Product News

  Delcam demonstrated the 2012 version of Delcam for SolidWorks, its integrated CAM system for SolidWorks, at SolidWorks World in San Diego this month. This latest release includes programming of wire EDM for the first time, alongside the comprehensive options for the programming of turning, mill-turn, drilling and two- through five-axis milling. Other enhancements include target-part comparison, the ability to compare a model of the desired final shape with the shape achieved by the programmed toolpaths, and multiple-instance programming, the programming of multiple SolidWorks components in one operation, either in the same orientation or in different orientations. Fully-automated de-burring and chamfering has also been added to give faster programming of these finishing operations on 2- or 2.5-axis parts. The ability to incorporate chamfers, even when they are not shown in the original SolidWorks model, duplicates functionality previously available in Delcam’s feature-based CAM system, FeatureCAM. Delcam for SolidWorks 2012 also incorporates enhancements from the 2012 release of FeatureCAM, including improvements in the use of stock models and new options in the tooling database. Stock models allow the user to visualise the material remaining after each operation. This makes it easier to eliminate air cutting and so generate more efficient toolpaths with reduced machining times. The models also simplify the selection of the most appropriate tool sizes for rest-roughing and finishing operations. The tooling database is a key part of the automation in Delcam for SolidWorks as it allows the optimum operating conditions to be associated with each tool. In most companies, the database is developed by the most experienced user. It then ensures that even inexperienced operators use safe and efficient cutting parameters. Delcam for SolidWorks, which has been awarded Certified Gold Product status by Dassault Systmes SolidWorks Corp, combines the benefits associated with DelcamÕs PowerMILL and FeatureCAM CAM systems. It […]

Robyn Robertson of Regional Business Partner Waikato and Matamata tentmaker Lindsay Tasker.   A Matamata tentmaker’s dream of helping the world with his humanitarian housing is closer to reality thanks to Regional Business Partner (RBP) Waikato. LTL Covers owner Lindsay Tasker has developed SeekaShelter tent prototype to use as emergency housing in the wake of natural disasters. Born of LTL’s successful Calf-Chalet shelter product, Lindsay and his wife and business partner Ellen are working with RBP towards distributing the housing product to governments around the globe. The Tasker’s SeekaShelter product is a 3m by 3.6m half-round tent assembled using a patented flexible join system and light-weight steel-based framing covered with double-skinned polyethylene. The quickly-assembled shelter system has been tested in 120km winds and can house up to eight people. “The next step in the journey is to have it tested by international aid agencies like the Red Cross. Regional Business Partner is helping me get it to that stage,” Lindsay said “RBP has helped me give my business vision a solid foundation. It has equipped me with the things I need to work towards to take the business to the next level.” RBP provides government-funded business support throughout Waikato and is managed by Opportunity Hamilton and Waikato Innovation Park. The free service is available throughout the region. Lindsay’s goal is for global governments to stockpile the tents = about 70 per shipping container = to use in the wake of natural disaster. “This business is about much more than making money. As a Christian it is important for me to work towards making the world a better place and that is my vision,” he said. “Finding out about the support available, like RBP and James and Wells patent attorneys has been invaluable.” Lindsay bought the Kaitaia-based tent business after a […]

  PICTURE  CAPTION : Operator Lawrence Dunn, checks a product post-production. Rex Upton’s Christchurch company, Autobend, has 30 years experience in exhausts and mandrel tube bending. The company is big in the business of replacement exhausts, universal mufflers, headers, big bore, extensions, U Bends, tube, flanges, converters, studs and gaskets; you name it, Autobend stock the lot. However, if you are an architect, design engineer, developer, kinetic artist, dairyman or wine, boat or furniture maker. Autobend’s clarion-call is: ‘don’t weld it; bend it.’ You should be dropping by at their Andromeda Crescent premises and stepping into a spotless, engineering shop where their blue-and-yellow brute has recently been installed. It is New Zealand’s biggest mandrel tube-bender, the CSM 100TBRE-RBE, courtesy of Autobend. And they’ve backed that significant investment with a smart, young engineer, one of their own James Patterson, a production manager, who joined them since gaining NZCE James has alongside him an experienced and highly-qualified CNC machine operator and a ‘master of the black art of ‘adjustment’ in a precise business’, Lawrence Dunn, also blessed with experienced hands and not that many ‘miles on his clock’ who has just returned from his OE. You get the sense they are up for anything which isn’t dangerous or dumb. Anything from 1-180 degrees (the latter has a u-bend in it). The CSM bender is world class technology, offering high-precision bending and rolling of tubes, supported throughout by an internal mandrel – a series of inter-connected metal ‘balls’ of a matching diameter – and a carriage boost. This results in an absence of humps, bumps and wrinkles, or any elongation of bend. According to Patterson, Autobend staff can programme variable radii (when rolling tubes) or produce straight and concentric coils, with CNC precision, as well as repeat bending and rolling to the original specifications. […]

  Hammond Manufacturing has added the AA, the A and C sizes to its 1553 family of soft-sided hand held enclosures; all models feature an ergonomic curved shape that fits comfortably into the hand. The AA measures 75 x 50 x 17mm, the A 100 x 61 x 17mm and the C size, available with or without a battery compartment is 117 x 79 x 33mm. The C size is a deeper version of the existing B size, which has a depth of 24mm. Available in RAL 7035 light grey or RAL 9011 black, both colours feature RAL 7012 grey over-moulded soft side grips. The units are moulded in general purpose ABS and are ideal for housing small hand-held instruments, remote controllers, flying lead machine controllers and many other applications where a small stylish, easy to hold enclosure is required. The top cover is recessed to allow a membrane keypad to be flush mounted and PCB standoffs are moulded into the base. Battery versions are supplied with clips for two AA and one PP3 batteries. All 1553 enclosures can be supplied factory modified with machining and silk screening to the user’s specification; to help the design process, AutoCAD and PDF dimensioned drawings can be downloaded from www.hammondmfg.com. nextSTEP Contact: sales@hiq.co.nz Tel: 0800 800 293  

