A classic candy store offers a dazzling display of lollipops, gumballs and every variety of sprinkled, dusted chocolate and chewy, gummy delights. The bright colors and sugary sweet smell are designed to make an eight-year-old’s eyes bulge, mouth water and tongue hang out. IMTS is just like that, but for technical trade journalists. The show provides an immersive display of manufacturing technology and a seemingly unlimited supply of experts (some of them also colorful) to talk about applications of that technology.

This article by Reishauer AG summarizes the insights gained from digitization in the machine tool sector, highlighting the long-term collaboration between the two companies. ZF Getriebe Brandenburg GmbH, distinguished by a team of over 1,500 specialists, leads in producing exclusive manual and dual-clutch passenger car transmissions used in high-end German sports cars for maximum precision and performance. A crucial factor in the quality of these transmissions is the precise ground gears manufactured on machines from Reishauer AG, a Swiss pioneer in gear grinding machines. 

The importance of clean air in manufacturing is often underestimated, yet it’s one of the critical elements that can impact both production efficiency and employee well-being. This is particularly true in facilities that rely heavily on CNC machining, where oil mist and coolant byproducts can create significant air quality challenges. Wolfram Manufacturing, based in Austin, has addressed this challenge head-on by integrating advanced mist collection systems into its operations.

For more than 60 years, Forest City Gear has crafted a legacy of excellence in precision gear manufacturing, leveraging advanced techniques and cutting-edge technology to earn the business of customers as exclusive as NASA. At the heart of the company’s technology-focused philosophy lies a long-time relationship with Sunnen Products Company, a leading manufacturer of honing systems, tooling, and accessories. The relationship helped Forest City set itself apart as one of the world’s most precise gear makers, and now the company’s parts are found on everything from fishing reels to the Mars Rovers.

By 2030, the global robotics market size is expected to range anywhere from $160 billion to $260 billion. The world is expecting robots to do a lot of the “heavy lifting” going forward. But with demand pressuring supply for many of the essential components, new production technologies are needed to keep pace. Nowhere is this truer than for the smaller, high-precision spiral and hypoid bevel gears that play such a critical role in transmitting power and delivering precise, reliable movement in increasingly complex, multiaxis robotic systems. Yet, manufacturers of these gears have, up until now, had surprisingly few options available to help them ramp up production of this new generation of high-efficiency bevel gears—particularly in the increasingly common size range of 100 mm in diameter and smaller. 

The approach developed in this research aims to aid a further understanding of the correlations between the energy generated during material removal and the power signals from the machine control during generating gear grinding.

I have been to many IMTS and EMO shows over my fifty years in the industry; yet the 2024 show proved to be a thrilling and confusing event that left me tired and looking forward to a future that will surpass even my meager manufacturing dreams. At the first manufacturing technology show I attended (even before McCormick Place was built), I was in my early twenties and gobsmacked by the huge milling machines with tool changers that were operated by tape drives—no CNC for the old school. Well, the 2024 show proved to be deep in the new school.

Weiler Abrasives has launched its new Precision Express program that cuts lead times for gear grinding wheels from months to days. The program is designed to help gear manufacturers in industries such as automotive, energy and aerospace improve quality, increase consistency and deliver on time to their customers — for added peace of mind. 

At AMB 2024 in Stuttgart, ANCA recently presented a range of innovations and partner solutions. From blank to a finished high-quality tool, all on one machine – ANCA’s ultimate single setup solution for complete machining of cutting tools, including blank preparation, was shown on the MX7 Ultra. This technology ensures a seamless process that optimizes efficiency and productivity, allowing you to manufacture a wide range of tools below 0.2 Ra with reduced cycle time.

All 34 portable measuring arms offered in 6-axis touch-probing and 7-axis multi-sensor variants by LK Metrology, Castle Donington, are now supplied as standard with a 4.5 in. diameter mounting ring to allow the unit to sit on a larger base, rather than that provided by the previous 3.5 in. ring. The result of having this extra stability is that the new Version 3 Freedom Arms are capable of measuring to higher precision. A mounting ring adapter can be supplied if an existing user already owns an LK tripod or stand with a 3.5 in. mount. Mechanical, magnetic and vacuum fixing alternatives are available.

