Horizontal Center Nexus 5000 features 40 hp, 18,000 rpm spindle as standard equipment. Spindle acceleration reaches 18,000 rpm in 3.8 sec. At 91.7 in. wide, rapid-traverse rates in X, Y, and Z are 2362 ipm, and acceleration is 0.8 G. Maximum workpiece size is 31.5 x 39.4 in. The 400 mm[sup.2] pallet indexes 90[degrees] in 1.5 sec, and 2-pallet changer indexes in 7 sec. Forty tools are standard and 80-, 120-, and 160-tool magazines are optional.

Proven in the marketplace as leading machine tools for improving a manufacturing organization's competitiveness and profitability, the successful line of Nexus CNC turning centers and vertical machining centers from Mazak is being extended with a new 40-taper spindle horizontal machining center, the Horizontal Center Nexus (HCN) 5000.

Designed as a general-purpose horizontal machining center for universal applications, the HCN 5000 is anything but commonplace in its technology, performance, and value. It features a high-speed, 40-HP, 18,000-rpm spindle as standard equipment. Spindle acceleration to reach 18,000 rpm is only 3.8 seconds, making the HCN 5000 a high-production work center. And, at 91.7 inches wide, it is space-efficient, with the lowest machine width in its class.

The HCN 5000 has many more outstanding, high-performance features, with various capacities of tool magazines. Forty tools are standard, and 80-, 120-, and 160-tool magazines are optional. Rapid-traverse rates in X, Y, and Z are 2362 ipm, and acceleration is 0.8G. Maximum workpiece size is a generous 31.5 x 39.4 inches. The 400-mm-square pallet indexes 90 degrees in 1.5 seconds, and the 2-pallet changer indexes in seven seconds.

Like the other Nexus models, the HCN 5000 is designed for ease of maintenance and environmental consideration. In previous models, the entire 771-lb spindle/motor assembly had to be removed to change bearings or springs. On the HCN 5000, only a 132-lb. cartridge needs removing to reach bearings or springs. The stator and other components remain in the headstock.

Sealed grease lubrication in all axes instead of way lube greatly reduces oil consumption and extends coolant life due to no tramp oils in the system. All machine units requiring daily maintenance are centrally located with excellent operator access.

30 Years of Machine Tool Innovation

In 2004, Mazak Corp. celebrated its 30th anniversary at its Florence, KY, complex. In 1968, Mazak opened its first sales office in Long Island, NY, and moved to Greater Cincinnati in 1974. Expanding 12 times since then, the Kentucky manufacturing operation is now fully ISO 9001:2000 certified. The entire Florence campus includes a Lean Manufacturing Facility, National Technology Center, and Optimum Customer Support Center. Also established are Technology Centers in such major market areas as Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Hartford, and Mexico. These facilities provide complete customer support in manufacturing solutions, process applications, service, parts, and customer training. Mazak produces more than 30 innovative models of machine tools at its Florence facility. The Nexus series of CNC turning centers and vertical machining centers is the latest and most successful high-performance Mazak machine tools manufactured in the United States.

Sigarms has been awarded a contract for 5,000 SIG Sauer pistols by the U.S. Army Tank, Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) at the Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The contract is for the SIG Sauer SP2022 9mm pistol.

The latest award is the third major federal pistol contract won by Sigarms. Other awards were a $23.7 million contract by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a $4.2 million contract awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard.

"TACOM's selection of the SIG Sauer SP2022 demonstrates yet again the high level of confidence our military and federal government have in our firearms," said Peter Kujawski, Sigarms director of military and government sales.

To support the company's continued growth in the military and law enforcement market, Sigarms has expanded operations at its Exeter, N.H. facility with the addition of several new state-of-the-art CNC machines, increasing production capacity by over 25 percent, according to officials.

Designed for 2D/3D laser cutting, multiaxis DOMINO HS 1530 features direct drive cutting/welding heads and cantilever design with X-Y-Z working capacity of 120 x 60 x 16 in. With positioning accuracy and repeatability of 0.001 in., system employs CNC focal axis and capacitance height sensor to maintain standoff distance from work surface while adapting to material and thickness. Unit comes with 2,500, 3,000, or 4,000 W CO2 laser resonator.

