Highlights from IMTS '00Highlights from IMTS '00

While it wasn't the biggest crowd in history, it certainly was the largest IMTS ever with 1,443 exhibitors occupying more than 1.4 million sq ft. Consuming all of Chicago's McCormick Place, IMTS '00 attendance hit 114,675. Exhibitors conducted $1,034,618,000 in sales at the show. Keeping pace with technology that makes programming 5-axis machines less daunting, machine-tool builders responded with many new 5-axis introductions. For example, the 5-axis Hyper-Mach from Cincinnati Machine was designed with aerospace in mind. Its linear motor drives help manufacturers machining large, monolithic, aluminum components

(Enter 502)

. HAAS offers a 5-axis vertical router and a machine with work mounted on a trunion

(Enter 503)

. Makino showed a machine with the work on a compound rotary table that uses cooling to minimize thermal distortion and achieve higher acceleration and deceleration rates ( & gt;1g) from ballscrews

(Enter 504)

. Toyota followed the high-speed ballscrew trend, showing a machine that has hollow-shaft ballscrews with internal liquid cooling

(Enter 505)

. And Russell T. Gilman introduced its new reconfigurable Modulemation manufacturing cell that is adaptable to accept a variety of different spindles and applications

(Enter 506)

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IT on the factory floor

Delta Tau confirmed its move toward more industry-standard open interfaces, showing its Universal Motion and Automation Controller (UMAC), now with a USB port

(Enter 507)

. The latest addition to the MELSEC PLC line from Mitsubishi Automation, the Q Series, also offers a USB port for programming and monitoring, and the company has plans to include advanced IT technology such as Internet and e-mail applications next year. Each PLC unit accommodates up to four plug-in CPUs for integral motion control, and support for various communications protocols

(Enter 508)

. GE Fanuc integrated PC software from several vendors in its OpenFactoryCNC. With live connections to Bridgeport, Hardinge, Tree, Cincinnati Machine, and others, the company showcased how its supervisory-level software suite, MCS (Machine Control Suite), provides operator station functions and integration with machine tool builders' system architectures

(Enter 546)

. MDSI continues to expand the features of its software-only CNC (you select the PC) with Internet-enabled diagnostics and a new line of software for high-speed machines (

Enter 547)

. Rexroth Indramat introduced its Win200, a full factory information system with connectivity to all controls in the System200 family, as well as Ethernet support for other devices. The system makes diagnostics, tooling, and production information available to stakeholders over a network

(Enter 548).

Rockwell Automation showcased its own version of PC-based CNC. System integrator MCT was on hand demonstrating how the A-B 9/PC cut development time of its Open HMI. The 9/PC employs Rockwell's patented technology which allows transmission of CNC data and commands across any standard, open network, such as Ethernet TCP/IP, making it easier for third parties to build relevant information such as operator manuals, help tools, and troubleshooting guides, right into the machine

(Enter 549)

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Mechanical components

THK debuted its Type SRG caged-roller guide which incorporates an elastomeric cage to isolate rollers. By eliminating roller skew and roller-to-roller contact, the company claims it reduces contact heat, noise, and maintenance, and extends life

(Enter 550)

.Schneeberger introduced its DIN-Machine Modules. Based on pre-aligned, installed, lubricated, and protected MONORAIL MR type roller guideways, the ready-to-mount design simplifies machine building. Available in one- and two-axis configurations, engineers can choose from a variety of sizes and options such as an integral cast base

(Enter 551)

.Thomson Micron showed its Equalizer Planetary Gearhead that achieves equal load sharing on its planet gears. The design is 3 to 11% more efficient; has 20% less torque ripple, 4 to 6 db less noise, and 25% greater torque output. The secret is a pivoting link, called "swing-link technology," that allows planet gears to dynamically adjust radial position between the mating sun gear and internal gears (Enter 552). Gam Gear displayed its EPL-H Linear Mount. Targeted at belt-driven linear motion systems, the design uses hollow output/input adapter clamps instead of traditional shaft-to-shaft coupling components to shorten package length

(Enter 553)

.Rexroth Star announced its MHS Drive Unit, a combination ball screw and servo drive with a hollow shaft. The concept links electric drive and mechanical components directly, resulting in high traverse speeds and precision

(Enter 554)

. KabelSchlepp displayed its new Quantum cable management system that eliminates the noise caused by hopping-the stepping phenomena resulting from moving a rectangular form around a radius. In contrast to its Versa and Micro systems which are made of discrete molded components, Quantum is a single piece of extruded nylon with integral steel cable reinforcements. The single-piece design handles tight bend radii and twisting, and is available in polyethylene for high-temperature applications or where exotic lubricants may be an issue

(Enter 555)

. Olflex introduced its new Trayflex(TM)3D, an oil-resistant, multi-conductor cable targeted at applications requiring continuous flexing, bending, or twisting. With finely stranded bare-copper conductors, a specially formulated PVC/nylon insulation, and a new oil-resistant elastomeric-alloy jacket, this cable withstands exposure to harsh environments and offers a maximum torsion of plus or minus 180 degrees , and a minimum bend radius of 10xcable diameter

(Enter 556)

. Eriez Magnetics introduced the Safehold(TM)APL Series permanent lift magnet. Instead of manual activation, the design uses the lift/lower action to automatically switch the magnet on and off

(Enter 557)

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Controller products

Siemens introduced its Sinumerik 802 control family, newly expanded with the 802D numerical control for digital drives. It operates up to four axes plus one spindle, and can be used as a drive with the Simodrive 611U converter. The numerical control combines all CNC, PLC, HMI, and communications tasks

(Enter 558)

. Mitsubishi Electric showed a new generation of industrial controllers that integrates motion controller and PLC in a single unit. This saves space in the switchgear cabinet and cuts hardware costs

(Enter 559)

. Bosch Automation displayed its PLC CL150 that's targeted at assembly lines, conveyors, and general automation. With a base price under $500, the compact unit includes 128k memory, real-time clock, and handles 8 I/O

(Enter 560)

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Factory feedback

Rexroth Star displayed the Integrated Measuring System (IMS) that is insensitive to magnetic fields. It provides contact-free scanning with reduced maintenance and deterioration. Supplied with the Star Ball Rail and Roller Rail Systems, IMS combines guiding and measuring functions in one unit

(Enter 561)

. Heidenhain displayed its programmable, absolute rotary encoders that permit adjustment on host equipment, and it demonstrated the LIDA 400 Series of linear scales. Developed to meet the industry demands for miniaturization, it's used on linear motors, placement machines, PCB-drilling machines, or anywhere precise positioning and compact size are required

(Enter 562)

. Russell T. Gilman highlighted a new harmonics and chatter control technology in its GHS (Gilman High Speed) line of integrally motorized spindles. Its Exclusive Dynamic Preload Control with fluid dampening optimizes bearing preload to improve operation and suppress harmonic vibrations

(Enter 527)

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