Automated filter units introduced

The Autofiltrex range of automated filters, which is suitable for most ferrous metal-finishing processes, including grinding, honing and lapping, has been introduced by Eclipse Magnetics.

Described as the latest generation in cost-effective, high-performance filtration, the Autofiltrex was exhibited at the recent EMO 2019 exhibition in Hanover, where Eclipse Magnetics says it received high levels of interest and positive feedback.
Sales and marketing director Steve McAllorum says: “We were delighted to see that the Autofiltrex was a popular product on the Eclipse Magnetics stand at EMO. The Autofiltrex is a great example of how an investment in magnetic technologies can improve efficiency in metal-finishing operations.”
Eclipse Autofiltrex units can be fitted in-line or off-line, ensuring 24/7 “ultra-polished” fluids and delivering advantages over traditional filter media. The modular design allows the addition of further units to accommodate increased flow rates, depending on application needs. Offering sub-micron filtration performance, the Autofiltrex range delivers cleaner fluid to the machine, thus improving surface finish and accuracy, as well as reducing expenditure on filter media.
Designed as a ‘plug and play’ device, minimal set up is required, and the system can be fully integrated with CNC units for ease of use and to provide 24/7 uninterrupted filtration. In addition, the option of an additional waste reclaim unit is available to enable a fully automated system with waste disposal.
Three sizes are available – the AF1 (no reclaim unit), the AF3 and the AF5 – each occupying minimal floor space with the capacity to increase fluid life by up to 10 times.
For further information www.eclipsemagnetics.com

Stream-finishing machine at Fintek

A new stream-finishing machine featuring OTEC Präzisionsfinish patented pulse-drive technology ‘Pulsfinish’ has arrived at UK precision surface-finishing specialist, Fintek. The new machine follows on from the delivery of a new-generation OTEC stream finishing machine in July.

Fintek operations manager Jamie Phillips says: “The difference Pulsfinish makes to mass finishing is substantial. Pulse finishing produces rapid relative motion between the media and workpiece by quickly changing the rotational direction of the work-holding heads in a programmed and controlled way. High-speed acceleration and deceleration increases the finishing forces exerted on the workpiece, making it possible to accurately and evenly deburr, round and smooth surfaces from Rpk 0.2 µm to 0.1 µm, in under a minute.
“The pulse-finishing equipped SF machine is ideal for meeting the needs of the aerospace, high level motorsport, automotive, medical device and tool making industries,” adds Phillips.
Another important sector where ‘Pulsfinish’ is set to make a difference is the mass finishing of additively manufactured components. Recently, Fintek used the system as part of an Innovate UK sponsored research project that brought together a team of experts under the leadership of Croft Additive Manufacturing (CAM). The project also included Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
In addition to Fintek’s subcontract services, the company is also the UK agent for OTEC Präzisionsfinish’s range of centrifugal disc, drag and stream-finishing systems. Everything from stand-alone units to fully automated systems for inline production are available from Fintek, along with process media, consumables and expertise.
For further information www.fintek.co.uk

Anca releases latest ToolRoom RN34

Cutting-tool manufacturer Fraisa reduced set up from hours to five minutes through the new tool balancing feature in Anca’s latest ToolRoom RN34.

A specially designed software package for the aerospace, mould and die, general machining and power-generation industries, the product was officially launched at EMO last month. Customers can get improved productivity or minimise chatter through the intuitive design of high performance, complex end mills, says the company.
“ToolRoom RN34 is aimed to be the differentiator among many suppliers of end mills by allowing customers to design complex geometries and achieve increased tool life, productivity and cutting volume, as well as increased quality and precision of the workpiece,” says Thomson Mathew, Anca software product manager.
The constant-helix ball-nose option, for example, is replaced by a graphical drag-and-drop designer. This ball-nose type of tool, with optimised irregular helix curves to reduce vibration, can be achieved with near-instant visualisation by switching from 2D projection of the cutting edge, to 3D.
Douglas Franke, production manager at cutting-tool firm Fraisa, says: “With Anca’s balancing software we generally have a tool balanced within five minutes. Some of our more complex tooling can take a little longer, up to 20 minutes. This drastically decreases our machine set-up time, which could previously take several hours. Our biggest success story has been an aerospace customer who is running our 25 mm roughing tool for aluminium at 25,000 rpm.”
For further information www.anca.com

Tool and insert production at its best

Walter Ewag UK, a member of the United Grinding Group, reports that in addition to displaying a number of tool and insert production/regrinding machines at last month’s EMO exhibition in Hanover, as well as tool-measurement machines, technology developments from both Walter and Ewag continue unabated.

For example, visitors were able to learn about a new laser marking and cleaning station for the Walter Helicheck Plus tool-measurement machine. In addition, included among the myriad of group machines on show, Walter showcased tool grinding/erosion and measurement machines, while Ewag focused on insert production centres and laser-based tool manufacturing.
On display from Walter was the Helitronic Power 400 with Top Loader, a 24 kW spindle machine for the production and regrinding of tools of 3 to 320 mm diameter, and up to 350 mm long. Also on the stand was the Helitronic Power Diamond 400 with Robot Loader, a single machine that can both erode PCD tools and grind carbide tools, even in the same set-up, ranging from 3 to 380 mm diameter, and 520 mm long.
Another Walter machine in the spotlight was the Helicheck Plus tool measurement machine with Robot Loader. The Robot Loader brings effective automation to the unmanned measurement of complex tooling. Depending on tool weight and length, up to 2,000 tools with a maximum weight of 1.5 kg and a maximum length of 280 mm, can be automatically loaded.
From Ewag, visitors could see the Laser Line Ultra, for the ultra-short-pulse laser machining of all cutting materials, including CBN, ceramic, PCD and CVD, accommodating inserts up to 200 mm diameter and up to
250 mm long. The machine features an integrated six-axis robot. The Ewag Profile Line was also on show.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

Peel grinder investment

Huddersfield-based Meltham Carbide Precision has become one of the latest to invest in a Rollomatic CNC peel-grinding machine, which can be acquired in the UK from Advanced Grinding Solutions. Meltham is a specialist manufacturer of plug gauges and components such as punches, mould and core pins, and blank carbide rods for the cutting-tool industry.

Owner-manager Eric Charlesworth had been aware of Rollomatic tool grinders for some time, and had identified a need for grinding his parts to a higher precision and reducing manufacturing times, and in particular removing the need to transfer parts across several different machines to arrive at the finished result.
Having received a demonstration of a Rollomatic machine, Meltham was attracted by to its pinch and peel grinding method, which ensures that the grinding operation is always carried out immediately adjacent to where the component is supported. This capability allows parts with a very large length to diameter ratio to be machined easily, with component lengths of up to 400 times diameter being ground without deflection issues and with diameters controlled to under 0.002 mm.
Just one example of how the machine has improved efficiency is in manufacturing a set of 10 carbide punches of 6.35 mm diameter by 110 mm long with a point, radius and three different diameters carrying 5 μm tolerances.
“This would have taken us a full day to manufacture previously, but now, on the Rollomatic we need just 15 minutes to set up and around 2 hours to grind,” says Charlesworth. “The surface finish is also much better, and the lengths and diameters are all well within tolerance.”
For further information www.advancedgrindingsolutions.co.uk