GWS Tool Group has acquired Intrepid Tool Industries. Located near Phoenix, Arizona, Intrepid is a provider of carbide, high speed steel (HSS) and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting tools Cermet Inserts to the aerospace sector, with a special emphasis on threaded-shank and brazed-construction drills, reamers and countersinks.

"Intrepid could not have been a better fit for our organization,” says Rick McIntyre, CEO of GWS. "In addition to this investment establishing a substantial physical presence on the West Coast on which to further build, their industry-leading product and service portfolio is the perfect complement to our already dynamic offering.” 

"I am very excited for Intrepid Tool to be joining GWS Tool Group,” says Bret Tayne, founder and president of Intrepid. "The leadership of GWS Tool Group is the most dynamic and energetic team in the industry.  This combination with GWS Tool Group serves the interests of all constituencies of Intrepid Tool, APKT Insert from customers to vendors to employees.” 

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A few months ago during Westec, we had a chance to talk to applications engineer Bailey Stump with Marubeni-Citizen Cincom about new capabilities on its flagship Swiss-style lathe, the L20XII ATC (Automatic Tool Changer).

As highlighted in the video above, the ATC tooling with a fully programmable B-axis can be mounted on the gang tool post, enabling a total of 13 B-axis tools (12 ATC tools and one built into the tooling).

The ATC’S tool setting allows for several types of workpieces to be completed in a single setup and used in a wide range of applications — especially parts that require a lot of cross/end face machining. These can include difficult-to-machine components requiring secondary operations like finishing and deburring, components APMT Insert requiring multiple live tools, as well as rough and finish cuts that can be split between multiple tools.

Stump also says that having 13 total tools mounted to the b-axis opens up options for the manufacturing engineering team to get complex or difficult-to-machine parts off the machine fast feed milling inserts complete, minimizing part handling.

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The Model QL300H/M, a CNC turning center, features the company's fully automatic parts handling system, including In-stocker, Turn-over and Out-conveyor, in addition to a three-servo (two-servo standard) gantry loader.

A left/right separated bed configuration is said to minimize vibration interaction, fast rapid traverse and index time.

Specifications include a maximum turning diameter of 12.2" by 9.05"; a bar capacity of 2.52"; and a cutting feed rate as high as 19.69 ipr. The machine also features driven tools for milling, drilling and tapping operations as well as a Fanuc 18iTB CNC control system.

The gantry loader handles parts up to 22 lbs in weight, up to 8.66" in diameter, and 5.9" in length, with repeatable positioning Deep Hole Drilling Inserts accuracy of ± BTA deep hole drilling inserts 0.0039".

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The new Edge2 DSS system from Dapra is designed to deliver both 90-degree milling performance and good value for an indexable milling product. Double-sided DSS inserts provide four usable cutting edges to lower cost per edge versus single-sided inserts. Additionally, Dapra’s permanent automatic cutter replacement program is intended to make it easier for shops to keep good-condition tools deep hole drilling inserts in use rather than making do with worn-out cutters.

The inserts feature a positive geometry for low cutting pressure and maintained strength. Convexity creates smooth surface finishes during step-down profile milling, and a custom-designed wiper edge generates good surface finishes, the company says. These inserts are available in both T-land and dished geometries in a variety of high-performance grades and coatings.

DSS end mills, shell mills and screw-on modular WCMT Insert heads are machined from hardened, high-shock tool steel to minimize runout and maximize durability and life. Nickel plating provides a harder casing for improved pocket durability and resistance to chip galling, while deep gullets deliver efficient chip evacuation, even on the heaviest cuts, the company says. Long-reach tools are available with carbide cores for enhanced rigidity and reduced deflection.

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CGTech has released Vericut software version 9.2. Vericut CNC machine simulation, verification and optimization software simulates shoulder milling cutters all types of CNC machining, additive and TCGT Insert hybrid manufacturing processes. The software operates independently, but can also be integrated with CAM systems.

According to CGTech, Vericut 9.2 boosts manufacturing efficiency, helps preserve machines and cutting tools, increases machine capacity and reduces repair and scrap costs.

CGTech’s integrated simulation-optimization solution, Vericut Force, has also gotten updates. Force is designed to reduce machining times, extend tool life, prevent undesirable cutting conditions and improve part quality.

Vericut 9.2 highlights include:

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Okuma’s GPW/GAW grinder series is now equipped with the company’s intelligent OSP-P300G CNC control. The OSP-P system fully integrates the machine, motors, drives and encoders, promoting enhanced machine performance and customization to suit particular machining needs. The Easy Operation control and touchscreen increase efficiency by enabling users to quickly toggle between machine operations, programming and wheel preparation screens.

Besides the CNC, key features of this grinder series include a dead-center, a C-type workhead, a chucking headstock, and a tailstock quill stroke of 35 mm. The high-speed, heavy-duty grinder is driven by a 10-hp (5.5-kW) wheel spindle motor. High feed rates range to 30 m/min. in the X axis and 20 m/min. in the Z axis. The series is also equipped with a Chatter Control Shallow Hole Indexable Insert function that automatically adjusts wheel speed for accurate, stable machining. The high-speed grinding wheel spindle is ideal for cutting mass-produced small parts with precision.

The grinder’s wheelhead traverse structure gives the machine a solid, compact footprint that saves floor space, while the user-friendly design eases loading of a variety of workpieces, which allows for automation setups in high-production environments.&Carbide Aluminum Inserts nbsp;

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