Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Metal Cutting Machine Tools Market 2016-2020" report to their offering.
The analysts forecast the global metal cutting machine tools market to grow at a CAGR of 7.41% during the period 2016-2020.
Machine tools that are used in the cutting and shaping of metals and other materials today have their origin in the tools that were also developed during the Industrial Revolution. These tools are effectively used for manufacturing critical components with the utmost ease and accuracy.
Based on the mode of operation, machine tools can be either conventional or numerically controlled (NC). Machine tools include products such as machining centers, turning machines, grinding machines, and cutting machines. These tools are extensively used in various end-user industries such as automotive, aerospace, consumer durables, and electrical and electronics, die mold, healthcare, and shipbuilding.
The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global metal cutting machine tools market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the demand for metal cutting machine tools from the various end-user industries in the metal cutting machine tools market. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/global-metal-cutting-machine-tools-103600436.html
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Research and Markets: Machine Tools Market in Germany 2015-2019
Contacts
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Sector: Machine Tools
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470
For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630
For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Sector: Machine Tools
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Two new appointments at Methods Machine Tools
James Kucharski is the new national sales manager for Nakamura-Tome products; Robert Serrano as Southern California sales manager.
Sudbury, Massachusetts – Methods Machine Tools Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, has appointed James Kucharski as national sales manager for Nakamura -Tome in the U.S.
Kucharski's background in manufacturing is extensive. He has close to 25 years of experience and has held numerous product, engineering, sales, and management positions in the Swiss-turning industry.
“Jim's background in turning centers and his in-depth manufacturing knowledge make him a solid choice to represent Nakamura -Tome,” commented Richard Parenteau, director of application development/Nakamura -Tome, at Methods Machine Tools Inc. “He is a seasoned professional and his sales guidance will be invaluable."
Nakamura-Tome is the premier multi-tasking turning center manufacturer, offering more than 20 twin-spindle machine configurations. From raw stock to complete parts in one setup, Nakamura -Tome multi-tasking machines can reduce cycle times and eliminate extra operations.
New Southern California sales manager
Concurrent with the above announcement, officials from Methods Machine Tools names Robert Serrano as Southern California sales manager. Serrano's territory will be Los Angeles and San Diego. Methods has recently expanded its Southern California operation, increasing the number of sales/application engineering and service personnel by eight, and offering a full range of machine tool solutions from all Methods partner brands. Serrano has been added to the leadership team, bringing his 25 years of machine tool experience to the region.
Concurrent with the above announcement, officials from Methods Machine Tools names Robert Serrano as Southern California sales manager. Serrano's territory will be Los Angeles and San Diego. Methods has recently expanded its Southern California operation, increasing the number of sales/application engineering and service personnel by eight, and offering a full range of machine tool solutions from all Methods partner brands. Serrano has been added to the leadership team, bringing his 25 years of machine tool experience to the region.
“We are pleased to have Robert join our team,” said Fernando R. Garcia, general manager of West Coast Operations, Methods Machine Tools Inc. "His track record and experience will be a valuable asset to our region."
Prior to joining Methods, Serrano spent nine years at Tornos as the regional business sales manager for North America and Mexico. He has worked in the machine tool OEM business industry for approximately 25 years.
http://www.onlinetmd.com/medical-device-manufacturing-design-methods-machine-tools-nakamura-kucharski-serrano-71115.aspx#.Va-NGKSqqkr
Monday, March 16, 2015
Taiwan's machine tool output hit 3rd-highest in 2014
Last year, the output of the local machine tool industry totaled NT$149.4 billion (US$4.74 billion), up 15.8 percent from a year earlier and trailing only the NT$166.7 billion recorded in 2012 and the NT$163.8 billion registered in 2011, according to ministry data.
It said that as the U.S. economy -- the largest in the world -- showed signs of significant improvement, while China -- the second- largest economy -- geared up to install automation equipment for industrial production, orders placed for Taiwan's machine tools grew.
In addition, the local machine tool sector benefited from the booming global auto industry, while increased investment in Taiwan's manufacturing sector also boosted demand for locally made machine tools.
Machine tools accounted for more than 20 percent of the local machinery industry. The production value growth of the sector even beat the 10.7 percent year-on-year output growth recorded by the entire machinery industry, the MOEA statistics indicate.
The MOEA said that as demand for automation equipment from the U.S. and China remains strong and the European economy is reviving, it is possible that the local machine tool business could post NT$160 billion in production output in 2015.
In 2014, Taiwan exported a total of NT$109.1 billion-worth of machine tools, up 8.7 percent from a year earlier, the MOEA said.
