On The Radar

Double-Column Grinders
The FSG series double-column grinders have large-capacity table size, starting at 40" x 60". With a part load of up to 17,600 lb, and a fixed beam, it is an ideal solution for those who desire speed, rigidity, and a very large grinding.

Chevalier's patented elevation guideways and spindle structure have four heavy-duty square slideways that provide maximum rigidity and heavy-duty grinding capacity. The spindle head on the Y-axis runs on four hardened, ground, and wider guides traveling on Turcite-B anti-friction material. A worm gear reducer and servomotor couples with a high-accuracy ballscrew and a pneumatic counterweight balance system to ensure smooth movement, preventing the head from crashing in case of a power failure.

The user-friendly conversational programming of the FSG series double-column grinders with fixed beam includes:

• Microsoft WIN CE platform with internet/intranet connectivity
• 10.4" TFT color screen with table stroke adjustable from screen
• Conversational graphics program for grinding and dressing
• Surface, plunge, criss-cross, concave, and convex canned cycles
• Optional profile grinding programs
• Integrated conversational grinding and wheel dressing with automatic compensation
• Grinding simulation mode executable through the MPG handwhell
• Unequal pitch and depth grinding capability
• Program transfers through Ethernet port
• Fanuc CNC program compatible

Chevalier Machinery Inc.
Santa Fe Springs, CA
chevalierusa.com

Laser Ablation System
The Laser 1200 5Ax provides a fully digitized manufacturing process that yields detailed and nuanced texturing, micro-structuring, engraving, marking, and labeling. Laser ablation represents a flexible method that is faster and more repeatable than conventional manual and chemical etching processes. Two-dimensional and 3D details are machined from a high-quality digital image, allowing completely reproducible results for a variety of applications across several industrial segments. Additionally, laser ablation offers pollutant-free operation, producing no fluids, slurry, or chips. Dust particles produced by the process are automatically extracted by vacuum to guarantee a clean process.

The mapping of the Laser series uses a pulsed laser to render the desired texturing. While chemical etching can only produce three to five layers, laser ablation technology can achieve 30 to 50 layers to offer a much higher level of detail. This allows for greater creativity in part design across a wide variety of materials, including graphite, aluminum, copper, steel, carbide, brass, and ceramics.

The Laser 1200 5Ax, like all other models in the series, provides two optical and five mechanical axes, housed in a cast iron body that delivers excellent absorption, stability, and quality performance. Linear scales and rotary encoders ensure maximum accuracy.

A 20W, Ytterbium pulsed fiber laser is at the heart of the machine, with a 50W option available to further boost capabilities. Furthermore, the Laser 1200 5Ax comes standard with a programmable, tilting laser head, high-resolution camera with integrated illumination for fine positioning, integrated touch probe, dust exhaust, central lubrication system, and lenses of varying focal strength.

GF AgieCharmilles
Lincolnshire, IL
gfac.com/us

Where No Probe Has Gone Before
A probe as small as 20µm in diameter is now available to measure the inside of small features such as tiny holes and slots. Previously, features under around 300µm were either measured optically, at the surface of the part, or measured by inserting very small feeler gage pins. The first method provided no information about the characteristic inside the cylinder or slot. The second method generally provided whatever information that the operator wanted to report. The self-illuminated sphere of the fiber probe is positioned via CNC positioning into the hole and slightly deflected on the workpiece. The sphere is mounted exactly in the focal plane of the optics and its deflected position is measured optically. Therefore, extremely accurate and repeatable measurements inside tiny features can now be made, non-destructively, on a production basis. Calculations of cylindricity, taper, perpendicularity, and vector angles of holes are now possible.

Werth Inc.
Old Saybrook, CT
werthinc.com

Latest Metalworking Catalog
The latest V80 Metalworking catalog, featuring thousands of new customer solutions from the company's long list of trusted, industry-leading suppliers, is now available.

Available in print or online, the new V80 Metalworking catalog includes a major product expansion within Kennametal's line of premier cutting tools. The catalog also features nearly 5,000 of the latest round cutting tools from Hertel, more than 1,500 new items from Niagara, and more than 1,000 Accupro high-performance metalworking products.

To order MSC's V80 Metalworking catalog, visit mscmetalworking.com, call 800.521.9520, email cust_service@mscdirect.com or utilize the company's new live chat feature on mscdirect.com.

MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc.
Melville, NY
mscdirect.com

Multi-spindle CNC Lathe
The MS40P CNC multi-spindle automatic lathe by INDEX includes a quillstock with six tool carriers and one counter spindle opposite the main 6-spindle drum, making it possible to machine complex workpieces requiring many tools with highest precision in a single process.

The multi-spindle affords contract manufacturers the ability to outproduce – by up to 85% or more – six or more twin-turret CNC lathes with a single, flexible, high-speed, high-precision machine that can work unattended throughout three shifts.

The flexibility and capability of the machine is well-suited to batch production and for machining families of parts; the front and rear end machining options permit efficient, complete machining of production parts with complex geometry and/or extensive operations on the cutoff end.

The core of the machine is its compact spindle drum. Six fluid-cooled, infinitely variable hollow-shaft motors are able to drive up to 40mm bar stock, independently from each other. Other characteristics of the spindle drum are: high torque, small frame size, maintenance-free operation, and an advanced synchronous design. The enhanced machine concept is based on the added A-side (drum side) and an opposite quillstock on the B-side.

INDEX Corp.
Noblesville, IN
indextraub.com