IMTS 2016 Preview

About the Event
The 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) marks the 31st edition of the event which will take place September 12-17, 2016, at McCormick Place in Chicago. More than 2,000 companies will occupy 1.3 million net square feet of exhibit space, attracting more than 114,000 buyers and sellers from over 112 countries.

Pavilions
To help guide attendees to booths quickly and easily, exhibits are organized in pavilions that 
are geared toward specific industries, technologies and solutions.

Attendees

Manufacturing industry professionals from all over the world attend IMTS to see more than 15,000 new machine tools, controls, computers, software, components, systems and processes that can improve their efficiency.  

IMTS Conference
The IMTS Conference brings the industry together to discuss new opportunities. Attendees network with a community of industry peers and explore fresh ideas to enhance their businesses. They leave with different perspectives on overcoming day-to-day and long-range challenges. Complementing the metalworking solutions that you’ll see at IMTS are five additional co-located shows:
  • Industrial Automation North America      • Motion Drive & Automation North America
  • Surface North America          • ComVac North America
  • Industrial Supply North America

TRAM (Trends in Advanced Machining, Manufacturing and Materials) 
The TRAM aerospace conference aims to educate manufacturing professionals on innovations in the aerospace sector that can make their process more efficient and more profitable. Bringing together industry, academia and research centers, TRAM offers attendees unique insights into advanced manufacturing technologies. Produced by Gardner Business Media. 
Wednesday – Thursday, September 14-15, 2016
Location: SKY Ballroom B (Room W375-B)
Cost: $650 Advance / $725 Standard (Advance pricing through August 12, 2016, package pricing also available)

TRAM Conference Contact: 
Gardner Business Media, Inc. 
Dave Necessary 
DNecessary@gardnerweb.com
513-527-8800

Additive Manufacturing Conference
Experience state-of-the-art uses of additive technologies for making functional components and 
end use production parts. The Additive Manufacturing Conference covers processes, applications 
and materials, and give you practical knowledge on how to implement them in your facility.
Tuesday – Wednesday, September 13-14, 2016
Location: SKY Ballroom B (Room W375-B)
Cost: $650 Advance / $725 Standard (Advance pricing through August 12, 2016, package pricing also available)

Additive Manufacturing and TRAM Combo Conference

Advance Pricing: $1,170 / Standard Pricing: $1,305
  • Includes access to Additive Manufacturing Conference (Sept. 13 & 14)
  • Includes access to TRAM Conference (Sept. 14 & 15)
  • Includes access to IMTS exhibit floor for all six days
*Advance Pricing valid through August 12, 2016 — Standard Pricing will apply after that date.

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IMTS 2016 FAST FACTS:

When:   September 12-17, 2016
Where:  McCormick Place
              2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
              Chicago, IL 60616 
              Phone: 1-703-827-5283
Sponsor: 
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
Building Hours: 
   East and West Buildings:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
   North, C Hall and South Buildings: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Visit IMTS.com for registration info

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ON DISPLAY

BLM Group USA—Booth S-8470

 

BLM will showcase its BC80 end-machining center and CM602 automatic sawing machine.

The company will also address myriad options for tube processing including laser tube and flat sheet cutting, electric tube benders and wire benders. The company provides machines to a variety of industries such as aerospace, automotive, fitness, recreation and oil and gas.

The BC80 is a highly productive and completely automated CNC end-machining center ideal for cut-to-length, chamfering, facing and part measurement for round-the-clock production of bushings up to 3.15” diameter and lengths from 0.4 to 13.75”.

The CM602 is suitable for cutting short and medium length steel, copper, brass and aluminum tubes, solid bars and profiles. The cutting head is positioned at 45 degrees to the tube surface and its linear movement across the tube provides a uniform load on the blade resulting in less noise, less scrap and longer blade life. The CM602 can handle tube and bar up to 4” diameter depending on material, and runs at up to 5000 rpm cutting speed. blmgroup.com

Norton | Saint-Gobain—Booth N-7051

Norton Abrasives

Saint-Gobain Abrasives has launched a new line of centerless grinding wheels. The Norton Century45™ centerless bond platform features an exclusive chemistry that improves grain retention in the wheel. Better grain retention means wheels are constructed with more porosity for a given hardness. This translates into wheels having a hard grade with the performance of a softer grade, providing a range of benefits.