    The Veo 16:64 Phased Array instrument is highly capable with multi-technique functionality, including TOFD; fast data recording, a simple to use interface and rugged housing. Veo is ideal for Pipeline Weld Inspection, Corrosion Mapping, Aerospace and Composite Testing. Veo’s design has made simple controls and menu workflow of paramount importance. The display features full 3D views of the user’s test set up including probes, wedges, the weld and geometry, with phased array beams. On-board probe and wedge databases are incorporated in the Veo for fast setups. The Veo Phased Array instrument has TCG and ACG, a superior encoding speed with fast A-scan recording and excellent reporting functionality. Two separate conventional channels provide simultaneous Phased Array and TOFD scanning to speed inspection and ensure correct data referencing for improved defect characterization. Real Time Focal Law calculations allow the user to change scanning parameters instantly, reducing the time spent on setup and defect investigation. The Veo enclosure has been designed to withstand the tough environments in which NDT inspections are carried out, achieving IP65 standard for water and dust ingress and employing internal shock mounts to withstand impacts. The market sectors largest sunlight readable screen is on the Veo. This is a great advantage with complex inspections and multiple probe configurations. Batteries give up to 6 hours use, and are hot swappable for continuous use.      

Photo: Tim Parker, founder and managing director of Cleanfuelz with the latest experimental model. Did you know that most petrol engines only use 20% and diesels only use 40% of the fuel – and waste the rest as noxious exhaust fumes? Cleanfuelz has been developing a solution to the problem of the inefficient burning of fuel in vehicle engines since 2008. Their initial plan was to become the NZ distributor for American designed ‘Hydrogen On Demand’ products. However it was quickly established that the sample units were simply not robust enough and used a large amount of energy and often required major engine modifications to make them work. Cleanfuelz decided to take a totally different approach, and after numerous designs, a university test confirmed that the Catalyser produced gasses that had a catalytic effect on the combustion of the fuel. That is, introducing hydrogen into the fuel mixture increases the rate of combustion and means that nearly all the fuel is combusted. This results in lower noxious exhaust emissions (up to 90% reductions), while using only a small amount of energy. This can also result in fuel savings and less wear and tear on the engine. However, we found that fuel savings for every vehicle are often different because this depends on a number of factors including the condition of the engine and how it is tuned or programmed. The Catalyser can be installed on any type of vehicle using any type of hydrocarbon fuel. On bigger engines above six litres we usually suggest installing two units. We have seen remarkable improvements on petrol and diesel engines of 1500 CC up to 220HP in tractors. Vehicles can be your normal car or truck, or any off road vehicle like farm tractors, forklifts, heavy equipment, bulldozers, graders, diggers etc. We believe […]

A new approach to miniaturised heaters is proving to be outstandingly reliable, versatile and economic. Miniaturised ceramic heaters capable of independently controlling their dissipation are replacing Nichrome elements universally used until recently in domestic medical and military  applications. It is now possible to mass produce incredibly small controlled dissipation 230 V elements onto small 12 mm x 9 mm ceramic substrates capable of operating at over 350¡ celsius. Besides heaters the technology can be used for such diverse applications as thermal print heads, molecular gas flow sensors and tracking transmitters. Thick Film technology is used wherever high reliability is required, such as space satellites and heart pacemakers. Circuit elements are physically printed sometimes in multiple layers on thin ceramic sheets and then fired at high temperature typically 850¡C to form working electronic modules.

The Cigweld Transmig 175i is a self contained single phase multi process welding inverter that is capable of performing GMAW/FCAW (Mig), MMAW (Stick) and GTAW (Lift Tig) welding processes. The unit is equipped with an integrated wire feed unit, voltage reduction device (VRD applicable in stick mode only), digital voltage and amperage meters, and a host of other features in to fully satisfy the broad operating needs of the modern welding professional. It features: Full multi process capabilities: GMAW/FCAW (MIG), MMAW (STICK), GTAW (TIG) Standards Compliant Voltage Reduction device (VRD) Fully compliant to AS 60974.1 Digital voltage and amperage meters Enclosure rated to IP23S 3 Year Limited Warrant Specifications Supply Voltage            240 volt, 1 phase 50/60 Hz Supply plug lead        15 amp Welding current range        10 – 175 amps Duty Cycle            175 amps @ 25% duty cycle (Mig) 175 amps @ 20% duty cycle (Stick) 175 amps @ 25% duty cycle (Tig) Power source weight        14.6 kg : Plant 23 kg Dimensions            H460mm x W320mm x D590mm Plant contents: Transmig 175i inverter power Source, Tweco Fusion Mig Gun (3M), Comet Professional Argon regulator/flow meter, Feed rolls 0.6/0.8 V groove (fitted) , 1.0/1.2mm U groove; 0.8/0.9 V Knurled, Contact tips: 0.8mm fitted, 0.6mm, 0.9mm, 1.0mm, Electrode holder with 4m lead, Work clamp with 4m lead, Shielding gas hose assembly, Shoulder strap , Product bag and operating manual. NextSTEP Contact: ken-durbin@thermadyne.com.au