Haas Automation Forms Partnership to Support CNC Machining Training

Computer numeric control (CNC) machine tool builder Haas Automation has partnered with Lincoln College of Technology (LCT) to train students for CNC machining careers using Haas equipment at LCT's campus in Grand Prairie, TX.

The partnership marks the first time LCT will launch a CNC training program. The CNC Machining and Manufacturing Technology program will train students in fundamentals such as milling and lathing, and advanced concepts including five-axis machining technology and simulated workplace exercises, according to Lincoln Educational Services Corp. (LES), specialist in technical training for students.

The goal of LES is to find new partnerships and programs across the country in order to bridge the skills gap between the workforce and expectations of employers.

"Haas is a leading global provider of CNC machines and tools for more than 30 years," said Paul McGuirk, Grand Prairie executive director. "This agreement between Haas and Lincoln will give us the opportunity to train our students on industry-leading equipment that Haas will provide through a customized purchase agreement — including entrustment of two major units, the Haas VF-2SS and the Haas ST-10. The opportunity for hands-on experience using the machines will be invaluable to our students and graduates."

Additional Hass equipment students will be provided with include four TM-1P Toolroom Mills and four TL-1 Toolroom Lathes, a VF-2SS featuring a Trunnion and 5-axis mill, and an ST-10 featuring a live tooling lathe.

"When you step into a modern CNC facility — the kind of facility that Haas outfits — you'll be surprised to find it's a clean, comfortable, safe working environment," said Shaun McAlmont, CEO of LES. "These aren't the perceived 'factory' jobs of a generation or two ago. Industry leaders like Haas are driving a revolution in the manufacturing industry, and Lincoln is pleased to be able train our students on their equipment."

http://www.controldesign.com/industrynews/2013/haas-automation-forms-partnership-for-cnc-machining-training/

Protection for moving cables in CNC machinery applications

igus has developed the plastic energy tube RX to successfully resist chips when put through some of the most demanding of operations.
If protection is required for moving cables during the operation of CNC machines, lathes, mills and sawing machines, the energy chains need to be inwardly tight to simultaneously guide the cables and minimise abrasion. 
igus has developed its first foldable plastic energy tube R68 for this very purpose with the new energy tube offering comprehensive protection against chips of any size.
The chips simply fall off on contact with the smooth and convex outer surface and are deposited in the stop system of the energy tube. 
The RX tube offers excellent protection thanks to its smooth contours while the tight production tolerances eliminate any possibility of chips getting between the stoppers. 

http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Treotham/Protection-for-moving-cables-in-CNC-machinery-applications-n2508715

Morris Midwest Announces CNC Machine Tools for Wisconsin Manufacturing and Technology Show