Norton Century45 is ideal for bar grinding, fastener and tool grinding, automotive or aerospace components, as well as bearing applications. nortonindustrial.com

Mazak—Booth S-8300

Mazak Corp.

Mazak will unveil its new VARIAXIS i-800T multi-tasking machine developed specifically to enhance milling operations and boost productivity, especially for those manufacturers in the aerospace industry. With full 5-axis milling and turning capabilities along with integrated liquid nitrogen cryogenics technology, the machine not only delivers high processing efficiency for complex aerospace components, but also prevents the detrimental white layers typically generated when machining those parts from tough materials such as titanium, nickel, Invar and other exotics

Along with the VARIAXIS i-800T, Mazak will showcase a host of new developments in full digital factory integration, smart technology and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity as well as other new machining and automation systems. mazak.com

Mitsubishi Electric Automation—Booth E-4102

Mitsubishi Electric Automation

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. will exhibit its new M8 Series CNC controls and e-F@ctory enterprise connectivity solution for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

The M8 Series control platform is designed to address the need for a fast, precise and affordable CNC system for complex machining applications. The M800 is a high-grade CNC designed for high-speed, high-accuracy machining and multi-axis, multi-part system control and features a fast CNC, while the M80 provides high productivity and easy operability. Both offer a 19” capacitive touch screen with icon-based navigation for easy, intuitive, smartphone-like operation.

The new MDS-E/EJ/EM servo and spindle drives that accompany the controller have their own dedicated processors. The servo system provides ultra-smooth rotation and ideal acceleration/deceleration capabilities that are optimized for precision machine tool applications. The Drive system also has built–in safety features, reducing the amount of required wiring.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation will also be demonstrating how e-F@ctory technologies extract hidden benefits from existing resources through integrated automation. e-F@ctory technologies provide edge data processing, data integration and connectivity to IT systems and visualization and analytics. us.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/en

Dürr Ecoclean—Booth NC-276

Durr Ecoclean Filderstadt Division NA

Dürr Ecoclean’s EcoCCore solvent-based parts cleaning system is designed to improve cleaning performance, process reliability and cost savings. The system uses a preliminary vapor degreasing process, which directs oil-rich solvent into the distillation system rather than the flood tank. This minimizes oil deposits in the flood tank and saturation of the solvent.

 

The system also enables the use of ultrasonic and filtration simultaneously. With this feature, particles are removed from the work chamber throughout the process instead of settling at the bottom of the work chamber before being filtered. The machine’s pumps are equipped with variable-frequency drive units, and control the volumetric flow rate so that the ultrasonic system can exert its full effect.  A gentle operating mode prevents sensitive parts from being dropped or displaced during start-up or handling operations. durr-ecoclean.com

EMAG—Booth N-6834

EMAG will present its family of turning centers, gear generation machines, grinding, milling, vertical turning and boring equipment, plus advanced electro-chemical and laser welding machines, as well as heat treatment.

The VL 4 is a modular vertical lathe with integrated automation, designed for maximum production at low cost per piece with a small footprint. A pick-up spindle moves in the X- and Z-axes with 12 driven tools on a turret to cut and index parts up to 200mm (7.87”) in the shortest time possible. The pass-thru rotary conveyor keeps blanks incoming and machined parts outgoing. Machines can be equipped with a Y-axis for more complex geometries.

The VM 9 combines turning, milling and drilling into a single machine for large part production. With the workpiece spindle in the bottom of the cutting theatre, the VM 9 offers a turning diameter of 450mm (17.71”), max. workpiece height of 300mm (11.81”) and max. workpiece weight to 300kg (660 lbs).

The VT 2-4 performs dual-sided shaft machining in high-production mode with dual 11-position tool turrets for fixed or driven tools. Workpieces to 200mm dia. (7.87”) and 630mm length (24.80”).

The EMAG booth will also feature a blisk (bladed disk) display to demonstrate the precision electro-chemical machining (PECM) technology now offered to the aerospace, pump and power generation markets.

In depth, technical videos will be shown at the booth to present some of the other technologies available, including laser welding technology. emag.com

Seco Tools—Booth W-1564

Seco Tools Inc.

Seco Tools’ Engineered Solutions Square T4-12 line of square-shoulder and helical milling cutters features larger insert sizes and enables manufacturers to achieve increased depths of cut and higher metal-removal rates when roughing and semi-finishing steel, cast iron and other workpiece materials. The inserts are equipped with four curved cutting edges that are designed to lower tooling cost-per-part and ensure smooth machining operations. They mount tangentially in the cutter bodies to increase performance stability and ease access to their mounting screws. This mounting design directs cutting forces to the thickest part of the inserts, which is said to contribute to their higher metal-removal capability.

