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Combating the Skills Gap with Automated CNC Programming

The skills gap and labor shortage have been a hot topic in manufacturing in recent years. The challenge of being unable to find skilled workers with the needed technical skills, knowledge, or expertise to fill these open positions is a significant problem. A 2021 study conducted by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institue (MI) predicts that […]

Buy 1 Get 5 Free

Buy 1 Get 5 FREE Buy Any FlexArm Tapping Arm Get 5 Free Size 1 0r 2 Tap Holders ACT NOW Get 5 Free Size 1 0r 2 Tap Holders BUY YOURS TODAY Name* First Last Company* Email Address* Phone* ZIP Code* CAPTCHA

Automating Machining Process with CNC for 3X Throughput

Watch Full Customer Story Below Staying competitive in the ever-changing manufacturing landscape requires continual investments in new technology. Businesses are often looking for solutions that will increase their capacity while giving them the ability to produce more consistent parts safely. Automation has become a hot topic in recent years, and for a good reason. Automating […]

How to Tap Fabricated Holes?

Laser, plasma, and waterjet machines, often found in fab shops, are great for creating holes, but what about when those holes require threads? A secondary operation is necessary to achieve this, and the tools are often not ideal. Operators frequently use radial drills, handheld drills, hand tapping, or a CNC machine to tap the fabricated holes. These solutions are much less efficient and often less accurate than the FlexArm. The FlexArm tapping machine presents a solution that allows the operators to tap fabricated holes without refixturing their parts, breaking taps, or running costly CNC machines

FlexCNC Inspection Packages

 Inspection Packages When your machine is down you aren’t making money. A preventative maintenance and inspection program keeps your FlexCNC running at maximum efficiency.  View Inspection Packages Benefits of Inspection A certified FlexCNC technician will travel on-site and do a comprehensive FlexCNC inspection based on your needs. The all-inclusive inspection includes travel and the associated […]

FlexArm Service Rebuild Packages

Service Rebuild Packages You have your FlexArm that you have used for years but don’t want to replace it with the most up to date FlexArm. Flex Machine Tools is introducing our tapping arm rebuild packages. A great opportunity to fix and update your tapping arm without buying a new arm.  Service Packages Information Tapping […]

Westway Machinery to Represent FlexCNC & FlexBeam in Canadian Markets

Flex Machine Tools partners with Westway Machinery We are pleased to announce that Flex Machine Tools has entered into a distribution partnership with Westway Machinery. Westway will now exclusively distribute and support the FlexCNC and FlexBeam machines across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. Westway Machinery is Canada’s first choice for fabrication machinery. Flex Machine […]

Five things you should know about the FlexCNC Vertical Machining Center

The FlexCNC is a vertical machining center offered by Flex Machine Tools. Below are five of the many features that set this machine apart from other vertical machining centers. 1) Zero Weight Restrictions Operators rely on the table for part mobility on a standard vertical machining center, limiting the maximum table load. On a FlexCNC, […]

Five things you should know about the FlexJet

The FlexJet waterjet is a cutting system designed to increase efficiency and productivity. The FlexJet is the fastest moving waterjet on the market, allowing operators the option to produce parts faster than ever before. 1) Construction The FlexJet construction utilizes industry-leading motors and drives and features an all-steel machine frame with a 20 plus year […]

FlexCNC Explore the Possibilities

FlexCNC: Explore the Possibilities “After significant research, we found The FlexCNC was the machine that fit our needs. The ease of set up and operation with its touch screen control and large, open-concept, bed made it convenient in cross-training multiple operators to run the unit.” -Michael N. OliverProduction Team LeadR & B Wagner Inc. Get […]

Acceleration in Waterjets

There are many different concepts that go into understanding waterjet cutting and why one machine performs better than another. Many people look at speed as the first indicator of which system performs the best. With a deeper understanding of how waterjets work, it becomes easier to see that there is a much more important factor […]

Active Alloys Swaps Bridgeport for FlexArm

Active Alloys is a full-service steel fabrication shop in Chicago, Illinois. They specialize in designing and fabricating architectural elements, machines, furniture, and vehicles. William Tellmann and Collin Smith opened their shop 14 years ago; since then, they have found that they specialize in pursuing the most complex, unusual, and demanding projects. Due to the nature […]

Manufacturing Showcase: Flex Machine Tools

Richard Kennedy launched Midwest Specialties, Inc., in 1971 as a government contracting manufacturing business. He designed and built a tapping arm to increase speed and efficiency when tapping holes off of his NC machining centers. The FlexArm was the first of many innovations the OEM now known as Flex Machine Tools, and is still based […]

Tap Holders & Accessories Store

TAP HOLDERS & ACCESSORIES STORE Product Search:× Tap Holders Size 1 Filters Sort results Reset Apply Part Number Product Name Metric Shank Square Price 162710B Torque Quick Change Holders (Size 1) 1/8 NPT LS 0.4375 0.328 $92.50 Add to Cart 164622BB Torque Quick Change Holders (Size 1) 1/8 NPT SS 0.3125 0.328 $92.50 Add to […]

