Page 44 - MetalForming-Oct-2018-issue

FABRICATION
Today’s fabricating technology promises the ability to produce high-quality components job after job, in a variety of applications. And, in each issue, MetalForming is committed to informing you on how fabrication equipment delivers.
MetalForming’s October Fabrication section provides your one-stop shop for FABTECH prep, with a show overview, conference info and booth previews. We also present a case study on 3D- printed press-brake tooling and offer tips to boost belt life and performance when sanding and grinding. Our Welding Well column tackles maintenance and care of resistance-welding equipment. Enjoy!
Contents
42 News&Technology
44 FABTECH 2018
48 Proactive Conference Program 55 Exhibitors in the METALFORM
Technology Area 58 Previews
80 3D-Printed Press-Brake Tooling Cuts Costs
...on machining and lead time for this South Carolina fabricator that decided to bring the technology inhouse.
84 Belt Tips for Better Metal Sanding and Grinding
Identify problems caused by incorrect belt tensioning, and find out here how to fix them.
88 Commentary: Welding Well
Resistance Welders Require Respect
Tom Snow
News & Technology
Hypertherm has launched Robotmaster V7, a task-based robot programming platform built from scratch on completely new architecture, according to company officials. The new standalone version reportedly enables simple and intuitive robot programming, even for first-time robot users, building off of Robotmaster’s offline-pro- gramming CAD/CAM software first introduced in 2002.
Simplified Offline Robot Programming
To create this new architecture, Hypertherm’s Robotic Software group, the developers of Robotmaster, added mathematical-optimization experts to its team, bringing added expertise in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning, as well as simulation and game experts well-versed in user interaction.
The software can be used by welding, cutting and other process experts without buying or learning CAD/CAM software. As with previous versions, Robotmaster V7 imports paths, but now makes easier for users to leverage any CAD/CAM tool choice, according to company officials.
42 MetalForming/October 2018
www.metalformingmagazine.com
The new software release targets automatic integrated welding and contour pro- gramming, including trimming, cutting, dispensing and deburring, as well as drilling and fastening.
Hypertherm: www.hypertherm.com
Quick-Change A- and B-Station Punch Drivers
Mate Precision Tooling
offers its new QCT Metric
A- and B-station punch
drivers. These long-stem
punches also are known as
Mate original-style or Amada-style.
Designed for easier, faster setups, the punch drivers
use Mate’s QCT punch-retention system, and also simplify
tooling inventory, as the universal drivers may be used on rounds or shapes.
QCT punch inserts feature Mate’s M4PM steel to provide long life, are keyed at the perimeter for improved angularity control, and have a 0.770-in. SBR (straight before radius) for added grind life. When punching, the shoulder of the punch remains securely guided. Other standard features include driver portions (below the stem) made from high-speed steel, and use of Mate’s SuperMax coating for extended life. Mate Precision Tooling: www.mate.com