One milling machine manufacturer that has really impressed them is Wirtgen. Wirtgen machines have a reputation for cold milling substantiated by reputable millers around the globe.

What Exactly is Cold Milling?

This process may sound simple, but it follows a complicated pattern. The process starts by removing asphalt or concrete surfaces to build another level of pavement that is more refined. If it will just be removed to be replaced by another pavement layer, what is the use of removing it? Why not just put another layer on top of it?

Simply put, the pavement will just deteriorate after a period of time when it is not completely renewed. Chances are, those bumps and holes will just come out after a year or so and bring out the same problems that existed prior to having rehabilitated the road. This process requires the use of efficient heavy equipment and Wirtgen milling machines have been found by Ronyak Paving to be the most efficient do the work.

Ronyak Paving’s Milling Machine Decision

The paving company’s president, Sean Petersen, says that after seeing the milling machine in action, the decision was easy. In fact, he reported that the Wirtgen equipment was at least 30% more productive than machinery from other manufacturers they had used.

The company added a W210i milling machine to their operation as well as the W/W 150i cold miller which offers a compact designer with plenty of power to outperform larger machines. They are capable of large surface milling, removing layers of pavement, and leveling. They are capable of cutting up to 12 in into the pavement in a single pass. These milling machines are also used by other companies simply because the equipment is built to be durable and offer impressive power to perform heavy tasks on the road. The cost of investment seems to be justified by the machines overall performance.

The Versatility Of Modern Bending and Forming Machines

Bending and forming machines fill a vital role in the production of parts. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. Some are manual and some are automatic, but all perform essentially the same work: bending metal into different angles and forming it into pieces that fit specific applications.

Bending of metal has been necessary since its earliest days of discovery. Previous generations heated metal and bent it by hand, usually by pounding it with a hammer. Later, larger hammers were powered by wind and steam to bend larger pieces of metal more effectively. Modern machines have been built off this technology. The use of electric motors and hydraulics are among the modern additions used to apply sufficient pressure to bend metal of many sizes.

Standard Bending Machines

Modern Universal Bending Machines can perform many tasks through simple adjustments that require little effort. They often consist of a machine and a work bench, with the machine programmed through software packages. Basic machinery can be purchased and then later customized to handle expanded duties.

The best bending machines can manipulate tubing and other types of rounded metal. The hand-operated bending machines still in use are small and task-specific, often used for die parts that need to be replicated quickly.

Types of Bending Completed

The different types of bends described below require different types of tools.

Standard: this refers to bends that do not require unusual geometric shapes and angles. They are usually used for large pieces of metal that have simple, uniform bends.

U-bends: these are used when tight and narrow bends are required. The former is replaced by a mandrel, which has a more narrow geometry.

Offset bends: these are used when two bends positioned closely together need to be performed in one step.

Edgewise bends: these machine tools involve the bending axis being tight placed parallel to the side of the work piece. Special tools are needed to perform the precise work required by electronic angular measurements that produce unquestioned accuracy.

Torsion bends: these occur when the tools are able to rotate the piece on a longitudinal axis. These are sometimes needed when complex assembly groups with standard bends are called for.

Types of Measurements Use by Bending and Forming Machines

Angular: Spring back compensation and electronic tools help to produce consistent angles within +/-0.2° of each other throughout the batch. The technology of angular measurement involves bending prisms equipped with bending bolds. The bolds rotate, giving a signal to ensure proper angle measurement. The computer then creates the final stroke and spring back of every bend, adjusting slightly for the type of material being formed.

Stroke: bending prisms with electronic angular measurements are not suitable when bends are close together. When this is the case, the control unit must be switched from angular measurement to stroke measurement, which governs the bending ram and immersion depth of the punch.

Machine Operation and Networking

CNC bending and forming machines can have the computer built into them or have a PC operate them from an external work station. New programs are easily imported, and the best programming does not require much expertise to operate because the software asks for all relevant numbers and then communicates with the machine. Inputs are also easily corrected, and the screen clearly shows the part to be bent.