China served as the largest buyer of Taiwan's machine tools last year, accounting for 32.2 percent of total outbound sales. The U.S. came second, making up 11.3 percent of the total, the data shows.
Taiwan imported NT$14.9 billion-worth of machine tools in 2014, up 11.2 percent from a year earlier, the MOEA added. Japan was the largest supplier, accounting for 51.6 percent of the total purchases, followed by Germany with 15.8 percent and China with 9.1 percent, the ministry said.
http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201503050020.aspx
Saturday, January 31, 2015
CO2 Laser Machine Tools Speed Sign Cutting
Interior plastic signs are ubiquitous in hotels, office buildings,
hospitals and other structures. These signs may seem like simple
products, but they are actually often complex assemblies of numerous
pieces. Like many other manufacturers, sign makers are continually
working to improve the quality and functionality of their products,
while also reducing manufacturing costs. Traditionally, sign fabrication
has relied mostly on mechanical machining techniques. A new breed of
smaller and more efficient laser-based machine tools now offers superior
performance and cost characteristics for many applications.
For example, CO2 laser-based machine tools are workhorse systems that are well established in numerous industries. Their combination of rugged operational simplicity, compact packaging, low operating costs and high processing power often make them the tool of choice for bringing the advantages of high-tech photonics manufacturing to both high- and low-tech (and/or low-unit-value) applications. Sign making is a standout example of this trend to extend laser manufacturing to simplify complex processes.
Sign making basics
Figure 1 shows a typical interior hotel sign. Note that the numerals and braille characters are raised. To achieve this, the numbers first are cut out as separate pieces and then glued to the main body of the sign. Sometimes signs also contain a pocket or slot that allows a piece of paper or nameplate to be inserted. Thus, a single sign can be an assembly of a variety of different plastic, metal and thin-film materials, and may be fairly complicated.
http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=57144
For example, CO2 laser-based machine tools are workhorse systems that are well established in numerous industries. Their combination of rugged operational simplicity, compact packaging, low operating costs and high processing power often make them the tool of choice for bringing the advantages of high-tech photonics manufacturing to both high- and low-tech (and/or low-unit-value) applications. Sign making is a standout example of this trend to extend laser manufacturing to simplify complex processes.
Sign making basics
Figure 1 shows a typical interior hotel sign. Note that the numerals and braille characters are raised. To achieve this, the numbers first are cut out as separate pieces and then glued to the main body of the sign. Sometimes signs also contain a pocket or slot that allows a piece of paper or nameplate to be inserted. Thus, a single sign can be an assembly of a variety of different plastic, metal and thin-film materials, and may be fairly complicated.
http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=57144
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Advanced machine tools in valve production
EDITOR'S PICK: New technologies are helping valve manufacturers meet customer demands in more cost-efficient ways.
For
decades, as the type of valves being manufactured changed, so did the
needs of manufacturers. Makers that once produced high volumes of
simple valves, today focus predominantly on low-to-medium volumes of
complex, high-precision products made from exotic materials to serve
applications from oil and gas to nuclear power.
Inflexible, single-process equipment has been replaced by advanced machine tools with multi-tasking, 5-axis, and done-in-one part processing capabilities. These agile, automated machines quickly changeover from one part family to the next, while their strength, repeatability, and precision meets current machining requirements. Most important, the advanced machine tools produce high quality valves quickly.
The most popular advanced machine tools in small-to-medium-sized valve manufacturing include multi-tasking machines configured with twin turning spindles and twin tool turrets (plus Y-axis capabilities) or with a turning spindle and a B-axis milling spindle. For larger valve processing, shops prefer multi-tasking machines that can cut big parts requiring both ID and OD work and do so in single workpiece clampings.
These machines allow shops to change over jobs in a matter of minutes instead of days. Additionally, they provide the processing flexibility to quickly adjust for varying part volumes, switch from one job to the next, and squeeze in those frequently occurring hot emergency jobs.
However, some twin-spindle/twin-turret machines go beyond the capabilities of other comparable multi-tasking machines by performing both chuck and bar work simultaneously to further increase production flexibility. For example, the Mazak Hyper Quadrex 200 MSY multi-tasking machine gives shops the ability to take on jobs that involve chucked workpiece sizes up to 13.5" in diameter and bar-fed parts from 0.25" to 2.5" in diameter, processing both cylindrical-shaped components as well as prismatic parts. And with Y-axis capabilities, the machine performs off-centerline machining and completes valve parts in single setups through multi-tasking operations – milling, turning, drilling, boring, and tapping.
