MULTI Degrees-of-Freedom (MULTI-DOF) encoders offer machine manufacturers a better way to implement metrology designs to obtain multiple measurements simultaneously and facilitate correcting deviations on the fly. Conventional encoders offer one degree of motion, but these three new encoders do more to serve demanding requirements.

Traditionally, an encoder only measures deviations along a single axis, and although these can be corrected via some controllers, they can still be blind to common but unavoidable effects of guideway error or thermal linear expansion (to name a few) which would cause deflection along multiple axes. Using multiple reader heads enables detection of these deflections, allowing for the necessary compensation at the inception and ensuring machine integrity.

Users of MULTI-DOF encoders can expect high reproducibility and consistent quality in their systems.

Heidenhain Corp.

1) Gives job status in real time

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) scheduling shows the status of any job, including where it’s been, where it’s now, where it’s going, and if it’s on schedule.

2) Determines machine, workcenter, personnel capacity

• ERP does scheduling automatically, with maximum efficiency and full capacity utilization
• Allows planners to balance loads across resources by identifying which have excess load, capacity
• Can create work groups, assign alternate workcenters
• Can modify labor default schedule, add holiday schedules

3) Easily moves, reroutes jobs for better forecasting

ERP scheduling reroutes jobs by inserting a current or new job where it needs to go – automatically adjusting the schedule forward, backward, or globally – improving forecasting, minimizing urgent and past-due jobs.

4) Identifies production bottlenecks

ERP reduces or eliminates bottlenecks by automatically scheduling the right job on the right machine at the right time, identifying when and where the workflow will be light or heavy so planners can adjust labor hours and move people to balance workloads.

5) Instantly shows how urgent jobs will affect others

ERP can insert a hot job and see how it’ll impact current and future jobs on the schedule by gathering data on workloads, available capacity, workcenter/employee constraints, setup, and run times. It calculates changes so planners can balance workcenter loads, schedule labor, and immediately see the results.

6) Accepts customer due dates based on facts

ERP scheduling tracks data on every job, from work order number to due date. It determines when each job will be finished so customers can know when they’ll receive their parts.

7) Gives salespeople confidence when promising due dates

Before accepting a due date, salespeople can quickly determine inventory levels, available workcenter and labor hours, job status, and other production variables. Planners can see if jobs can be moved to accommodate a customer’s due date.

8) Allows more time to manage production

ERP frees up production managers’ time to respond to and manage events on the shop floor that require their knowledge, expertise, and judgment.

9) Lowers production costs

• ERP reduces setup time by scheduling multiple jobs of the same part to run concurrently
• Knowing the timeframe of each job reduces indirect labor because machinists know what to work on next and when to expect it
• Personnel who stage and ship finished goods can track job progress and be ready when the job is complete

10) Lets managers sleep better

ERP software reduces stress by simplifying and automating scheduling. Companies achieve faster cycle times and better on-time delivery rates, reduce administrative overhead, lower labor and materials costs, and improve productivity.

Learn more at:

https://www.globalshopsolutions.com/blog/juggle-better-learn-the-10-ways-scheduling-boosts-your-manufacturing

Consider the software applications a business uses every day: web browser, email, file sharing, messaging, online meetings. Most people aren’t aware that nearly all the well-known apps contain open-source components that software vendors often don’t disclose. Used for routine functions – such as libraries processing multimedia data or securing communications on computer networks – many of these components have security vulnerabilities that can be exploited in a cyberattack.

A recent study found that nearly all commercial off the shelf (COTS) software applications tested contained open-source components with security vulnerabilities; among those, 85% contained at least one with the highest possible critical vulnerability score. Additionally, 30% of the open-source components tested contained at least one security flaw that’s been assigned a common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) identifier, adding it to a list of publicly disclosed information security vulnerabilities and exposures.

The whitepaper by Osterman Research, “Uncovering the Presence of Vulnerable Open-Source Components in Commercial Software,” employed data generated by GrammaTech Inc. CodeSentry supply chain security software to identify the open-source components.