These machine tools are often linked to others that perform related functions such as punching machines. This is easily accomplished since one type of software is used for programming all production steps at the same time. In many instances, a piece that needs to be bent also requires holes, so linking these two operations is a huge time-saver. Stamping presses are another machine commonly linked to bending and forming machines and operate similarly.

The Automatic Chucker: Its Place In The Machining Industry

Automatic Chuckers

Automatic chucking machines are also called automatic chuckers, individually. They are machine tools not very many machinists have the opportunity to work with. These CNC machines are part of a larger class of machine tool known as automatic lathes, an important category of equipment in manufacturing industries. Automatic lathes differ from other turning machines in the industry in that they are designed to produce high quantities of turned parts automatically.

Introduced in the 1870’s, the automatic lathe began as a mechanically controlled turning machine. It wasn’t until the 1950’s and 1960’s that numerical controls and CNC was introduced, changing the way these machines were operated.

Their automated nature allows them to be performing multiple different functions simultaneously which provides a steady flow of completed parts. So, where does the automatic chucker fit in and how is it different from other automatic lathes?

Screw Machines

Automatic chuckers are very similar to an automatic screw machine. Screw machines are fully automated metalworking equipment designed to process small and medium sized parts. They can produce a large amount of turned parts repetitively.

Similarly, they both use one or more spindles which can drill, bore and cut the workpiece during processing. Multiple spindles allow many different functions to be performed at the same time, allowing speedier production of parts.

While they are somewhat limited to producing smaller parts, they are more common in production facilities. They are not only used for producing screws, but also for a wide variety of smaller turned parts that are used in a variety of different production and fabrication applications.The larger capacity is not the only thing that sets the automatic chucker apart from others in this class of machinery. Air operated, interchangeable chucks with up to 12 inch capacity are also available.

Automatic Chucker applications

Chuckers are used in a much smaller portion of production facilities. They are typically found in smaller industry niches like parts suppliers for the automotive industry. It would not be common to find such a machine in a typical production or fabrication facility.

All automatic lathes contain spindles which hold and feed material being processed. Chucking machinery typically uses multiple spindles that are used to process chucking work more commonly than bar work. They can be used to form tools and dies to be used in other operations as well.

They commonly require a lot of time to set up initially, but once the machines are set up, they run quickly and efficiently. In fact, they should require little to no operator intervention once they begin producing parts.

They remain much less common only because they are considered to be a specialty machine. They specialize in making large turned parts very efficiently, but the demand for mass production of large parts is somewhat limited.

Mechanical vs. CNC

Although the mechanical versions have been widely replaced by CNC turning centers, many are still in operation today. In fact, many shops feel that the mechanical versions are more cost efficient for producing high volumes of turned parts.

Machine vs. Man – The New Age Way to Assemble

Assembly Machines

Ever since Henry Ford invented the first assembly machine prototype, the auto industry has never been the same. Originally created to carry out exact welding tasks that people were no longer interested in or capable of doing, assembly machines or manufacturing robots have been reinvented by the car industry to perform dangerous tasks like holding hazardous materials, precisely installing small automotive parts and welding heavy metals together.

As time went one, not only did assembly machines help keep certain workers safe, but they also completed specific tasks more effectively and efficiently than humans could. In fact, assembly machines now account for over 50% of all vehicle manufacturing.

How Automotive Assembly Machines Operate

Similar to a computer, the magnificent robots that currently build todays car population are specifically programmed to perform a wide range of different manufacturing tasks. By being remotely computer operated, assembly machines are now able to eliminate the possibility of minute human error while they achieve accurate geometrical instructions at an exact chosen point in time.

Whether the programming is designed to tell the assembly machine how materials should be turned, installed, or welded together, each individual robot proves to be quicker and more time proficient than a human operator.