CHICOPEE, MA (February 21, 2005) -Today PRIMA LASER TOOLS introduced their new "DOMINO HS 1530" Multiaxis, 2D / 3D High-Speed Laser System which has the highest axes speed available in its category. The system, which provides a single, cost effective solution for both 2D and 3D laser cutting, features a combined X-Y-Z axes speed of 5,900 in/min.

"With its extremely high axes speed and high acceleration rate, DOMINO HS is perhaps the most productive laser system in the industry," said Mr. Thomas Burdel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PRIMA LASER TOOLS. "This one high performance machine can quickly and accurately cut flat parts, shaped parts or perform bevel cutting, considerably expanding manufacturing possibilities, especially for smaller shops seeking 3D processing".

Several key features assure high machine accuracy. DOMINO HS' direct drive cutting / welding heads offer high precision and dynamics, and a low maintenance solution. In addition, DOMINO HS' synthetic granite frame eliminates vibration and guarantees thermal stability, contributing significantly to system accuracy. Positioning accuracy and repeatability is 0.001" and the maximum combined positioning speed is 5900 in/min.

The innovative, 2D/3D system has a compact overall size due to its unique cantilever design. However, DOMINO HS has a large X-Y-Z working capacity of 120"x 60"x16". The laser head does two rotations: A axis, 360 degrees continuous and B axis, +/- 135 degrees. The DOMINO HS cuts anything from conventional 2D flat sheet work to complex 3 dimensional pieces at any head orientation with ease and high speed and high accuracy.

The optional CNC rotary axis provides fast, accurate tube cutting capability. Automated pallet changer, fully automatic material handling and storage unit options are also available, significantly reducing manual labor and enhancing productivity.

The DOMINO HS machine features a unique CNC focal axis and a capacitance height sensor that accurately and automatically maintains the standoff distance from the work surface while adapting to material and thickness accordingly. This eliminates manual operator intervention, facilitating unattended production runs.

The laser head also features a magnetic breakaway system that protects against crashes. In the event of an obstruction, the head safely releases and the machine can be operational again in minutes.

DOMINO HS' flying optics design with the fixed work piece guarantees higher processing speeds and better part accuracy. All machine elements are embedded in a single, easily transported block and no special foundation is required. The integrated cabin is fully enclosed for safety, and is also designed for maximum visibility and accessibility for part loading / unloading and maintenance.

DOMINO HS' laser resonator is integrated in the machine structure for stability and low maintenance. All axis movement and the entire cutting process are programmed / operated via The PRIMA-9000L, an intuitive CNC control station with touch-screen function and windows interface. DOMINO HS can also be programmed offline with 2D PICAM CAD/CAM or 3D Cenit software. The DOMINO HS system is available with a 2500W, 3000W or a 4000 W CO2 laser resonator.

PRIMA LASER TOOLS, a division of PRIMA North America Inc., has been an innovator of state-of-the-art systems for laser cutting of 2D and 3D parts, used in a broad range of industries worldwide since 1977. Lasers, machines, software and material handling systems are all designed, developed, made and serviced by PRIMA with the latest technology, providing users a single-source solution for quality laser cutting. PRIMA North America is headquarted in a new 68,000 s.f. facility located in Chicopee, MA USA. The new facility with its design, manufacturing, application, training and demo capabilities is designed to support the company's commitment to the North American Market.

It probably comes as no surprise to learn that there is a machine shop in Seattle, Washington, that has been a Boeing supplier for 50 years. What may be surprising is the fact that many of the parts manufactured in this shop are produced by machinists who are blind. Some are even deaf and blind.

The shop is part of the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, a not-for-profit agency that has provided employment, support and training for visually impaired folks since 1918. The shop primarily funds itself through its sales to Boeing and the U.S. government, which are its two principal customers. None of its machines are donated, and all income from sales of machined parts is channeled to shop upgrades and the development of technologies to assist blind workers in the use of machine tools and related equipment.

These assistive technologies, combined with thorough training from sighted and, in some cases, blind machinists, have greatly expanded the capabilities of the shop's visually impaired workforce. In fact, some of the shop's 40 blind workers can set up a machine tool, run a job and perform in-process inspection on their oxen. Though a machine shop environment is inherently dangerous, the Lighthouse has a very good track record for worker safety.

Overcoming obstacles to get parts out of the door on time and on spec is an everyday occurrence in a machine shop. This shop takes the exercise of overcoming obstacles to a higher level.

Subtle Differences

The Lighthouse machine shop is dubbed the "Boeing Department." It looks and sounds much like any other machine shop, though there are subtle differences. Its aisleways are a bit wider, and customary yellow safety lines have been built up slightly with concrete to help guide a person's cane. Some work orders are printed in a larger-than-typical font size, while others are embossed with Braille symbols for fingertip translation. Additional lighting brightens machine workstations and illuminates cutting tools in action. The din of whirring spindles and buzzing light ballasts often includes the "beep" of a modified edge finder signaling that it has contacted a part or fixture during job setup. Digital voices, beckoned with the touch of a button, can be heard relaying part measurements, machine axis positions or critical part program information to machine operators. Some workers talk to each other without saying a word.

These differences have nothing to do with how a part is machined, but rather how workers obtain feedback from their facility and equipment. The messages are the same; only the mode of communication is different.

Print To Part

Each job at the Lighthouse starts just as it would at any other shop--with a work order. However, work orders at the Lighthouse are modified per the machine operator's visual capability. For those with limited sight, all that may be required is an increase of text font size made possible by off-the-shelf text enlargement software. For workers with no vision, another piece of software converts on-screen text to Braille symbols, and then sends those symbols to an embossing printer to output a Braille work order.

Next comes machine set up. Self-sufficiency, in terms of a blind operator setting up a machine on his or her own, requires communication of a number of variables. One of these variables is machine axis position. The Lighthouse leaped over this hurdle by combining digital readout (DRO) and digital voicing technologies.

The Lighthouse worked with Mitutoyo (Aurora, Illinois) in the development of the Voiceman portable voice output device. The Lighthouse uses the Voiceman to voice position information that typically would only be shown as numerals on a DRO. The Lighthouse has fitted DROs to manual milling machines, shears, cutoff saws and custom measuring tables. Workers push buttons on compact control units to receive the position feedback.

The Voiceman can also be wired to Mitutoyo calipers, micrometers and other gages. Voiced measurement information allows blind operators to perform their own in-process and first-article inspection at a machine. Similarly, a number of Bridgeport knee mills use the Voiceman to relay head angle from digital levels mounted on the side of machine heads.

To further aid in machine set up, the Lighthouse modified edge finders by replacing the indicator lights with small speakers that emit an audible signal whenever the devices come in contact with a vise or part. Height gages and tool presetters have been customized in the same manner.

Adapting CNCs

The Lighthouse has a number of Bridgeport computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools with DX32 PC-based control. A PC-based control allows easy integration of a number of assistive software tools. For example, the Lighthouse modified an off-the-shelf text-reading software to create what it calls CNC Voice99, software that voices text shown on a machine control's screen. Once a part program stored on a floppy disk is loaded into the control, the software allows an operator to hear the job number, all necessary setup information, the tools that are required and other information that would normally be read from the control screen.

Available for 4-, 8-, and 16-axis applications, Series SMP includes soft PLC and Windows-based GUI application. Single PC performs all servo control, including feedback loops and NC path generation, and also provides user interface, data processing, plant monitoring, network communications, file management, and CAD/CAM. LadderWorks soft PLC offers ladder logic control and includes console for creating, editing, compiling, monitoring, and debugging sequence programs.

WALTHAM, MA - March 1, 2005 - Soft Servo Systems, Inc. is proud to announce the SMP series, a new type of general motion controller with up to 16 axes of high-end general motion control, an industry standard soft PLC and a Windows-based GUI application in a single package.

The SMP series is ideal for motion control applications in the packaging, materials handling, pick and place, converting, food processing, laser cutting/engraving, plasma cutting, wood-working, and semiconductor industries. SMP products are offered for 4-axis, 8-axis and 16-axis applications.

SMP solutions offer great flexibility: developers can easily embed their motion programming within their customized application, using C/C++, Java, Visual Basic (Windows only), or Delphi (Linux only). The SMP Motion Development Kit includes motion and logic APIs with API source code and plenty of sample source code for quickly creating customized GUIs and motion control applications.

"We're very excited about the SMP series." says Boo-Ho Yang, CEO and President of Soft Servo Systems, Inc. "The SMP's motion functions are superior to our competitors' functions. Unlike our competitors' products, the SMP includes integrated PLC - it even includes PLC axes. Instead of proprietary motion programming languages, we offer programming in open standard languages like Java and Visual Basic, which are superior by virtue of their easy programming."

Like all of Soft Servo's products, the SMP is truly PC-based, making it more affordable than traditional motion controllers requiring motion control boards and/or PLC boards. A single PC performs all servo control, including feedback loops and NC path generation, as well as providing the user interface, data processing, plant monitoring, network communications, file management, and CAD/CAM. This host PC can run on Windows NT/2000/XP/XPe, with a real-time extension to the operating system.

This innovative, PC-based soft motion with real-time technology provides superior motion control performance by fully exploiting the super-fast, super-precise (double-precision floating point) computation power of today's ordinary PCs - computation power which, until recently, was available only with high-end powerful and expensive computers. SMP products harness the ever-improving CPUs in computers: as the speed and power of CPUs increases, so does the speed and power of an SMP product.

With the SMP's PC-based technology, users can also take advantage of remote diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities, sophisticated or simple user interfaces, connectivity to enterprise networks, off-the-shelf PC technology, and integration with third-party Windows-based software, such as vision systems or statistical process control software.

LadderWorks, the soft PLC bundled with SMP, provides industry standard ladder logic control with axis modules: independent and individual positioning of PLC axes. LadderWorks includes a console for creating, editing, compiling, monitoring and debugging sequence programs, as well as helpful PLC utility tools.

All SMP products include the SMP Console, a free and friendly Windows application for setting up, tuning and running an SMP system. The SMP Console also offers an optional memory mode operation to program and run motion programs with a G-code like motion programming language.

Alex Sierra, Sales and Operations Manager of Soft Servo Systems, Inc., says "The SMP provides guaranteed performance, soft PLC, fast commissioning, network connectivity, the flexibility of easy reconfiguration, and remote diagnostic capabilities - all for less than the cost of comparable motion controllers that don't offer all of these features."

Model AMSD 3-A is suited for roller monorail and model 4-A for ball monorail. Digital signals are transferred directly from read head without additional interpolation electronics. Special reference pulse for Fanuc controls is incorporated as well as service LED that indicates different modes of operation. Both versions allow addition of SPL lubrication cartridge and wipers that eliminate the potential of contamination from oils, greases, and coolants.

New Product/Design Engineering/OEM Manufacturing

Bedford, MA, March 3, 2005-Schneeberger, Inc. announced their two newest versions of the Advanced Measuring System are now available with Digital Interface -AMSD 3-A (for ROLLER MONORAIL) and 4-A (for BALL MONORAIL). By using a digital interface, digital signals are transferred directly from the read head without additional interpolation electronics. A special reference pulse for Fanuc controls is incorporated as well as a service LED that indicates different modes of operation.

Built upon the same technology that Schneeberger first introduced to industry in 1992, AMSD 3-A and AMSD 4-A, offer a space-saving system that can be used in very restricted settings. Both versions allow the addition of the SPL Lubrication cartridge and wipers that further eliminate the potential of contamination from oils, greases, and coolants.

Linear scales provide machines with positioning feedback in all three axes for optimal machining accuracy and repeatability. Each Schneeberger Advanced Measuring System includes a hard cover band that protects the magnetic scale from accidental physical damage that could lead to signal decay. In addition, all AMSA (Generation 3.0 and higher) use new, wear-free ceramic sliding elements on the electronic scanning head for long-term protection against contamination.

The concept of integrating a linear magnetic scale into a precision linear motion guide was invented by Schneeberger and applied to its Monorail series of high-capacity, high-stiffness roller guides. The combination technology provides machine designers with a cost-saving and more robust alternative to linear glass scales, which require additional hardware, significant assembly time and close alignment with the guides for proper performance.

Magnetic scales can operate in applications subject to vibration, shock, oil, dirt and coolants, where glass scales do not.

Schneeberger AMSA linear guides enable designers to specify two critical machine components--guide and encoder--with a single Schneeberger part number. Moreover, it saves hours of time normally required for the alignment of a linear scale, as the integration of scale and guide in a single piece allows simultaneous installation and alignment of the scale as the linear guide is installed.

AMSA uses an electronic scan head that attaches to the Schneeberger guideway carriage. The linear profile guide has a magnetic scale imbedded in it without altering its normal cross-section. This allows drop-in replacement of most standard, anti-friction profile linear guides. The Schneeberger AMSD 3-A is available in roller guide sizes MR25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 and the AMSD 4-A is available in ball guide sizes BM15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45.

Electronically, AMSD 3-A and 4-A offer a resolution of 0.2 TO 5 microns. Scales for both versions feature distance coded reference marks at 50mm intervals, A quad B signals RS422 with reference and error signal, reference pulse width 90[degrees] or 500 [micro]s for FANUC-CNC. Operating temperatures of up to +70[degrees] C and storage temperatures of -20 to +70[degrees] C are possible. AMSD 3-A offers compact scanhead lengths of 75 to 90mm and AMSD 4-A between 66 and 78 mm. In both versions, the sensor cable attaches from the back of the scanhead to the front of the electronic housing unit, thus further reducing space requirements. Maximum rail lengths of 6,000mm are available.

Over eight-thousand installations of Schneeberger integrated scale guides have been installed throughout the world. Machine tools are the most popular application for the integrated linear scale because of its greater durability and smaller space requirements than glass scales. In addition, the AMSA is impervious to oil, grease, coolants and vibrations from machining operations. In extremely contaminated environments additional wiper seals are available to move large metal chips and other types of debris.

You've seen the air tanks that firefighters wear on their backs. Those tanks used to be made exclusively from steel, but newer and lighter-weight versions combine aluminum and composite fiber. A company producing these lightweight tanks needed custom-designed ovens for caring the composite more efficiently, but that company had no machine-design capability in-house. Because it wasn't core to the company's business, such expertise had long ago been trimmed away. The company had no machine-making capability, either.

So design engineer Tom Armfield took on the work of designing these ovens. Along the way, he also secured a substantial amount of machining work for his own company, MasterWorks Machining of Taneytown, Maryland. MasterWorks is not just an engineering contractor but also a job shop, and these ovens required a sizable number of machined parts.

Another example of how the shop has secured machining work by design relates to safes. The company was hired to design, and then manufacture, a specialized safe equipped with a cooling system that could house a live computer. Embassies and government agencies are among the potential buyers of a safe like this. Mr. Armfield's first design simply involved modifying an existing safe from a well-known safe company. He bought the safes and made the modifications. Today these modified safes are still being made and sold, but the safe maker can no longer keep up with the demand. So to close the gap, MasterWorks will soon begin to supplement these modified safes with safes made from the shop's own design, and built up from its own machined parts.

As aggressive shops find ways to take on larger roles in their customers" processes, contract machine shops are increasingly becoming contract manufacturers. Often the larger role for these shops combines machining with some downstream operation such as assembly. But Mr. Armfield, with his background as a design engineer, is able to look upstream instead. Young companies often lack engineering resources, and today there are many long-standing companies that have eliminated the buffer of engineering capability that might once have served a company's own internal needs. These same companies are just as likely to lack machining capability. So when MasterWorks is able to help companies by providing engineering services, it often wins an inside track to obtaining any related machining work as well. In most cases, MasterWorks is so clearly the logical choice to perform the machining that the shop is freed from having to submit to competitive bidding.

Mr. Armfield can even design a product to make it as easy as possible for his own shop to produce. This is an advantage that few shops enjoy. The new safe design, for example, benefits from "design for manufacturing" in perhaps the most basic way imaginable. When the design was created, MasterWorks had CNC turning capability but not a CNC machining center. (Today that's no longer true.) Recognizing that a CNC lathe was the most productive machine tool in his shop, Mr. Armfield designed various components of the safe to be round instead of square.

Making Fixes

MasterWorks was founded 6 years ago in a three-car garage, where Mr. Armfield and one employee worked at manual machine tools. The company is still small today, but it has grown by multiples since that time. While other machine shops were shutting their doors or shrinking during recent years, MasterWorks' annual sales either held steady or grew. Today, there are 12 employees in a 6,500-square-foot facility.

Providing an engineering service as a prerequisite for getting machining work has always been part of this company's approach. Some of the early work for the company involved repairing out-of-spec parts that had been made in China. The shop's use of manual machines didn't compromise efficiency here, because individual workpieces demanded different repairs. The company's job was not just to fix the parts, but also to report on the problems and recommend changes to either the design or the production process that would overcome these errors. In at least one case, increasing a wall thickness on a component provided for a more generous tolerance band around an error-prone hole. In other cases, the customer concluded that the part could not be machined effectively using the Chinese facilities to which it had access. MasterWorks was allowed to produce this part on its own.

In time, the number of customers increased from a couple to several, and some of the small runs of parts opened doors to larger runs. Mr. Armfield had never managed a production machine shop before. Now, he had to teach his staff--and teach himself--some of the lessons that long-standing machine shops know by heart.

One lesson related to scheduling. Even when the volume of work increased, customers' tight leadtimes kept the shop to the same 2- or 3-week buffer of work that has been the only cushion the shop has enjoyed for most of its time in business. The larger number of jobs competed to get done within the same amount of time. Scheduling used to be done informally, but now the staff has to have regular meetings to organize and prioritize the work.

Taiwan machines and machine tools have gained a reputation of good prices for good quality. Over the last couple of years, as more companies have shifted at least part of their production facilities and operations to the mainland China where the costs of wages, rentals, land properties and materials are considerably lower, machine tool builders have been able to control their manufacturing costs further to the advantage of their clients.

With manufacturing costs in control, companies are in a better position to spend more money on R&D. The results are obvious as visitors to the recent TIMTOS (Taiwan International Machine Tools Show) could see tremendous improvements in technological contents such as precision level and machining speed.

Specializing in precision and economical grinding, such as centerless grinding machine, cylindrical grinding machine and internal grinding CNC machine, Palmary is one of the Taiwan companies that have reached a certain technological level, Its grinders feature wheel spindle made of SNCM220 material and its surface hardness is said to reach more than HRC62 degrees.

Like some of the other Taiwan players. Parfaite Tool, a manufacturer of high frequency spindles, CNC tool holders and carbide tools, says that they are offering "German technology, Japanese quality and Taiwanese price". Indeed, the tools made by Parfaite have to undergo certain rigorous quality assurance tests before they are shipped to the customers including the use of an advance coordinate measuring machine. The company has years of experience in the automotive, compressor and electrical motor fields.

Driven by a turnaround in the high-tech sectors, Taiwan's machine tools imports in 2003 surged 22% while the machine tools exports increased 15.9%.

Machine tools exports

Customs statistics showed that the total export value of Taiwan-made machine tools from January to December in 2003 amounted to 1.6 billion US dollars, registering a 15.9% growth compared with the same period in the previous year, among which cutting machine tools increased by 17% to 1.2 billion US dollars and forming machines tools were up by 14% to 405 million US dollars.

Categorized by machine tool types, Taiwan was able to post a 26% increase in exports of lathes, 21% for machining centers, 16% for milling and EDM, and 15% for boring machines with other types of cutting machine tools showing slight gains.

As for forming machine tools, forging and punch presses showed 10% growth over the preceding year and 27% for other forming machine tools.

Geographically, Hong Kong and the Mainland China ranked first as the destinations of Taiwan's export with shipments worth 801 million US dollars, up 15% from 2002. The amount was equivalent to 48.4% of the total export value.

USA managed to stay at the second place with 124 million US dollars or 7.4% of the total while Turkey made a strong showing to rank the third with 81 million US dollars or a 116% surge from the previous year.

Machine Tools Imports

According to Custom statistics, the total import value of machine tools in 2003 was 859 million US dollars, showing a remarkable increase of 22% from 2002, Among the imports, cutting machine tools topped the list with an 23% surge to 773 million US dollars. On forming machine tools, the import value reported was 85 million US dollars, 13% higher than the previous year.

Analyst attributed the increase in the demands from conventional industries on imported machine tools such as machining centers, milling machines, grinding machines and gear making machines. As for forming machine tools, forging, pressing, punching and shearing machines increased by 6% while other forming machine tools achieved a 62% growth.

Spurred chiefly by its growing auto industry, Korea is now on its way to becoming a major manufacturer of machine tools. Currently, that country ranks seventh among the world's producers. According to a report from the US Chamber of Commerce, the auto industry, combined with new interest in electronics and constructions, has ignited rapid growth in much of Korea's economy. The report further notes that: "Korea's market demand has changed from standard, cost-effective or general products to high-precision, high-speed, and high-powered machine tools. In line with this trend, market demand for computerized numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools has rapidly increased.

"The Korean machine tool industry has gradually upgraded levels of technology, and Korean-made products are considered compatible in the world market in terms of functional technologies such as machining and assembly processes," the report continues.

"There are currently 128 machine tool manufacturers in Korea, most of which are medium and small-sized companies. In particular, Korea's production of numerically controlled (NC) machine tools grew constantly at a 2% annual rate. The Korean machine tool industry aims at increasing the NC production ratio to 70%," the US Commerce report concludes.

The best of Korea's machine tool production will be shown at the Seoul International Machine Tool Show (SIMTOS2006) April 12-17, which promises to be the largest machine tool show ever held in Korea. Held at the Korea International Exhibition Center, SIMTOS2006 will be three times larger than the previous SIMTOS2004.

Sponsored by MOCIE (Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy) and organized by KOMMA (Korea Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association), the show will include more than 3300 booths representing over 400 machine tool companies from 30 countries including Japan, Italy, UK, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, USA, and Russia. They predict at least 60,000 trade professionals will attend.

Exhibition categories will include metalcutting machines (CNC lathes, multipurpose machining centers, grinding machines, and EDM). Metalforming machines (hydraulic presses, servocontrolled presses, CNC shearing machines, bending machines, lasercutting machines, and robots). The exhibition halls will be divided into five sections: Metalcutting Machines, Metalforming Machines, Industrial Robots and Automation, Cutting Tools/Measuring Equipment, and Machine Tool Parts.

Korean participants will include major manufacturers such as Doosan Infracore (formerly known as Daewoo Heavy Industries & Machinery), WIA, Doosan Mecatec, Hwacheon, Hankook Machine Tools, Namsun Machinery Corp., Hanwha Machinery, and HNK Machine Tool. Major overseas manufacturers will include Yamazaki Mazak, Okuma, Mori Seiki, Makino, Haas Automation, DMG, Murata, and Agie Charmilles.

The Korean machine tool industry shows continued growth. In 2005 sales rose by 7.4% compared to the previous year to reach US $2.9 billion, and machine tool exports increased by 19.5% compared to the previous year to US $1.15 billion. Machine tool imports to Korea, the world's fifth machine tool market, totaled US $2 billion in 2005 to mark an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.

