Houstex 2015 Preview Slideshow

Sodick’s AD55L sinker EDM is said to enable EDM machining of steel materials with virtually zero electrode wear when using graphite or copper electrodes. The linear-motor-driven EDM is being showcased in PD Browne South’s Booth 539.

Emag’s VL 5i threading machine is a single-spindle vertical pickup machine capable of machining proprietary as well as API and GOST standard threads. See it on display in Booth 1741.

The Mikron HEM 500U five-axis machining center from GF Machining Solutions features a new rotary tilting table design for high-performance five-sided machining in a single setup. See it on display in Hartwig Inc.’s Booth 609.

Omax is pairing its Maxiem 1530 JetMachining Center with an A-Jet multi-axis cutting head in Booth 1029. The cutting head adds two motion axes to enable complete five-axis machining, making it possible to cut beveled edges, angled sides, 3D shapes and countersinks while also compensating for taper.

Rego-Fix’s Hi-Q/ERMX Mini-Nut enables fast, secure ER collet nut clamping for Swiss automatic machine tool applications. The nuts feature an anti-slip locking design that prevents the locking wrench from slipping off the nut during tool changes, protecting the hands of machinists. Rego-Fix is exhibiting with its distributor partner Robert H. Severance Group Inc., which is occupying Booths 148, 150, 152, 156 and 158.

Delcam’s FeatureCAM 2015 works with the part library to match the names of features with related user-created curves, making programming subsequent workpieces in a part family faster and easier. Located in Booth 1141, the company is also showcasing its PowerMill and PartMaker CAM systems.

Sunnen is displaying its all-electric HTR tube honing machine for job shops in Booth 509. The machine has a modular design that can be configured for stroke lengths ranging from 2.5 to 14 m (8 to 46 ft.).

Seco’s Thread Chaser tool accommodates inserts for both push and pull threading of ID features. The multi-tooth inserts enable fast single- or two-pass threading with highly accurate thread pitches. See this and other tooling in Booth 441.

Hwacheon Machinery America’s H6 HMC for heavy-duty machine shop work is being displayed in SMI Machine Tools’ Booth 1457. The machining center features a 630-mm pallet, gear-driven 50-taper spindle, and a twin-drive system for the X and Y axes.

On display in Booth 313, Renishaw’s Equator shopfloor comparative gage combines a touch-trigger TP20 probe for single-point probing applications with a SP25 scanning probe for faster, more flexible data capture. The touch probe can be used for capturing discrete point data, while the scanning probe enables continuous scanning of features at speeds as fast as 200 mm/sec.

Röhm’s HSFZ swiveling chucks enable clamping a part once and rotating it 180 degrees for complete machining or threading on both ends on the same centerline. The swiveling clamping ring is actuated by a rack and pinion mechanism, and two tapered bolts at the rings outer diameter lock it laterally in place at 90 degrees, relative to the chuck’s rotary axis. See the chucks on display in Booth 2043.

Vero demonstrates its Edgecam software in Booth 1821. Among the program’s most recent upgrades is Edgecam Workflow, an application said to accelerate toolpath generation to reduce costs and lead times.

On display in Booth 1149, Unisig’s gundrill grinder is equipped with software, hardware, fixturing and measuring capabilities. The grinder enables concurrent grinding and measuring operations, helping to ensure process repeatability and accuracy.

The Exsys/Eppinger Compacto connection base holder system has a built-in release mechanism on the outer diameter of the spindle for optimum accessibility. The holder accommodates fixed and rotary tools, including the Exsys Preci-Flex system. Find it in Booth 1341.