HOUSTEX 2015

In operation, the chuck’s pre-centering arms extend out around the pipe and center it. Chuck clamping jaws then compensate for any out of roundness in the workpiece shape. An added rear chuck helps drive and further assists in centering long sections of pipe.

For single-setup processing of pipe bushings, couplings and connectors, the HSFZ swiveling chucks clamp parts once and rotate them 180 deg for complete machining/threading at both ends and on the same centerline. Workpiece rotation cycles are fully automatic and occur while the chuck is spinning. A combination of three concentric clamping jaws with three compensating jaws ensures maximum precision and holding power while also providing low-deformation clamping. Within its enclosed body, the HSFZ chuck features a swiveling clamping ring actuated by a rack and pinion mechanism. Two tapered bolts at the ring’s outer diameter lock it laterally in place, at 90 deg relative to the chuck’s rotary axis. Chucks are available in sizes that accommodate workpieces diameters from 2-3/8 in (60.3 mm) to 20 in (508 mm).

Röhm Products of America, 5155 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite K, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, 770-963-8440, Fax: 770-963-8407, www.rohm-products.com.

NEXT GENERATION ABRASIVE WATERJET TECHNOLOGY
In Booth 1029, OMAX Corporation (Kent, WA) will showcase the many benefits of advanced abrasive waterjet technology by demonstrating the cutting speed, accuracy and versatility of its MAXIEM 1530 JetMachining® Center on a variety of materials and thicknesses. The all-new 1530 will represent the next generation line of MAXIEM machines that continues the tradition of easy-to-use and reliable abrasive waterjet machines designed and built in the United States.

MAXIEM machines are equipped with the Intelli-TRAX™ linear drive system that utilizes brushless servo motors, integrated servo drives and high precision linear encoders that provide constant and continuous feedback on the actual cutting head position. In addition to increased part cutting accuracy, the advanced drive system delivers much faster and smoother motion.

These machines build on 20 years of direct-drive pump technology with 50,000 psi pumps that include variable frequency drive (VFD) technology to regulate the electricity input to the motor and reduce overall energy costs. The pumps deliver high nozzle horsepower, or JetPower™, for more cutting power per kilowatt than intensifier-type pumps, which increases operating efficiencies. The pumps are available in 20 hp, 30 hp and 40 hp versions for MAXIEM machines, with a DualPUMP package also available that boosts the horsepower to 80.

The new all-in-one Windows® 8 controllers on the MAXIEM machines come pre-loaded with the powerful OMAX Intelli-MAX® Software Suite and feature large 23-inch display screens that provide easy viewing of part files and tool paths. The Intelli-MAX software makes it easy to generate complex geometries and produce quality parts from virtually any type of material. The software is extremely user friendly for both the novice operator and the skilled machinist. The software also features Intelli-VISOR®, OMAX’s system monitoring for predictive machine maintenance capability.

OMAX Corporation, 21409 72nd Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032, 800-838-0343, Fax: 253-872-6190, www.omax.com.

CAPTURE DATA FAST FOR EACH APPLICATION OR PART
In Booth 313, the Equator™ shop-floor comparative gauge from Renishaw, Inc. (Hoffman Estates, IL) gets a significant speed boost for single-point probing applications with new touch-trigger probing capability via the TP20 probe, which can now be used in addition to the scanning SP25 probe. The two probing technologies, which will be demonstrated at the show, allow the choice of the fastest data capture technique for each application or part.

Equator with TP20 is an ideal alternative for in-line gauging tasks which might have used expensive custom hard gauges with single-point air gauges or LVDTs. TP20 can be used for fast capture of discrete point data, with the stiff lightweight structure of Equator allowing very short cycle times and high repeatability on simple touch point measurements. The touch trigger kit includes robust industry-standard TP20 modules and a new range of extension bars and joints. The Equator can also switch automatically to the SP25 scanning module using the integrated changing rack to provide any combination of measurement routines. SP25 allows continuous scanning of features at scan speeds of up to 200 mm/s, to gather high volumes of data on the form of features.