Morris Midwest will return to the Wisconsin Manufacturing Technology Show, the Midwest’s largest manufacturing event, at the Wisconsin State Park Exposition Center in Milwaukee on October 8-10, 2013. The regional machine tool distributor, a division of Morris Group, Inc., will exhibit machine tools from Okuma, Tsugami, Hardinge, and Bridgeport with live cutting demonstrations in its 2400 square-foot show space, Booth 713.
According to John Murphy, president of Morris Midwest, their display of technology will run the gamut from horizontal lathes to vertical machining centers to multifunction machines for the precision machining of both large and small parts. “Our customers include small job shops, large OEMs, and tier one suppliers from virtually every segment of the industry. We are bringing in a top-notch selection of equipment suited for diverse customer needs.”
On display will be several multifunction lathes from Okuma. The affordably-priced Okuma Genos L400 is an entry-level multifunction machine according to Okuma, but is a solid performer in almost any setting, reports Murphy. It is joined by the Okuma LB3000 EX 2-axis horizontal lathe that offers an array of 66 options that can give it the characteristics of a multifunction lathe. The show model, the LB3000 EX BBMYW, shows off added milling (M), sub-spindle (W) and Y-axis capabilities. At the upper end of Okuma’s multifunction machines is the Okuma Multus Series, represented by the Multus B300-II BB/SB.
Also on display from Okuma will be the Genos M560-V vertical machining center which has drawn crowds at other industry events with its high metal removal cutting demonstrations. The Okuma 2SP-V60 twin-spindle, 4-axis vertical lathe is a highly flexible, high precision, heavy-duty selection for manufacturers of large diameter workpieces, such as brake drums and rotors, hubs, and gears.
Tsugami’s B0326-II and SS20M-5AX should be of special interest to small parts manufacturers, adds Murphy. “The new Tsugami SS20M-5AX multifunction lathe is a show stopper. Designed for precision machining of parts 20mm and smaller in size, it underscores Tsugami’s position as the global leader in machines for small parts. It has 5-axis simultaneous control, vertical machining capabilities, and continuous B-axis movement.”
Rounding out Morris Midwest’s technology display will be two horizontal lathes from the Hardinge GS Series—the GS-51 and GS-250—and the small-footprint, 20 horsepower, Bridgeport GX 300 vertical machining center which delivers up to 99 foot-pounds of torque.
“Our application engineering, parts, service, and productivity team members will be staffing our booth alongside our sales engineers,” says Murphy. “We invite show visitors to stop by our booth to see the technology we’ve assembled and meet our staff.”
For more information regarding Morris Midwest, please visit http://www.morrismidwest.com or contact Morris Midwest via phone at 414-586-0450 (WI and MI UP) or 630-351-1091 (IL).
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Morris Midwest, a division of Morris Group, Inc., has offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Roselle, Illinois and employs more than 60 people. It supplies CNC machine tools, tooling and accessories, and related engineering and support services to manufacturers from the automotive, medical, small engine, agriculture, recreational products, energy and other industries in Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is the exclusive regional distributor in those areas, representing Okuma, Tsugami, Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger, and Jones & Shipman. Morris Midwest distributes Union’s lines of horizontal boring mills and machining centers in Wisconsin.
Morris Group, Inc., http://www.morrisgroupinc.com, whose history dates to 1941, is one of the largest machine tool distribution networks in North America. Based in Windsor, Connecticut, the family-owned and operated company employs more than 500 people across fourteen business units in the eastern half of the United States.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/9/prweb11071677.htm

CNC Machine Tool Manufacturer Okuma America Corporation and York Technical College Continue Partnership

Okuma America Corporation, world-leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, and York Technical College have partnered for another year to support the Okuma Technology Institute. Okuma will continue to provide high quality training in service, repair, operation, programming, application and maintenance of Okuma machines.
Since 2002, the partnership between Okuma and York Technical College has provided training to more than a thousand people comprised of Okuma America customers, distributors, and employees and students. These stakeholders have an opportunity to train in a world-class facility, located just an hour away from Okuma America headquarters, that enables accessible hands-on training on Okuma specific machine tools. The initial 2013 schedule has been published and is open for registration. To register for training, please visit http://www.okuma.com/okuma-technology-institute.
For more information, contact Okuma’s Training Department Head, Evelyn Velasquez at (704) 504-6274 or evelasquez(at)okuma(dot)com.
About Okuma America Corporation:
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world leader in CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. The company is the industry’s only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, spindle and CNC control all manufactured by Okuma. Okuma’s innovative and reliable technology, paired with comprehensive, localized service protection, allows users to run continuously with confidence – maximizing profitability. Along with its industry-leading distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in THINC®, Okuma facilitates quality, productivity and efficiency, empowering the customer and enabling competitive advantage in today’s demanding manufacturing environment. For more information, visit http://www.okuma.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @OkumaAmerica.
About York Technical College:
York Technical College a member of the South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive Education System, is a public, two-year institution of higher education that offers a variety of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The College seeks to contribute to the economic growth and development of York, Lancaster, and Chester counties and of the State by maximizing student success. York Technical College has an open admissions policy for qualified students and annually enrolls 8,000-10,000 credit students. Through excellence in teaching and learning, the College provides program offerings, in a variety of delivery methods, in the areas of engineering technology, industrial technology, information technology, business, health sciences, and public service and transfer to senior colleges and universities. In addition, the College offers a comprehensive selection of corporate and continuing education courses designed to promote occupational advancement, personal interest, and business and industry growth. For more information, visit http://www.yorktech.com.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb10994113.htm

