International Metalworking News for Asia

The metalworking industry has shown many times that the availability of new machining and metal cutting tools and methodologies is a significant enabler in the rapid recovery and growth of the manufacturing and construction markets. Machine tool companies today are moving to the latest fabrication processes, improving their tools and design methodologies so that they will be well positioned to ride the next wave of growth, as the global economy recovers.

Tradeshows continue to be one of the best and most cost-effective mechanisms for fostering close relationships with machinery manufacturers, and finding out what these companies are doing. For the ASEAN region, there is no better place than the METALEX 2011 to be held in Bangkok this November. Visitors will be able to see the latest series from many of the world's leading brands in machinery.

A myriad of topics are addressed in this issue of International Metalworking News for Asia. For example is an article on tips for checking and maintaining your punching tools to help reduce problems in production procedure and saving cost in maintaining punching tool, featured in the Metal Forming section.

There are many components to an effective high speed machining (HSM) process for programmers and machinists in Asia. Often forgotten is HSM's impact on tool path programming techniques. The challenge to a CAM system is to make passes with very small stepovers at very high feed rates. The goal is to find the best CAM features that can help realise effective HSM. This month's Control & CAD/CAM presents the development of CAM systems today, to meet the specific needs for new tool path strategies to suit the HSM environment.