All Haas VF-1 through VF-12 40-taper VMCs are now equipped with a beefy 8100-rpm inline direct-drive spindle that is driven by a 30-horsepower vector drive system. The Haas inline system couples the spindle directly to the motor to reduce heat, increase power transmission, and provide excellent surface finishes. An optional 10,000-rpm inline direct-drive spindle is available for shops wanting higher spindle speeds. Both spindles yield 90 ft-lb of cutting torque.

For shops needing additional low-speed torque and wanting the flexibility of a gearbox, two optional gear-drive spindles are also available for standard Haas 40-taper VMCs. The optional spindles provide either 8100-rpm or 10,000-rpm, and feature a Haas-built, high-precision two-speed gearbox. Both geared spindles yield 250 ft-lb of torque.

Chip Shields are a durable polycarbonate shield that protects operators from flying debris often associated with blowing chips off machined parts. Chip Shields are great for keeping coolant from splashing everywhere during drying operations. Chip Shields are available to fit the Safety Air Guns you currently have in use.

EXAIR’s Safety Air Guns use engineered air nozzles for high performance and safety – designed to maximize entrainment of room air while minimizing compressed air consumption. The Precision Safety Air Gun is extremely lightweight and the most comfortable to operate during periods of extended use. The Heavy Duty and Soft Grip Safety Air Guns have a durable cast aluminum body for rugged industrial use. All are available with extension pipes and Chip Shields.  Prices start at $76.

Several states have already banned cell phone usage while driving.  Why would operating a piece of CNC machinery be any different?  Sure, operating a machine might become monotonous after awhile, but is that call or text message worth losing focus which might lead to broken tools, bad parts or even an injury?  We want to know… Is there a cell phone ban in your shop?  Should there be?

Got a shop tip of your own?  Let us know at shoptips@cncreport.com.

It used to be that 20 years ago was a significant amount. Not so much now. Haul someone from 1992 to 2012 and there wouldn’t be the same amount of future shock that bringing someone forward from 1930 to 1950 would have. Maybe we’ve become more sophisticated, more technically savvy. But, a 20 year span isn’t as shocking as it once was.

Take things back 35 years and the details of life were much different. Cable TV was strictly for rural folks who couldn’t get broadcast signals. Computers were room-sized hulks that only big businesses could afford. There were still pay phones, and they only cost a dime.

Technically things changed, but in the political / economic life, things haven’t changed that much. We still don’t know how to effectively control inflation, avoid recessions, or the complex relationships between economic growth and interest rates.

Back when Gerald Ford was president, the US was going through an inflationary period. Banks CDs were paying 10 percent and home mortgage rates were in the 13 and 14 percent range. Ford, and his administration, had no idea how to address inflation. In a move that only politicians could call “brilliant,” the president started wearing “WIN” buttons: Whip Inflation Now. As if the normal shop guy could go to a vendor and tell him to drop his price.

That kind of ineffectual blah-blah was called jaw-boning. If those in power would only say that the economic hard times were over, then through some magic fairy-dust, the hard times would disappear. Things haven’t changed much.

The current administration and it’s sycophants in the press keep trying to tell us that the Great Recession is over and that we’re on the road to recovery. It’s jawboning from down here in the trenches. Unemployment figures released in mid-May are up again, and that’s just those applying for unemployment benefits. There are millions of us out here who have burned through those benefits and are still jobless. And, it is jobs that make the economy roll.

We’re a consumer culture. The old saying “Nothing gets done until someone sells something,” is an economic fact. Without jobs and incomes, nothing gets sold because nothing can be bought.

Pumping printing-press money into the economy, in the guise of “economic stimulus” isn’t going to bring us out of recession. All it does is mortgage the future to higher taxes to pay off the loans the government is incurring.

If governments at all levels really want to get the economy back on its feet, it’s time they stopped making it harder for the small- and medium-sized business to get back to business. Lower taxes, less senseless regulation, and fewer “entitlements” will allow the guys with small businesses to get back to making things rather than filling out forms.

