FABTECH® 2016 Highlights—Day 2

Mazak Optiplex 3015 DDL

It’s been a really long, action-packed day. Twelve hours at a tradeshow may seem like a long time, and it is. But it’s not nearly enough to even begin to see all of the new, innovative products on display. I have many more booths to visit and miles to go before the show wraps up tomorrow afternoon.

This day began with a breakfast press conference at the Mazak Optonics booth, C31068. Among the new products the company introduced at the show are the QUICK CELL 3015 compact, high-speed automation system, the Versatile Compact Laser (VCL) - Tube 100, and the Optiplex 3015 DDL laser-cutting machine. Both the VCL and the Optiplex utilize the company’s direct diode laser (DDL) technology, an exclusive platform that delivers higher performance and reliability than traditional fiber or other solid-state laser generation systems, the company says.

The latter was explained and demonstrated by newly appointed President of North American Operations Al Bohlen. Bohlen knows the machine inside and out and did an amazing job of describing its design, operation, and benefits, which include better cut quality than fiber lasers and significant energy savings. The company believes the laser cutting industry will transition from fiber to direct diode technology and plans to include DDL on all of its machines.

This press conference was followed by another held by Cincinnati Inc. in booth C31102. This company clearly understands editors who spend far too much time on their feet. I can tell you from first-hand experience that the chairs the company produces with its BAAM (big area additive manufacturing machine) are super-comfortable, sturdy, and attractive. No, the company doesn’t produce furniture for the retail market, but it could. Those of us at the conference sat on these chairs throughout the presentation. I inquired about buying one. Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s done so, because I was quoted a price. I asked about a “show deal,” but obviously no one heard my question. (Sorry guys; you missed a sale!)

In its presentation, the company featured the CM960 6,000-W air-assist laser system that uses very dry, clean compressed air; the Maxform linear-driven, 6-axis back gauge press brake; and a new model of the GoForm press brake that incorporates a laser guiding device that also provides angle measuring.

It also introduced the SAAM (small area additive manufacturing) machine designed for making small parts and for producing models of larger parts for approval before they are produced on the BAAM machine.

I don’t know that I have ever seen a better product presenter than TigerStop’s Scott Brode. He has a vast amount of product knowledge and great presentation skills. My visit to the company’s booth (C50085) was the first time that I had witnessed someone make potential customers listening to him part of his presentation for the press. Showcased in the TigerStop booth were various Piranha machines that had been automated with TigerStop technology.

Piranha came to the company six months ago and asked if it could automate its ironworker to reduce the number of steps an operator had to take to produce a part. The company “safe-fully automated the machine” and eliminated the “walkabout” required to handle and position parts, steps that used to take two and one-half minutes per part. The company also automated a Piranha shear. This automation can be applied to other machines as well, which makes for great collaboration that benefits the end user.

Collaboration became another show “theme” in my mind as I visited with two companies exhibiting in the Genesis Systems Group booth (N2729). The first was Mechdyne, which has collaborated with Genesis to create an amazing 3-D visual representation of systems that the company designs for its customers. Customers visit the Genesis facility, view the system created to their specs—in operation—and dictate changes as necessary. Honestly, words don’t do this visual justice. Go to the booth, grab a pair of 3-D glasses, and take a look for yourself. This has to be one of the coolest things I have seen at the show, and it’s proven to be a great sales tool for Genesis.

The second company I visited in the Genesis booth was IGear, which was showing Squeaks®, A mobile-first industrial messaging app that facilitates quicker, better decision-making, while instilling collaboration amongst team members, with machines as part of the conversation.

Cincinnati CM960

Described as Twitter for manufacturing, the application allows for complete transparency in the factory. I watched as a message was generated when a robotic system was running low on welding wire. An individual “tuned in” to this machine could comment, click “got it” to notify all of those following the machine that he or she would be responsible for resolving the issue, forward the message as necessary, and take other actions, all of which would create a history. Complete transparency. Probably a nightmare for slackers in an organization, but an invaluable tool for managing an operation.

My last set appointment for the day was with Miller Electric Mfg. (N3329). As usual, the company had several new offerings, including some that have not yet been officially launched. The new Auto-Continuum™ 350 and Auto-Continuum 500 MIG welding systems are designed to deliver advanced arc performance to improve throughput and weld quality in demanding automation applications.

Probably the most impressive machine to me was the Jetliner by Miller laser hot wire machine for cladding. Wire is melted to just below its melting temperature, between a solid and liquid phase, for direct metal deposition.

Coming soon? Be looking for a new helmet line that is 76 percent more comfortable, one of the lightest I’ve ever held with some special comfort features.

That’s a wrap for today. Tune in tomorrow night for a recap of day three, the final day of FABTECH 2016.

Slide Show | 5 Images