A new option in ToolRoom cures runout woes and helps to increase tool life and productivity.

Total indicator runout (TIR) is a term often used in manufacturing, especially when dealing with rotating parts such as cutting tools, particularly endmills and drills. TIR is defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum values measured across an entire rotating surface about a reference axis.

Manufacturing high quality, high performance tools requires the Total Indicator Runout to be perfect or minimal for overall tool life and surface finish. Runout on blanks before grinding can be achieved by either spending a certain amount of time for work holding setup or alternatively, compensating the runout in software. The latest software update of ToolRoom has an option to apply complete tool runout compensation when needed.

Runout creates uneven chip loads due to uneven contact on the workpiece. The result, as pictured above, is that some flutes get way too much load and wear fast while others get too little. This is not an optimal situation for endmills during machining. Not only do tools with runout have shorter tool life, they tend to be unbalanced and more prone to breaking. Additionally, they vibrate and cause chatter, increase spindle load and result in a bad surface finish on the workpiece.

On the contrary, even cutting flutes result in longer tool life, better surface finish and accurate finished parts.

Circular runout controls only a particular circular cross section of an endmill, while total runout controls the entire surface of the endmill which includes the outer diameter and endface. There are two kinds of runout: Radial and Axial. Radial runout is when the axis of rotation is off-center from the main axis, but still parallel. Axial runout is when the axis of rotation is tilted to some degree from the main axis, meaning the axis of rotation is no longer parallel to the main axis.

On an ANCA tool and cutter grinder, runout is measured by rotating the blank around the A-axis (headstock) and using the Renishaw touch probe. The latest update in ToolRoom RN34.1 release contains the total tool runout measurement and compensation operation in iGrind as an option. This is an addition to the existing axial runout compensation.

The runout measurement and compensation can be performed on a blank or a pre-formed blank. A pre-formed blank is a tool that has flutes ground, for example tools requiring re-sharpening. Endface compensation is used for axial runout by digitizing a single point close to the end of the tool. Only the endface operations are supported for this type of compensation.

Total runout or full compensation will measure and compensate radial and axial runout. This is mainly used while manufacturing and two points are digitized. One is near the end of the tool and the other at shank end. With the digitizing results, users are able to convert the grinding to the centerline of the blank rather than the centerline of the A-axis.                                                   

When an endmill is in rotation it is important that each tooth cuts at the exact same spot along the workpiece for longer tool life and efficient cutting. Every tool in the batch can be measured and compensated for runout to ensure the entire batch is within tolerances.

Runout in drills and reamers will result in oversized holes. This can be avoided by using the runout compensation. The chart below shows the compensation test results.

It is important to note that accuracy starts with the quality of blank. Contrary to popular belief, carbide blanks can be out of round bent or tapered. Ensure that the blanks are checked for size and accuracy, cleaned, and chamfered at insertion end. Blanks should be within 0.001mm (0.00004”) in straightness and 0.0005mm (0.00002”) in roundness to achieve the above accuracy.

Manufacturing challenges due to runout is a persistent pain point for many precision tool manufacturers. This new feature addresses this problem and will give users the assurance they need to manufacture high quality tools - ensuring that the hundredth endmill produced will be equally as good as the first.

The new complete tool runout measurement and compensation operation is now available as an option in the latest ToolRoom update for RN34.1 release. Customers will benefit from increase in productivity due to the reduced collet and collet adaptor setup time, and reduced scrap from zero rejections due to runout.

LINK Product Development and The Quick Company announce launch of new medical device – designed & developed in Denver.

LINK Product Development (LINK) and The Quick Company announce the launch of Microtray Universal, a new-to-market dental assistance tool designed and developed in Denver.

The Microtray line was developed by LINK in collaboration with Dr. Jack Nguyen, founder of The Quick Company and a Denver-based dentist. The tool is a small, molded plastic tray that adheres to surgical gloves allowing dentists and dental assistants quick access to commonly used materials and disposables during various dental procedures. It is the first product of its kind developed for the dental field.

“We are very excited to help bring the Microtray product to market after a thoughtful design and prototyping process that was based on problem solving, observation and the first-hand experience of Dr. Jack Nguyen,” says Marc Hanchak, founder, LINK Product Development. “Our team visited Dr. Jack’s dental office to experience and observe the problem in person. Filming and studying the activities performed gave us detailed insight into the parameters for the product. We took ergonomics, safety, and ease of use into consideration throughout the design process. The end result is an innovative solution for storage and workflow during a wide array dental procedures that will truly enhance the profession.”

Microtray is being manufactured in the U.S. using rapid tooling injection molding and assembled in Denver.

“Prior to my career as a dentist, my background is in research, which gave me the skills to identify what I saw as a challenge in my profession and to think through a solution,” says Dr. Jack Nguyen, MS, DDS, founder of The Quick Company. “I partnered with LINK to collaborate on the project, ask questions, help refine the initial concept, and deliver the final product to market. This concept is a true collaboration and an exciting advancement in the medical field.”

Highlights from the show included the premiere of the NZ platform for production turning and more details on of PAYZR by DMG MORI, the company’s Netflix of machine building.

EMO MILANO 2021 featured about 700 exhibits, representing 34 countries with foreign exhibitors accounting for about 60% of the total attendees.

DMG MORI’s exhibit for the European market focused on automation, equipment-as-as-service, and the premiere of their NZ platform of machines.

The NZ platform includes the DUE, TRE, QUATTRO for production turning with up to 4 turrets and 4 B-axes. Available in two sizes, the short version is designed for workpieces up to 690mm in length, while on the long version extends to 1,290mm. Chuck machining is possible up to a diameter of 120mm, and for bar machining it’s 65mm. The NZ series is extremely compact – including the 3m length bar feeder, the NZ requires only 17.8m² of floor space.

Some highlights of the NZ platform are the individual equipment options, so every user can install a manufacturing solution tailored to their precise requirements. Because of the modular machine, the NZ platform includes the NZ DUE, NZ TRE and NZ QUATTRO, which means that 2-, 3-, or 4-turret machining stations can be placed in the workspace. Each of these units can act autonomously and has a Y-axis with 80mm travel and a B-axis with a swivel range of -10° to +100°.

Promoted as the Netflix of machine building, DMG MORI's PAYZR business model for equipment-as-a-service launched earlier this year with the compact M1 vertical machining center. For a monthly basic fee, customers receive the machine and an all-round carefree package for service and maintenance, for example. In addition, in a pay-per-use model, the fee is calculated based only on the machine’s actual usage – exactly according to spindle minutes. A second machine has now been added to the PAYZR portfolio was the CLX 450 TC introduced this year. With the B-axis factor and equipped with a compactMASTER turn & mill spindle, the turn & mill complete machining center reduces setup and non-productive times in variant-rich production of small to medium batch sizes.

This biennial event offers current & prospective end-users of grinding and laser cutting equipment the opportunity to see a range of new technology.

Rollomatic and Strausak will be presenting their biennial Open House this November in Mundelein, Illinois, November 9-11, 2021, where typically more than 130 end‐users from more than 25 US states, Mexico, and Canada experience the latest in Rollomatic Group technology, attend learning sessions, and get key answers for their precision production needs.

This biennial event offers current & prospective end‐users of grinding and laser cutting equipment the opportunity to see the entire line of Rollomatic Group products as well as new technology with:

Click here for more details and to register for the event.

Registration is open for the Wed., Oct 13 free webinar taking place at 12PM ET.

SPR Therapeutics manufactures innovative medical devices to combat pain without addictive opioids. But its aggressive growth plans were threatened by disconnected, inefficient internal systems and processes. Only with an integrated, modern technology platform could the company empower Sales, break down internal silos to provide decision-makers with real-time insights, and provide faster, more efficient resolution of customer complaints—all while building a foundation on which to run their entire manufacturing operations.

Join us on this upcoming webinar to learn how SPR Therapeutics adopted a single platform for its medical device business that delivered a unified best of breed CRM, manufacturing and quality management solution to the entire organization. Ben Austin, Chief Financial Officer at SPR Therapeutics, will explain how the single platform:

Register now to learn more from this medical device manufacturer.