Cutting Tools

Clearing Chips

by Kip Hanson Still struggling with bird nests? It might be time for a different toolholder and a different pump.

The Missing ‘Linc’

by Michael Ouellette For an Ottawa job shop with an uncertain future in the pandemic, having the right machines on the floor saved the day, and the company.

Machining Technology

Does Digital Make Sense?

by Kip hanson Weighing the pros and cons of Industry 4.0

REGO-FIX USA has partnered with tooling system manufacturer WTO GmbH to develop a line of powRgrip holders for its QuickFlex quick-change driven toolholders for live turning systems.

Héroux-Devtek wins major Boeing parts mandate

Aerospace parts manufacturer Héroux-Devtek Inc. has been awarded a multi-year contract by plane-maker Boeing to manufacture new actuation components for several commercial aircraft platforms.

Industry Update

Measure steel wire for tires, copper wire for electrical cables, CO2 welding wire and more with Aeroel Wireline laser measuring system from Marposs.

CME, NGen amp up online training to fuel recovery

Canadian manufacturers now have access to a number of training options to help master the skills necessary to manage their companies through the recovery phase of the pandemic.

Industry Update

CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd. has been awarded the National Manufacturing Leadership Award by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) for outstanding achievement in the Engineering and Production Technology Leadership category.

Actuators for robotic spot welding

Tolomatic’s Compact ServoWeld high-force actuators for seventh-axis robotic spot-welding is now designed on a compact footprint in Tolomatic’s most power-dense actuator for weld-gun designs.

Shop Tools

Platinum Tooling presents IMTS product lines in video

The cancellation of trade shows this year has left many companies scrambling to showcase their best manufacturing technology.

Videos

DMG Mori's AGV-based factory boost production 30%

DMG MORI has revolutionized the production of its monoBLOCK five-axis machining centres with a new 4,000 square-metre (43055.64 square-foot) Excellence Factory at DECKEL MAHO Pfronten.

Industry Update

In-line compressed air conveyor

EXAIR’s new 2-1/2 NPT heavy duty threaded line vac is a powerful in-line conveyor that transports high volumes of material through ordinary pipe.

Shop Tools

Seco expands its HRSA tooling lineup

Seco Tools has expanded its Secomax CW100 line of ceramic insert grades for manufacturers working with heat-resistant superalloys (HRSA).

TITANS of CNC teams up with Haimer

Haimer USA has announced a new partnership with TITANS of CNC, an organization that uplifts students, educators and the manufacturing workforce in over 170 countries.

Industry Update

Ontario gives Linamar $2.5M for ventilator production

The Province of Ontario is giving $2.5 million to Guelph, Ont.-based automotive parts maker Linamar Corp. to support the retooling of its assembly line to make ventilator components.

The K-TIG 1000 Evolve II is a unique approach to TIG welding that opens and manages a full-penetration “keyhole” through the joint.

Lincoln, PypeServer announce partnership

Lincoln Electric and PypeServer Inc. have announced a partnership under which all newly-sold MPM pipe profilers from Lincoln’s Vernon Tool division will come standard with PypeServer software.

Industry Update

Manufacturing leads August jobs rebound

Employment rose by 246,000 in August, compared with 419,000 in July, according to the latest jobs data from Statistics Canada.

Grinder with sealed cartridge-type spindle

The KAAST Machine Tools saddle- style F-Grind AH series high precision surface grinder features hardened, ground and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) coated table guideways.

Shop Tools

Motor and coupler brakes for hazardous duty

Air operated Posistop oil shear motor and coupler brakes from Force Control Industries, Inc., are ideal for severe duty applications, and when equipped with a hazardous duty valve can be used in hazardous environments.

FedDev Ontario, the federal department tasked with boosting manufacturing fims in the province, has invested $7.8 million to help three manufacturers increase productivity, capacity and create 116 skilled jobs.

The new MCR-S double column machining centre (DCMC) from Okuma America Corp., roughs and finishes press dies in one setup.

SkyDrive debuts flying car

SkyDrive Inc., a Toyota-backed company developing “urban air mobility solutions,” conducted its first public demonstration flight of the SD-03 flying car.

