Last month’s EMO exhibition in Hanover saw Vollmer present its newly developed VHybrid 360 grinding and erosion machine, which can be used to produce solid-carbide and PCD cutting tools, such as drills, milling cutters and reamers, in a single set-up.

Vollmer’s VHybrid 360 offers a range of automatic settings that enable unmanned production around the clock. With the newly devised Vollmer tool manager, users can manage the automatic switching of up to eight grinding or eroding wheels intuitively.
The VHybrid 360 is based on multi-layer machining, which is implemented through two vertically arranged spindles. Here, Vollmer is using the tried-and-tested technology of its VGrind grinding machine series. The bottom spindle can be used for both grinding and eroding, while the top spindle is reserved exclusively for grinding.
Vollmer’s key erosion component is the VPulse EDM erosion generator, while from a grinding perspective, both spindles are vertically arranged in the pivot point of the C axis. This configuration guarantees high profile accuracy and enables exact grinding and eroding processes. In addition, tool machining times can be reduced thanks to the shorter linear-axis travel distances resulting from the spindle arrangement.
VHybrid 360 can be used to produce different cutter types that are used for machining metals or composites. The machine gives tool manufacturers the flexibility to perform grinding and eroding processes on standard and special tools, regardless of whether the blanks are made of carbide, sintered PCD or brazed diamond tips. Tools with diameters of up to 50 mm, and lengths of up to 360 mm, can be processed.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com