Unlike similar machines, both turning spindles on the Hyper Quadrex offer equal power and speed at 5,000rpm and 30hp, as well as full C-axis CNC control for part positioning and contouring at a resolution of 0.0001°. The spindles can operate together or separately, allowing a single valve part to be machined on all surfaces through a coordinated hand-off between the two spindles, or two different valve parts can be machined simultaneously on one machine.
Additionally, the upper and lower 12-station, 24-position tool turrets accommodate fixed and rotating tools. Both turrets mill with 7.5hp rotary tool capability. These turrets can operate independently or together on the same part, creating opportunities for the machining of two features simultaneously or balanced machining strategies.
In balanced cutting operations on the Hyper Quadrex 200 MSY for example, upper and lower turret X-axes arranged in line work together on the same valve part feature as rough and finish turning, rough and finish milling, or opposed feature drilling, tapping, or boring. In cases where the part configuration permits, balanced machining significantly increases metal removal to shorten cycle times.
For valve manufacturing company Richards Industries in Cincinnati the versatility of multi-tasking machines such as the Hyper Quadrex allows the shop to quickly changeover from one part family to the next. The machine’s larger tool magazine capacities, compared with single-spindle/single-turret equipment, allow for redundant tooling that significantly reduces machine changeover times. The machine’s single-setup part-processing capability makes it possible for Richards to hold very tight tolerances and provide the highest quality parts in short turnaround times.
With the Integrex i-100S, components are not pigeonholed to one particular machine or manufacturing cell because the multi-tasking machine can, if needed, process any of the shop’s components. Changeovers on Conval’s Integrex can take less than 20 minutes – beneficial because the shop goes from one job to the next anywhere from five and eight times per day with job lot sizes varying from one to 10 pieces.
The Integrex i-100S combines the capabilities of a high-powered turning center with those of a full-function machining center. It has a second turning spindle and a lower tool turret, eliminating multiple setups, fixtures, handling, and non-cut time. As a result, job changeovers drop and part accuracy improves because workpieces do not have to travel from one machine to the next.
The machine’s milling spindle with Y-axis travel and B-axis rotation delivers full 5-axis machining capability, so shops can process round parts with secondary operations, fully prismatic parts from solid slugs or from castings (chucked or bar fed work), and highly contoured sculptured parts. At the same time, the machine’s standard 36-tool (72-tool optional) capacity contributes to shorter job changeovers.
Many valve manufacturers machine all their bonnets, bushings, and specialty internal components out of bar stock. With multi-tasking machines that handle larger diameter bar stock, valve shops can produce even more of their components that way. The Integrex i-100 BARTAC-S multi-tasking solution, for instance, employs a large 4.4" spindle bore to bring high levels of productivity to the machining of bar material up to 4" in diameter.
The machine also features two turning spindles and a milling spindle that allow for full 5-axis machining and done-in-one operations to reduce lead times and improve workpiece accuracy by eliminating multiple setups.
Mazak’s Intelligent Bar Loader System automatically feeds out material the required distance from the chuck and minimizes the bar remnant. Also, an optional chuck pressure management system automatically changes according to part programs to accommodate a wide variety of workpieces. The system maintains not only the set chuck pressure per workpiece, but also the same pressure when changing material.
As with shops that produce small-to-medium-sized valves, large-valve makers look for speed, versatility, and flexibility in their machine tools to go from one type of valve to another as quickly as possible. But, these shops tend to place more emphasis on the capability to clamp/move a part once and machine it complete – as is the case with machine tool technology like that of Mazak’s Orbitec 20 machining center and its Integrex e-1550V II multi-tasking machine.
The ideal way to generate turned features on very big cumbersome valve parts is to do so while they remain clamped and stationary and let the cutting tool move around them.
The Orbitec 20 is a standalone valve body production center that completes most valve and other large part machining operations in one clamping, while also maintaining tight tolerances. In addition, the machine can be integrated with Mazak’s horizontal machining centers and the company’s Palletech solution to form a fully automated system that provides 100% complete done-in-one valve manufacturing.
For valve bodies and other large workpieces requiring turned features, the Orbitec 20 efficiently generates phonographic finishes on flange surfaces, machines tapered bores, and performs feed-out grooving operations. It also does trepanning, internal grooving, and concave machining.
The machine’s facing head configuration is basically a circle within a circle for linearly interpolated X-axis tool movement, as opposed to a linear slide. This provides internally counterbalanced machining and less part interference – nothing is protruding beyond the rotating head – when working on larger diameters.