Videos

Canada's manufacturing recovery continues

August was another positive month overall for Canadian manufacturing’s recovery, as new orders and output both increased solidly, according to IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

Industry Update

New name signals big moves for Mate

Mate Precision Tooling is expanding it's product line to target a whole new industrial market segment, and it's getting a new company name to reflect that change.

Customize measurement configurations

Dual optical systems and touch-probe capability help the AVX550 Multi-Sensor Vision System from L.S. Starrett Co., measure parts with a diverse range of feature sizes and geometries.

Shop Tools

by Noelle Stapinsky Canada’s tool, die and mould sector has again proven its resilience in the face of an economic meltdown

Trade Shows are Virtually Essential

by Michael Ouellette

Blog

DIY welding project: Wagon

Watch Tom Patsis, owner of Cold Hard Art, combine cutting, bending and welding as he explains each step of this project using his Millermatic 211 MIG welder and Dynasty 280DX TIG welder.

Videos

Algoma Steel nabs $4M fed assistance for climate action

Algoma Steel has secured $4 million in federal funding to support the company’s climate change initiatives.

Industry Update

CWBi Acorn, Sask. Polytechnic offer free welding video series

CWBi Acorn has partnered with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to produce online lessons that cover topics in welding applications and technology to keep students’ education on track during a tumultuous school year.

Flexible robot vision

OnRobot is launching a software update for its 2.5D camera-based Eyes vision system to empower manufacturers to gain even greater productivity increases from their automation.

Shop Tools

ISCAR’s XQUAD extended flute milling cutters and inserts machine titanium, high temperature alloys and stainless steel.

CWB Association eliminates membership fees

The CWB Association is now offering memberships at no cost to anyone that wishes to join the association.

Industry Update

OPG picks 5 Canadian firms to bid on $100M dam maintenance

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has listed five Canadian companies able to bid on future repair, replacement and refurbishment work for large control gates at its hydroelectric generating stations.

Fullerton Tool Co., a solid carbide tool manufacturer, and Haimer USA have recently signed a licensing agreement for Haimer’s patented Safe-Lock anti-pullout system.

Welding cobot with 10kg payload

Add robotic welding capacity to current production with the six-axis HC10XP human-collaborative robot from Yaskawa Motoman.

Shop Tools

Automatic Feed Co.’s (AFCO) coil-fed high pressure hot water washers eliminate oil and contamination on aluminum and various metals that can cause visible part defects during the stamping process.

SPI Lasers rebrands under TRUMPF name

TRUMPF Group has announced that its TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH division will combine the business operations of SPI Lasers UK Ltd. to bring advantages in industrial applications via both disk and fiber technology and enhance customer service offerings.

Industry Update

Adam Savage gets savage threading a bolt

Watch Adam Savage of MythBuster’s fame manually machine a huge bolt from a brass blank.

Videos

100 new electronic digital micrometers

L.S. Starrett has introduced more than 100 electronic digital micrometers with new features for improved ergonomics, functionality and productivity.

Shop Tools

Turning control optimizes lathe set-up

Offering lathe machinists a new easy-to-use turning control with state-of-the-art features as standard, Heidenhain presents the highly anticipated ACU-RITE brand TURNPWR control.

EMAG Acquires CNC lathe specialist Scherer Feinbau

Machine tool manufacturer EMAG Group has acquired specialty CNC maker Scherer Feinbau, based in Alzenau, Germany.

Industry Update

by Noelle Stapinsky Will pent-up demand give a spark to the energy and resources value chain?

Skilled Labour to the Rescue

By Michael Ouellette, editor

Blog

Machining massive gears

Manufacturing has seen a whole lot of technological innovation over the years, but it's still gears that make the world go 'round.

Videos

July PMI signals fastest output increase since Q3 2018

Improving customer demand is bolstering Canada’s manufacturing sector, according to the latest report from IHS Markit.

Industry Update

New machine tool accessories catalogue

Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc., the exclusive North American importer of standard and custom Live Tools, Angle Heads, and Multiple Spindle Tools manufactured by Heimatec GmbH, has released its new catalog.