Cutter diameters for the square-shoulder inserts range from 1" to 5" (25 to 125 mm), with corner radii as large as 0.125" (3.1 mm). Diameters for the helical inserts range from 2" to 4" (50 to 100 mm), with corner radii as large as 0.125" (3.1 mm). The inserts are also available in a wide selection of grades and geometries as well as in normal and close-pitch versions, the company says.

Seco will also display the Highfeed 6 milling cutter, Niagra Stabilzer 2.0 end mill, PCBN insert series, and TK1501 and TK0501 grades. secotools.com

Walter—Booth W-1700

WALTER USA, Inc.

Highlights of the exhibit will include the Walter M4000 program which uses an innovative insert system that has a single, basic shape compatibility with every M4000 body. The inserts can be used in all tools within the M4000 range to reduce tool and storage costs. Standard cutter styles include high-feed, end, chamfer, T-slot and helical mills.

Also on display will be line extensions of its DC170, a new type of solid carbide, internally cooled drill for ISO-P and ISO-K materials.

A new high-end, TC142 blind hole tap from Walter will be showcased. The family of TC142 blind hole taps are precisely designed for machining stainless steels, ISO M materials, to a depth of 3 x Dn.

Tiger·tec Silver PVD aluminum oxide coated inserts are designed for the efficient machining of stainless steel, high temperature alloys and other materials with difficult-to-machine properties. The new WSM10S, WSM20S and WSM30S grades are paired with three new positive insert geometries for finish ing to roughing applications. walter-tools.com

Doosan Machine Tools America—Booth S-9100

Doosan Machine Tools

Doosan’s DNM series of vertical machining centers will be demonstrated. This new series is the third generation of this particular VMC line and is comprised of three machines, the DNM 4500, 5700, and 6700, stepped up in size and capacity. In general the series offers larger cutting space by six percent, bigger table sizes by 14 percent and heavier loads by 25 percent while maintaining the same overall footprint as the previous generation.

The new DNM series features direct-coupled, thru-coolant type spindles as standard, providing 8,000 rpm (15/11 kW) and 12,000 rpm (18.5/11 kW). Vibration and noise are reduced during high-speed operations and thermal displacement is also improved. The direct drive spindles also contribute to faster accel/decel rates and tool change times have also been optimized to reduce non-cutting time. Tool storage ranges from 30 up to 60 stations. Additionally, the thru-the-spindle coolant design keeps the coolant exactly where it needs to be–at the tool tip–and machine operators do not have to keep adjusting and monitoring coolant nozzles.

The standard easy operation package (EOP), developed by Doosan, provides numerous functions designed for expedient operation via pop-up windows and “hot keys”. For example, adaptive federate control, tool management, tool load monitoring, table setup and tool changer recovery are among the several convenient choices.

The DNM series also comes standard with a Renishaw OMI-2T optical probe interface. Easy operation of the feature is offered through a Renishaw/Doosan designed GUI. doosanmachinetools.com

Autodesk—Booth E-3222

Autodesk, Inc.

Visitors will see recent developments in automation for five-axis machining, intelligent manufacturing systems and inspection.

New CAM software algorithms in PowerMILL have made programming five-axis mills easier, including digitally verifying the code for safety once programmed. PowerMILL can undertake complete verification of a project for machine-tool issues such as collisions, rather than having to undertake verification of each individual toolpath in turn. Comprehensive verification is performed, including ensuring that the machine tool is capable of running the proposed strategy, as well as checking for both machine-tool collisions and tooling collisions, during cutting moves and for all leads and links, including machine-tool movements as tool changes are executed. A detailed list is generated of any problems found so that these can be fixed on a case-by-case basis.

The latest release of PowerINSPECT includes automatic feature extraction for point-cloud batch inspection, easier navigation of the history tree, better control over RPS alignments and new options for collision checking. autodesk.com

 

Okuma—Booth S-8500

Okuma America Corporation

Okuma’s Genos M560-VA-HC VMC combines a high column design and CAT 40 Big-Plus spindle to cut large, complex parts. The larger work envelope minimizes restrictions on workpieces, tool lengths and the rotary table. A rigid, thermally-stable, double-column construction enables the CNC machine to withstand thermal deformation to promote improved machining performance.

The machine features a maximum machining volume of 1,050 × 560 × 460 mm (41.34" × 22.05" × 18.11") and a table size of 560 × 1300 mm (22.05" × 51.18"). The maximum load capacity is 900 kg (1,980 lbs). The X- and Y-axis rapid traverse speeds are 40 m/min. (1,575 ipm) while the Z-axis rapid traverse speed is 32 m/min. (1,262 ipm). The machine is equipped with an ATC magazine capacity of 32 tools and features a spindle speed of 15,000 rpm.

The machine comes standard with the company’s thermal deformation compensation technology. Pretension ballscrews and bi-directional spindle cooling are designed to enable better control of the machining process. Optional Collision Avoidance and Machining Navi Intelligent technologies are available. okuma.com

DMG MORI—Booth S-8900

DMG MORI

DMG MORI’s Ultrasonic 20 linear machining center features expanded ultrasonic technology and machine construction, as well as improved performance designed to enhance its technical edge.

Spindle speeds range to 60,000 rpm and the Celos control is equipped with apps developed specifically for the series. The machining center is applicable for users in the optical, clock and watch, medical and high-precision mold construction sectors.

Other features include a digitally-controlled ultrasonic generator, as well as utrasonic actuators with enhanced performance. The toolholders with adapted actuator technology are changed into the milling spindle automatically. Each of these holders contains piezo elements, which are activated by a program-controlled inductive system with a frequency of 20 to 50 kHz. Tool rotation is superimposed with an additional tool movement in the longitudinal direction so that a defined amplitude, which can be programmed in the NC-program, ranging to 10 microns is generated on the cutting edge of the tool or on the grinding layer.

Oscillating contact interruption is said to result in improved lubrication and cooling of the cutting edge as well as increased removal of particles from the active zone. This enables longer tool service life and surface qualities ranging to Ra < 0.1 microns for hard-brittle, high-performance materials such as glass, ceramics and other materials that are difficult to machine such as hard metal or 
fiber composites. us.dmgmori.com

Renishaw—Booth E-5509

Renishaw Inc.

Renishaw’s probing software package is designed to automatically optimize on-machine measurement cycles to minimize cycle time and maximize productivity. The Inspection Plus with SupaTouch software features an easy-to-use optimization process that is designed to automatically determine and select the machine tool’s highest feed rates while maintaining measurement accuracy. The probing software uses in-cycle decision making to implement either a one- or two-touch probing strategy for each measurement routine and is said to eliminate the need for manual optimization of on-machine positioning feed rates, measurement feed rates and strategies. Compared with traditional software cycles, the software is said to provide a cycle time reduction ranging to 60 percent on CNC machine tools.

The software detects any measurements taken during machine acceleration or deceleration phases and compensates for errors by taking corrective action and re-measuring. It also introduces a calibration process that improves measurement repeatability in all directions and improves the accuracy of probe positioning during multi-axis vector moves. Renishaw.com

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence—Booth E-5202

Hexagon Metrology, Inc.

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence introduces the Romer Absolute Arm portable coordinate measuring machine (PCMM) product line with the addition of the 77 series. The series is designed to provide high accuracy for precision 3D measurement applications in safety-critical industries such as aerospace, defense, medical and more. According to the company, the PCMM achieves nearly a 20 percent improvement in scanning accuracy and a 15 percent improvement in touch-probe measurement accuracy over the 75 Series. It is available in five sizes ranging from 2.5 m to 4.5 m measuring volumes. The standard 3,000 N magnetic base offers mounting options for various applications and part sizes. hexagonmi.com

Sumitomo—Booth W-2422

Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc.

Featuring Sumitomo’s own Absotech Platinum CVD Coating, combined with a newly developed tough carbide substrate, the AC8025P grade for steel turning provides ideal cutting edge chipping resistance and adhesion resistance. A smooth surface treatment improves adhesion resistance along the ridgeline of the cutting edge. When machining low-carbon steel, rolled steel and other materials prone to adhesion, where problems such as peeling or chipping of the coating layer at the cutting edge, deterioration of the surface finish and reduced tool life may occur, the AC8025P increases tool life stability, according to the company. sumicarbide.com

Big Kaiser—Booth W-1600

BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc.

Big Kaiser will introduce the EWD EVO, a digital boring head designed with a single goal in mind—making the life of an operator as easy as possible. It will be synched with Big Kaiser’s smartphone and tablet app, which was developed to enhance user friendliness while assembling and running boring tools. Not only will users be able to read the cutting diameter change, but the app will also help operators determine optimal cutting parameters from their tool assemblies. The app will also log historical adjustments for all tools ever synched with it, a critical piece for shops joining the smart manufacturing movement. us.bigkaiser.com

Mitutoyo—Booths E-5215, NC-728

Mitutoyo America Corporation

Mitutoyo’s Quick Vision Active series is a CNC vision measuring system with functionality to meet many contact and noncontact measuring needs. The system offers a wide field of view with interchangeable objective zoom lenses to measure small and large features. The eight-step zoom lens is designed for a magnification range of 0.5X to 7X while maintaining crisp image quality, according to the company. The 1X optional objective lens achieves a magnification range of 0.5X to 3.5X with a working distance of 74 mm; the 2X option can achieve a magnification range of 1X to 7X. QVPAK 3D vision software uses edge detection and pattern recognition to locate and orientate the coordinate system with minimal operator input, said to ensure measurement accuracy and repeatability.

Other features include a programmable LED stage, coaxial light and four-quadrant LED ring light, high-speed autofocus, high-resolution and high-speed color USB camera and retrofittable touch-probe. mitutoyo.com

 

Trumpf—Booth N-6223

Trumpf Inc.

Trumpf’s TruLaser Robot 5020 provides an easy, cost-effective entry into laser welding for applications ranging from sheet metal parts to bent profiles as well as 3D geometries commonly produced on milling centers. Designed for both high-volume and high-mix environments and provides the quality, strength and speed that laser welding offers in a ready-made, off-the-shelf solution.

The machine shares a laser source via the company’s LaserNetwork, enabling as many as four different machines to use the laser source through optimized delivery of the beam. With this capability, the company says, the machine provides a flexible and cost-effective entry into laser welding while shortening the payback period for other machines on the network.

Once the part is selected and the clamping unit set, a highly productive manufacturing process is the essential next step. With the optional TeachLine control, the TruLaser Robot 5020 automatically ensures the travel path of the robot correctly corresponds to the weld seam of the part, making quick changeover between parts easy and reliable. Options for manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic fixture tables enable productive means for presenting the part for welding and to make a better part at a lower cost. us.trumpf.com

Schunk—Booth W-2000

SCHUNK Inc.

Schunk will exhibit the Rota NCX, a power lathe chuck with quick jaw-change system. The chuck is designed to reduce setup and changeover time, and is available in sizes ranging from 165 to 315 mm. The jaw set can be changed out with a repeat accuracy of 0.02 mm, the company says, and is said to decrease setup time by as much as 80 percent.

The chuck features a large through-hole and has been optimized with reduced weight in order to preserve bearing lifetime and the efficiency of the machine. The chuck can be integrated with machines that are equipped with short stroke cylinders. According to the company, the product can replace conventional lathe chucks while still retaining the internal parts of the existing chuck such as the same draw tube adapter, adapter plate and retaining ring. us.schunk.com

Marposs—Booths 5516, S-8719

Marposs Corp.

Marposs will introduce its latest generation Optoquick flexible, precision shop-floor shaft measuring system. The system utilizes non-contact optical scanning to provide rapid and accurate measurements while the part is rotating. Optional contact probes offering high accuracy multi-axis scanning add further versatility, enabling the Optoquick system to easily solve the most demanding measuring and inspection tasks.

The Optoquick system is designed and built to operate on the shop floor. Dynamic temperature compensation is provided. It features user-friendly SPC software with intuitive measurement result presentation, visual auto-diagnosis notification and capability for multi-format data exportation.

Two models and a total of five sizes of the Optoquick unit are available to accommodate a wide range of part sizes and characteristics. The system can handle parts up to 200mm diameter x 1200mm long with a weight up to 30kg. Depending upon the model, the Optoquick unit can be manually or automatically loaded. marposs.com

Sandvik Coromant—Booth NC-509

Sandvik Coromant Co.

Sandvik Coromant’s CoroTurn 300 is designed to increase component quality, handling efficiency and tool life in high-volume OD steel turning applications that require longitudinal and face-turning operations. The tool features stable insert clamping through the iLock interface. The system locks the insert in place to prevent cutting forces from affecting the tool position. iLock provides tool accuracy within ±0.05 mm (0.002"), giving the operator indexing repeatability for a better surface finish and increased tool life.

The CoroTurn 300 features eight-edge inserts with 80-degree cutting edges, which are available in GC4325 and GC4315 grades. The inserts feature Inveio coating, a uni-directional crystal orientation to increase wear resistance and tool life. According to the company, the design features excellent chip-breaking capabilities and less carbide per edge, which reduces environmental impacts and produces less waste.

The tool offers additional chip-breaking capabilities through high-precision over- and under-coolant. Coolant from above controls chip breaking for secure machining while under-coolant controls the temperature for extended tool life. The tool is also equipped with Coromant Capto interface in a variety of sizes, and Quick Start shanks, which enable quick tool changes and coolant connections to increase efficiency. sandvik.coromant.com

Mahr Federal—Booth E-5614

Mahr Inc.

Mahr will feature the MarShaft SCOPE 250 plus, the new MarShaft Scope 600 plus 3D, and the MarGear GMX. Also on display will be several custom gaging solutions developed by the MarSolutions Engineered Metrology Team.

The MarShaft™ SCOPE 600 plus 3D will also make its debut appearance. Combining optical and touch sensors in the same unit, the MarShaft SCOPE 600 plus provides 3D functionality and complete inspection of the workpiece in a single measurement. In a matter of seconds, the matrix camera optically measures characteristics such as diameter, length, radius, shape, location characteristics, etc., while a new 2D sensor detects features that are not optically measurable, such as cam lift on concave cam profiles and reference (clocking) features such as holes or keyways. mahr.com

Iscar—Booth W-1800

Iscar Metals, Inc.

Iscar’s Deca IQ Thread is a 5/8" round insert with five double-sided corners, providing 10 functional cutting edges. The line is designed to boost production, raise quality and reduce costs.

The insert features a positive, free-cutting geometry and is designed to promote accurate edge location and repeatability after corner indexing. The IC908-grade insert can be used in a variety of materials. The toolholders feature coolant channels designed for use with conventional and high-pressure coolant ability.

The coolant channels of the tools feature outlets that are close to the cutting edge, enabling shorter machining time, longer tool life, improved chip control, effective cooling-down of the cutting edge and a more stable process, the company says.

Toolholders are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 0.5" to 1" (12 to 25 mm) to accommodate standard CNC machines. The front edge of the insert is parallel to the front edge of the toolholder, making it well suited for Swiss machining. According to the company, this enables the threading operation to get closer to the guide bushing, resulting in less vibration and better finishes. The smaller toolholders are also ported in three different locations to accommodate various coolant connections. iscarmetals.com

Mitsui Seiki USA—Booth S-8519

Mitsui Seiki (USA) Inc.

The Vertex 55X-H “hybrid” technology will be demonstrated. The basic concept of the Vertex 55X-H combines a precision-built traditional CNC vertical machining center with a spindle-adapted laser DED (Direct Energy Deposition) / powder feed nozzle. The nozzle loads into the tool changer like any conventional tool and is changed automatically via the CNC program prompts, a milling/drilling tool replaces it and aspects of the workpiece can be machined conventionally, including internal features. For example, perhaps surface work needs to be machined before the next layer of material is added. Or, the workpiece can be printed to completion and then subsequent machining operations can be accomplished. mitsuiseiki.com/imts2016

Chevalier Machinery—Booth #S-8986

Chevalier Machinery Inc.

Chevalier Machinery will exhibit its new QP5X-400, a high-speed VMC featuring five-axis simultaneous or 4+1 axis positioning applications.

The standard version is equipped with a two-axis, 12.6" rotary trunnion table, with a table load of 220 lbs. and an A-axis accuracy rate of ±10". The maximum workpiece dimension is 15.7" in width and length by 13.7" in height. The machine features X, Y, Z axis travels of 20.5" × 15.8" × 15".

The spindle includes a large-diameter, Big-Plus spindle design that uses four-piece, P4-class, high-precision angular-contact ball bearings to increase spindle rigidity and maintain a degree of accuracy during high-speed machining. chevalierusa.com

Heller—Booth S-9174

Heller Machine Tools

Heller Machine Tools will exhibit several options for productive 5-axis machining, centered on productivity and process dependability with a goal of establishing new standards in terms of universality, flexibility and absolute precision, according to the company. With its C head, available in several machine models, a fifth axis provided by the tool forms the basis for achieving maximum process dependability. heller-us.com 

Hurco—Booth S-8319

Hurco Companies, Inc.

Hurco will bring the spirit of Indianapolis, the location of the company’s worldwide headquarters, to McCormick Place. Since Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis 500, Hurco created a scaled down version of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, complete with a blimp and leaderboard, for their booth where show attendees can race RC IndyCars. Attendees can check Hurco’s website to see what hours open racing will take place and/or to register for a spot to race competitively. Prizes will also be announced on the website.

“With all of the hype that surrounded the 100th Running of the Indy 500 this past May, we decided to use IMTS not only to showcase our CNC machines and control technology, but to showcase our home and bring the excitement of IndyCar to the show,” says Maggie Smith, Hurco marketing manager. hurco.com/IMTS

Röhm Products of America—Booth W-2528

Röhm will present a wide range of work holding innovations. Among the products on display will be the DURO-TA XT key bar chuck. Röhm engineered this manual chuck with weight reduction, workpiece accessibility and application flexibility in mind. The DURO-TA XT features extended and easily detachable guideways that allow for an unmatched clamping range and the quick conversion between small and large workpieces. Additionally, through the direct mount on the base body, these guideways provide high rigidity, stability and protection against dirt and dust.

Also on display will be the Power-Grip modular, zero-point clamping system. A user-friendly palletization system, Power-Grip reduces both the number of setups required per part, and allows set up to take place outside of the machine, thus eliminating downtime due to workpiece clamping.

Application specialists will be on hand to show how Röhm’s workholding and automation technology can help increase productivity through lights-out and just-in-time manufacturing.rohm-products.com

Methods Machine Tools—Booth S-9119

Methods Machine Tools Inc.

Methods Machine Tools offers the extended-travel 700 series VisionGauge digital comparator from VisionX. The machine features a 24" × 24" × 24" envelope, in addition to tilt and rotary axes based in a trunnion configuration (available in vertical and horizontal), which can accommodate part weights ranging up to 100 lbs. According to the company, the extended-travel configuration is well-suited for large and heavy parts such as those found in the industrial gas turbine industry.

The original 700 Series VisionGauge has a 12" × 12" × 12" envelope in addition to a tilt and rotary stage assembly that is mounted in a cantilever configuration. The company says this is designed for inspecting smaller, lightweight parts such as blades, vanes and heat shields in the aerospace industry.

The company says the comparators are a fully-digital drop-in replacement for traditional optical comparators and work directly with a part's CAD data without requiring any overlays or templates. The comparators can be setup to automatically collect complete electronic documentation and device history for SPC and quality compliance purposes. They also enable users to automatically compare a part to its CAD data in real-time. Systems are Windows-based and delivered in a rolling cart for shopfloor mobility. methodsmachine.com

SLM Solutions—Booth N-71

SLM Solutions will feature the SLM 280HL metal additive manufacturing system, their mid-range machine with a build envelope of 280 x 280 x 350 mm. As with all SLM Solutions machines, the SLM 280HL features the patented bi-directional re-coater. Alone by laying fresh powder on the build plate in both directions, as opposed to coating in one direction and then returning to a “home” position, build times can be reduced by 30 percent. Additionally, multiple laser configurations including twin 400W or dual lasers of 400W and 1000W also increase build speeds compared to single laser options.

For more information on Selective Laser Melting (SLM), its advantages over DMLS and other additive manufacturing processes, stop by booth N-71 for a live demo. slm-solutions.us

Kuka Robotics—Booth N-6200

Kuka Robotics Corp.

Kuka offers a series of high-performance, compact robots in the low-payload category. The KR Cybertech nano series features a payload range of 6 to 10 kg and is designed to replace the previous Kuka types KR 5, KR 6-2 and KR 5 Arc.

The streamlined, jointed-arm robot series features a long reach with smooth and sensitive motion characteristics on path and positioning, enabling it to perform in confined spaces, the company says. The series consists of two product families: the KR Cybertech nano for handling and assembly of small components and the KR Cybertech Arc nano for use in welding applications. Both families are available in different payload variants. The KR Cybertech nano features a 6, 8 and 10 kg payload capacity with a reach of 1,820, 1,620 and 1,420 mm respectively. The KR Cybertech Arc nano features 6 and 8 kg payload capacities with a reach of 1,820 and 1,620 or 1,420 mm. kuka-robotics.com