For large valve processing, today’s advanced multi-tasking machine technology basically fuses together the capabilities of a horizontal machining center with those of a vertical turning center. The result is a machine that performs turning and milling for done-in-one processing of big, heavy, difficult-to-handle valve components – in this case, those measuring up to 78.74" in diameter and 56.69" tall.
Available C-axis rotary machine tables make workpiece positioning and turning operations possible, while powerful and rigid milling spindles with B-axis tilt from -30° to 120° accommodate both rotating (milling) tools and static ones (inserts) for turning. An ample tool capacity of 40 tools standard (up to 348 optional with Mazak’s Tool Hive) and two-pallet changer further enhance part-processing versatility.
Meeting valve consumer demands can be tough for manufacturers such as Richards Industries, Conval, and Emerson. But with the help of advanced machine tools, many manufacturers can meet high expectations.
Inflexible, single-process equipment has been replaced by advanced machine tools with multi-tasking, 5-axis, and done-in-one part processing capabilities. These agile, automated machines quickly changeover from one part family to the next, while their strength, repeatability, and precision meets current machining requirements. Most important, the advanced machine tools produce high quality valves quickly.
The most popular advanced machine tools in small-to-medium-sized valve manufacturing include multi-tasking machines configured with twin turning spindles and twin tool turrets (plus Y-axis capabilities) or with a turning spindle and a B-axis milling spindle. For larger valve processing, shops prefer multi-tasking machines that can cut big parts requiring both ID and OD work and do so in single workpiece clampings.
Twin-spindle/twin-turret
Twin turning spindle/twin tool turret multi-tasking machines work well with medium-to-large-sized valve workpieces that require 5-axis machining. Equipped with bar feeders, these machines offer the same performance as high-volume machines can accommodate a wider range of part sizes.These machines allow shops to change over jobs in a matter of minutes instead of days. Additionally, they provide the processing flexibility to quickly adjust for varying part volumes, switch from one job to the next, and squeeze in those frequently occurring hot emergency jobs.
However, some twin-spindle/twin-turret machines go beyond the capabilities of other comparable multi-tasking machines by performing both chuck and bar work simultaneously to further increase production flexibility. For example, the Mazak Hyper Quadrex 200 MSY multi-tasking machine gives shops the ability to take on jobs that involve chucked workpiece sizes up to 13.5" in diameter and bar-fed parts from 0.25" to 2.5" in diameter, processing both cylindrical-shaped components as well as prismatic parts. And with Y-axis capabilities, the machine performs off-centerline machining and completes valve parts in single setups through multi-tasking operations – milling, turning, drilling, boring, and tapping.
Unlike similar machines, both turning spindles on the Hyper Quadrex offer equal power and speed at 5,000rpm and 30hp, as well as full C-axis CNC control for part positioning and contouring at a resolution of 0.0001°. The spindles can operate together or separately, allowing a single valve part to be machined on all surfaces through a coordinated hand-off between the two spindles, or two different valve parts can be machined simultaneously on one machine.
Additionally, the upper and lower 12-station, 24-position tool turrets accommodate fixed and rotating tools. Both turrets mill with 7.5hp rotary tool capability. These turrets can operate independently or together on the same part, creating opportunities for the machining of two features simultaneously or balanced machining strategies.
In balanced cutting operations on the Hyper Quadrex 200 MSY for example, upper and lower turret X-axes arranged in line work together on the same valve part feature as rough and finish turning, rough and finish milling, or opposed feature drilling, tapping, or boring. In cases where the part configuration permits, balanced machining significantly increases metal removal to shorten cycle times.
For valve manufacturing company Richards Industries in Cincinnati the versatility of multi-tasking machines such as the Hyper Quadrex allows the shop to quickly changeover from one part family to the next. The machine’s larger tool magazine capacities, compared with single-spindle/single-turret equipment, allow for redundant tooling that significantly reduces machine changeover times. The machine’s single-setup part-processing capability makes it possible for Richards to hold very tight tolerances and provide the highest quality parts in short turnaround times.
Turning spindle/B-axis milling
Conval Inc., a valve manufacturing company in Somers, Conn., uses a twin turning spindle/B-axis milling spindle multi-tasking machine from Mazak because it can process various part types and materials.With the Integrex i-100S, components are not pigeonholed to one particular machine or manufacturing cell because the multi-tasking machine can, if needed, process any of the shop’s components. Changeovers on Conval’s Integrex can take less than 20 minutes – beneficial because the shop goes from one job to the next anywhere from five and eight times per day with job lot sizes varying from one to 10 pieces.
