e-Bulletin, March 2005

March 14, 2005
Your newsletter of manufacturing news and technology. AMERICAN MACHINIST is looking for photos from your shop to put on its new website. For example, pictures can include images of an old shop, your clever machining solution, or even an interesting home project. We will post the images in a reader's gallery on the new site. Please e-mail us the image, and include a description of what the images is showing, the image location, and your full name. In this Issue... Sponsored by Bishop-Wisecarver (BWC)

• Commentary by Tom Grasson - Big Three automakers strike out
• AMERICAN MACHINIST feature articles
• Technology truths - it's a myth that waterjets lack versatility
• Machine of the month - Configurable horizontal boring mill fits the bill
• Technology trends
• Hot products
• Latebreaking news
• Mark your calendar - how to increase your productivity through automation

CommentaryBig Three automakers strike out

The demise of the Big Three may be around the corner according to associate publisher and editorial director Tom Grasson. Foreign automotive companies are building cars and trucks in America, with American workers, in some of the most advanced factories in the world. And lately they're having more success selling their products than their counterparts in Detroit.
Read Tom's comments

Newsletter sponsorNew Innovative Technology from Bishop-Wisecarver: DualVee Wheels with Integral Bushings and Studded Shafts

Bishop-Wisecarver announces Integral studs and bushings that eliminate tolerance stack-up and improve durability and stability. Wheels with Integral bushings and studded shafts provide higher load capabilities and reduce installation time. Offered in 52100 carbon bearing steel and 440C stainless steel, shielded or sealed; studded wheels available in sizes 0 - 4; bushed wheels available in sizes 2 - 4. Multiple components consolidated into one part number allows for simple procurement. Contact our expert Application Engineers for more information on how this new, innovative technology will improve performance and reduce inventory and costs. Check out BWC's website

American Machinist feature articles20/20 machine vision Seeking factory-floor automation for the first time? Consider vision-guided robots. These systems reduce costs is by introducing parts to machining cells via simple conveyors. This eliminates expensive fixturing for shops doing batch-type operations.
Learn how such systems can help your shop cut costs.Automating body-in-white Robotic automation can simplify and standardize difficult processes, such as those used to manufacture cars. Read how a modular, automated robotic system boosts body-in-white process-efficiency and productivity.Find out moreWhy wait to automate?Read how one machine tool OEM fully equips and automates its systems to quickly put automation in the hands of end users. Such systems readily accept automated packages that can include parts stackers, robot gantry loaders, and post-process gaging. Technology TruthsIt's a myth that waterjets lack versatility Waterjet systems get their versatility from supersonic erosion, cutting both hard and soft materials regardless of thermal properties or electrical conductivity. The systems also require few secondary operations and produce net-shaped parts with no heat-affected zone, heat distortion, or mechanical stresses. Find out more Machine of the monthConfigurable horizontal boring mill fits the bill According to Giddings & Lewis, the modular design of its new MC series horizontal boring mills lets end users get customizable machines at standard machine prices. Choose from two pallet sizes, various table styles and sizes, headstocks, controls, attachments, X, Y, and W-axis travel options. Automation features such as pallet shuttles and toolchangers complete each shop's package. Check it out Technology trendsSelf-navigating truck nears the starting lineThe search for America's most skilled workersGM adopts noncontact inspection technology2004 all about the robotsMaterials have magnetic appeal Hot products Advertisements Banner's revolutionary PICO-GUARD Fiber Optic Safety System achieves highest Category 4 safety rating with a single switch point. Check it out The New Tsugami BA26L high-precision CNC automatic lathe is the ultimate small parts CNC turning machine for production rates that rival automatic cam type machines. An inexpensive optional kit can convert the BA26L to a traditional sliding headstock Swiss machine. This new age CNC Gang tooled turning machine fully answers the demands of today's manufacturing challenges. The BA26L is capable of metal removal in the X, Z, A & Y axis. Its tool complement consists of 14 tools; 6 OD tools, 4 ID tools, and 4 cross rotary tools. The BA26L comes standard with a Fanuc 32i-TA 2-path control. Check it out Latebreaking newsNAC introduces N-STEP The National Automotive Center (NAC) is sponsoring one-day demonstrations of its N-STEP technology at CAMP Inc., Cleveland, through June 30, 2005. N-STEP is a federal defense program implementing the Standard Exchange of Product Data (STEP) standard for data exchange. N-STEP provides IGES and ISO AP224-compliant model files and processing information including materials, tools, operation sequences, speeds and feeds, and machine times. For more information, call (888)-801-CAMP or visit nac-n-step.com
Boeing sells commercial airplane operations
The Boeing Co. is selling its Wichita and Tulsa commercial aircraft plants to Canadian conglomerate Onex Corp. for $900 million cash, assumption of certain liabilities, and long-term supply agreements. It is part of the company's plan to concentrate on aircraft design and final assembly. Read more at Boeing.com or onex.comRobotics orders rise for second year The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) reports that North American manufacturing companies purchased 20% more robots in 2004 than 2003. According to its statistics, this is the robotic industry's second-best unit total ever. Orders from outside North America were also impressive - an increase of 152%. Overall, new orders for 2004 gained 25%. Read moreExclusive press distributor The Minster Machine Co., Minster, Ohio, is now the exclusive provider of Amada gap frame stamping presses and service for North America. Amada America Inc. in La Mirada, Calif., continues to sell and service Amada's other metalforming products such as lasers, press brakes, and turret presses. Read more Mark your calendarFree "Increase Productivity Through Automation" seminars GE Fanuc, Charlottesville, Va., has assembled a winning team of industry experts to help you optimize your factory and become more globally competitive through automation. Attend this or one of the company's other free half-day seminars and you are eligible to win a trip to the 2006 Olympic games in Italy. Seminar topics include: Advanced Manufacturing, Solutions in Action, Renishaw Inc.; How Robotic Automation Can Save Your Factory, FANUC Robotics; Real-Time Data From The Plant Floor, GE Fanuc; and more:March 24: Chicago Renishaw Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill. Register on-lineApril 29: Detroit FANUC Robotics America Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich. Register on-lineApril 3-7 Corrosion/2005, Houston, NACE International -- The Corrosion Society , (281) 228-6200, Find out moreApril 4-7 Westec, Los Angeles, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Association for Manufacturing Technology, and American Machine Tools Distributors Assoc., (800) 733-4763, Check it outApril 7 Introduction to High-Performance/High-Speed Machining, Cincinnati, TechSolve , (800) 345-4482, Find out moreApril 10-13 Annual Meeting, La Quinta, Calif., American Machine Tool Distributors Assoc., (800) 878-2683, Read moreApril 11-17 CIMT 2005, 9th China International Machine Tool Show, Beijing, China, China Machine Tool & Tool Builders Assoc., Check it outComing in April's issue:AMERICAN MACHINIST will provide a buyers guide listing sources for the latest and greatest in manufacturing equipment and software.

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