Unisig’s next-generation operating system further improves the human-robot interface and slashes programming times. The new operating system, featured on Unisig’s UNE6-2i-750-CR small-diameter gundrilling machine, streamlines the setup of dozens of different part handling combinations to reduce new part setup times by 80% or more. The system significantly improves the communication between the machine’s human machine interface (HMI) and the robotic controller. This enables centralized data storage or a single source of truth -– the coding and data for the gundrilling operation and the program for the part handling are stored together for ease of recall.

With the new Automated Tool Production (ATP) system, Walter now offers a comprehensive automation solution for cutting tools. ATP networks grinding, eroding and measuring machines from Walter, as well as upstream and downstream machines from other system partners in the production process.

With the goals of increased flexibility and reduced maintenance in mind, GF Machining Solutions developed its next generation CUT S 400 Dedicated wire electrical discharge machine (EDM) that improves the overall production of aerospace jet engine turbine disks, in particular for cutting their fir tree blade patterns. With advanced features and capabilities, the new machine allows manufacturers to cut a wider range of turbine blade diameters and do so with fewer production interruptions due to typical EDM setup and maintenance issues. 

The medium-sized mechanical engineering companies Gehring, NAGEL and WAFIOS as well as Lambda Resins GmbH will be presenting their latest developments in the field of e-mobility at the Reutlingen E-Mobility Days 2024 (RED). The renowned specialist forum, initiated by WAFIOS and held this year for the first time on the new e-mobility campus, will take place from October 15–17, 2024 and is regarded as the central platform for innovations in e-mobility.

Starting a career is something special for every young person. In August 2024, Klingelnberg once again welcomed 22 young apprentices who started their training in various professions. During the orientation week in early August 2024, the trainees had the opportunity to demonstrate their teamwork skills in the climbing park in Hückeswagen, Germany, attend a first aid course, and learn about the company’s values.

Liebherr Gear Technology has opened a new location in Querétaro, Mexico. This expansion will allow Liebherr to further improve the service and be closer to our customers in this region.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is excited to announce the release of its latest e-book, “4 Steps to Hiring and Retaining the Best Workers”, designed to help construction business owners attract and retain the best skilled talent. This free comprehensive guide offers strategies and tips proven to help companies find, hire, and develop the right employees, ultimately enhancing productivity and maintaining high-quality standards. 

Ceratizit Group’s board of directors announced the promotion of Troy Wilt from national sales manager to managing director of Ceratizit USA, Cutting Tools Division.   “Since joining our team, Troy has played a pivotal role in Ceratizit’s continued growth in the U.S. market,” says Dan Cope, President of the Americas for Ceratizit. “His strategic vision and deep industry knowledge have been instrumental in fostering strong relationships with customers and peers which is the kind of leadership that will build on our current success.” 

Rego–Fix, a Swiss toolholding company and inventor of the standard-setting ER collet, has partnered with tool measuring and management solution company Omega TMM for the creation of Orion powered by Rego–Fix – a tool measuring machine using REGO–FIX’s powRgrip toolholding system with Omega TMM’s presetting technology.

AGMA, and its member companies are busy helping develop, modify, and contribute to the international standards process.  Without the dedication of our U.S. delegates and the shadow technical committees supporting them, the AGMA methods and processes would not be incorporated in these international standards.  

At the beginning of this year, the AGMA Robotics Committee published a white paper, Gear Backlash in Robotics Applications. The paper is available for download from the store on the AGMA website or reach out to me directly. A consensus was being built among experts that over the next 10–15 years, personal and collaborative robots will exceed the industrial robot market and be common in homes. As a committee, we wanted to address this change in the marketplace. The paper addresses the issues of gear drives in robotics. If this space grows exponentially, we should address intrinsic problems of backlash, wear, unpredictability, size, and high cost. Gear drives for robots that are in non-industrial settings will need to be different.