The Integrex i-100S combines the capabilities of a high-powered turning center with those of a full-function machining center. It has a second turning spindle and a lower tool turret, eliminating multiple setups, fixtures, handling, and non-cut time. As a result, job changeovers drop and part accuracy improves because workpieces do not have to travel from one machine to the next.
The machine’s milling spindle with Y-axis travel and B-axis rotation delivers full 5-axis machining capability, so shops can process round parts with secondary operations, fully prismatic parts from solid slugs or from castings (chucked or bar fed work), and highly contoured sculptured parts. At the same time, the machine’s standard 36-tool (72-tool optional) capacity contributes to shorter job changeovers.
Trending toward barstock
As multi-tasking machines become more prevalent, valve makers have paired the machine with bar feeders to create standalone, self-contained automated systems that enhance output and machine utilization. Producing as many parts as possible from bar stock also helps reduce material costs – less material is machined away – especially important for valve shops working with expensive materials such as 316 stainless, F22 carbon steel, Inconel, Nitronic 50. Plus, time and manpower needed to cut and deburr blanks for each job are eliminated.Many valve manufacturers machine all their bonnets, bushings, and specialty internal components out of bar stock. With multi-tasking machines that handle larger diameter bar stock, valve shops can produce even more of their components that way. The Integrex i-100 BARTAC-S multi-tasking solution, for instance, employs a large 4.4" spindle bore to bring high levels of productivity to the machining of bar material up to 4" in diameter.
The machine also features two turning spindles and a milling spindle that allow for full 5-axis machining and done-in-one operations to reduce lead times and improve workpiece accuracy by eliminating multiple setups.
Mazak’s Intelligent Bar Loader System automatically feeds out material the required distance from the chuck and minimizes the bar remnant. Also, an optional chuck pressure management system automatically changes according to part programs to accommodate a wide variety of workpieces. The system maintains not only the set chuck pressure per workpiece, but also the same pressure when changing material.
Large valve components
Besides dealing with tough part materials, stringent testing requirements and extremely high quality standards, valve manufacturers such as Emerson Process Management, in Marshalltown, Iowa, face the added challenge of large size valve components. For instance, valve body sizes of 40" and bigger with extremely complex features and produced in low or one-off lot sizes are common for such shops.As with shops that produce small-to-medium-sized valves, large-valve makers look for speed, versatility, and flexibility in their machine tools to go from one type of valve to another as quickly as possible. But, these shops tend to place more emphasis on the capability to clamp/move a part once and machine it complete – as is the case with machine tool technology like that of Mazak’s Orbitec 20 machining center and its Integrex e-1550V II multi-tasking machine.
The ideal way to generate turned features on very big cumbersome valve parts is to do so while they remain clamped and stationary and let the cutting tool move around them.
The Orbitec 20 is a standalone valve body production center that completes most valve and other large part machining operations in one clamping, while also maintaining tight tolerances. In addition, the machine can be integrated with Mazak’s horizontal machining centers and the company’s Palletech solution to form a fully automated system that provides 100% complete done-in-one valve manufacturing.
For valve bodies and other large workpieces requiring turned features, the Orbitec 20 efficiently generates phonographic finishes on flange surfaces, machines tapered bores, and performs feed-out grooving operations. It also does trepanning, internal grooving, and concave machining.
The machine’s facing head configuration is basically a circle within a circle for linearly interpolated X-axis tool movement, as opposed to a linear slide. This provides internally counterbalanced machining and less part interference – nothing is protruding beyond the rotating head – when working on larger diameters.
For large valve processing, today’s advanced multi-tasking machine technology basically fuses together the capabilities of a horizontal machining center with those of a vertical turning center. The result is a machine that performs turning and milling for done-in-one processing of big, heavy, difficult-to-handle valve components – in this case, those measuring up to 78.74" in diameter and 56.69" tall.
Available C-axis rotary machine tables make workpiece positioning and turning operations possible, while powerful and rigid milling spindles with B-axis tilt from -30° to 120° accommodate both rotating (milling) tools and static ones (inserts) for turning. An ample tool capacity of 40 tools standard (up to 348 optional with Mazak’s Tool Hive) and two-pallet changer further enhance part-processing versatility.
Meeting valve consumer demands can be tough for manufacturers such as Richards Industries, Conval, and Emerson. But with the help of advanced machine tools, many manufacturers can meet high expectations.
http://www.onlinetes.com/advanced-machine-tools-valve-production-mazak-122714.aspx#.VKJeCfuAEM
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