Shop Tools

The latest version of TDM Systems Global Line tool data management software now has a number of enhancements and new modules that help users reduce tooling costs and increase efficiency.

Robot dog 'Fluffy' patrols Ford transmission plant

It's a dog's life at Ford Motor Co.'s Van Dyk transmission plant in Sterling heights, Mich.

Videos

Aluminum industry shifting back to value-added as demand returns

Exports of standard commodity aluminium from Canada into the United States have decreased on a monthly basis, according to the Aluminium Association of Canada.

Industry Update

The Government of Alberta through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) has earmarked millions of dollars to fund a number of innovative projects that improve productivity and reduce emissions in the natural gas sector.

Auto-Darkening Filters for Welding Helmets

Weldcote’s auto-darkening filters feature clear, true-colour blue, high-definition technology that enhances the visible spectrum for optimal clarity and reduced eye fatigue. 

Shop Tools

Top jaws grip ID, OD or combo

Special top jaws from Dillon Manufacturing are available in configurations to grip a components ID, OD or a combination of both, to suit any workholding application.

Belt grinder with 3 horsepower motor

The Kalamazoo Industries BG448 4 x 48-inch industrial abrasive belt grinder has a three-horsepower motor with a 7200 SFPM surface speed for fast metal removal with minimal heat.

Mazak Corp. Canada will in September 2020 open a new technical centre in Edmonton, Alta.

Underwater welding a ship's hull

Welding is often hot, uncomfortable and at least a little dangerous.

Videos

Multi-purpose portable welder

The Multiprocess 201 SLM from Canaweld is a powerful, portable and intelligent welding machine.

Shop Tools

High-speed fibre laser tube cutting

The FT-150 FIBER tube-cutting laser from Mazak Optonics has been designed for high-speed cutting and reduced non-cutting process to improve cycle times for small to medium diameter tubes.

Unemployment rate drops in June after record high in May

The unemployment rate was 12.3 per cent in June, a drop of 1.4 percentage points from a record-high of 13.7 per cent in May, according to Statistics Canada’s most recent Labour Force Survey.

Industry Update

Province, CME launch Ontario Made program to boost business

The Ontario government has announced a new program it hopes will boost the order books for local businesses and combat the inconsistencies of a fractured global supply chain.

Steel maker Nucor Corp. was named a General Motors Supplier of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Multitasking turning centre

Here’s a close-up up of MAZAK’s HQR-200MSY multi-tasking turning centre as it machines an electrical connector.

Videos

Fanuc adds 5-axis to CNC training module

FANUC’s Machining Simulation for Workforce Development provides training for controls operation and part programming in a virtual environment.

Shop Tools

Low profile encoders reduce mounting time

Heidenhain’s next generation RENCO brand rotary encoders includes an upgraded R35i model and the R35iL low profile encoder, a successor to the RCML15.

Grinding software acts as analysis hub

The latest release of software maker ANCA’s CIMulator3D tool simulation software for grinding has an upgraded interface with fresh colors and icons and is even easier to use with intuitive functionality.

June PMI shows signs of turnaround

There was a glimmer of hope for the Canadian manufacturing sector in June, as June economic data pointed to signs of a turnaround in momentum, according to the latest Purchasing Managers Index from IHS Markit.

Industry Update

COVID-19 has not stopped Heinman and First to continue to forge forward.

Waterloo Brewing planning $13.4M expansion

Waterloo Brewing Ltd., Ontario's largest Canadian-owned brewery, is investing $13.4 million to meet demand. The project will include expansion of its brewing and blending capacity as well as the installation of a new can line.

Industry Update

OnRobot’s latest end-of-arm “Screwdriver” allows manufacturers to automate a wide range of assembly processes quickly, easily, and flexibly.

Mazak launches digital customer extravaganza

Mazak has launched a three-pronged holistic digital customer experience.

Industry Update

Machining Technology

The HighLight FL4000CSM-ARM fibre laser from Coherent Inc. overcomes the limitations of other joining technologies.

IMTS 2020 is cancelled

The uncertainty caused by COVID-19 has claimed yet another event. The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) has cancelled the manufacturing sector’s flagship event, The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).