Gladwin Machinery to Represent FlexJet Waterjet

Flex Machine Tools is happy to announce Gladwin Machinery as the newest distributor of the FlexJet Waterjet. Gladwin has been a strong partner for Flex since 2019, bringing the FlexCNC to the areas they serve. Gladwin Machinery will represent the FlexJet in northern Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and […]

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities Flex Machine Tools is always looking to hire the best talent and people in the world. A great company starts with a great team. The type of applicants that will succeed at Flex Machine Tools are those that love to be challenged, have a constant desire to learn, and want to change the […]

Misconceptions of Manufacturing

Today, US manufacturing is widely misunderstood, especially among young people. Manufacturing remains central in the world economy yet is seen as an outdated and dying industry. While jobs may have decreased over the years, output hasn’t. Manufacturers are becoming more productive and continue to improve their industrial processes. The addition of advanced machinery has created […]

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Metric

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 289 HY-PRO Metric M3 – M30 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Inch

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 280 HY-PRO Inch No. 2 – 1 1/2″ View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro V Din Metric

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® V DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 11117 HY-PRO® V DIN Metric M3 – M12 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro V Din Inch

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® V DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 11017 HY-PRO® V DIN Inch No. 4 – 1/2″ View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Al-Din Metric

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® AL-DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 11116 HY-PRO® AL-DIN Metric M3 – M12 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Al-Din Inch

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® AL-DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 11016 HY-PRO® AL-DIN Inch No. 2 – 1/2″ View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Din Metric

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 259 HY-PRO® DIN Metric M3 – M20 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Pointed Taps Hy-Pro Din

Spiral Pointed HY-PRO® DIN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 250 HY-PRO® DIN Inch No. 4 – 3/4″ View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Fluted Taps Hy-Pro SEVEN Metric

Spiral Fluted HY-PRO® SEVEN Product Search:×   List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 298 HY-PRO® SEVEN Metric M3 – M12 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Fluted Taps Hy-Pro SEVEN INCH

Spiral Fluted HY-PRO® SEVEN Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 297 HY-PRO® SEVEN Inch No. 3 – 1/2″ View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Spiral Fluted Taps Hy-Pro Metric

Spiral Fluted HY-PRO® Product Search:× List Brand Inch/Metric Size Range Work Material 299 HY-PRO® Metric M3 – M30 View Go Back to Tap Catalog Go to Main Catalog Proceed to Check Out

Standard Features

  • Hand Pendant
  • 22″ Touch Screen Monitor
  • Omron FlexCNC Controller
  • Mobile Control Panel
  • Through Spindle Coolant 
  • Auto Tool Changer 
  • Flood Coolant
HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

C-20-02 / C-10-02

18

6000

61

C-20-02 / C-10-02

33

12000

61

CM-20-02

Auto Stand-Off – This is currently defined to be surface stand-off and not to be confused with vector stand-off in 5-axis mode. The current auto stand-off is based on a changing surface and will adjust vertically based on the angle of the “A” Axis, so there is five (5) axis taken into account during the calculations, but this is not the same as the tool vector stand-off. There is the ability to do the vector stand-off change while the machine is running manually with buttons on the screen.

Z-Reader Probe – The Z-Reader is a device for mapping the location of the surface. It can be controlled manually & programmatically. The option is NOT active while cutting & is retracted out of harm’s way. It can be triggered to verify the surface at every pierce before the cutting process starts, or it could be used to drive surface mapping of the whole part before cutting starts. It begins with initialization or zeroing of the device to the surface at the beginning of a program and then accumulates or tracks the difference from that zeroing effort.

Automatic Edge Finder – The edge finder is or can be utilized manually (Jogging Method & Screen Buttons), programmatically (M & G codes), or fully automatic routine (dedicated program). This option sets offsets & program rotation to match the orientation & location on the cutting table.

AC Unit Installed on Electrical Cabinet – The unit is mounted on the cabinet’s High Power (480v) side. It is close to the location where the drives are mounted. This option keeps the cabinet temperature stable and allows heat dissipation faster. The servo drives for all axes are the most significant contributors to heat inside the electrical cabinet.

5-Axis Renishaw CalibrationThe calibration unit is a Renishaw model APCA45 with a modified spherical stylus. The device has a retractable cover and air purge to clear debris & dust during the activation process. It mounts to a swing arm controlled by a pneumatic rotary, so it is out of the way during regular operation and swings into the calibration position for calibration only. 

HP
Max RPM
FT/LBS
Series

18

4000

92

G-20-06 / G-10-06

18

6000

61

G-20-06 / -10-06

40

4000

217

GM-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06

40

6000

145

G-20-06 / G-20-06 / G-10-06