At the Apex Tool Group GmbH (ATG) in Westhausen, a new S31 cylindrical grinding machine from Studer is proving truly universal. From individual components to medium series, the machinecost-effectively and flexiblygrinds gear and control shafts for the company’sCleco brand ofelectric and pneumatic assembly tools.

ATG produces almost all the essential screwdriver components in-house, which applies in particular to motor and gear shafts, levers, valves, cams and housings.

“We need to grind our motor and gear shafts to an accuracy of just a few microns,” revealsNiko Schindelarz, supervisor -machining. “This is essential to ensure the extremely quiet running and long service life of our screwdrivers.”

But this was still a very complex process until just a few months ago. Only one proven grinding machine, purchased in the early 1980s, was available for cylindrical grinding. In order to grind the large number of 30 to 650 mm long shafts with diameters between 3 and 65 mm, it was necessary to reset the machine manually, over and over again. The search therefore began for a new cylindrical grinder.

Schindelarz explains it was firstly necessary to prepare the requirement analysis, in order to obtain approval for the necessary budget from the commercial manager in the US group.

“However, we were able to demonstrate on the basis of operational benefits that the higher initial investment – in comparison with competitor products – would quickly prove profitable,”he says.

Production engineers atATG are now able to grind the entire range of shafts on just one machine. Furthermore, the S31 cylindrical grinding machine is easily accessible for workpiece and grinding wheel set-up, despite the complete enclosure.
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