Industry Update

Fronius' TeachMode in action

Is there anything more annoying than repeatedly halting your welding process to snip off some bent wire? The correct answer is: unlikely.

Videos

Lincoln Electric EVP Blankenship retires

Lincoln Electric’s Executive Vice-President and President of Americas welding segment George D. Blankenship, has retired effective May 31, 2020.

Industry Update

CWB extends welding certificates amid lockdown

Good news: if your welding certification is set to expire during the COVID-19 lockdown, there’s a good chance you will be granted an extension, and so will your consumables.

CTMA's Apprentice Awards open for nominations

The Canadian Tooling and Machining Association's (CTMA) Annual Apprentice Awards will continue in 2020, despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

Standard, modified or custom press brake tools

Mate Precision Tooling now offers modified standard and custom press brake tools (PBT) that supplement its extensive range of standard hardened and precision ground tooling.

Shop Tools

The automated, all-servo-controlled Tube and Bar Straightening System from Coldwater Machine, a Lincoln Electric Company, handles carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, copper, brass and other materials.

Ontario manufacturers keep the PPE coming

Ontario has been investing in local manufacturers in order to keep frontline workers and communities safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, and more of these innovative businesses are receiving financial support through the Ontario Together Fund to re-tool their processes and increase their capacity to make personal protective equipment (PPE).

Industry Update

Manufacturers are a focused bunch, with their attention firmly placed on producing high quality products at the best possible margins.

Seco releases new grades for stainless

Seco Tools has released new grades specifically for stainless steel turning featuring the company’s latest Duratomic and its Used-Edge Detection technology.

Shop Tools

Statistics Canada has offered up the first glimpse of the COVID-19’s economic impact on Canada’s manufacturing sector as the data agency released figures for the March Manufacturing Survey.

Tool cleaning and laser marking

Walter’s Helicheck Plus and Helicheck Pro machines from United Grinding North America now feature new modules for tool cleaning and laser marking.

Shop Tools

COVID-19 has not dented Canadians' outlook about the future or their confidence in their ability to bounce back quickly after hard times, even as the pandemic's effects on employment started to pile up, according to the results of a recent survey.

Tooling program for MRO operations

Dormer Pramet has created a special selection of cutting tools and drills aimed at the critical MRO sector.

Shop Tools

Machine large parts in a small footprint

The NTX 3000 compact turning-milling machine from DMG Mori now has the compactMASTER Turn & Mill spindle, providing maximum productivity when machining large workpieces with a footprint of just 16.5 square metres.

Chip breakers improve surface quality

Improve surface finish in long-chipping materials with Big Kaiser Precision Tooling’s two new insert chip-breakers.

No drip air-mixing nozzle

EXAIR’s 1/2 NPT no drip external mix air atomizing spray nozzles work in the same way as standard atomizing nozzles, but completely stop liquid flow when compressed air is shut off.

Machining sector mourns passing of Fritz Althoff

On April 16, 2020, the machine tool community and manufacturing sector as a whole lost an highly respected member with the passing of Fritz Althoff at the age of 86.

Industry Update

The 335.18 and 335.19 disc mill cutter bodies from Seco Tools outperform high-speed steel alternatives, especially in tough materials like sticky stainless steel, titanium and superalloys.

Manufacturing answers the call with $21M in COVID projects

Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster has invested more than $21 million in projects that will lead to the production in Canada of critically needed technologies, equipment and medical devices to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

Industry Update

Current Needs

by Noelle Stapinsky Key factors in selecting the right welding power source for your business

Welding

Building Momentum

by Noelle Stapinksy Quebec shop's robotic bending cell is just the latest in a series of automation investments

Fabricating

Printing Tools

by Kip Hanson Cutting tool manufacturers have begun to embrace a technology that some said would make their products obsolete

Cutting Tools

Optimizing Routers

by Adam Dimitroff Selecting the right router for aerospace machining

Adding Value

by Kip Hanson According to this Manitoba shop owner, the old ways of doing business are history

Machining Technology

The new Accure∙tec A3000 anti-vibration boring bar from Walter features a patented vibration damping technology for maximum precision.

