Acu-Rite Solutions
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Acu-Rite Solutions
Acu-Rite Solutions

Entry to advanced: A machinist’s career growth via Acu-Rite Solutions

Education and training are essential and unending in the world of manufacturing. Whether just beginning training or being a seasoned machinist, it’s crucial to keep skills up-to-date and to adapt to advancing manufacturing technologies. With the right training and tools, manufacturers can unlock the ability to run more advanced machines and achieve greater success in their field. The Acu-Rite Solutions product catalog allows learners to grow into and layer on more advanced features as they master the basics. Richard Brown, Machine Tool Instructor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, shared his perspective on progressive product training at the college: “The program actually takes you from the foundational skills all the way through completion of programming CNC” … “Here we feel like you need the foundational skills so that if something goes wrong with the program, you know how to adjust it. Acu-Rite Solutions is good to teach on because it gives the student, right in their face, what’s happening as they’re moving the dials. Once they get that, you no longer see them watching the dials. You see them just watching the screen and they know exactly where it’s at when they’re cutting the parts.” You can support a machinist’s career path, from entry-level to advanced, by pairing the trainee with various products in the Acu-Rite Solutions catalog. Let’s step through the sample progressive product training below. Entry-Level: Manual Input Systems One of the first steps in manufacturing education is gaining experience with manual machine tools. This entry-level exposure allows individuals to learn the fundamentals of machining, including tool selection, work holding, and toolpath creation. For trainees newer to manufacturing, Acu-Rite Solutions offers a range of entry-level manual input systems that are ideal for shop classes, production environments, and small shops. The DRO100, DRO203, DRO300, and droPWR are digital readout systems that allow users to quickly and accurately measure workpiece dimensions. The TURNPWR and MILLPWRG2 systems are CNC retrofit packages that can be added to existing manual machine tools to enable CNC capabilities. By mastering these manual input systems first, trainees will establish a foundational understanding of basic machine functions. [...]

2024-07-15T21:26:42+00:00

Key considerations when selecting a digital readout system (DRO)

Older manual machines were built to last; ”good bones” as they say. But as technology improves and the bar gets higher, manual machines may need a digital retrofit to be fully usable. That’s where digital readouts (DROs) come in; in conjunction with digital controls, they can essentially turn machines from manual to CNC with easy-to-use, digital functionality. Not only do DROs allow shops and training facilities to get more life from their manual machines, but they can improve productivity and raise the quality of the machined workpiece. How DROs work Put simply, a DRO is a communication device between the operator and the machine tool. The DRO displays the machine table’s direction, distance and location. The readout/interface itself pairs with feedback devices installed directly on the motion axes to provide positional feedback; operators can then see the position of the tool/workpiece on the DRO screen. Common types of digital readout (DRO) systems DROs can be used for a fairly wide range of machining applications: Milling (vertical boring mills, universal horizontal/vertical mills) Turning (horizontal lathes, vertical lathes) Surface grinders Optical comparators EDM machines Common types of DROs range from entry-level DROs that provide measurement for a single-axis machine all the way up to advanced DROs with programming function capabilities and measurement of up to six axes. New technology is even making it possible to turn an ordinary iPad into a digital readout with a single app. Factors to consider when purchasing a DRO At the most basic level, all DROs enable the same thing: feedback to the operator about the position of the machine and workpiece to enable more accurate and productive machining. But choosing the right DRO for your specific needs involves a few key factors. Application/machine type First and foremost, your DRO selection will depend on your machining application and type of machine, because different DROs support different machining operations and different numbers of axes. This simple DRO selector tool can help you make your selection based on machining application and number of axes. For those looking for one DRO for multiple machine types and applications, the new droPWR turns any iPad into a digital [...]

2024-07-15T15:18:51+00:00

Acu-Rite Solutions releases droPWR app

The new iOS app allows users to turn an iPad® into a versatile digital readout Schaumburg, IL (March 2023) – Acu-Rite Solutions announced that its new iOS app, droPWR, is now available in the Apple App Store. The app allows users to turn an ordinary iPad into a versatile digital readout console. This advancement leverages Acu-Rite Solutions long-standing expertise and offerings in the DRO space—while taking flexibility and ease-of-use even further. Key benefits of the droPWR include: Provides intuitive user experience and touchscreen conventions Allows users to dynamically switch between milling, turning and grinding machines/applications to save time and money Allows multiple configurations on one tablet, with parameters set to each user On-boarding configuration easily walks the user through application setup Uses Bluetooth technology for wireless connectivity to encoders via an interface box Two key user advantages of the droPWR app are split-screen functionality and dynamic zoom. The split-screen capability allows users to multitask—having more than one application displayed at a time (the readout application on one side and part print on the other, for example). The dynamic zoom feature when enabled allows the user to visually see the position value of the current moving axis to greatly improve legibility—especially from a distance. “Acu-Rite Solutions DROs allow manufacturers and educators to take their manual machines to the next level in terms of precision, productivity and overall potential,” says Acu-Rite Solutions Business Unit Manager, John Parker. “The droPWR takes this to the next level, thanks to its versatility and multi-machine capabilities. It’s a perfect fit for classrooms and manufacturing environments of all kinds.” To learn more about droPWR and get a link to download the app, visit acu-rite solutions.com/controls-readouts/dropwr. To download a high-resolution image click here.

2024-07-16T13:47:41+00:00

New Bluetooth droPWR app

SCHAUMBURG, IL (August 2022) – Offering machinists a pioneering way to a new Bluetooth-enabled digital readout, HEIDENHAIN presents the highly anticipated Acu-Rite Solutions-brand droPWR. This new droPWR is a first-of-its-kind system to enable an iPad® tablet to become a digital readout (DRO), doing everything an Acu-Rite Solutions DRO can except without cables between tablet and machine tool! The droPWR will first be shown at IMTS 2022 in Chicago on September 12-17. Bluetooth technology along with an IBT interface box in the droPWR system allows connection to multiple machine configurations in one tablet including for milling, turning, and grinding machines with up to six axes. Designed to be simple and functional, this tablet DRO can be moved and used with various machines, making it perfect for many production environments such as small shops and students in shop class. The new droPWR takes manual machining to the next level by combining the familiar intuitive user experience from the traditional Acu-Rite Solutions DROs with modern touch screen conventions. The new droPWR system includes the new software, an IBT interface box suitable for the machine tool and relevant encoders/brackets if needed. A tablet with iOS 15 or greater is required. And with its simple on-boarding configuration set up, a user can quickly establish connection to its intended machine(s). Acu-Rite Solutions is a brand of HEIDENHAIN consisting of digital readouts, linear scales and controls. Acu-Rite Solutions DROs and controls are manufactured in the U.S. www.acu-rite solutions.com Click here to view droPWR product page. High-resolution image available here. Media contact: Kathleen Herrmann, K-Pro PR, Inc. kherrmann@kpropr.com or 224-520-0665 Product contact: John Parker, HEIDENHAIN Machine Tool Business Development Manager jparker@heidenhain.com or 716-456-3150

2024-07-15T14:32:24+00:00

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