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Mar/Apr 2012  

Finishing

Top Features

From stringy to sandy

Imparting a fine surface finish is usually paramount when machining medical parts. For example, at Acumed LLC, which makes orthopedic tools and implants, surface finish requirements range from about 32 to 8 rms, noted Randy Singer, machinist level 4 for the Hillsboro, Ore., manufacturer.

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Imparting fine surface finishes when micromilling

As milling tools shrink, several factors loom large in generating fine surface finishes. The productivity and surface finish a tool achieves depend on specific combinations of cutting speed, feed rate, tool runout and coolant application. In micromilling—involving tools 0.020" in diameter and smaller—the size of the tool often dictates strategies to maximize performance and surface finish.

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EOS and BestinClass form surface treatment joint venture

Dec. 4, 2009—Laser-sintering manufacturer EOS and BestinClass SA, developer of the high-precision surface finishing technology called MicroMachining Process, have formed a joint company, FirstSurface Ltd., which will provide MMP in the U.K. and other European locations to be determined.

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Blast off

Taking the ‘black art’ out of micro-abrasive blasting

Similar to applying abrasive grits bound together on a grinding wheel, many part manufacturers view micro-abrasive blasting as an art form shrouded in mystery. That’s because of the high level of operator control required to effectively smooth, deburr, texture, peen or clean microparts—among a host of applications—without damaging or destroying them.

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Norman Noble completes $1.9 million metal finishing expansion

Highland Heights, Ohio (Nov. 20, 2008)— Spurred by market demand for metallic and PEEK-based medical devices and implants used in cardiovascular, orthopedic and sports medicine applications, Norman Noble recently completed a $1.9 million expansion of its metal finishing operations.

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Comco sees need for consistency

Knowing full well the need for consistency and repeatability throughout micromanufacturing, Comco Inc. offers a micro-abrasive blasting technology that can be used for deburring, surface preparation, selective cleaning, material removal and focused cutting.

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Top Videos

Micromanufacturing lab tour at Northwestern Univ.

During the 7th International Conference on MicroManufacturing in March, conference co-chairs Jian Cao and Kornel Ehmann, along with a few of their students, provided an overview of their research and work stations at the university's micromanufacturing lab.

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Advancements in optical 3-D imaging, metrology from Alicona

Alicona Imaging GmbH CEO Stefan Scherer provides an overview of the company's Infinite Focus optical 3-D surface measurement and characterization machine, which features a contour measurement module.

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ZeGage optical profiler nearly portable

Manas Lakshmipathy, an account manager with the Zygo Corp., Middlefield, Conn., discusses the company's ZeGage optical profiler for the micromanufacturing market.

 


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Digital microscope captures Abe

Oct. 7, 2011—Check out this enthusiastic representative from Keyence Corp., Elmwood Park, N.J., as he demonstrates the company's all-in-one digital microscope system that integrates advanced imaging, measurement and recording functions into a portable device.

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Top Products

Earth-Chain’s sPINner batch deburrs parts in minutes

Earth Chain Inc.

sPINnerThe sPINner machine from Earth-Chain batch deburrs small precision parts manufactured on swiss-type turning centers, lathes and machining centers in just a few minutes. The sPINner removes light burrs, whiskers and microburrs without affecting the critical tolerances of the parts, and without adding any ferrous material to the surface of the part.

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Harvey Tool offers 0.015” finisher for aluminum

Harvey Tool Co. LLC

harvey tool thumbHarvey Tool Co. LLC has released its fall 2011 catalog, which provides a look at about 400 new tools and information on additional sizes and reaches in expanded product lines.

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GF AgieCharmilles offers auto wire changer on CUT 2000/3000 wire EDMs

GF AgieCharmilles

GF AgieCharmilles, Lincolnshire, Ill., offers the CUT 2000 and CUT 3000 wire-cutting EDM machines with an optional third-generation automatic wire changer.

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Microscope testing machine

MTI Instruments Inc.recently acquired the Fullam line of miniature tensile-, compression- and bend-testing machines, which are specifically designed to fit inside scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), atomic force microscopes (AFMs) and light microscopes (LMs). MTII reports that the device’s dual leadscrew design symmetrically loads samples while keeping them centered within the scope’s field of view.

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Datron offers high-speed MC for plastic

Datron Dynamic Inc.’s recently introduced M8 PlasticMill is a high-speed CNC machining center designed specifically for plastic-machining applications that produce chips or dust that must be extracted and collected.

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