GE certification for mass surface finishing has been gained by Fintek. Adding to its existing AS9100 and AS9001, the new certificate is an important milestone for the company as it continues to expand its subcontract surface finishing services in the aerospace sector.

Fintek is engaged in pioneering work with several aerospace component manufacturers, working closely with them to eliminate production bottlenecks where hand and traditional finishing methods are not able to achieve higher quality surface finishing requirements in shorter times.
Of particular concern for many aerospace parts manufacturers is the unseen damage caused by manual deburring using small power tools. These can sometimes cause accidental nicks that lead to fatigue, possibly with catastrophic consequences. Another hand-finishing issue is missed burrs that are subsequently peened over. Again, peened burrs can become sources of component failure.
Key in addressing these issues has been the introduction of controllable stream-finishing systems by OTEC Präzisionsfinish. Fintek, which represents OTEC in the UK, has been able to develop special processes to dramatically improve the efficiency and, importantly, the quality of surface finishing for aerospace manufacturers. Typical components benefiting from superior and more consistent surface finishing includes turbine blades, extremely thin parts, gear wheels, fasteners and even cutting tools.
To accommodate additional stream finishing units and meet demand for these processes, Fintek is planning to extend its existing facility.
“These are exciting times as much of the R&D work we have undertaken with Formula One teams is proving to be adaptable to aerospace, and we can offer manufacturers mass-finishing options to boost productivity and quality where previously they did not exist,” says Jonathan Dean, managing director. “GE certification is another step forward for us.”
For further information www.fintek.co.uk

Vollmer used its recent VDays event at the company’s world headquarters in Biberach, Germany to present its latest Vgrind 360E to over 400 customers that came from around the globe.

Introducing the new tool grinder, business development manager for the Vgrind 360 and Vgrind 360E, Andreas Weidenauer, discussed the benefits of the machine, which can process tools up to 100 mm in diameter, with a length of 360 mm. The presentation included an overview of the build quality that touched on the polymer concrete machine base for vibration absorption and reduced thermal expansion. With low thermal conductivity, the Vgrind 360E generates less thermal expansion throughout its robust 2100 kg structure.
Upon this base is the C-axis concept that provides the absorption and elimination of deformation and vibration through the top and bottom bearings in the twin grinding spindle configuration. Competitor machines with just a single bearing carry a higher risk of deformation and vibration, says Vollmer.
Underpinning the dynamics, kinematics and thermal stability of the Vgrind 360E, Vollmer has integrated an internal oil-based coolant cycle for cooling both the spindles and the motors. The temperature is maintained as a constant between the internal coolant oil cycle and the grinding coolant liquid due to a plate heat exchanger. This attention to detail increases the thermal stability of the Vgrind 360E and, as the oil runs through internal cooling cycles, the risk of damage or contamination through leakage is reduced.
The C and A axes have been configured with direct-drive torque motors to improve the dynamics of the Vgrind 360E. Indeed, the A-axis spindle rotates at a speed of 450 rpm as standard, with an optional 1000 rpm unit for specialist applications.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com