IMTS '98 8-17-98

August 17, 1998 Design News

SHOW PREVIEW Noteworthy technology on display

IMTS '98

September 9-16, McCormick Place, Chicago

The first Machine Tool Show, now known as IMTS, was held in September of 1927 at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, OH where it ran for five days. At the time some 12,000 visitors and 184 exhibitors participated in the event.

Now, 71 years later more than 1,400 exhibitors are expected to attend the show which will be sub-divided into ten pavilions. This year three new pavilions are featured: Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing; Quality Assurance; and Factory Automation.

The Factory Automation Pavilion brings CAD/CAM systems to the Supply Chain Link. Several other technological categories that contribute to the efficiency of manufacturing operations are also represented. They include manufactures of custom automated assembly systems, custom automation for machining and forming, spindles, machine components, CNC controls, vision systems, material handling equipment, and electrical switchgears.

The Quality Assurance Pavilion addresses the importance of quality procedures in the manufacturing process. Products and services within this pavilion include precision and coordinate measuring machines; precision, automated, and in-process gauging; tool condition monitoring equipment; measurement software; and quality and environmental management software.

IMTS provides U.S. builders of manufacturing systems with the latest information on technical developments, training methods, trade and marketing opportunities, and economic issues. IMTS also serves as a source for gathering and disseminating information about world markets.

IMTS is owned and managed by AMT, the Assn. for Mfg. Technology, an organization that supports and enhances the activities of U.S. builders of manufacturing technology equipment. For more information on the show visit http://www.imts.org   

Servo cable

SERVO-FDr 755P continuous-flex cable combines signal and power conductors under one jacket. The cable's compact design permits a tight bend radius of five times the cable diameter. The SERVO-FD 755P has a polyurethane jacket highly resistant to harsh oils, coolants, solvents, and mechanical abuse--allowing the cable to be used in industrial applications. The cable's temperature range of -30 to 80C also targets it for use in cold-temperature environments.
OLFLEX Wire & CableBooth D24370
30 Plymouth
St.Fairfield, NJ 07004
FAX (973) 575-1267

Control modules

MTC200 PC-based control modules are based on the company's SYSTEM200 open-architecture control strategy. These CNC, PLC, HMI, and I/O hardware, software, and communication modules let users build the functionality required for each metalworking application.
Mannesmann Rexroth Corp. Indramat Div. Booth D24242
5150 Prairie Stone Pkwy.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
FAX (847) 645-6201

Ball screws

High-precision ball screws convert rotary motion to linear motion. All ball screws are made with low-impurity steels, controlled induction-hardened screws, and case-hardened nuts. The ball-track geometry provides enhanced load capacity with an ISO Class 3 lead accuracy of 0.012 mm/300 mm. Applications include machining centers, robotic and automation systems, and controlled linear motion.
The Torrington Co.Booth D24499
Box 1008
Torrington, CT 06790

Ac servo drives

Sigma-II Series ac servo drives are available in 32 different types ranging from 30W to 3 kW. Features include high response with load frequency characteristics of 400 Hz; a high-resolution serial encoder; a maximum rotation speed of 5,000 rpm on the SGMAH, SGMPH, and SGMSH types; and a settling time 1/3 that of conventional modules. These drives are for industrial applications including lathes and machining centers, metal processing and winding machines, industrial robots, semi-conductor manufacturing devices, and chip mounters.
Yaskawa Electric America Inc.Booth B16002
2942 MacArthur Blvd.
Northbrook, IL 60062

Measurement and control equipment

Precision measurement and control equipment includes linear and rotary encoders, CNC controls, digital readout systems, and digital height gages. New models of these product types include the Manual Plus M lathe digital turning control which is equipped with an integrated drive package for controlling two axis plus spindle. New gages include the ST 12 incremental length gage from the company's SPECTO program and the MT 1201 and MT 2501 length gages from its METRO program. Sealed and exposed incremental linear scales are also available.
HEIDENHAIN Corp.Booth 4458
115 Commerce Dr.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
FAX (847) 490-3931

Flanging system

Paraflange 1090 SAE flanging system is for making leak-free tube connections of large-diameter, high- and low-pressure steel tubes without welding--in less than one minute. This system handles tube sizes from 16 to 80 mm O.D. and features a 20-second cycle time, automatic lubricator, foot pedal control with an emergency stop switch, self-opening and closing of the dies, and two die-closing buttons for operator safety. Applications include machine tool ones.