Equator uses the principle of mastering to cope with changes in temperature on the shop floor, and the process of calibrating the master part is now faster with the new Feature Compare function. Master parts do not need to be expensive or custom made; users can simply take a production part and measure it in any number of ways, such as on a calibrated co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) in a temperature-controlled environment. This measurement establishes the variation of the master part from the CAD or drawing nominals. Feature Compare then allows the user to simply take the master part’s measurement data and enter the compensation values for each feature’s size, position or orientation relative to the CAD or drawing nominals. The simple and unique Feature Compare interface has been designed for effortless data input.

Re-mastering Equator on the shop floor with the master part is as fast as measuring a production part and immediately compensates for any change in the thermal conditions of a shop-floor environment. Equator can be used in factories with wide temperature variation – simply re-master and the system is “re-zeroed” and ready for repeatable comparison measurements. The calibrated absolute accuracy of the CMM or other devices (often kept in a temperature-controlled metrology lab) can be effectively “extended” onto the shop floor to provide calibrated traceability to Equator measurements.

With the calibration data for the master part loaded into the Equator software, measurements then made on the Equator gauge can be referred back to the CAD or drawing nominals for traceability to a calibrated device. Equator inspection programs can be created or modified with comprehensive MODUS programming software. Shop-floor operators then simply select and run the programs using the intuitive Organiser front-end software that can report gauging results as a simple pass/fail message, as a full inspection report, or through the Process Monitor window.

Renishaw Inc., 5277 Trillium Boulevard, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, 847-286-9953, www.renishaw.com/gauging.

CUTTING TOOLS FOR DIFFICULT THREADING, MILLING AND TURNING
In Booth 441, Seco Tools, LLC (Troy, MI) will highlight its latest threading, milling and turning cutting tools made to handle the extremely tough machining requirements of the oil and gas industry. Applications experts will also be available to help attendees find ways to optimize their production processes via these new tools.

Designed to bring substantial value to manufacturers producing pipes and couplings from a wide range of material hardness, the new Thread Chaser inserts provide the speed, reliability and accuracy needed to process special threads such as API and common licensed types. Thread Chaser inserts increase productivity by generating the thread teeth, facing and taper at the same pitch as the thread type. The tools use a special substrate material and feature through-coolant holes and chip formers to direct high-pressure (up to 210 bar) coolant precisely to the cutting edges to optimize chip formation/evacuation and extend insert life. Inserts are available in push or pull and push/pull sets of one, two or three to accommodate various thread machine types.

Representing stability and value in square shoulder milling, Seco’s new Square T4-08 for roughing and semi-finishing operations features four cutting edges and an innovative tangential cutter design that brings good surface finish to slotting, contouring and plunging applications. The Square T4-08’s strong, reliable pocket seats, combined with multi-edge inserts, optimize cutting stability and allow for clean 90 deg walls. The Square T4-08 also provides a smooth cutting action via positive rake angles with a variable lead angle on the cutting edge.

In addition to high metal removal rates, manufacturers will also benefit from the Square T4-08’s versatility. The tool comes in M08 and MD08 insert geometries and eight different insert grades. Various mounting types include Cylindrical, Weldon, Arbor and Combimaster™. Cutting diameters range from 0.625 in to 2.5 in, with a maximum cutting depth of 0.314 in. Corner radii ranges from 0.016 in to 0.063 in.

Ideal for turning applications that involve titanium, superalloys and other challenging materials, Seco’s latest Jetstream Tooling® Duo technology applies one or more additional coolant jets from a second direction. This quickly and effectively removes heat from the cutting zone, allowing manufacturers to achieve higher cutting speeds, longer tool life, improved chip control and increased productivity overall.

Jetstream Tooling Duo technology precisely directs the upper coolant jet to the optimal point of the rake face, while the additional jet flushes the clearance surface. As a result, the cutting edge receives high-pressure coolant from two opposite directions – above and below – maximizing control of the chip flow as well as cooling the cutting zone. In fact, adding the second coolant jet to its Jetstream Tooling product makes it possible for shops to increase tool life by an additional 10 percent as well as achieve better surface finishes. The technology also includes an optional inducer to improve performance in roughing conditions where additional power is required on the chip side and in applications where chips tend to hit the inducer. This option is in addition to the standard mounted inducer for finishing and medium-roughing operations.

Seco Tools, LLC, 2805 Bellingham Drive, Troy, Michigan 48083, 248-528-5444, www.secotools.com/us.