CTunnel = Spineless: Recording Logs of Palin Email Hack

As part of the Palin hack news story the use of the CTunnel tool was mentioned as the anonymous proxy service used by the “hacker”. The FBI is seeking records from the people behind CTunnel in connection to the investigation.

After a quick look at the CTunnel website, this turns up, in reference to the CTunnel logging and retention of data.

“Because our visitors value their privacy, it is not in our interests to spy on you, lest we lose traffic and advertising revenue. Because government subpenoa could require us to hand over our server access logs, access logs are regularly deleted to protect your privacy. In short, we value your browsing experience as well as your anonymity, and would not do anything to break your trust in us.”

But then look what this sell out that owns Ctunnel Gabriel Ramuglia, tells Threat Level, he says that the FBI had contacted him yesterday to obtain his traffic logs. that he has about 80 gigabytes of logs to process and hadn’t yet looked for the information the FBI was seeking but planned to be in touch with the agents today (September 18). Due to the hacker being tracked down, a college student in TN you could say that Ctunnel did their part in bending

Ramuglia said the screenshots of Palin’s e-mail account, which the hacker posted online, will help him narrow his search, since they revealed most of the Ctunnel URL that was at the top of the hacker’s browser when he took the screen shot.

so if Ctunnel, goes against what he specifically said he wouldn’t do, then what about other cases he did not even mention? what if your girlfriend calls up? boss? local detective? crooked police officer? probation officer? the list can go on… but in the end its a sad day for internet advocates and net neutrality everywhere, Palin should not have been using this Yahoo account on business, and she should have used stronger security measures, particularly if there is sensitive information.

Spotlight: Greg King: Master of the CNC

view King’s new site at www.independentcnc.com

I have been in the machining/CNC field for 30 years, starting with my last two years of high school by taking a vocational machine trade’s course. Because I excelled in the machining field it gave me an opportunity to be in a tool room apprenticeship program for a local company in my area of residence. As I progressed in the company, I was given the advantage to set-up a new (at the time) CNC mill to program prototype parts. By taking advantage of these previously mentioned opportunities, it has now proven to be advantageous for me later in life. Although I was laid off in 1987 because of management changes it has been the best thing for me. My tool room abilities and CNC skills gave me job openings that has lead me to some smaller shops, were I quickly learned CNC plays a big role in all shops both large and small. After moving from a tool room environment, I stepped in to a Process Engineering role. There, I learned some of the ins and outs of quoting and setting up machining processes. Then I was given a role as a CNC Programmer; responsibly for the mills, a lathe and a wire EDM machine. This position opened my eyes to how complex CNC can truly be, at this point I realized that the best thing would be to focus on one type of CNC equipment, and learn everything possible about that particular type. I then took a job at a large enclosure manufacturer that was all sheet metal CNC equipment. This was just the opportunity I was looking for. In my current job I have excelled in learning all I can about sheet metal CNC equipment. Ultimately, leading me to have a desire to search for more information outside of my daily job functions. Because of this I have started a side business doing CNC sheet metal programming for other companies, this in turn has caused a gain in knowledge of different equipment and other processes along with greater financial security. My education has been trade school, and I have taken advantage of any other classes that have been made available to me, along with learning form my peers. Though I have no bachelors degree yet, because of my on the job experience, many my co-workers treat me as if I have one.

A key to CNC machining is the large part that computers and software play in the CNC field. Writing CNC code by hand gives a good foundation to understanding inner workings of the code, however hard coding or writing by hand is not the most efficient way to write code. Being aided by computer software is the best, as it is a tool that extends the ones ability to minimize the possibility of human errors. Coding software also generates code with operator aids in a matter of minutes, as opposed to hours if written by hand. Another time save, is the fact that there is particular software that can tool parts up, based on information entered into a knowledge base. Some software companies suggest that you batch tool parts with no manual intervention. I tend to think it’s
better to review each part, adding a certain degree of value to ensure the designer gets what they asks for. Taking an interest in the software side of CNC Machining gives one an advantage that normally a machinist would not have. There are many CAM software’s to choose from, and these key points should be kept in mind: First, make sure the software is flexible enough to do all your capacities both current and future. Once you select your software, build a good relationship with the
reseller to gain added knowledge and maybe some cost reductions later.

My side business may seem like work to some, however, it’s truly a passion to share my experience and knowledge with others. The goal is to help companies in need during a transition or during an excessive workload period. These words are summed up in my mission statement.

Sincerely
Greg King

Independent CNC Programmer

independent CNC

My mission is to share CNC programming innovations for a lifetime.