Key findings of the research:

• Meetings, email client categories are most vulnerable – They contain the highest average weighting of vulnerabilities. Given the widespread use of these tools, organizations should understand the potential for compromise.
• Common use of components with critical vulnerabilities – All but three of the applications studied included at least one critical vulnerability scoring the maximum 10.0 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), an open industry standard for assessing the severity of computer system security vulnerabilities.
• Newer component versions aren’t always more secure – Major software revisions often have a higher number of vulnerabilities than previous, incremental updates. There hasn’t been a straight-line decrease of vulnerabilities in newer versions nor the weighted value of high and critical vulnerabilities.

Since open-source software is unlikely to disappear from third-party software, GrammaTech recommends organizations continually assess open-source component usage and vulnerabilities across newer and emerging versions of their COTS software to address enterprise risk before choosing and implementing applications, which can include working with vendors to mitigate found issues.

GrammaTech Chief Product Officer Vince Arneja says, “Most organizations trust suppliers to keep their software free of defects. As this survey shows, companies need to conduct their own quality control to verify the security of purchased software. Maintaining an up-to-date software bill of materials that details software components and their associated vulnerabilities is the first step in being able to understand and mitigate security vulnerabilities in commercial software applications before and after they are implemented.”

This is just another reminder that any system consisting of thousands, or tens of thousands of components now requires increased vigilance to protect it from cyberattack. – Eric

The InspecVison Planar 2D inspection machine allows manufacturers to verify product quality by quickly performing 2D inspection and CAD comparisons with minimal operator input.

The unit offers fully automated one-click inspection with 500mm to 3,000mm machine sizes. The machine is scratch resistant, features no moving parts, has simple calibration, and requires minimal maintenance and training.

Physical parts, paper, acetate, or electronic image files can be reverse engineered to create .dxf or .dwg CAD files. The software edits data adding standardized hole sizes and clean edges, eliminating hand measurement and CAD programming.

Reverse engineering in 3D uses optional Opti-Scan 3D non-contact white-light scanning. A light-emitting diode (LED) digital light processing (DLP) projector scans object surfaces, while the camera records the light patterns to create a high-resolution, 3D point cloud which can be used in 3D inspection or reverse engineering software.

SurfScan, a high-resolution projector that mounts onto the Planar vertical column, shines structured light on the part which the camera records to create a 3D scan of a part’s upper surface. The point clouds created can then be loaded into 3D inspection software for comparison against a 3D solid CAD model. SurfScan integrates with Planar 2D software to inspect the part’s 2D shape and 2.5D features with a single click.

Exact Metrology

MS geometry inserts

Expanding the Top Drill Modular X (TDMX) portfolio, three MS geometry inserts broaden the platform’s applications to include inclined entry and exit, stacked plates, and cross-hole drilling in stainless steel, super alloys, steel, and cast-iron.

The drill’s X-shaped pocket and tapered seat provide stability in challenging applications while making it easy to change the insert without disassembling the body from the holder. These key design features reduce unstable cutting conditions experienced with other drills, while enabling higher penetration rates and reducing overall machine setup times and costs.

All three inserts can be reground to extend tool life. TDMX is available in imperial and metric sizes in 1.5xD, 3xD, 5xD, 8xD, and 12xD, and diameter ranges of 16mm to 40mm.

Widia

Vibration control mill holders

An expanded lineup of Smart Damper- equipped, arbor-style face mill holders supports face mills with diameters of 3", 4", 80mm, or 100mm with an arbor pilot diameter of 1" or 27mm.

The Model SDF57 assembly has an outside diameter of 2.83" and allows users of 3" face mills to access up to 19.68" of reach using standard components.

Smart Damper enables quiet, vibration-free milling, even in long-projection assemblies. Its integral design shortens the distance from the damping mechanism to the cutting edge, producing higher damping effects to the tool assembly and minimizing vibration for better surface finishes and improved metal removal rates.

The Smart Damper face mill holder is available for BBT50, BCV50, and HSK-A100 shank styles.

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc.