Engineering TV : Fabrication

SPECK.CHECK For First Article Inspection

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:44:00 GMT

CGI's Spec.Check inspection software, for use with any digitizing system, is designed for first article inspection or mold qualification and can save users time in performing dimension measurements - up to 75 percent, according to the developer. In one instance, a company needed to measure an eight cavity mold with 93 dimensions per cavity -- normally an 80-hour task. With Spec.Check, the job was completed in less than six hours. For more information, visit CGI Inspection.

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CGI Cross Sectional Scanning

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:04:00 GMT
First article inspection is an essential and crucial step in product development and in proving a new mold. But when the part geometry is complex – and especially when the internal geometry is complex – the measuring and qualifying process can take days, if not weeks. This is unacceptable in terms “time to market” as well as in terms of “cost.” The CGI System and Spec.Check solves these problems by providing complete measured results in one to two days instead of the weeks that others processes require. For more information, visit CGI Inspection.

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EOS Laser Sintering Systems

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:19:00 GMT
EOS systems enable a wide variety of e-Manufacturing applications for producing metal or plastic parts. e-Manufacturing with EOS technologies is a method of manufacturing by which parts for consumer goods, industrial components and tools are laser-sintered directly from electronic data. A laser selectively melts and fuses together plastic or metal in powder form layer by layer until, after the final layer has been applied, the completed product is removed from the machine. For more information, visit EOS Electro Optical Systems.

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EOS Laser Sintering Technology

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT
Laser sintering is a generative layer manufacturing technology. Any three-dimensional geometry can be built effectively and flexibly, without any tools or laborious milling path programming. During production, the 3D CAD model is sliced into layers. EOS's innovative laser-sintering technology then builds the required geometry layer by layer. The energy of a laser solidifies powder-based materials, for example plastic, metal or foundry sand. The laser-sintering process allows for the production of several different parts in one single build job. For more information, visit EOS Electro Optical Systems.

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WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:10:00 GMT
Students of WKU's Department of Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences are training to work in management in the manufacturing business, and for their senior project are asked to come up with a simple task - design a product and build it. Working like a business, the students have to order the parts within a budget and divide into task-driven teams. One student, Joshua Ferriell, the project manager, said one of the greatest challenges was learning the lathe, laser and mill, then programming everything to operate with a push of one button. Students are learning the unique skill of integrating some of the most advanced manufacturing tools in the industry, making the young engineers highly marketable in the job field. Also watch this episode: WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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Integration with FESTO

CurtisEllzey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:57:00 GMT
When WKU decided to upgrade its manufacturing lab, they turned to FESTO, who had the combination of technical knowledge and experience they were looking for to complete their project, the primary hurdle being integration of newer mechatronic and computer systems with their current batch of machine tools. Dan Blanck, regional manager with FESTO, said the system is one of the most progressive manufacturing labs in the nation at the college level. “At other schools, (mills, lathes and lasers) are not used together,” Blanck said. “I’ve seen stuff in corners, they’re using it, but not integrating it. And integrating it is the hardest part - it’s a tremendous reflection on this program.” Also watch this episode: WKU Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:05:00 GMT
Ever wonder what goes into setting up a mechatronics lab at a university these days? This episode reveals the process that faculty and students at WKU's advanced manufacturing lab used to set up their system, from choosing the robotics to integrate with their older systems, to the grant process that helped pay for the $1 million computer integrated manufacturing cell. Greg Arbuckle, assistant professor of architectural and manufacturing sciences at WKU, said the lab’s robotics arrived in January and have slowly been installed to consume much of the basement of the Environmental Sciences and Technology Hall. Also watch this episode: Integration with FESTO. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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WKU Advanced Manufacturing Lab

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:08:00 GMT
Engineering TV takes a look at Western Kentucky University's advanced manufacturing lab, recently integrated with new automation systems from FESTO. Once programmed, a robotic arm system from FESTO can transport material to a Haas mill, lathe and a 120 watt Epilog Legend 36EXT laser, independent of human interaction. The lab is the capstone of the Architectural and Manufacturing sciences curriculum at WKU's Ogden College of Science and Engineering, and allows the students access to automation systems and tools they would find in industry after graduation. Also watch this episode: Designing WKU's Advanced Manufacturing Lab. For more information, visit Ogden College of Science & Engineering and FESTO Didactic.

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Festo Air Bearing ATBT

Terry Knight — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:00:00 GMT
The air bearing ATBT from Festo is a new way of transporting flat-panel displays and photovoltaic substrates. The air bearing works with a porous, air-permeable material with a micro porous structure which guarantees an even air flow. The key to the system is that the air bearing functions contactlessly via an air cushion, whilst still hardly using any compressed air. The air bearing ATBT is ideally suited for loading and unloading, as intermediate buffer, for lifting and centering, holding and clamping items using a vacuum or for use in inspection and test equipment, precise X-Y-movement systems or photolithography equipment. Also watch this episode: Festo Airmotion Ride Simulator. For more information, go to: Festo.

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Festo EXPT Electric Tripod

Terry Knight — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Festo's version of the delta robot, the EXPT Electric Tripod system, is designed for high-speed-handling of small loads in space. Up to three times quicker than Cartesian systems and requiring less space, it uses Festo's actuator technology instead of elbow joints, enabling a higher dynamic response with larger effective loads. Multi-axis functionality is provided by Festo's CMXR robotic control system. Also watch this episode: Festo Air Bearing ATBT. For more information, go to: Festo.

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Festo CMXR Robotic Control

Terry Knight — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
The CMXR is the core of a complete kinematic system solution: The multi-axis control combines the mechanical system, electrical drive technology and control technology to form a complete motion control product with integrated and standardized interfaces to all relevant system components. All programming, operational and diagnostic functions are carried out via a control module in FTL macro language text. Simple teach-in programming allows positions to be changed quickly. Because of the system’s robotic functions it is ideally suited for handling technology. Also watch this episode: Festo EXPT Electric Tripod. For more information, go to: Festo.

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PulseForge 3100 Demo

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:07:00 GMT
Stan Farnsworth from Novacentrix demos the PulseForge 3100 for the manufacturing of printed electronics. The PulseForge 3100 uses rapid pulses of high-intensity light for high-speed drying, curing, sintering or annealing of high temperature materials on low temperature substrates such as plastic and paper, enabling inexpensive and flexible electronics. PulseForge tools are being used by customers in the development or production of advanced new products in applications such as photovoltaics, RFID, displays, smart packaging, medical sensors, and flexible circuits. Also watch this episode: PulseForge Tools for Printed Electronics. For more information, go to: NovaCentrix.

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PulseForge Tools for Printed Electronics

CurtisEllzey — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
The PulseForge family of tools sinter or anneal thin-film materials in only milliseconds, and are able to do so on a wide variety of substrates, including low temperature, flexible materials. The use of PulseForge tools can save time and money, and enable new types of products in applications like solar, RFID, displays, smart packaging, and even flexible circuits. Also watch this episode: PulseForge 3100 Demo. For more information, go to: NovaCentrix.

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Designing for the 5-Axis Router

CurtisEllzey — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Designing for a 5-Axis Router can be a complex process - Ken Netzel, Senior Engineer - Body Design and Fabrication at Lightning Hybrids, describes his work on the LH4 vehicle and the LH3 they are designing for the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE challenge. Lightning Hybrids has developed a unique and ultra-fast design to prototype process that allows for ultra fast design iteration, and the ability to develop a variety of options and configurations, with a relatively small investment. Also watch these episodes on Lightning Hybrids: Lightning Hybrids on Engineering TV. For more information, go to: Lightning Hybrids and Diversified Machine Systems.

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DMS 5-Axis CNC Router

CurtisEllzey — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT
Diversified Machine Systems (DMS) is a builder of precision 3 & 5-axis CNC routers, as well as custom engineered machine tool solutions. Lightning Hybrids uses a 5-Axis CNC Router from DMS to fabricate molds and parts for their LH4 and LH3 vehicles. By leveraging CAD and CAM systems throughout the entire design process, the large 5 Axis Router, and a proprietary approach to molding and layup, Lightning Hybrids can go from designing to having production body parts in less than a week. Also watch these episodes on Lightning Hybrids: Lightning Hybrids on Engineering TV. For more information, go to: Lightning Hybrids and Diversified Machine Systems.

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