CNC Machining blog profile: Greg King

find out more at  greg king independent cnc programmer

Greg King’s engineering career is
proof that taking initiative and being
a self-starter, two of the key strategies
used by successful engineers, really do
work. In his three years as a programmer
and manufacturing engineer at Rittal. a
manufacturer of industrial enclosures, he
has used these strategies to help expand
the company’s business and bottom line
while at the same time furthering his own
career. Trained as a tool and model
maker, King took advantage of a previous
employer’s offer of CNC training, a skill
he now employs at his current job.
Soon after he started at Rittal: King
became interested in computer bulletin
boards and educated himself in the
nuances of modems. file transfer protocols,
and network technology. Applying his
new-found knowledge to his firm’s
business procedures, King suggested a
bulletin board service would improve
customer communication, a major
ingredient in today’s quality systems.
“Before this, we had problems when
customers modified designs. Information
would get garbled as we passed it back and
forth,” he says. “Now customers download
information directly from us, change what
they need, and transfer it back. It’s quicker.
more accurate, and our customers seem to
like it.”
King also combined initiative and selfmanagement,
and used his knowledge of
computers: in improving a small
computer network used by the
engineering department. His idea: take it
one step farther by hooking into
computers on the factory floor. Now
workers can look at new designs or
changes as soon as they are available.
Both incidents illustrate what King
believes is key to success in engineering:
Become an expert in some area critical to
your company. In his case, it was
computers and, more specifically,
computer-aid manufacturing. He’s
become a somewhat of an expert in the
SmartCAM software Rittal uses for its
machines. This expertise bailed his
company out of a jam when it was
interested in buying a $2-million punch
and forming machine. The machine
maker said its awn software was the only
way to run it. With a little time and effort,
King got the machine to perform perfectly
with SmartCAM, saving his employer
monev and streamlining manufacturing
under one CAM package.
King also uses networking, along with
persistence. “If I don’t have the answer. 1′11
talk to someone who does. whether that’s
someone on the shop floor or a senior
engineer. And if there isn’t anyone around
with the answer, I’ll get directions to where
I can find it.” It was this kind of thinking
that led him to strike up a relationship with
the software engineer who writes the
fabrication section of SmartCAM. “He’s
given me several good tips and pointers on
programming,” notes King.
He also makes good use of his
networking skills on the shop floor. ”I
make it a point to talk to machine
operators to find out what I can do to
make their jobs easier.” he explains.
During one such talk, an operator pointed
out that despite what was written in a
manual, tool changes could take place
while the tool was moving though a
certain area, the dead zone. With that
information. King reprogrammed the
machine to cut its cycle time, saving the
company time and money.
Teamwork and organizational savvy
have played a part in King’s career climb.
As part of Rittal’s improvement program,
King submits ideas for cost savings, and
he easily meets the annual goal of saving
the company at least his salary by
implementing his ideas. His record of cost
savings landed King at the head of the
cost reduction committee, an employee
group that reviews suggestions for cutting
costs. better safety. and improving work
conditions. King’s team saves the
company more than $250,000/yr and
boosts morale.
It takes more than

Misty Moore
Finding a flexible software solution really tests a manufacturer averaging 250 new or revised CNC programs per month, espe-
cially when faster customer delivery demands and product pricing pressures are thrown in the mix. Just ask Rittal Corporation (Springfield, OH), a manufacturer of enclosures and accessories for the industrial, electronic and telecommunication industries. The company’s wide range of CNC equipment routinely requires new and revised programs to keep pace with changing needs. Rittal originally met these needs by using SmartCam to program several CNC machines. But after several acquisitions in the mid-
90s, the successful software package lost its market status. COUNTLESS CONSTRAINTS
Rittal then purchased new programming software for its grow-
ing inventory of CNC machinery. But according to manufactur-
ing engineer Greg King, “the software initially reduced program-
ming time, but it was extremely dependent on high-quality CAD, DXF or IGS files, and limited any modifications after parts were tooled. Once parts were nested on a sheet, I couldn’t change tooling or any part of the nest. I had to re-tool the part and nest the entire sheet again.”
Cycle times actually increased. Even worse, Rittal totally depended on the software supplier to make changes to its CAM software. “If a seat was punched out incorrectly because of an improper tool, or if I wanted to tool a part differently, I had to wait on the software company to make changes,” says King. The largest enclosure manufacturer in the world, Rittal offers over 13,000 different enclosure products that routinely require new and revised CNC programs.
Tool paths are optimized to meet various machine requirements.
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS WANT FLEXIBLE CNC PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE FOR ONE REASON – CONTROL! QUICK REACTION TO PROBLEMS ON THE SHOP FLOOR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE PROGRAM CHANGES. WAITING ON SOFTWARE SUPPLIERS TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS IS A LIMITATION OF THE PAST.
As Seen In
A NEW FOUND FREEDOM
So Rittal purchased WE-CIM, a software package developed by Wittlock Engineering (Cullman, AL), for its nesting functionality, user-friendly design and flexibility. Its Java programming language enables changes on demand. “Java is easier to use because of the limitless information on the Internet about it,” states King. “I’m no longer dependent on the software supplier. I simply enter WE-CIM, change a specific tool at a specific point, and output code immediately.
Our operators can start immediately. I also write macros to reduce programming time. I even nested on our Salvagninis, something
that was previously impossible.”
FLEXIBILITY = PRODUCTIVITY
Rittal compared WE-CIM and its previous software by evaluating two orders processed on its Trumpf 600L combination punch-and-laser.
WE-CIM saved approximately $5,000 on the first order for 270 cabinets. Material yield improved and the machine cycle time shortened by 22.5 hours on the Trumpf 600L and TC500. The second
order for 37 units saved $1,200 as the cycle time dropped by seven hours.
This justified purchasing a second seat. Dropping the maintenance
fees of former software solutions covered the cost. The second
seat was highly desired when Rittal needed to reduce its raw material from 600+ blanks to less than 50. Almost every machine program needed modifying to nest on (or trim from) one of the new blanks.
“The ability to output the special codes required by the Salvagnini P4 and S4 lessens the challenge,” remarks King. “Before coding the nests, simple menu changes correctly output to the machine, eliminating the need to make further modifications to the code.”
WE-CIM now runs an Ideal spot welder to easily output
code for multiple offsets and adapt to new code requirements, and a Burny 10 plasma drill and tap machine to output code with better
unload position based on part size. The software also produces programs for a programmable die that feeds a roll forming line. Custom tool graphics allow programmers to “see” the punch pattern
of the machine. By reducing total moves and punch hits, WE-CIM shaved more than two seconds off the cycle time per part to save more than $5,000 per year.
P.O. Box 1765
Cullman, AL 35056
256-737-3075
www.wittlockeng.com
Rittal Corporation, One Rittal Place, Springfield, OH, 45504, 937-399-0500, www.ritalcorp.com
Trumpf, Inc., 111 Hyde Road, Farmington, CT, 06032,
860-255-6000, www.us.trumpf.com
Salvagnini America, Inc., 27 Bicentennial Court, Hamilton, OH 45015, 513-874-8284, www.salvagnini.com
Billco Manufacturing Inc., 100 Grandview Boulevard, Zelienople,