Another enormous benefit of using car manufacturing assembly machines is the actuality of their work environment capabilities. Made from certain, specific sediments and metals as well as lack of human characteristics, these amazing robotic machines are able to work in virtually all types of atmospheres. With all of this in mind, it is important to remember that assembly machines do not think for themselves. They cannot be operated without human control and supervision. In fact, assembly machines can still only assist people in their jobs rather than the other way around.

Automotive Assembly Machines: Specifics

Possessing specialized computer manipulation, the majority of all vehicle assembly machines have only one single arm that does not look like the stereotypical robot that is seen on television. On top of their one single operational arm, many robots will also have specific job related characteristics to help with optimal job performances. For example: the assembly machines that solely install car windshields will also be fully equipped with a high powered grip for suction that allows the handling of smooth, breakable glass. Interestingly, there are also various robots that have been created for the lone purpose of repairing each individual assembly machine.

The Unlimited Potential Behind Assembly Machines

In today’s world of extreme manufacturing output, automotive assembly machines prove to be essential in the extremely detailed creation and production processes. While these specific car-building robots still need professional input, as assembly machines become more automated, their human dependence will continually decrease over time. Somewhat taken for granted, these incredible machines have additionally provided a variety of different benefits to human workers which include cutting down the amount of job related injuries and, in some cases, even creating more jobs to operate various different assembly machines.

Packaging Machinery – Automated and Manual Packaging Machines

Packaging Machinery

Packaging machinery is used in most production facilities to ensure the quality and safe delivery of finished products. However, there are a variety of different packaging machines designed for many different applications.

There are many reasons why a production facility would choose to use one type of packaging equipment over another. Below is an overview of these two main categories of packaging machines and reasons why one would be used over the other.

Manual Packaging Machinery

The most basic equipment is a manual packaging system in which products are delivered via conveyor, pallet or cart. This method is still used today despite more modern automated packaging methods that are available.

The reason for the use of manual packaging machines rather than automated equipment varies depending on the company.

Most common reasons include: the need for manual inspection of product, fragile products, products that are odd shaped or not consistent in shape or size and the price of an automated system may outweigh the time saved due to a smaller quantity of products to be shipped.

For example, precious metal coins or bars are usually manually packaged since they require final inspection and are easily scratched. Use of automated packaging machinery could allow defective products to be shipped or even cause imperfections.

In this same example, it is important that precious metal products are vacuum sealed and firmly positioned in their trays. If the seal is broken, the metal can oxidize during shipping causing the entire tray to be unusable. Also, coins can rub against each other during shipping causing scratches and other imperfections.

For this reason, precious metals are typically manually inspected, weighed, sealed and secured on pallets to ensure the quality of the product upon arrival to its destination.

Automated Packaging Machinery

Automated packaging machinery is usually very fast moving and repeatedly performs the exact same functions. This is not ideal for small, fragile or custom made parts.

They are most commonly used in production facilities where output of product is constant. Another common aspect is the uniformity of the products being produced.

For example, bottling companies use automated machines to seal bottles which are all the same size and shape. Also, the output of bottles is constant and placement of them into cardboard or plastic packaging can be completed without worry of damage to the product.

Other examples include the packaging of steel nuts and bolts which can be fed into hoppers via conveyor belt. The hoppers can release the required amount of parts into each bag to be sealed and placed into boxes. The boxes can be taped automatically and placed onto a conveyor to be delivered to shipping / receiving.

Another Way of Packaging Products

Alternatively, many companies may use a combination of manual and automated packaging machines. This can be useful for companies who produce a large volume of products that require manual attention at certain points in the shipping process.

An example of this would be the packaging of DVD’s or CD’s which the disc may be manually placed into the cases. The cases themselves can be sealed with plastic and sealed in boxes by automated machinery.