Romi Expands Its CNC Turning Center Line and Highlights Largest Machining Capacity Models During 2013 Feimafe

Press release date: June 1, 2013 With an extensive machine line and focus on customers' increased productivity, Romi will display its latest manufacturing solutions for the most varied market segments New machining equipment with greater capacity, power, and versatility. Those are the machines that Indústrias Romi S.A. will display at the 14th International Machine Tools and Integrated Manufacturing Systems, - Feimafe 2013 – which will be held from June 3 to 8 at the Parque Anhembi Exhibition Hall, in São Paulo, Brazil. Romi – Brazil's leader in the manufacture and development of technological solutions for the Machine Tools, Plastic Processing Machine market as well as a major Rough and Machined Castings supplier – will display the following new releases: • ROMI GL 400 Turning Center. With a 30 hp motor, this new machine is capable of turning parts up to 400 mm and 1,000 mm in length. The GL turning center line has been designed to operate in medium and high production environments, with great efficiency and productivity; • ROMI VTL 700MR Vertical Turning Center. With a 46 hp motor, this new machine is capable of plate turning parts up to 700 mm; it also allows milling, drilling and tapping operations, providing increased productivity; • New 828D CNC for the Lightweight Centur line "We worked hard to surprise our visitors at Feimafe 2013. They will be able to know our efforts in expanding and improving our ROMI GL and ROMI VTL line of Horizontal and Vertical Turning Centers," says Hermes Lago, Romi's Machine Tools business director. Lago also highlights the market's confidence in the Romi brand: "we are a 100% Brazilian company, that has technological innovation, credibility and tradition aspects deep-rooted in our DNA." Aiming to always bring state-of-the-art and the best suitable technologies to the market, Romi invests heavily in research and development, resulting in robust, reliable and high-precision machines, that are also very efficient and offers great flexibility for the most varied machining operations. These machines offers customers the productivity they need to better compete in today's environment. In addition to the new releases, Romi will exhibit over 13 machines at the company's booth. Romi will also set aside an area for Burkhardt + Weber (B + W) machines. B+W, acquired by Romi in 2012, is renowned for their high performance, rigid, and ultra-precise machine tools. In addition, other Romi machines will be displayed at the Brasilia Machines, Marposs and Senai booths. During the show, Romi customers will have access to technical advice from the company's sales team in order for them to get the better machine-tool to better fit their needs. Customers may also apply for Brazilian Development Bank's (BNDES) Finame financing service, with a low interest rate of 0.25% per month. This special financing rate is available only for Brazilian-built machines. About Romi - Industrias Romi SA, the Brazilian parent company of Romi Machine Tools in Erlanger, KY, acquired BURKHARDT+WEBER Fertigungssysteme GmbH in 2012. Romi is one of the world’s largest machine tool builders with an installed base of over 150,000 machines. The company manufactures metal cutting machine tools, and plastic injection molding machinery at its 9-plant, 1.5-million sq. ft. industrial complex in Santa Barbara d'Oeste, Brazil. Romi's captive foundry supplies castings for its own line of machine tools as well as for other customers around the world. The company services US customers from its Erlanger, KY facility. http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/Romi-Expands-Its-CNC-Turning-Center-Line-and-Highlights-Largest-Machining-Capacity-Models-During-2013-Feimafe-20009383