Pete Nofel

There’s plenty of choices out there, but we recommend the basic ribbed-pattern 5/8″ thick mats from Uline.  They also sell higher end Cadillac Mats that feature a different texture that is both “pivot friendly” and easier to sweep off with a broom, but cost about 20% more.

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With most other 5 axis table stops we’ve seen most suffer from instability from flex due to poor engineering or manufacturing.  The Pro-Stop is a solid table stop that made setups quick and easy. The body is made from 6061-T6 and pivot components are made from stainless steel to prevent rusting and to insure rigidity.

The manufacturer claims the friction o-rings provide smooth, precise adjustments, but out of the box they seemed a bit sticky.  We easily opened the body by loosening two screws and lubricated them with an o-ring compatible grease.  Now that’s smooth!  The spring loaded T-nuts definitely helped the unit slide around during positioning.  The 1/4″ stop rod can be modified, replaced or extended with longer piece of bar stock, but we recommend turning one end into a sharp point to pick up small part edges.

• Locking lever can be positioned 360º to avoid interference.
• T-nuts fit 5/8″ table studs. Unit is anodized red with a black cast aluminum handle.
• Made in the U.S.A.

Overall, a solid, well-built product.  As of this review it’s priced at $95.95… a bit high for a table stop but the quality, rigidity and adaptability definitely make it worth every penny.

Contact Rovi Products at (800) 423-5145 or visit them online at www.roviproducts.com for more info.

For some reason, the most popular method taught in most trade schools is to use a piece of paper as a feeler gauge.  This method isn’t good for several reasons: Paper thickness varies by several thousands, it’s messy and worthless once it’s wet and jogging the tool close to the part is too risky (a twitch of the wrist can end up with a broken tool and damaged part).

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Here’s a better method that uses gauge blocks that will leave you with an accuracy of about .0001″ (depending on the jog increment of your machine).

1. Jog the tool within 1/2″ of the top of the part.
2. Push a .500″ gauge block next to the tool and start jogging the tool up in .01″ increments.
3. Once the tool clears the block, move the block aside and jog it back down a few clicks.
4. Change the jog increment to .0001″.
5. Again, push the block against the tool and start jogging the tool until the block clears.
6. Record your offset in the control and subtract .500″.

There it is… you’ve just measured your tool offset length to within .0001″.

Do you have a Shop Tip you’d like to share?  Email us at shoptips@cncreport.com.

• Absorbent – Take wet parts out of the machine and set them on the towel.  By the end of the day, you won’t have a puddle on your bench.
• Soft – Placing calipers on a soft surface is one of the first things you learn in trade school.  Carbide tools also like a nice landing spot too.
• Available – You don’t have to wait for the infomercial to get their number.  Many auto part stores now carry a variety box with several sizes.
• Better – Definitely beats any other reusable towel on the market.

Have a shop tip of your own?  Share it with us at shoptips@cncreport.com.

Westec once again comes to Los Angeles on March 28th, but the real question is, “Are shops really looking to buy because of Westec?”  IMTS has always had a good reputation for helping companies move their products, but Westec… well, let’s just say the lookie-loos are in no shortage.  Maybe that’s due to the fact that Southern California has been a long time aerospace hub with manufacturers locked into the same old routine… Open vise, insert part, close vise, press start, repeat.  However, it’s odd yet refreshing to see how this year’s show has pivoted to take on a slightly different image.  Tapering off are the sessions stacked with executives from the big aerospace players.  Instead, Tom Kelley, GM of IDEO (a consumer products design company), will take center stage.  Refreshing indeed!

Of course, if your motto is still “Look, but don’t buy” you might be interested in these extracurricular activities while in Los Angeles:

• Tour Haas Automation – Oxnard
• Be amazed at the newly renovated Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles
• Eat at the PCH landmark, Neptunes Net – Malibu
• Be fascinated by watching planes take off at LAX – Los Angeles
• Play poker with the pros at the Commerce Casino – City of Commerce
• Drive through the heart of Compton… just to say you did it – Compton