Manufacturing Technology

itSeez3D turns iPad Into 3D scanner

When it comes to 3D scanning, more and more solutions are becoming available as the months go by. 3D scanning is allowing us to take photographs of people and things, in ways that we could never imagine before. Instead of only being able to look at a flat, 2-dimensional photo, we can now interact with 3D photographs via our computers, and create 3D replicas with the use of 3D printers. A company called itSeez3D has come up with a new iOS application, that when paired with the Structure Sensor allows people to take full 3-dimensional photographs of people and objects. It has an incredible ability to capture color and structural information of a subject, and then process it into a realistic looking 3D model. The app has the capability of capturing high resolution data, and features a unique augmented reality feedback system which enhances the scanning process (see video below). Once a scan has been captured, users have the ability to email the 3D representation to their friends, in .ply or .obj file formats, or simply upload it to sketchfab.com. Users can also 3D print it at home on their own 3D printers. If it is printed on an at-home FDM or SLA 3D printer, however, the colors will not print because of the current technology available. On the other hand, if a high quality 3D printer is used, the colors will be able to be preserved. For example, users could send their 3D scan to Shapeways or another service, to have it printed in full-color sandstone. itSeez3D has already uploaded 18 different models that they have created using the app, to their sketchfab profile, and I must admit, the quality appears to be excellent. Uploaded models include several people as well as a stuffed animal, a sneaker, a mug, […]

Hypertherm to Showcase World-class Metal Cutting Solutions at QME 2014

Hypertherm designs and manufactures the world’s most advanced plasma cutting systems for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, automotive repair. With a strong international presence, the company has been serving the Oceania market for more than 30 years, and has been expanding its local capabilities to meet domestic demand. Hypertherm’s mechanised plasma systems are used to manufacture mining equipment, such as conveyors, wear packages, and hoppers, while handheld systems are most commonly used to maintain and repair the heavy equipment used at the mines.Some of the uses of plasma on-site include pipe fabrication and repair, cutting off corroded bolts to repair bulldozer tracks and for gouging out welds prior to repairing trucks and loaders. In partnership with SMENCO Pty Ltd, Hypertherm’s solutions will be on display at the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition 2014 from 22 – 24 July. During the three-day event, visitors to Stand L199 can learn more about the thermal cutting solutions provided by Hypertherm, and the benefits that these innovations offer. Here are some highlights of the showcase: DuramaxTM Hyamp Torch The first of its kind in the industry, the DuramaxTM Hyamp long handheld torch is a groundbreaking new addition to the DuramaxTM Hyamp torch series. The long torch opens up new possibilities for scrapping, skeleton cutting, and other applications, and comes in two lengths – 1.2 m and 0.6 m. The special application torch is made from high impact and heat-resistant materials, and is designed for industrial use in harsh environments. It is compatible with the Powermax125, as well as the Powermax105/85/65 systems. Powermax air plasma systems Hypertherm’s Powermax line of products consists of six highly portable air plasma systems for handheld cutting, and five which can be used for automated cutting, and for gouging […]

High strength cellular aluminium foam for the automotive industry

Aluminium foam is used for applications that requires high level of energy and sound absorption characteristics. Researchers have developed an innovative process to make high strength cellular aluminium foam with help from some salt. Aluminium foam exhibits unique properties when compared to its dense form, particularly its lightweight characteristics. Generally, the foam can be divided into two categories; closed cell and open cell, both have different characteristics and applications. The features of the closed cell are, the pores structure is isolated and they are not connected to each other. This type of aluminium foam is suitable for application that requires high level of energy and sound absorption characteristics. It has been used widely in many structural parts, particularly in areas exposed to high damping capacity, for example in the automotive front bumper component. Meanwhile, the open cell, owing to greater level of connectivity of the pores, the structure has been accepted and used in thermal management applications. One such promising application is as a heat exchanger, particularly as a cooling medium to transfer heat, due to the development of its porous structure, which provides greater surface area, thus, enabling improved heat transfer efficiency. Producing a combined structure of open and closed cell in one volume component appears to be a difficult process due to the different processing techniques involved and their individual limitations. Therefore, in this study, an innovative processing route for high strength cellular aluminium foam (CAF) by integrating porous and dense structures is presented. The CAF is well known as a light-weight product exhibiting high level of inter-connected porosity which is very useful as a thermal management application, particularly as a heat transfer or cooling medium. However, the level of strength for the CAF is not really promising when it is subjected to high impact; thus, limit its […]

Network Time Machine ensures optimal user experience

The Network Time Machine LTE/VoLTE, is a portable LTE troubleshooting appliance that helps wireless carriers resolve network performance issues quickly and cost effectively. This ability is crucial to reducing customer churn, as subscribers who switch wireless carriers increasingly point to poor customer care and inadequate network performance as their reason for leaving. The Network Time Machine provides extensive network and application visibility, as well as the forensic details necessary to solve signalling or data performance problems in 20 Gbps carrier environments. Using Network Time Machine, carriers can measure and prove network performance, resolve subscriber issues and deliver the best possible consumer experience to meet growing voice, video, and data demands. “The proliferation of affordable smartphones, tablets, and other devices has sparked an ever-increasing popularity of mobile videos, games, and data applications,” said Amit Rao, general manager of the Carrier Wireless Core product line. “While networks have evolved from 3G to 4G/LTE to meet performance demands, network monitoring technologies have not kept pace. Network Time Machine LTE/VoLTE is the first troubleshooting appliance that can deliver the 20Gbps performance required for high-performance wireless networks and—even more important—for creating loyalty among today’s fickle wireless subscribers.” According to a recent Ovum survey*, 27 per cent of wireless subscribers who had changed carriers in the previous month cited “low network quality/speed of the services” as their reason for switching. More than 30 per cent said poor customer care was a key reason. While today’s wireless carriers need better and faster ways to resolve the network issues that drive customer complaints, most of their network engineers rely on solutions that lack capture performance or fragile appliances that must be shipped to unmonitored high-traffic LTE port locations. These tools often break and require complex configurations to make them operational. Network Time Machine is a rugged appliance that […]

PowerMILL 2015 to launch at IMTS

Picture: The improved collision detection in PowerMILL 2015 will be demonstrated at IMTS. Delcam will launch the 2015 version of its PowerMILL CAM system for high-speed and five-axis machining at IMTS 2014 in Chicago from 8th to 13th September on booth E3222, the largest CAM software booth at the show. The new release will include improvements to the Vortex high-efficiency area-clearance strategy, improved collision checking to also cover near misses, and more efficient raster finishing. The Vortex area-clearance strategy produces safe toolpaths with a much deeper cut by using a controlled engagement angle that maintains the optimum cutting conditions for the whole toolpath. As a result, higher feed rates and material-removal rates are possible, making the cutting time shorter by as much as 70%. In addition, cutting is undertaken at a more consistent volume-removal rate and at a near constant feedrate, so extending tool life and protecting the machine. Two enhancements in PowerMILL 2015 will give even greater reductions in machining time compared to conventional roughing. The first change allows toolpaths to approach the part from outside the stock at the cutting height for open pockets or in areas where earlier cuts have made this possible. Previously, all entry moves had to be made by plunging onto the surface or by ramping into the material. The second change allows an increased feed rate to be set for non-cutting moves. The default value is set at double the rate for the cutting moves but this can be altered as required for each machine tool. The extra time that can be saved depends on the shape of the part but an additional saving of around 20% should be expected above the earlier releases of Vortex. Another problem in previous versions of PowerMILL was that unnecessary lifts could be added to area-clearance toolpaths when […]

Injection moulders chosen for new BMW i3

In the picture:The production team and the machine platen. Krauss Maffei of Munich Germany have supplied BMW’s production plant at Leipzig, Germany with two double swivel plate Injection Moulding machines, complete with industrial robots that produce multi material plastics components for the New BMW i3 which went into production in September 2013. The MX 4000-17200/12000/750WL machines are impressive with dimensions of 24m Long x 9M wide x 7m High. They have a clamping force of 4000 tonnes and are producing the thermoplastic outer shell and combined substructure of the BMW i3. The BMW i3 is a five door urban electric car and is BMW’s first zero emissions mass produced vehicle that features carbon-fibre reinforced plastic that improves the vehicles energy consumption. Using the ‘joining in injection moulding’ process, the outer door shell and its substructure are injected in a single pass and are then joined when the two swivel plates turn and are bonded with a third plastic component. The combined work processes are said to ensure very high dimensional accuracy of the parts. The injection moulders were specifically developed for the project and produce the sidewall panels, rear bumper and hoods for the new generation BMW i3’s.

Autodesk completes acquisition of Delcam

In the picture: Carl Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk (centre) with (left to right) Glenn McMinn, President, Delcam North America; Clive Martell, Chief Executive, Delcam; Steve Hobbs, Development Director, Delcam; and Bart Simpson, Commercial Director, Delcam. Autodesk, Inc. completed its acquisition of Delcam, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, on February 6th. Delcam will operate as a wholly-owned, independently-operated subsidiary of Autodesk, with no significant changes planned for Delcam’s business. Autodesk, Inc.is a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries – including the last 18 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software to design, visualise and simulate their ideas. From design professionals, engineers and architects in all of the Fortune 100 companies to digital artists, students and hobbyists – Autodesk software is helping people unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. Autodesk has more than 7,300 employees worldwide and is headquartered in San Rafael, California. Headquartered in Birmingham, UK, Delcam’s range of design, manufacturing and inspection software provides automated CADCAM solutions for a variety of industries, ranging from aerospace and automotive to toys and sports equipment. The company has more than 30 offices worldwide and approximately 700 employees. “Autodesk brings to Delcam increased financial strength, unparalleled expertise in design, and a long history of making technology accessible to broad audiences. Through sharing our technology and expertise, this transaction will transform industries and improve how the world is designed and made,” said Delcam’s Chief Executive, Clive Martell. “By maintaining the basic structure of Delcam’s business, Autodesk is reflecting its trust in, and respect for, Delcam’s solutions, leadership and organization. We are excited to come together and further the vision, development and implementation of technology […]