Cover shots

Horizontal boring mill

The HBMX55i horizontal boring mill has a small (18ft x 17ft) footprint, especially considering the large work envelope (55.1" x 55.7" x 43.3"). The boring mill has a W-stroke of 19.0", a geared head spindle with two speeds, hardened box ways, and weighs just over 21 tons (42,328 lb).

The HBMX55i has more tools compared to similar universal type boring mills and includes more peripherals as standard items. For instance, the HBMX55i comes with a 4.33" diameter quill that allows use of shorter tools; a contouring fourth-axis rotary table, not just positional; linear glass scales on X-, Y-, and Z-axes to maintain thermal stability and increase accuracy; CTS; and a 60-tool ATC.

The horizontal boring mill uses the manufacturer’s integrated control that supports both ISO/EIA NC and conversational programming, and includes the UltiMotion system.

Download the data sheet and see the dual-screen control console at http://bit.ly/LhYsO8.
 

Hurco Companies Inc.
www.hurco.com

Accurate Force Pneumatics systems

Low- and zero-friction actuators, air cylinders, dashpots, piston-cylinder sets, snubbers, air treatment components, and optimized systems comprise the Accurate Force Pneumatics (AFP) packages. These systems allow engineers to select and specify the components necessary to create pneumatic force control systems that combine clean regulated air, proportional pressure control, and precise actuation at a lower cost than purchasing the components individually. AFPs help designers use the company’s line of self-aligning actuators, Airpel Anti-Stiction cylinders, and Airpel-AB zero-friction air cylinder actuators in applications in which they need to move, hold, support, or press with repeatable and accurate low force spanning a wide temperature range without lubrication. The website offers the other system components needed, from the initial air supply devices to the pressure regulation products, and finally, the actuators to provide the accurate force desired.

The AFP Selection Guide page enables designers to choose from among a variety of air supply products including double filter/regulators (FFR) to supply clean, dry, filtered air. Also included are products for proportional pneumatic pressure regulation to precisely control the output pressure being supplied to the system actuators.

System components are matched to ensure performance and low cost, so OEM designers and engineers involved in R&D, high-level testing, high-tech micro-machining, polishing or grinding equipment, or precision assembly will find pre-selected systems components providing many of the functions needed between the air supply and the force output system.

Via the website, designers can configure 3D CAD files of non-stock products with construction requirements. Changes to length, travel, rod-end style, mounting configurations, and more are put into the online configurator yielding detailed STEP files for download into the user’s CAD system. CAD files and custom part numbers are generated from base parameter files accessed via a proprietary, in-house system.

The website features a free sample program that allows designers to request and evaluate the motion control product they need.

Engineers will find products that damp motion, actuate with air or vacuum, sense piston position, apply a precision force, pump or pulse air, sense indicate or relieve pressure, and filter/regulate an air supply.

Each of the four major product groups – damping, actuation, displacement, and optimized pneumatic systems – offers devices designed and optimized for accurate and repeatable force control and smooth motion.
 

Airpot Corp.
www.airpot.com

Spiral flutes, spiral point taps

The EXOPRO-WHR-Ni spiral flute and spiral point tap series are designed to excel in nickel-based alloy applications.

Nickel-based heat-resistant alloys are tough to machine. Short tool life, sudden tool wear, breakage, and chipping at the chamfer are common problems associated with the machining of these materials. The EXOPRO-WHR-Ni tap series offers a total solution for threading nickel alloys. The spiral flute tap features a new point flute design to improve cutting edge rigidity, which helps prevent chipping even in blind holes. The spiral point tap, designed for blind-hole applications, features a unique rake angle to protect against sudden tool wear. With the addition of a patented HR coating, tool life can be substantially prolonged.

The company also offers milling and drilling solutions for machining nickel alloys with the EXOPRO-AERO UVX-Ni end mill series and the EXOPRO-WHO-Ni 3D & 5D carbide drills series.

See variable helix carbide end mills for nickel alloys at http://bit.ly/1aN3gHJ.
 

OSG Tap & Die Inc.
www.osgtool.com