The Stockpile

Sustainably produced tungsten powder

Sustainably produced tungsten powder has been qualified for processing by Wayland’s NeuBeam print process, enabling the production of hard-to-process tungsten powder to produce additive manufacturing (AM) parts in applications that require high temperature, such as those in the nuclear, aerospace, and hypersonic sectors.

NeuBeam is an e-beam powder bed fusion (PBF) process neutralizing the charge accumulation generated by the electron beam, a major limitation of traditional e-beam technologies. Eliminating the charge removes the need to pre-sinter the bed, allowing parts to be easily removed without a hardened sinter cake. The NeuBeam process produces fully dense parts in a wide range of materials not compatible with traditional e-beam or laser PBF processes.

The UniMelt production-scale microwave plasma process, which spheroidizes metal powders while controlling the chemistry and porosity of the final product, uses the microwave plasma process to manufacture many of the difficult-to-produce metal powders, including tungsten. Greater than 90% yields within the desired particle size and the ability to use scrap and revert as feedstock contribute to the process’s sustainability and commercial viability.

6K Inc.
https://www.6kinc.com

End mill holders, coolant ports

End mill and shrink fit holder coolant technology for CNC machine tools delivers the coolant, acting as a cooling agent and a cutting edge lubricant, to the cutting edges of cutting tools.

Two different types of AccuKool coolant ports are available for use with end mill holders and AccuGrip shrink-fit holders. The end mill holders have two coolant ports 180° apart, angled at the cutting tool to place the coolant into the spinning tool’s vortex. The AccuGrip shrink-fit holders have three coolant ports 120° apart, angled at the cutting edges of the cutting tool.

The Diebold JetSleeve 2.0 technology delivers coolant to the cutting edges of the cutting tool while accelerating the coolant multiple times over the normal machine coolant pressure for chips/swarf removal to extend tool life and ensure smooth machined surfaces. The JetSleeve 2.0 technology has a gold ring nozzle at the end of the Diebold shrink fit holders with tiny holes and varying angles that twist the coolant entering the vortex and increase coolant pressure for a strong coolant flow that blasts chips away from the cutting tool path and cavity when machining down into a part. The JetSleeve 2.0 is also available with the Diebold UltraJet power chucks.

Accutek
https://www.accutekusa.com

Gundrilling machine

The TechniDrill 2.00-30-48 gundrilling machine has a gundrilling diameter capacity of 2" (50.8mm) and a maximum gundrilling depth of 48" (1,219mm). The machine features a 30hp AC spindle motor and 2-speed gearbox. The workpiece is counter-rotated via pneumatically operated 3-jaw chucks for increased accuracy of the gundrilled hole.

Kays Engineering
https://www.kays-dehoff.com

Updates to NX software

The latest updates to NX software, the flagship product engineering solution from the Xcelerator portfolio, include the Sustainability Impact Analysis that puts environmental impact assessment at the center of a product’s development workflow. It delivers EN15804-based sustainability metrics from 3D design data and an artificial intelligence-driven material recommendation engine. Organizations can calculate, evaluate, and optimize the impact of design decisions and material selection based on 30-plus environmental impacts and 3D design integrated sustainability reporting.

The Performance Predictor capability in NX uses modern graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware to offer near real-time simulation results within the workhorse design tool, simulating parts in real time after applying boundary and loading conditions and materials. Results are overlaid on the 3D model and geometry editing tools can concurrently edit, simulate, and refine a design in real time.

NX’s Design Space Explorer defines and solves multi-parameter, goal-based optimization studies. Once defined, the simulation data can be reused and built upon in the Simcenter for more advanced simulation as the product progresses.

The NX’s Modeled Part Designer allows designers to create, manage, and validate modeled part design features in the context of the 3D design data within the native NX environment. The program validates the features, performs a moldability analysis, and presents the results in visual dashboards where designers can evaluate design feasibility and options in the context of multiple scenarios.