CNC Problems and Solutions

Problem

I have a differential encoder ( MPG ) that I need to convert to single
ended. I’m using the 0v and A, but the high is only 3.25 volts. I seem
to remember that you can use a resistor between A & -A but not sure
how to connect the rest or the circuit. I would prefer not to use
another IC if possible.

Solution

output of each half of the differential driver.

At the risk of serious abuse from electrical know how members, and
the risk of your MPG and electronics.

Lift the ground 2.5v (between 2, 1k resisters connected between gnd
and 5v)

use one of the outputs A or B through a 100 to 250 ohm resistor (to
limit current from and to the MPG)

a diode to the 5 volt (after the above resistor) to limit the 7 volts
(3.5 + 3.5) into the monitoring circuit. (I assume the A and B signal
swing -3.5 to +3.5 ?)

Unfortunately the electrical expert who works with me is not here the
check this (but saves me from his further verbal abuse

Problem-Cycle start light stays on and the program starts but it does not go past first line.

Question-

Machine is a Mitsubishi MHC-50 with a mitsubishi M300 control. When trying to run a program after zero returning the machine. The cycle start light stays on and the program stops on the first line in the program and eventually after 3 minutes alarms with (MST function time over).
After running test programs in MDI just doing baxis clamp unclamp commands M10 M11. I found that as soon as I zero retun b axis it inhibits or stops running any MDI functions. However if any alarms or estop condition occurs you are then able run commands again. I looked at the droop error and found it to be zero at this time.

-Answer

What I found was the b axis when clamping had high droop or following error when clamping. The following error varied and sometimes the machine would run fine. If the machine is E stopped after zero returning program can be started and will run. I must have checked it the first time after an alarm or estop condition. If B axis is indexed machine will continue to run. But because the following error is so high it will not allow the program to run when restarted. Sounds strange but to fix problem I just changed the gridshift by the amount of the following error. powered the cnc machine down and back up. Then rezeroed the machine and then everything ran ok.

On a Yang ML-15A lathe with fanuc O-T control, the Alarm 1006 turret number was incorrect

The customer had taken apart the turret assembly to perform some repairs. They could not get the turret position timing correct. The prox switch setup on this turret had about 4 prox switches total which went into a single bracket. So the timing in relation to the switches could not be adjusted.  The main dog which was start shaped with 10 positions could be rotated. This dog had holes drilled in it so when the prox drops off in the whole this would tell what position it was in. At the time of service this customer did not have any documentation at all. I was able to figure out that there was two data bits that had to correspond to each other. One was actual proximity switch reading D460 and the other was what the control thinks it actually is at D455.

Resolution

Set the data bits by setting Parameter write enable to 1 and change D455 and D460 to correspond with the prox settings. Once this was done turret indexed properly. One thing was to make sure the turret number then mathed the prox settings if not. Rotate the star shaped dog to the correct position and change back he bits.