The EA211 evo engine from VW has been manufactured using the latest technologies to increase efficiency, such as coating of the cylinder liner. Set to install new production lines in China, Gehring has received an order to supply the laser roughening and honing machines for this purpose.

Dr Sebastian Schöning, CEO of the Gehring Group, who oversees the firm’s development strategy, says: “We are happy that we were able to achieve concrete environmental improvements together with our customer.”
The thermal coating of cylinder bores is a highly sought-after technology for increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines. Gehring is focusing on optimising the process chain of: laser roughening – coating – honing. In order to produce a strong bond between the coating and engine block, efficient roughening processes are required to ensure overall functionality.
Gehring’s laser roughening technology is said to bring about operative advantages. For instance, apart from cost savings and an improved working environment, there is also a positive effect on overall engine design. In addition to high adhesive tensile strengths with low roughness, economic advantages take effect in mass production, since no wearing tools are needed and coating material is saved. Both aluminium and cast iron can be pre-machined with the laser-refining process.
Gehring laser-roughening machines have two spindles with novel rotation optics for the simultaneous machining of two cylinder liners. The co-ordinated process steps (roughening – coating – honing) lead to low friction and wear-resistant cylinder liners, which contribute to more compact and efficient internal combustion engines, says the company.
For further information www.gehring-group.com

Okuma, which is represented in the UK by NCMT, and German grinding expert Dr Kaiser Diamantwerkzeuge GmbH, have jointly developed a grinding system that is said to offer a number of advanced wheel dressing functions. Dr Kaiser and Okuma can look back on a successful co-operation having previously created a special app to determine optimal dressing parameters. Now, Dr Kaiser has developed a vitrified CBN grinding wheel, a dressing spindle system and the related dressing tools for an Okuma GP25W x65 CNC grinding machine.

Once installed, the Dr Kaiser C72FCA2 dressing spindle is connected to the OSP-P300G Okuma control via Profinet. With its output of 1.3 kW, the dressing spindle achieves a steady circumferential spindle speed during synchronous dressing, as well as during counter-rotation dressing.
During the dressing cycle, the control receives process data from the dressing spindle. The spindle is equipped with integrated acoustic emission sensors that detect when the dresser and grinding wheel come into contact. As the sensors can determine contact in the micrometre range, the system allows for correct alignment of the axes. This capability reduces air-grinding time, minimises wear on the diamond dressing tool and ensures defined abrasion of the grinding wheel.
Operating the system is simple because the Okuma control visualises all dressing process data and allows for the optimal adjustment of all parameters. Changes made by the operator, or variables recorded in real time, are automatically translated by the control into an NC program.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk