Latest Vollmer tool grinding/erosion machine

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

Another year of engineering progress

The UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering professionals, Advanced Engineering, is returning for its 11th edition on 30-31 October at the NEC, Birmingham.

Bringing together a two-day attendance of circa 15,000 attendees, the show incorporates all aspects of engineering: from materials and logistics, to aerospace, automotive and marine. At the event, representatives from across the entire supply chain of the UK’s advanced engineering industry will present their latest innovations and business developments in front of some of its most influential stakeholders.
Jeremy Whittingham, head of marketing for Advanced Engineering, says: “Last year, the show enjoyed a 10% rise in the number of OEMs and tier-one manufacturers attending compared with the 2018 event, prompting exhibitors to book at a record
rate for 2019. With companies keener than ever to attend and exhibit at the show, Advanced Engineering is positioned as one of the must-visit events of the year.”
For further information www.easyfairs.com/advanced-engineering-2019

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