The Cloud Tool Manager uses modern web-based technology to centralize and manage tools and holders across an organization while supporting the import of tool data from vendors’ catalogs.

Siemens Digital Industries Software
https://www.siemens.com/software

Portable measuring arms

The portable 6- and 7-axis measuring arms replace the original versions introduced in 2021.

The 6-axis Freedom Arm v2 products offer full IP54 protection from water splashes and the ingress of dust and particles for reliable and repeatable 3D tactile inspection and measurement in industrial environments.

A range of 21 stainless steel-tipped probes with a stainless steel or carbon fiber body combine with updated RDS software v6.2 running on Windows to communicate with the arm via Wi-Fi or USB. The probes have a rubber seal around the mounting interface and protective caps covering the arm ODU connectors for full IP54 protection of the arm.

The 7-axis Freedom Arm v2 isn’t IP54 rated but deploys a laser scanner and a tactile probe for multi-sensor data capture. The OLED touchscreen display offers fingertip control for changing settings, viewing messages, and checking results. A CP-B battery pack with Ethernet connection allows probe and laser use in environments without Wi-Fi. Two rechargeable batteries with hot-swap capability allow unlimited continuous use on battery power.

The range of products falls into three categories, based on the level of measuring precision: Freedom Classic, Freedom Select, and Freedom Ultimate. Probing accuracy is certified to ISO 10360-12 and functionality is guaranteed up to 40°C. Probes and lasers can be hot-swapped without recalibration, and the largest 7-axis Freedom Arm v2 weighs 10.5kg for streamlined setup and repositioning. A shock-resistant carry case secures the technology during transport.

Absolute rather than incremental rotary encoders feed back the angular position of every joint to the control software, meaning the equipment can be used immediately upon start-up. Rotating, low-friction grips combine with a counterbalance system to boost accuracy and decrease user effort.

LK Metrology
https://www.lkmetrology.com

PHOTO COURTESY MITSUI SEIKI

CNC jig grinder

The high-performance J350G jig grinder offers application flexibility, accuracy, reliability, and operator-friendly function. The machine’s grinding infeed stroke is the largest available among competing machines, with a U-axis range of -3mm to +50mm relative to the spindle center. This provides the flexibility to grind small and large diameter holes, as well as multiple features, using a single wheel in a continuous, automatic mode.

The J350G’s Fanuc 31i-B control has a 15" touch panel LCD screen and is preloaded with G-MAPS conversational-style programming software. The control also permits easy manual programming via graphic icons, data entry, or conventional methods.

To maximize accuracy, the X- and Y-axis of J350G are hand scraped and incorporate needle roller bearings. Left and right slideways are V-F flat shaped, and the Y-axis (spindle head motion) is V-V shaped to maximize positioning accuracy. The machine bed consists of a thick, highly rigid casting supported by three level points, assuring consistent perpendicularity and parallelism. Built-in, custom-designed Heidenhain scales contribute to ±0.0007mm accuracy on the X-, Y- and Z-axis.

Table longitudinal travel (X-axis) is 500mm, transverse travel (Y-axis) is 300mm, and quill travel (Z-axis) is 100mm. Maximum distance from the table surface to the grinding spindle nose is 450mm. The machine’s work surface is 700mm x 350mm and permissible table load is 300kg. Table and saddle maximum rapid feed rates are 2,000mm/min and grinding feed rates are variable from 0.1mm/min to 2,000mm/min. The standard high-frequency spindle motor operates from 9,000rpm to 45,000rpm. A variety of spindle motor options include an air-turbine motor with 75,000rpm capability.

The machine’s 3m2 (2,220mm x 2,610mm) footprint is 50% smaller than that of the previous model, maximizing floor space efficiency. A standard total enclosure machine cover permits easy operator access while fully addressing safety and environmental concerns.

Mitsui Seiki
https://www.mitsuiseiki.com