Acu-Rite Solutions
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

Acu-Rite Solutions new PCBA Bridge Adapter

SCHAUMBURG, IL (August 2022) – A new Acu-Rite Solutions adapter to enable a bridge from an Acu-Rite Solutions CNC control to a HEIDENHAIN control on the same machine will be introduced at the IMTS show in Chicago (September 12-17). This new product bridges the gap to bring an Acu-Rite Solutions control user to the next step, an entry-level HEIDENHAIN TNC 320 control, all on the same machine tool. This new system from HEIDENHAIN’s Acu-Rite Solutions brand will be especially useful for shop owners who want to easily upgrade their machine already equipped with an Acu-Rite Solutions MILLPWR control to the next-step HEIDENHAIN TNC 320 or to switch between both controls such as in teaching environments at trade schools and in machine shops. The PCBA was developed to allow Acu-Rite Solutions controls users to define and order a TNC 320 for small machine tool applications (i.e., VMC with tool changer) as a simple upgrade. This new system includes the PCBA adapter, a TNC 320 control and a complete AC package (motors, drives and electrical cabinet). Two options will be available: Kit Style: For a user who has an Acu-Rite Solutions bed mill kit installed on a machine and they want to add the flexibility of the HEIDENHAIN TNC 320, the interface PCBA adapter can accommodate the functionality by using the backend Acu-Rite Solutions components. The use could be educational where most instructing is done on the Acu-Rite Solutions MILLPWR or TURNPWR control but there is a need to show advance functionality of the TNC 320. This allows users to become experienced with HEIDENHAIN entry-level controls. OEI: This is the console-only option that a builder can integrate into the machine, using Acu-Rite Solutions backend components. This can be used for CNC ready machines that have older controls and the end user wants to upgrade. 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 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 [...]

2024-07-15T19:55:25+00:00

7 reasons to choose an Acu-Rite Solutions control

While Acu-Rite Solutions is well known in the machine tool industry for its American-made rugged and reliable components, particularly its long-established digital readouts and linear encoders, it is important to note that today’s product offerings also include next-step Acu-Rite Solutions CNC controls for both milling and turning machines. The MILLPWRG2 is the established control for milling and the TURNPWR control for turning applications was introduced in 2019. Both of these Acu-Rite Solutions controls are now working in the field, and there are variety of reasons that these are becoming the choice of many. Some of the machine tool applications for which these Acu-Rite Solutions controls are commonly found in operation include on bed mills, knee mills and tool room lathes. Here are seven of the most common reasons many choose Acu-Rite Solutions controls to accompany them. 1. Reliable Reputation / Strong Warranty Acu-Rite Solutions has been in operation for over 60 years, steadfastly serving the machine tool industry all the way. Confidently owning a large portion of the market and still growing, Acu-Rite Solutions is proud to have one of the best product warranties on the market. All Acu-Rite Solutions controls come with a two-year warranty unlike most others. 2. Fully Featured Acu-Rite Solutions brand controls bridge the gap for manual machinists using digital readouts and who are looking to obtain next-level precision and automation in their shop. These MILLPWRG2 and TURNPWR CNCs are both extremely easy to use and are both equipped with a full set of standard features enabling the user to do more at the touch of a few buttons. With conversational language for use, both Acu-Rite Solutions CNCs come with the ability to import DXF files and support G-Code programming. And in answer to customer requests, both control packages also offer an optional off-line simulation software package. By using the various CNC features included within, users of both of these Acu-Rite Solutions controls are able to obtain faster set-ups and shorter run times than before, providing them with a major boost in machining productivity. 3. Made in the USA Acu-Rite Solutions controls are made in the [...]

