New products in the metal removal sector at IMTS 2024

For manufacturers who stand at the crossroads of a machining challenge, the smartest path forward runs through IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. Held at McCormick Place in Chicago on Sept. 9-14, IMTS enables visitors to connect with more than 235 exhibitors in the Metal Removal Sector.

“Visitors come to the Metal Removal Sector to see new product launches, compare technologies side by side, and find resources that enable them to make chips more efficiently while reducing production expenses,” says Peter R. Eelman, chief experience officer, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “The value of IMTS 2024 is that the exhibits showcase machining centers in innovative configurations that enable unattended operation and combine multiple operations in a single setup to reduce parts handling and cycle time.”

“We visit IMTS to research ideas and to know what technology is available,” says Brian Olson, co-owner of Olson Custom Designs, a contract manufacturer in Indianapolis. “When a customer presents us with a new opportunity, we’re ready to react, which is part of our winning mentality.”

In positive, related news for equipment buyers, the Wall Street Journal reported on July 31 that the Federal Reserve has opened the door further to a September rate cut, saying, “Officials made two important changes to their policy statement that acknowledged recent progress in their inflation fight and that pivoted closer to lowering rates.” 

New Mills and Lathes

Okuma (IMTS booth #338500) will unveil three new CNC machine tools at IMTS 2024: the Okuma MA-4000H horizontal machining center, the Okuma LB2000 EX III-MYW horizontal lathe, and the Okuma LB4000 EX III-MYW horizontal lathe. All three feature Okuma’s new OSP-P500 CNC control, which has greater processing power with dual-core computer processors and embedded, robust cybersecurity features to protect operations and data. The Okuma Factory Automation Division will also launch three new systems: the Okuma SmarTwinCELL (an entire manufacturing cell managed by Okuma technologies), the Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR, a mobile robot designed to shuttle workpieces between processing stations), and the Okuma Robot Loader (ORL, an easy-to-integrate robot designed to load and unload workpieces from machines).

Mazak (IMTS booth #338300) will demonstrate the next-generation productivity and versatility of the HCN-4000 Neo horizontal machining center with Mazak’s 12-station High Rise Palletech system at IMTS 2024 as part of the company’s advanced machining action area. The HCN-4000 Neo also accepts the Multi Pallet Pool (MPP) system and external robot. A standard 40-tool magazine keeps the machine supplied during extended machining, with larger-capacity options available, including 60, 80, 120 or 160-tool magazines, or a Tool Hive with 240 or 348 tools.

DN Solutions (IMTS #338900) will debut the new Puma TT2500SYB twin-spindle, twin-turret horizontal turning center. In addition to a 4-inch bar capacity on both the main and sub spindles, the new Puma TT2500SYB features 3,000 rpm built-in drive spindles that deliver up to 35 horsepower each. These specifications combine with 12 stations in the upper and lower turrets to make this machine ideal for the heavy-duty cutting of complex parts demanded by the energy industry, such as fracking tubes, fracking mandrels, perforating guns, and other components. 

“The Puma TT series is our most fully featured and productive collection of turning centers,” says Andy McNamara, vice president of sales at DN Solutions America. “The 4-inch bar capacity gives our customers the opportunity to bar feed larger part applications on this highly productive turning center platform. At IMTS 2024, this machine will be demonstrated with a large capacity bar feeder for unmanned operation.” 

DN Solutions will also feature the DVF 5000 Second Generation simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining center and the DNM 5700 4th Generation vertical machine center, both of which offer faster speeds and enhanced machining capabilities over previous-generation machines.  

Hurco (IMTS booth #338319) will launch its TM8MYi turning center, which was built to fill the gap between Hurco’s general purpose TM series and high-performance TMX series of lathes. The TM8MYi is a slant-bed lathe with live tooling capabilities and a Y-axis that makes it possible to machine a pocket with straight walls and flat bottoms or perform off-center machining operations with just the click of a box. It also features a BMT55 turret, which is more robust and rigid than the more commonly used BMT45.

Hurco will also demonstrate the capabilities of ProCobots automation on several Hurco machines, illustrating how simple it is to set up and run different jobs through the Hurco control’s Automation Job Manager feature. ProCobots completely eliminates the need for complex robot programming and allows the user to manage automation through the Hurco control. 

Index Corp. (IMTS booth #339119) will feature its C200 Fanuc, a cost-effective new variant of its highly successful production machining center. The C200 Fanuc merges the innovative design and high performance of Index’s successful production turning center with a Fanuc control. Powerful twin spindles achieve rapid material removal while the patented SingleSlide guide system offers a fast dynamic response by providing two degrees of movement in one plane. A third turret enables further productivity gains, as it can quickly move between spindles for high flexibility and cycle-time minimization.

“At IMTS 2024, Fives (IMTS booth #338260) is reinvigorating legacy Cincinnati machines such as the Arrow, Sabre, and Lancer vertical machining centers and the Cincinnati Maxim horizontal machine center,” says Justin Falck, marketing and communications manager, High Precision Machine Division, Fives. “To help guide visitors for finding the best solutions in our comprehensive portfolio, we are also holding daily tech talks, as well as using interactive demonstrations to show machine configurations.”

Combined Operations

Exhibitors in the Metal Removal Sector also feature CNC solutions with additional capabilities. The CH-Series mill from C.R. Onsrud (IMTS booth #338109) combines friction stir welding with milling, tapping, and sawing processes to produce finished parts in a single setup. This capability not only saves on changeover time and increases throughput, but it also ensures exceptional weld quality and accurately machined parts. C.R. Onsrud will also feature the X-Series CNC machining center for aluminum profile extrusions and pultrusions. The X-Series saws, mills, drills, slots, and taps without the material having to be repositioned. 

Etxe-Tar USA (IMTS booth #338021) will highlight its 4-axis Xflex Twin Laser CNC, a first-of-its-kind solution featuring up to six independent lasers, which is built on the same platform as the Twin CNC machining solution. The modular platform allows for multiple part processing with the two adjacent cutting units for a total of up to six laser heads. It offers up to 50% faster cutting and high repeatability for production of aluminum automotive components such as structural pillars, cross members, bumper beams, front and rear castings, rocker sills, and EV battery box profiles.

“Because of the tight labor market, manufacturers need to increase efficiency by using automated processes that produce more volume in less time, and they can evaluate these technologies at IMTS 2024,” says Eelman. 

He notes that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report indicates that manufacturing had a total of 603,000 job openings (428,000 in durable goods), which is an increase of 11,000 compared to a year ago. Overall, about three-quarters of U.S. job openings are in businesses with fewer than 249 employees, which encompasses most manufacturers. 

To find more efficient metal removal technology, register to attend IMTS 2024 and plan your visit. Use AMT’s Global Housing Solutions for the best hotel booking experience and room and price guarantees.