Southwest Manufacturing News • July 2016

S W SW SOUTHWEST Vol. 51 No. 7 M ANUFACTURING N EWS Serving Since 1965 Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana & New Mexico Feature Editorial Automation/Robotics Humanoid Robot for Small Spaces AMICO has the precision and flexibility to work in small spaces. See Pg. 12 July 2016 See Online DIGITAL EDITIONS at www.mfgnewsweb.com Flexible Modular Automation ABB Acquires SVIA Automation Solutions ABB has acquired SVIA, a provider in the fast-growing market of robot au-tomation cells for machine tending. SVIA, headquartered in Jönköping, Sweden, builds automated solutions for machine tending processes, using robots to feed components to lathes and mills, and to secondary processes like assembly, wash-ing and part marking. SVIA has a portfo-lio of over 800 machine tending cell solutions that integrate robotic automa-tion to increase the productivity, flexibil-ity and quality of manufacturing. “These solutions, together with ABB’s leading position in the Internet of Things, Services and People (IoTSP), will provide a unique Continued on Page 110 Micro Manufacturing Metrology System High resolution optics provide high measurement accuracy and precision. See Page 38 GF Machining Solutions has an-nounced the System 3R TRANSFORMER, a modular automation system designed to integrate with a variety of technologies. With TRANSFORMER, manufacturers can begin by automating a single machine and then expand to include up to 12 ma-chines within the cell. A TRANSFORMER cell can accom-modate a range of machining technologies and allow components from different manufacturers to be included within the same cell. This open architecture approach is designed to allow end users to create an automation cell where each individual component decision is optimized, as op-posed to having choice constrained by compatibility. GF Machining Solutions offers a range of System 3R tooling systems that allow palletization of workpieces and electrodes of a wide range of sizes. The TRANS-FORMER system can handle all of these, as well as different tooling systems, allow-ing it to be incorporated into production systems with existing tooling systems. For flexibility, TRANSFORMER of-fers additional in-process accessories that can be integrated into a cell, including: • Multiple loading station that can be used without stopping production Continued on Page 14 SAU System Starts Welding Engineering Technology Program “The Southern Arkansas University System has developed a Welding Engi-neering Technology program that is one-of-a-kind in Arkansas, and one of only a few in the country,” said a SAU System spokesperson. The Arkansas Higher Education Co-ordinating Board approved SAU to add a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics with an option in Welding Engineering Technology. In development of this Welding Engi-neering Technology program, the SAU Continued on Page 110 Applying Technology Easy to Use CNC Control Dust Free Graphite Mills EDM Network and CHMER EDM have released their newest Dust Free Graphite Mill models HM43GT, HM65GT and HM86GT. When equipped with their exclu-sive oil shroud, these mills can machine up to 30,000 RPMs, cutting graphite with no graphite dust. The graphite particles are caught in the oil shroud where they are filtered in a replaceable 30 µm cartridge filter and the oil is re-cycled. Options for these mills include glass scales, Blum laser diameter com-pensation, Siemens and Heidenhain CNC controls and drives. Fourth and 5th axes are also available. The smaller HM43GT is equipped with a 4 kW motor and it is for graphite only. The larger HM65GT and HM86GT can be equipped with either 10 kW or 15 kW motors. With the 15 kW, the graphite mill An intuitive control increases a shop’s productivity. See Page 56 Plant Safety The SafeDESIGNER library makes setting up of safety functions easier. See Page 64 Safety Technology for Robots can ma-chine hard met-als up to 63 Rc. HSKE32, E40 and E50 tooling is available. Continued on Page 94 Racer999, the second robot in the Racer family, is a 6-axis articulated robot which has inherited all the key features of the Racer 7-1.4. With a reach of under a meter in length (999 mm), it is built for applications in a limited space including assembly, handling, machine tooling, packaging and more. Designed for a pay-load of 7 kg, the robot can carry up to 10 kg with a limited excursion of the axis 5 for high-speed pick and place. During a live demonstration the Racer999 was placed on a luminous base to demonstrate ROBOSafe technology. A green light showed that the machine is operating at maximum velocity, a yellow Continued on Page 66 Function Blocks for Safe Pressing EDM Machinery & Consumables Model CT400 is designed for metalworking, medical, aero engine and power-gen industries. See Page 92 EDM Drilling Machine Subscription Changes: To make name, address subscription changes contact: • Phone: 800-375-8488 • Fax: 817-488-7813 • E-mail: info@mfgnewsweb.com • www.mfgnewsweb.com Advertiser Index Page 85 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Gross Publications, Inc. SOUTHWEST MANUFACTURING NEWS P.O. Box 847 Grapevine, Texas 76099-0847 U.S.A. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE DALLAS, TX PERMIT 4245 PAID