Event on track to rank among top five largest IMTS events covering 1.2 million net square feet of trade show space with more than 1,800 exhibitors
If you plan to attend the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) September 10-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, wear good shoes.
To see some of the latest in new machinery, software and manufacturing product accessories, you’ll need to cover a lot of ground, some 1.2 million net sq ft, according to the latest data from IMTS organizer, The Association for Manufacturing Technology.
Shop Metalworking Technology can’t showcase all of the products and technologies on display, but we make note of a few suppliers exhibiting new, interesting or innovative technologies. Here’s a few. For a full list of exhibitors and technologies, visit IMTS online.
GF AgieCharmilles: Booth S-8754
New machines for high speed five axis machining and EDM will key highlights. The HPM 450U features a new torque rotary/tilt table for interference-free machining. The CUT 2000 wire EDM, equipped with an automatic wire changer, can accommodate wires from 0.010 in. to 0.002 in. (0.254 mm to 0.050 mm).
BLUM: Booth E-5535
A new line of tool and part probes feature a new radio-wave variant. The patent-pending BRC radio technology transmits a signal over a wide range, eliminating interference and keeping the probe in constant contact communication with the machine.
DMG: Booth S-8900
Among its machines is the MillTap 700, a new compact machining centre equipped with a high speed tool changer with a tool change time of 1.1 seconds and chip-to-chip times of less than 1.5 seconds.
Doosan: Booth S-8100 http://www.doosan.com/en/services/machine_tools.page?WT.ac=MainMenu1
New this year is the LYNX220LMSA turning centre designed with a new sub-spindle and longer bed. It can machine parts up to 9.45 in. (240 mm ) in diameter by 20.0 in ( 508 mm) long and features live tooling.
Emuge: Booth W-1536
A new tap that provides increased tool life and tapping efficiency in a range of materials. The new Rekord DZBF series taps feature Emuge chip-breaking technology that eliminates the formation of long continuous chips that commonly occur when tapping carbon steels, alloy steels and austenitic stainless steels.
Fagor: Booth E-5230
The 8065 CNC series is the latest control for four to twenty-eight axes applications. It’s capable of controlling four spindles within separate interpolation channels.
Haas: Booth S-8119
For smaller machine shops, Haas will highlight its ST-10Y Y axis turning centre with 4 in. (102 mm) of Y axis travel for off-centre milling, drilling and taping. It comes standard with high torque live tooling and is equipped with a 6.5 in. (165 mm) hydraulic three-jaw chuck and a 12-station VDI turret.
Haimer: Booth W-1464
One product being featured is Safe-Lock tool clamping. The company says it has been field-proven in a variety of applications and many cutting tool suppliers are incorporating it into their product range for roughing applications.
Heidenhain: Booth E-5224
A new control is the TNC 640, the first milling machine control by Heidenhain offered with optional turning functions. Suited for HSC and five axis machining on machines with up to 18 axes, the control enables
Hurco: Booth S-8640
The five axis VMX42SRTi machine features an embedded flush rotary table providing 3.5 in. more in the Z axis. X/Y/Z axis travels are 42/24/24 in. (1.067/610/610 mm) and the machine has a 12K spindle that comes standard. It is designed with a 40-stattion swing-arm automatic tool changer and a Hurco control that includes conversational and NC programming modes.
Iscar: Booth W-1800
For deeper and wider face grooving and turning, Iscar is showcasing an expanded range of its Minicut inserts and tools in a diameter range of 10 to 34 mm, for up to 9 mm grooving depth. The MIFR 10 inserts are screw-clamped into a long pocket of the MIFHR bars for rigid clamping and longer tool life.
Kennametal: Booth W-1522
KM4X is the next generation spindle connection from Kennametal that features three times the bending moment resistant capacity compared to other tool systems, claims the company. The combination of the KM4X system’s high clamping force and controlled interference levels lead to a robust connection, high stiffness, and restrained bending moment for greatly improved performance in titanium machining.This means shops can use their machining centres to increase speeds and feeds in difficult machining applications.
Komet: Booth W-2400
Among its product displays, Komet will showcase Bluetooth wireless technology for its MicroKom BlueFlex tool system. The technology isolates the display from the tool head, making it easier, safer and more convenient to read off the settings. When dialing-in the micro-adjustable head, the operator can affix the magnetic, external display unit anywhere within the field of view, outside of the machine tool. The illuminated screen and oversized numerals make reading easier, while the display can switch between mm and inches.
Mazak: Booth S-8300
Large machining will be one of the highlights and one machine in this category includes the Orbitec 20 for large valve manufacturing. The headstock generates turned features on large parts by keeping the workpiece clamped and stationary, only moving the cutting tool. It can perform several operations, such as generating photographic finishes on flange surfaces, cutting tapered bores, grooving and feed-out operations. It also does trepaning, threading, internal grooving, drilling and concave machining.
Mitutoyo: Booth E-5214
The new SJ-310 portable surface roughness tester offers better performance than the previous generation Sj-301 series. It comes with the same carrying case as the existing 301 series, includes a large colour LCD touch panel for high visibility and an option to choose from one of 16 display languages. It has a 16.0 mm X axis measuring range.
Peter Wolters: Booth N-7057
The Micron machines are the newest line of modular CNC grinding centres that will be showcased. They feature compact, rigid designs for creep feed, profile, and HEDG grind applications.
Sandvik Coromant: Booth W-1500
A highlight at Sandvik Coromant’s booth will be the “Smart Hub” focusing on how the tooling solutions it offers can help company improve their businesses. In addition to seeing solutions for holemaking, gear milling, automotive, energy and aerospace, visitors will also see new developments in high performance drilling products, a key focus for Sandvik Coromant in 2012. The Smart Hub will include “Discovery Express” seminars–short technical presentations on application techniques, such as effective chip thinning and pitfalls in reconditioning.
Seco: Booth W-1564
The Minimaster Plus line of end mills feature replaceable carbide inserts for tough milling in steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum and in many other alloys. Twenty-four versions of the shank are available, including square shoulder and ball nose inserts that feature through-tool coolant on all two and three-flute designs for better cooling and efficient chip removal.
Scientific Cutting Tools: Booth W-2258
The SCT Advantage toolholder is a new design for indexable boring bar technology that puts extra material where needed for strength and chip control. Specially designed chip control inserts with ground-in chip breakers make internal boring operations easier.
TRUMPF: Booth N-6223
The TruMark 5020 fiber laser marker’s scanner module can convert pulse frequencies of up to 1 megahertz into a correspondingly high processing speed. The pulse duration can be adjusted so that laser processing is adapted to the application.
Tungaloy: Booth 1654
GTGN inserts are new series for shallow grooving that feature three cutting edges for accurate and cost effective grooving of small parts. The inserts feature Tungaloy’s SH730 OTi,AI)N PVD coated, micro-grain grade, which provides excellent chipping and welding resistance, according to the company.
Walter: Booth W-1700
Among its product line is the first indexable grooving and cutoff inserts with the new Tiger-tec Silver PVD aluminum oxide coating. They feature increased high temperature wear resistance with no compromise in toughness.