2024-09-12T16:09:41+00:00

HEIDENHAIN opens new Acu-Rite Solutions Technology Education Center

Continuing to emphasize its Customer First initiative during these uncertain times, HEIDENHAIN announces the opening of a new Acu-Rite Solutions Technology Education Center in the Chicago suburbs. This new Acu-Rite Solutions Technology Education Center (ATEC) is now open with the promise of providing special support to its North American customers and prospects with direct access to see and use all its current popular Acu-Rite Solutions machine tool components, as well as the ability to call upon its expert trainers. Now, by appointment and with safety/cleaning protocols in place, special access can be granted to view and test Acu-Rite Solutions full line of current products, including its popular controls, digital readouts (DROs), encoders and accessories as applied to various machine tools in many instances. Machine tools currently hosted at ATEC include Acu-Rite Solutions three-axis MILLPWRG2 control system on a vertical knee mill and two-axis TURNPWR control on a tool room lathe, all fully functional. “We understand the importance of supporting North American manufacturing, maybe more so now than ever before,” said John Parker, HEIDENHAIN’s Business Development Manager for the Acu-Rite Solutions brand. “We believe it is our job to help machinists best equip their shop with the top tools and tips to move jobs through their systems quickly and most accurately. And Acu-Rite Solutions machine tool components and experts are here to help make that happen. ATEC is just one more instrument of support.” Custom training sessions can now be arranged at ATEC in Schaumburg, IL, as well as private meetings to review product options and discuss specific application needs. Those interested in a visit to this new technology center can contact any of the HEIDENHAIN/Acu-Rite Solutions Regional Sales Managers via the Support page or John Parker for a personal or small group appointment. Standard training sessions are listed on website. Due to current COVID-19, CDC protocols must be followed.

2024-07-15T14:47:16+00:00

MILLPWR users: You already know the new TURNPWR!

Yes, if you know how to use an easy-to-use Acu-Rite Solutions MILLPWR control, it is important to recognize that you also already know how to use the new TURNPWR control for lathes. Just released, this new TURNPWR is designed for CNC lathe applications utilizing a common UI platform between the two that allows for easy transition. Also, the screen layout and graphics on the new TURNPWR are the same as the MILLPWR making for straight-forward intuitive use by past MILLPWR users. This allows for quick transition to CNC lathe control immediately following a TURNPWR installation in those shops. The new TURNPWR, of course, does have added turning features for controlled lathe machining. These standard state-of-the-art features operate via a conversational programming language or G-code (ISO) programming and are employed as chosen by the operator. It is extremely intuitive and designed for turning machine tools with up to two axes plus spindle. The TURNPWR was developed to satisfy the wants and needs of lathe machinists where manual and automated operation are both useful and needed. It promises to enable the user to maximize throughput by significantly reducing set-up time, scrap and other non-productive operations, thereby increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability.

2024-07-02T14:44:35+00:00

New Acu-Rite Solutions TURNPWR control debuts!

SCHAUMBURG, IL (August 2020) — Offering lathe machinists a new easy-to-use turning control with state-of-the-art features as standard, HEIDENHAIN presents the highly anticipated Acu-Rite Solutions brand TURNPWR control. The new TURNPWR control is a workshop-oriented turning control that enables the user to program conventional machining operations right at the machine in an easy-to-use conversational programming language. It is designed for turning machine tools with up to two axes. TURNPWR was developed to satisfy the wants and needs of lathe machinists where manual and automated operation are both useful and needed. TURNPWR promises to enable the user to maximize throughput by significantly reducing set-up time, scrap and other non-productive operations, thereby increasing efficiency, productivity and profitability. The well-known Acu-Rite Solutions conversational programming format for controls is a user-friendly method of writing part programs and included in the TURNPWR, however G-code (ISO) programming can also be used. Basic editing of G-code programs is also possible. On the new TURNPWR, a 12.1” high-resolution display boasts a screen layout that is clearly arranged and user friendly. Preview graphics in the editor illustrate the individual machining steps for programming the contour as well as corresponding tool path generated using only dimensions pulled from a production drawing. It also accepts DXF files. TURNPWR is a closed-loop system with positioning feedback provided by rotary encoders inside the motor assemblies. When fitted with the (optional) Acu-Rite Solutions precision glass scales (1 µm/0.00005” resolution), TURNPWR also includes Position-Trac™, an advanced unique feature that enables the user to easily, quickly and accurately re-establish work piece zero after shutting down or power loss. 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. High-resolution image available here. Video available here. Media contact: Kathleen Herrmann, K-Pro PR, Inc. 224-520-0665 Product contact: John Parker, HEIDENHAIN Machine Tool Business Development Manager 716-456-3150

2024-07-15T14:50:42+00:00

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