Bobcat and Doosan Compete to Bring Us The Best Excavator

What Makes The Best Excavator

As large machinery manufacturing companies like Doosan and Bobcat begin to increase their competition against one another, the construction world is becoming more privy to some of the best pieces for detailed construction equipment. With enormous capabilities and unbelievably strong operating systems, the excavator is one of the most common types of equipment being upgraded in order to be the best in its class.

Improvements include changes in size, new parts and/ or stronger engines. Bobcat and Doosan will stop at nothing to prove that their digger is the best in the industry. Depending on your immediate job related needs, either machine could prove to be your most important piece of worksite specific construction equipment.

The Extreme Doosan DX140LCR Excavator

Competing with the likes of the Bobcat E63 and E85 excavators for sale, Doosan has come out with their stronger, faster and better performing DX140LCR-3. A gigantic piece of machinery it is made of 16 tons of metal. This new Doosan model has greatly reduced its tail swing to provide less length for the excavator while greatly enhancing its mobility.

With specific characteristics that are unlike any specific Bobcat prototype, the incredible DX140LCR-3 is said to considerably improve the ability to develop virtually all construction locations; both residential and commercial. Probably the best feature of the amazing new Doosan excavator model is the highly recognizable small tail swing. Possessing a radius of just 5 feet, the DX140LCR-3 is regarded as ideal for small, congested job sites like narrow roads and areas that are close to buildings. For example, this Doosan excavator is ideal for highway digging, as its small size will be able to prevent the buildup of any unnecessary roadway traffic.

The Competitive Compact Bobcat E-Series – E63, E85

Weighing in slightly lighter than the DX140LCR, barely less than 14 tons, the Bobcat E63 is definitely one of Doosan’s main competitors. Also having a smaller tail radius than most excavators, this machine has an incredible tail radius of only 11.6 inches. Proportionate to its weight, Bobcat has moved the top tier of the E63 to the back of the apparatus so that the materials that are being carried can rotate in balance with the excavator.

While the Doosan DX140LCR is still able to carry heavier loads than this model, the E63 does make a case for itself with the model’s amazing power. Making the competition much stronger between the two construction equipment giants, Bobcat decided to give their excavator some of the strongest power in the industry at a 13.5% horsepower kick that can get up to as much as 59.4%. Ideal for larger, heavier loads, the E63 will absolutely be able to handle just about anything that it carries; even at its relatively small size. To make their extremely competitive machine even better, Bobcat added various supplementary flow currents and one extended flow to allow the variety of E63 attachments to perform better regardless of the specific job being performed.

Tube & Pipe Bending Machine From Unison Is Optimized For Speed

Tube and Pipe Machines

Tube and pipe bending machines have provided a way for manufacturers to efficiently form parts. This type of machinery is used to form furniture, instruments, vehicle components and more.

The quality of parts created from pipe and tube has improved greatly due to modern technology. One concern that remains for mass production plants has been the speed of the output of completed parts. More so, improving output speed without sacrificing quality.

Recently, Horn Machine Tools released a pipe and tube bending machine with improvements which greatly improve part production speed. Unison is the brand name under Horn Machine Tools in which the all electric bending machine line is manufactured under.

Tube Bending Machinery: Improved Mechanical Design

This new pipe bending machine tool is electric powered and available in multiple models. The machine is available for tube and pipe diameters from 5/8” to 8.5”.

The most major improvement is software which is mainly responsible for the reduction in pipe or tube bending times. This software has been known to reduce the amount of time it takes to bend complicated or semi complicated patterns by as much as 40%. In fact, making several bends in one application is no problem for this pipe bending machine tool.

Another major aspect which improves bending times is an improved gearing mechanism. Changes have been made to the auxiliary axes of the machine including optimization of their size and shape. A reduction to their mass and inertia has allowed them to be driven at a higher rate of speed by applying more torque. This allows them to accelerate and decelerate at more efficient rates which allows bending to be performed faster without increasing machine cost.

