Anca, a specialist in CNC grinding machines that is this year celebrating 50 years of innovation, and Tetralytix, a developer of simulation software for metal-cutting technology, have commenced a strategic collaboration in the field of virtual design for cutting tools.The
collaboration integrates Anca’s expertise in the virtual modelling of tool geometries and CIM3D tool verification software with Tetralytix’s expertise in technological analysis through Toolyzer, a simulation tool for designing and optimising cutting tools. An interface between CIM3D and Toolyzer will enable faster and more cost effective cutting tooldevelopment.

“Anca welcomes this partnership as it signals our commitment to empowering customers with the most advanced and powerful software tools available,” states Martin Ripple, CEO at Anca.“By working together, we’re ensuring that cutting tool manufacturers have everything they need to innovate, optimise and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.”

Dr Arne Mücke, managing director at Tetralytix, adds: “The partnership with Anca is a significant step towards creating added value and competitive advantages for our customers. The co-operation will make the benefits of digital cutting tool development visible in an unprecedented way.”
 

Says Santosh Plakkat, product manager at Anca: “We understand the constant challenges for tool designers in achieving longer tool life and the demands to cut newer materials. With this partnership, our customers can seamlessly design a tool and access cutting analyses, even before the first test cut. When Anca first introduced CIM3D, customers couldn’t believe the sophistication of the solution, and this is now the next step in reducing tool development time and cost.”

More information www.anca.com

With NUMROTO X, NUM AG is unveiling the future iteration of its CNC software package, NUMROTOplus, tailored for tool production and resharpening. According to NUM, this extensively revamped software stands out for its enhanced flexibility, precision and user-friendliness.

Similar to NUMROTOplus, NUMROTO X is a desktop application accessible both on the grinding machine and a workstation PC. Leveraging established concepts like multi-user databases, 3D simulation, collision checking and product documentation with NUMROTO-Draw, NUMROTO X elevates the user experience to new heights.

The focus during NUMROTO X’s development initially centred on the production of complex standard milling cutters. This goal is achieved thanks to configurable geometry elements and innovative options for production and process planning. The introduction of sequences, enabling the organisation of individual work steps, facilitates the straightforward configuration of intricate yet clearly displayed production processes.

Furthermore, NUMROTO X integrates a newly developed, integrated job manager. This feature empowers users to modify and expand job lists both during work preparation and ‘on the fly’ at the machine, ensuring uninterrupted production under any circumstances.

In crafting the new user interface, NUMROTO X places a strong emphasis on intuitive user-friendliness and clarity. Through real-time tool visualisation, users can promptly and accurately observe the effects of any parameter adjustment in pixel-perfect detail, even at various zoom levels. While default values streamline the creation of new workpieces, users retain the flexibility to tailor these settings to their specific needs at any juncture.

Introducing a new feature in NUMROTO X, the kinematics module takes charge of calculating machine movements, now extending support to six-axis movements. This advance brings about higher efficiency and optimises axis control during transition movements between grinding operations.

More information www.num.com

ActOn Finishing, a provider of surface finishing solutions, is announcing a new partnership with Brio Ultrasonics of Spain. This collaboration appoints ActOn Finishing as the exclusive distributor of Brio’s ultrasonic cleaning machines in the UK. The machines support component cleaning, descaling and stripping processes across industries that include automotive, aerospace, energy, general manufacturing and mould cleaning,

Ultrasonic cleaning is an efficient finishing process that utilises ultrasound waves generated in a liquid medium, typically water or a chemical solution, to thoroughly clean components. The technology operates by placing parts into an ultrasonic tank filled with the liquid solution. An ultrasonic generator and emitter then create high-frequency soundwaves which agitate the liquid, producing millions of tiny bubbles. These bubbles implode upon contact with surfaces, effectively removing contaminants such as dirt, rust, grease, oils and other unwanted materials.

Brioultrasonic cleaning machines offer several distinct advantages tailored to a wide range of cleaning applications. For instance, they offer high power (20-30 kHz) for tough dirt removal and low power (30-60 kHz) for mild dirt to ensure comprehensive cleaning regardless of the level of contamination. Furthermore, ActOn reports that Brio ultrasonic cleaning technology reaches 100% of a part’s geometry to clean components of any shape within minutes.

Notably, the ultrasonic cleaning machines save water and energy, making them both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It is possible to customise the machines to specific application with specialist chemical solutions.

The high-quality ultrasonic tanks featurea design with maximum insulation and high durability, while proprietary ultrasonic emitters providesthorough cleaning and fast processing times with maximum energy efficiency. 

More information www.acton-finishing.co.uk

Sullivan Palatek, a US-based manufacturer of air compressors, has taken delivery of a new TG350E CNC helical rotor grinding machine from UK-based rotor milling and grinding machine tool manufacturer, PTG Holroyd.

Helping double Sullivan Palatek’s rotary screw compressor manufacturing capability, the TG350E joins a previous-generation PTG Holroyd TG350 rotor grinder and a PTG Holroyd 3EX-R rotor milling machine, both of which have been in reliable daily operation at the air compressor manufacturer’s production facility in Michigan City, Indiana, since 2009.Together, the three PTG Holroyd machines will manufacture helical rotors in a range of diameters from both Dura-Bar and cold-rolled steel.

With plans to increase the size of its Michigan City manufacturing facility by 50%, and an order book that has almost doubled in size since 2023, Sullivan Palatek will be making full use of its new TG350E rotor grinding machine as well as its older PTG Holroyd TG350 and 3EX-R models.

“As finish-grinding each compressor rotor typically takes twice as long as the milling process, having two rotor grinders in operation will increase our productivity considerably,” says Sullivan Palatek’s director of plant operations Scott Newcomb. “With the two PTG Holroyd rotor grinding machines, we’ll also be able to manufacture both male and female rotors simultaneously, something that will further boost our efficiency.”

He continues: “To help further streamline our rotor manufacturing processes, PTG Holroyd will also be upgrading the CNC on our older TG350 to the latest standards. We have a great relationship with PTG Holroyd. They provide the highest levels of service and support, and will always do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

More information www.holroyd.com

The cutting material PcBN(polycrystalline cubic boron nitride)is both ultra-hard and extremely temperature-resistant, making it a challenge to process. To enable cutting tool manufacturers to grind PcBN cutting edges with high levels of precision, users of the Vollmer VGrind 360S tool grinder can now take advantage of an optional dressing unit.

By adapting its VGrind 360S grinding machine, the sharpening specialist can make it suitable for machining PcBN tools. Considered the hardest cutting material in the world after PCD (polycrystalline diamond), PcBN can achieve an operating life of up to 25 times longer than solid-carbide tools. In fact, PcBN retains almost all of its original hardness at temperatures up to 1200°C.

The VGrind 360S grinding machine is positioned for the precise machining of PcBN tools with its stable wall concept and rigid, compact design. High system rigidity, in combination with the drive of the X, Y and Zaxes via linear induction motors, allows tool manufacturers to machine a PcBN cutting edge with the grinding wheel oscillating across its contact surface for a chip-free, high-quality surface.

To support the processing of this ultra-hard material, the optional dressing unit for the grinding wheel on the VGrind 360S means that after roughing the PcBN cutting edge, the dressing unit re-profiles the grinding wheel to regain its precise concentricity and correct geometric shape. Subsequent finishing operations give the PcBN tool the desired surface finish and geometric accuracy.

Customers can also retrofit the optional dressing unit with software updates to existing VGrind 360S machines. Tool manufacturers can carry out the installation independently or with the support of the Vollmer service team in just a few simple steps.

More information www.vollmer-group.com/en-uk