Parker HannifinTube Fittings Div.Booth D24270
3885 Gateway Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43228

Machine vision system

The F30 machine vision system incorporates a camera lens, lighting, and processor into a 3 3 3 3 6-inch assembly. This system fills the niche between high-end photoelectric sensors that cannot detect two dimensions and which require adjustments as applications and/or products change, and basic vision systems that require programming and considerable set-up time. The F30 is for inspection applications such as presence/absence, orientation, parts sorting, and detecting foreign material in objects or their packaging as they are being manufactured.
OMRON Electronics Inc.Booth D24387
1 E. Commerce Dr.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
FAX (847) 843-8081

Linear actuators

GS Series linear actuators combine a brushless servo motor with an inverted roller-screw mechanism to produce an integrated, all-electric, compact sealed linear actuator. The actuators provide continuous thrust ratings from 100 to 8,000 lbs and speeds to 40 inches/sec. Frame sizes range from 2 to 6 inches. GS actuators are available in a wide variety of stroke lengths, sizes, speeds, and mounting configurations.

EXLAR Corp.Booth D24030
1450 Park Ct.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
FAX (612) 470-6290

Match taper attachment

Match taper attachment for rolling tapered threads matches the large diameter of the thread-roll to the large diameter of the part blank, and the small diameter of the thread roll to the small diameter of the part blank, eliminating flakes or slivers. Other features include radial infeed, ease of adjustment, and equalized thread-rolling pressures--all of which help eliminate part deflection and assure thread concentricity.
C.J. Winter Machine Works Inc.Booth E12426
130 Albert St.
Rochester, NY 14606
FAX (716) 429-5095

Controller

TMC-2000 stand-alone controller can control up to 4 axes of servo and/or stepper motors and run four programs simultaneously. The controller is available with prefabricated cables that interface with the company's brushless motors and digital amplifiers. The controller integrates with factory automation systems and allows equipment designers to opt for either host-computer or stand-alone operation. TMC-2000 is for solving motion control problems.
Thomson Industries Inc.Booth D2-4269
2 Channel Dr.
Port Washington, NY 11050
FAX (516) 883-9039

Diaphragm accumulators

Diaphragm accumulators come in two types: a threaded version and a welded version. Both range in capacity from 5 inches³ to 1g, with pressure ratings to 10,000 psi. The accumulators are for industrial and mobile applications in energy storage, leakage compensation, and dampening and vehicle hydraulic systems.
HYDAC Corp.Booth 5538
Lehigh Valley Industrial Park
2280 City Line Rd.
Bethlehem, PA 18017
FAX (610) 264-9519

Linear measuring system

MONORAIL AMS linear measuring system is operated with the company's SME100 interpolation electronics unit and offers resolution of 1 mm. Standard accuracy grade is 5 mm/m with typical repeatability of ±1 mm. This system's features are the same as the prior MMS systems, and it uses semiconductor technology and space-age material in its magnetoresistive scanning head.

Schneeberger Inc.Booth D24085
11 DeAngelo Dr.
Bedford, MA 01730
FAX (781) 275-4749

Magnetic conveyor

Tuf-Trac^TM low-profile, permanent magnetic chip-and-parts conveyor has a 3-inch depth that allows it to fit under dies and at the discharge of many machine tools, where it moves small ferrous parts, stampings, punchings, slugs, and scrap to another location. The conveyor features the Tuf-Trac drive system which eliminates the need for oil in the housing, reducing maintenance requirements. Other features include a rugged steel frame, sealed bearings, stainless-steel slider plate,