Other Pipe Bending Machinery from Unison

Unison has become a trusted name in electric tube and pipe bending machine tools. In fact, they recently received an order for the worlds largest all electric tube and pipe bending machine. The order was placed by a company who produces aircraft carriers for the U.S Navy.

The CNC machine tools will be capable of bending up to 8 inch tubular stock. Custom software will be created to operate the machines movements to allow for the complexity and size of their material bending needs.

The new machine will also include a unique laser guided measuring system. This system automatically takes measurements and makes corrections. It compensates for the metals natural ability to spring back after being bent and makes the proper corrections to ensure the accuracy of the finished product.

This new bending machinery is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

Electric vs. Hydraulic Tube and Pipe Machinery

Hydraulic tube and pipe machinery has historically been used in production facilities. However, there are some advantages of electric powered pipe bending machines tool over hydraulic powered tube benders.

First of all, they are simple to operate. They can be automatically configured over a network using parts data saved on the database. They are also very quiet as compared to hydraulic machine tools.

Automatic parts measuring and compensation is another major benefit not offered by hydraulic tube and pipe machines. The automation of bending processes using the computer numerical controls and stored presets eliminates operator error and ensures product quality.

Dozer Machinery Unveiled

Dozer vs Bulldozer

Commonly known as the bulldozer, the large dozer machine has been around for centuries. These machines have assisted construction workers in breaking ground and moving around large, heavy piles of dirt, metal, rocks and other large masses.

Initially used by engineers, construction crews and architects, many companies began producing their own version of the heavy machinery. These companies include: the Caterpillar Tractor Company, John Deere, CAT, Terex, Fiat-Allis, Liebherr, Komatsu, International Harvester and JCB. Previously much louder, larger and much less efficient, the dozer quickly became a necessary piece of equipment used to complete a wide array of earthmoving projects.

The Dozer: A Rich History

First invented in 1923 by James Cummings and Earl McLeod, the first dozer

was originally modified to resemble the Holt farm tractors. By the late 1920’s, the enormous piece of equipment was greatly improved and reintroduced to the construction world by the now global company, Caterpillar Incorporated as the Caterpillar 60.

Greatly advancing its technology by the 1940’s, the bulldozer adopted rubber tires enabling it to dig large canals, raise broken dams and move large mounds of earth. As technology continued to advance, so were the capabilities of the dozer.

Now, coming fully equipped with automatic transmissions, razor sharp hydraulic cylinders and electric motors, there isn’t much that the powerful dozer can’t do. In addition to these immense improvements to machinery, certain manufacturers like Leica Geosystems, Trimble, Inc. and Topcon Positioning Systems now enable bulldozers with GPS tracking capabilities.

The Different Blades of a Dozer

Possibly the most important component of the dozer is its blade plate. Made from a thick metal, the blade is used to move things like rocks, sand and different particle masses. Depending on the type of bulldozer, there are three different blade shapes; the ‘S’ blade, ‘U’ blade and a combination of both the ‘S’ and ‘U’ blades.

The most common blade, the ‘S’ blade, is a relatively straight, short edge that has no arch and no side attachments.

Another blade type that is somewhat common on new age dozers is the Universal blade or ‘U’ blade. With an all-together different shape than the Straight blade ‘S’ blade this type is tall and extremely curved. Developed with large side wings, the Universal blade is used to move larger mounds of material.

Finally, the most common blade option is the ‘S-U’ combo. Generally smaller than the other two blades, the ‘S-U’ combination has smaller side divisions that are used to push large piles of debris.

Regardless of the blade that is being used, the bulldozer part typically attaches to the frame of the piece of machinery either straight across or at a slight angle.

For more advanced attachment options, some blades require an extra ‘tilt cylinder’ to provide more of a curve. Interestingly, the bulldozer’s blade can actually be sharpened using a special sharpener that allows various objects to be cut down like tree stumps.

When deciding on the appropriate part to use, it’s extremely important to know what the piece of equipment is being used for.