The Korean machine tool industry in 2006 is forecasted to exceed the US $3 billion mark in production for the first time in its history. Supporting events at SIMTOS2006 will include an International Machine Tool Technology Seminar, Machine Tool Trade Meeting, CNC Controller Repair and Maintenance Workshop, and IMS Vision Forum.

The Korea Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association reports that the total market demand for machine tools is increasing, and this trend reflects promising long-term prospects as an important generator of market demand for Korea's manufacturing industries.

Too often we are caught up in the latest high-capacity firearm that is chock-full of the newest gizmos and widgets. We get so excited by the hype and forget that what women really need are reliable guns that shoot when women are in trouble. A wheelgun fits this requirement perfectly. While revolvers may not be the fanciest firearms in your display case, for many women they are the best choice for a self-defense handgun.

Today's high-tech materials and design innovations have spiced up the humble wheelgun a bit. But where revolvers really shine is in their ease of use and simple maintenance requirements, which make them ideal for women to carry in their purses or on their bodies. Here is a look at a selection of revolvers that many women would gladly carry as their personal defense guns.

Taurus' titanium revolvers are two-thirds the weight of equivalent steel revolvers, and are actually lighter than same-size aluminum-frame and steel cylinder/barrel revolvers. They are virtually impervious to all types of corrosion, making them ideal for on-the-body carry since they aren't damaged by sweat. Taurus' Total Titanium revolvers features all-titanium major components, including a drop-forged titanium frame; sideplate, yoke and barrel; a CNC-machined extruded titanium cylinder; and CNC-machined titanium internal studs.

The revolvers come in four different finishes: shadow gray, bright or matte spectrum blue, and stealth gay. They also feature an extended ejector rod for positive extraction of fired cases, and an integral yoke latch for increased lockup strength.

Taurus revolvers have ported barrels for magnum power and +P recoil control, and pliable shock-absorbing Ribber control, and pliable shock-absorbing Ribber Grips that make shooting much more comfortable. This is great idea, and should make them very attractive to women who are worried about the painful recoil produced by light firearms.

The Taurus Total Titanium revolvers are currently available chambered in .38 Special (M85), .357 Magnum (M617), .41 Magnum (M415), .45 Long Colt (M450), .44 Special (M445) and the Multi Alloy .38 Special Titanium UltraLite (M85).

Taurus' seven-shot .357 Magnum Model 617 comes in eight variations and features ported barrels, concealed hammers, and stainless or blued finishes. The 2-inch snubby features soft-rubber grips, serrated ramp front sights, fixed rear sights, a transfer bar safety, and the option of a concealed hammer. The seven-shot weights 28.3 ounces and has an overall length of 6 5/9 inches. The Total Titanium Model 617 weights 19.9 ounces.

Taurus' new 650 CIA (Carry It Anywhere) and 850 CIA are great carry choices. Sporting 2-inch barrels, these snubbies feature soft rubber grips, fixed front sights, notched rear sights, a transfer bar safety and a concealed hammer. The five-shots weigh 24 ounces and are chambered in .357 (650) and .38 Special + P (850).

Since the revolvers feature Taurus' integral locking system, they will be especially attractive to women who have children, or who regularly have kids visiting their homes.

Reliable Ruger

Another wheelgun you should consider offering your female customers is the Ruger SP-101. This perennial favorite isn't specifically designed for women, but it is a natural for the women who is serious about self-defense. The double-action revolver comes chambered in a variety of calibers, including .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum. Its five-shot capacity, 25-ounce weight and stainless steel finish make it ideal for concealed carry.

The Ruger SP 101 is ideal for self-defense.

Right-Price Rossi

The very affordable Rossi wheelguns are excellent carry-gun choices for women on a budget. The .38 Special wheel gun holds five rounds and weights 22 ounces. With a blued or stainless steel finish and 2-inch barrel, it works well in a purse or holster. The .357 Magnum Rossi holds six rounds and weights 26 ounces. Distributed exclusively by BrazTech, both revolvers feature the integrated Taurus Security System.