A third of Canadian businesses have lost 40% of revenue: Statscan

Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce collaborated to launch the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions—a survey of more than 12,600 businesses in Canada—and the results depend greatly on industry and geography.

Industry Update

Applications for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will open on April 27, and the Canadian government has built an online calculator to help businesses estimate the amount of their wage subsidy.

Rollomatic appoints new COO for North American division

The Rollomatic Group has appointed Joe Kane as Group COO for both Rollomatic Inc and Strausak Inc. Kane will continue to hold his position as president of Strausak Inc.

Automatic Feed Co.’s coil-fed high-pressure hot water washers eliminate oil and contamination on aluminum and various metals that can cause visible part defects during the stamping process.

Words of encouragement from Titans of CNC

Titan Gilroy, master machinist and CEO of Rocklin, Calif.-based machining academy Titans of CNC, shares some words of encouragement that are especially meaningful during the uncertainty created by the global economic lockdown.

Videos

Stabilizer for tall workpieces

Big Kaiser Precision Tooling’s Unilock Stabilizer 50 system for Uniflex Ball System provides lateral support for tall parts during welding, machining or assembly processes and allows for the transfer of loads to the table or base.

Shop Tools

Tooling certificates for Mazak machines

Techniks Tool Group has established a partnership with Mazak USA to offer tooling certificates which are now available as an accessory option with new machine tools.

Burloak Technologies 3D printing face shields for COVID fight

Additive Manufacturing company Burloak Technologies, a division of Samuel, Son & Co., Ltd., has begun producing 3D printed face shields to be used by frontline medical and healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19.

Industry Update

Situated in the mountains of north-western Tanzania, the rural district of Karagwe was once an influential kingdom. While agriculture remains one of Karagwe’s key sources of income, the area also faces a major water shortage.

Soft gripper handles metal parts or delicate products

The flexible OnRobot Soft Gripper for food and beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals sectors makes it easy to process difficult to handle items such as eggs or fruit, bottles or irregular-shaped containers.

Shop Tools

Tesla makes ventilator from Model 3 parts

When the call came out for manufacturers to help produce medical equipment, many companies were quick to jump on board. But most of those companies must make ventilators using pre-existing designs, which would require competing with actual ventilator manufacturers for the parts and materials.

Videos

Employee anxiety, finances biggest Covid-19 issues: CAMM survey

Employee anxiety is the number one problem reported by respondents of the second industry survey conducted by industry associations CAMM and Automate Canada. Financial concerns and declining sales were a close second to anxiety and protection of employees.

Industry Update

Program corners and grooves with ease

Open Mind Technologies' latest version of hyperMILL 2020.1 increases ease-of-use and overall programming performance in addition to powerful 3D and five axis Machining enhancements for complex part manufacture.

Shop Tools

Ace Micromatic teams with Toyoda on high-speed machines

JTEKT Toyoda Americas Corp. and Ace Micromatic Group have formed a strategic alliance to offer a complete range of high-speed production machines to their customers. JTEKT Toyoda Americas has signed a long-term agreement to be the exclusive importer of the entire Ace Micromatic machining line.

Recession has arrived, rebound in 2nd half of the year, says CME

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters in its March economic update says the coronavirus has “pushed the world into recession” with global growth forecast to reach 0.4 per cent this year, according to CME’s chief economist Alan Arcand.

Industry Update

Federal government taps Winnipeg firm to build ventilators

A Winnipeg, Man., company that developed the Winnipeg Ventilator will be making thousands of ventilators after the Federal government selected the business via the Next Generation Manufacturing Supercluster, the organization leading Canada's Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster to help fight the spread of COVID-19.

CWB announces online training, education initiative

CWB Group has enacted plans to ensure academic progress of students isn’t affected by Canada’s national lockdown to combat the Covid-19 virus.

Online Weld Productivity Analyzer

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has updated its Quick Weld Productivity Analyzer (QWPA) so users can generate a PDF report.