CAD/CAM Technology Increases Workflow Efficiency in CNC Machining

CNC Software pioneer BobCAD-CAM announced the release of CAD/CAM programming technology that adds efficiency automation into the machining phase of manufacturing. Their CAD/CAM software addresses multiple aspects of design and manufacturing starting with importing CAD design files from a designer to the CNC shop. Mr. Haynes from 3C Innovation comments on the software by saying, “I use BobCAD primarily to design and machine the pattern work that is then used in the last wax casting process in a local foundry. Using BobCAD has increased my capability for accurately producing complex 3D parts ten-fold.I am now working in full 3D."
The CAD/CAM software then allows the programmer to apply 2, 3, 4 or full 5 Axis toolpaths for CNC cutting to the part in a fully associative CAM Tree. The CAM Tree is associative so that if design changes occur then the toolpaths for machining can be updated so that the machining strategies within the software do not have to be recreated. New machining strategies include High Speed Adaptive Roughing. The high speed toolpaths allow the machine speeds and feeds to be increased due to the circular cutting motion and constant tool engagement. This new toolpath machining strategy is proving to reduce cycle times.
Mr Anderson at Ballard Mechanical Design, LLC. in Renton, WA agreed by commenting, “I use BobCAD for prototype and production parts on several 3-axis mills. I looked at various CAM software packages before discovering BobCAD. Now I can have the new part for my customer programmed and in the mill in about 15 min." The CAD/CAM software includes full NC Code or G-Code generating functionality that is based off of the specified CNC Machine tools controller. The post processing capabilities are user customizable allowing the operator to either load a pre-existing post or easily configure one on their end. In addition to these new features is the machine simulation which allows the operator to simulate the machine toolpath cutting the part before the program is sent to the machine. "The nice thing about the new simulation is that it helps the machinist catch things that may require changes in the machining strategies as well as the fact that the new PRO level software allows the operator to use their actual machines kinematics to simulate the full machine in action," commented Chris Corbell, who is the VP Marketing at BobCAD-CAM. "The overall goal with the CAD/CAM software is to improve workflow efficiency and add the right automation that every shop needs in their cnc machining process in order for them to remain competitive and profitable," Corbell added.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10648679.htm

ez Router Rolls Out New CNC Plasma Cutting System, Blends Affordability with Functionality in APC2

Known for “quality and innovation”, ez Router is officially rolling out the APC2, its newest turnkey solution in affordable plasma cutting systems. ez Router is based in Mineola, Texas, and has been a favorite among CNC machinists for decades. Their standard and custom U.S.A.-made routers and plasma cutters pack serious punch, withstanding commercial and hobbyist applications.
ez Router’s owner and co-founder, Daniel Berry, says the APC2s are a great value.
“We redesigned our existing CNC plasma cutter with the goal of making it better,” explains Berry. “This is a reliable machine that’s great for anyone on a tight budget.”
A number of features come standard on ez Router’s new APC2 machines, including:

•          Rack & Pinion z-Axis
•          VCarve Pro
•          Gear Racks with Precision Rails
•          Full, Prior Assembly with Precision Welding
•          A Laptop (vs. Desktop) Computer, with Ethernet Connection
•          Multiple Size Options: 2’x2’, 2’x4’, 4’x4’, 4’x8’ & 5’x10’
•          A Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster A-40 with Machine Torch or Hypertherm Powermax 45 with     Machine Torch
•          Increased Rapid Traverse Speed (from 800 IPM to 1200 IPM)

“We went from Kevlar-reinforced belts to gear rack with precision rails,” adds Berry. “We reworked the z-axis (where the cutting head is) so it’s rack and pinion rather than ball screw or lead screw actuated. We’ve also upgraded our CAD program to Vectric VCarve Pro for 2D CNC Plasma Cutting.”
Originally slated to roll out last October, the ez Router R&D team found additional ways to improve the former model and put off making the new unit available until early this year. Since then, ez Router has sold several APC2 all-in-one plasma cutting systems.
“Anything we can do to make our customers’ lives easier – or, as we say, ‘EZer’ – is what we want to be doing. Each of our APC systems is a source of pride for me. I know what our customers want and why they need things to work a certain way. For me, it’s a very rewarding business to be in.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the new APC2 line of plasma cutting machines, ez Router or the company’s other options in standard and custom equipment can visit ez-Router.com or call  (855) EZ-ROUTER , or  (855) 397-6883 .
ABOUT EZ-ROUTER: Based in Mineola, Texas, ez Router sums up its history nicely: “We didn’t invent CNC; we just made it EZ”. The company’s goal is to offer highly robust, affordable CNC machines for all applications. Using steel and aluminum made in America, each of ez Router’s machines is proudly made in the U.S.A. The company boasts a high production rate and growing list of standard and custom CNC routers and plasma cutting machines which make life EZ for businesses and hobbyists.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/cnc/plasma/prweb10485335.htm