Shop Tools

by Noelle Stapinsky Quebec-based Olympic track builder finds flexible efficiency with waterjet cutting technology

High Fidelity

by kip hanson Calgary job shop owner attributes his shop's rapid growth to EDM machining capabilities

Machining Technology

Assessing the Best Round Tool Concepts

by Andrei Petrilin Tips for selecting the right attributes in cutting tools

Cutting Tools

Hard Milling: Not That Hard

by Kip Hanson Still doing the “rough soft, finish hard” routine? There's a better way.

Brotherly Love

by Kip Hanson THE PROBLEM Meeting a price-conscious OEM’s high production challengeTHE SOLUTION Buy the right machine tool and engineer the heck out of the process

Machining Technology

Monitor and troubleshoot issues in welding production with the MM-410A handheld resistance weld checker from Amada Miyachi America Inc.

Drone walks dog

There's been a lot of very serious news about self quarantine lately. This is not that.

Videos

Industry events FABTECH Canada, MMTS cancelled

It’s official, and not really a surprise. FABTECH Canada and MMTS have both cancelled their 2020 trade shows and conferences because of the global coronavirus lockdown.

Industry Update

Manufacturers, Canada needs you

The federal government has put out a call to all Canadian manufacturing companies to help shore up health care supplies desperately needed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to the ever deepening COVID-19 crisis, Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Fiat Chrysler have suspended operations at all North American plants commencing March 19, 2020.

Modular TIG welding torches

Welders can customize Fronius’ welding torches for manual Tungsten Inert Gas welding (TIG) to suit the welder’s personal preferences or the welding task at hand. Their modular design offers a range of sustainable and cost-effective options.

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High feed milling cutter with upgraded stability

Walter’s Xtra·tec XT M5008, an indexable high-feed milling cutter handles high-feed-per-tooth processes with low axial depths of cut.

Double-sided indexable insert

The MU5 double-sided indexable insert from Walter USA delivers improved chip breakage and longer tool life.

Industry Update

Walter Surface Technologies buys Aerochem

Walter Surface Technologies has acquired Aerochem, a Quebec- based provider of industrial MRO solutions.

Toyoda, Ace Micromatic ink strategic partnership

JTEKT Toyoda Americas Corp. and Ace Micromatic Group have formed a strategic alliance, signing a long-term agreement to offer the complete range of ACE high-speed production machines to the North American market.

Shop Tools

The Methods MB 450U Bridge-Type machining centre from Methods Machine Tools Inc., is a Taiwanese made model that offers five axis simultaneous machining. The Fanuc 31i-MB5 control enables full five axis precision machining of challenging parts, significantly reducing the need for multiple setups.

Magellan, ABB win Moon exploration tech deals

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded seven contracts totalling $4.36 million to five manufacturing and tech companies to develop moon exploration technology.

Industry Update

The JC899 Hybrid Stack finisher and JC898 rougher from Seco Tools are ideal solutions for holemaking and milling operations in hybrid stacked materials.

OSG Canada adds to tooling lineup

OSG Canada has added two new tooling lines to its product offering.

Industry Update

by Noelle Stapinsky Industry experts weigh in on troubleshooting common challenges in pipe welding

Gaining a Competitive Edge

Combining the right tooling with new fabrication machinery will get the most bang for your investment buck

Fabricating Technology

by Kip Hanson Five tooling manufacturers weigh in on ways to stop chatter during internal turning operations

FIELD NOTES Makino V90S Five Axis VMC

supplier: SST-Canadaend user: Toolplas

Machining Technology

Kicking Virtual Tires

by Kip Hanson

Five on the Side

by Kip Hanson Considering a five axis machining centre? The choice between horizontal and vertical isn’t as clear cut as it once was

Amada's Fiber Laser Welder (FLW) achieves a high-speed, high-quality weld not possible with a conventional laser welder.

Northern Ontario college adds women's welding program

Collège Boréal, a French language post secondary institution in Kapuskasing, Ont., has announced a new 20-week welding program for Indigenous women.

Industry Update

OSG Corp.'s ADO-Micro small diameter coolant-through drill series are designed for stable, high efficiency drilling in small diameter deep hole applications.

Thread milling titanium

Watch Iscar make short work of this titanium block

Videos

Entry level 5-axis machining

Powerful technology combined with the stable duoBLOCK design make the new DMC 90 U duoBLOCK from DMG Mori an entry level alternative to start productive 5-axis simultaneous machining.

Machining Technology

Nasa picks Maxar to test in-space manufacturing

Maxar Technologies a space technology firm based in Westminster, Col., was selected by NASA to perform an in-space assembly demonstration using a lightweight robotic arm.

Ontario gives Sheridan College $550k for skills training

Sheridan’s Davis Campus has been handed $559,837 in funding from the province for its Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.

Elliott signs distribution deal with Takumi

Elliott Matsuura Canada Inc. has partnered with Takumi—a company under the Hurco umbrella—to supply machining centers in Canada.

Industry Update

H.C. Starck Solutions, a manufacturer of products based on refractory metals, has added a powder-bed fusion printing system to its growing list of additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities.

Bystronic’s FL 170 3D fiber laser tube cutting machine

Check out Bystronic's latest fiber laser tube cutting machine in action

Researchers in the UK have introduced what they say is the first ever friction stir robotic crawler for internal repair and restoration of inaccessible pipelines.

Tungaloy adds self-centering drill heads to indexable drill head line

Tungaloy’s DrillMeister indexable head drill line now includes the DMC style drill head that features a self-centering chisel edge profile in a new coating grade designed to boost indexable drilling performance.

Shop Tools

Boeing’s announcement that it is suspending production of the 737 Max will impact manufacturers in the U.S. as well as any Canadian shops who provide parts for the aircraft.

TRUMPF's connected solution for intralogistics

TRUMPF has introduced another key component of Industry 4.0 connected manufacturing with its new Track & Trace, which allows customers to determine the position of parts within a a few inches, enabling them to reduce throughput times on the shop floor and increase productivity.

Shop Tools

Ontario is investing $3 million in training to help workers upskill in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Monitoring and managing welding data

Monitoring and managing welding data with Fronius' system, WeldCube.

Videos

Automatic tool changer for dual drive press brakes

MC Machinery has introduced a new high capacity automatic tool changer for its BH series of dual drive press brakes.

Shop Tools

Amada America expands with new manufacturing site

Amada American celebrated the opening of its latest manufacturing site, a 190,000 sq ft manufacturing plant and 62,000 sq ft technical centre in High Point, NC.

Industry Update

Leandro Pereira new service manager for Bystronic Canada

Leandro Pereira has joined Bystronic Canada as the new service manager.

First indexable drill for 7xD hole depth

Sandvik Coromant has introduced the CoroDrill DS20 indexable drill that it says is the first indexable drill concept capable of producing hole depths up to 7xD.

Shop Tools

Amada's latest innovation is the Ventis-3015AJ, a fiber laser cutting machine equipped with the company's "Locus Beam Control" (LBC) technology.

Modest growth in manufacturing for Canada: PMI hits 9-month high

Canadian manufacturers signalled an improvement in their overall business conditions during November, which marked three months of sustained recovery, according to data from the IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing PMI.

Industry Update

Automated machine loading for small batch, individual parts

Schunk's Vero-S-NSE mini quick change pallet system: Automated loading and unloading is becoming more and more the standard even for small batch sizes and individual parts. The goal is to reduce set-up times and enable round-the clock production with low manpower requirements.

Videos

Flexible tool adapter system slashes changeover time

Platium Tooling Technologies' latest Heimatec development is U-tec, a patented flexible tool adapter system that allows a standard ER output live tool to accept various adapters for different applications.

Shop Tools

OSG launches new drills for deep hole drilling

OSG has launched ADO-40D and 50D coolant-through carbide drills for deep hole drilling applications.

Toyota Canada invests in STEM education

Toyota Canada Foundation has announced a $150,000 investment in STEM education for youth.

Industry Update

Mazak Discover 2019 event draws thousands

More than 2,000 manufacturers from across North America attended Mazak Corp.’s Discover 2019 event held November 5-7 and 12-13 at the company’s North American manufacturing headquarters in Florence, KY.

Learning to weld at Mind Over Metal camp

Grade eight students in Orangeville had the opportunity to get some hands-on welding experience during a Mind Over Metal welding camp at Orangeville District Secondary School (ODSS).

Adaptive bending system for robotic bending cell

The LVD Strippit Dyna-Cell robotic bending cell is now available with LVD’s Easy-Form Laser in-process adaptive bending system.

Shop Tools

Fiber laser cutting system

The Ventis-3015AJ fiber laser cutting system from Amada is making its North American debut at FABTECH in Chicago this week.

Shop Tools

Emuge Corp. has expanded its line of FPC Milling/ Drilling Chucks products to include Slim Line models designed for five axis machining.

How China is driving the future of electric cars

In one of the world’s most advanced factories, Chinese startup NIO – described as China’s Tesla – is working to ensure the future of electric cars is driven by China.

Videos

U.S. firm Leviton acquires Canadian lighting manufacturer

Canada’s largest independent lighting manufacturer, Toronto-based Viscor, has been acquired by Leviton, a diversified U.S. lighting, energy management and engineering company.

Industry Update

by Kip hanson Industry experts help to define the term “thick plate” and offer recommendations on how to cut it most effectively

FABTECH 2019: Taking The Pulse

The largest fabricating and welding showcase in North America

Fabricating

R&D Subsidies

by Mary Scianna

Blog

West Coast Wonder

Story by Kip Hanson • Images by Derek Ford BC design and manufacturing company adopts a five axis machining strategy

GF Machining Solutions has held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the announcement of an expansion in Canada.

SA1 series surface grinder

Okamoto’s new ACC-SA1 Series surface grinder

Videos

New warranty coverage for machine tools and controls

Okuma America Corp. has announced a new standard warranty programs for new machine tool purchases effective immediately.

Shop Tools

Iscar is expanding its milling line by introducing a new family of very small indexable 90° cutters in a diameter range of 8-10 mm (0.31-0.39 in.), carrying triangular inserts.

Plant tour promotes women’s participation in manufacturing

This week 100 young women aged 14 and 15 visited the Algoma Steel and Tenaris’s AlgomaTubes plants in Sault Ste. Marie Ont. as part of a Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) initiative to encourage more women to choose a manufacturing career.

Industry Update

De Havilland Canada books first firm Dash 8-400 order

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. has announced that the United Republic of Tanzania, represented by the Tanzanian Government Flight Agency (TGFA), has signed a firm purchase agreement for a Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Cutter body built with additive manufacturing

Sandvik Coromant introduces the lightweight CoroMill 390, which features a cutter body produced using additive manufacturing.

Zoller Inc. hosted its annual Zollerfest open house on October 2nd and 3rd at its North American headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI.

Handheld resistance weld checker

Amada Miyachi America has released the MM-410A handheld resistance weld checker.

Shop Tools

With the 2019 federal election only days away, where do the parties stand on issues that matter to industry – and to your business?

Robotic steel profile cutting

Voortman Steel Machinery has introduced the V807 Robotic Thermal Profile Processor.

Shop Tools

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, and the news isn’t good for Canada and the U.S.

Turning Tools: Over and Out

by Kip Hanson Still using copper lines and modular plastic tubing to keep turning tools cool? It’s time to lose the hoses

Cutting Tools

Robotic Metrology: Closer and Closer

by Andrew Brooks Robotic metrology continues to make strides, but challenges remain

Plant Management

The Hot Spot

by Noelle Stapinsky Addressing challenges of resistance welding on aluminum

Welding Technology

Fabricating Job Shops: Razor’s Edge

by Andrew Brooks A New Brunswick shop resolves bottlenecks with a new bending machine

Fabricating Technology

A Quality Decision

Plasma technology opens doors for Alberta fabrication shop

Learning to Share

by Mary Scianna

Blog

Getting Digital

by Kip Hanson Three industry experts offer insights on our brave new manufacturing world

Machining Technology

Shop Tools

Shoulder milling cutter

Walter has introduced the M4130, a shoulder milling cutter that uses Walter’s universal M4000 system inserts in a variety of different applications.

Tool change on the Makino V80S VMC

The V80S five axis vertical machining centre designed for large die/mould part machining.

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