Feature on Grinding and Surface Finishing

Cost-Effective Solvent Cleaning Focuses on What Matters Most

Karl Roll has developed its new Focus solvent cleaning system for manufacturers that need to clean smaller quantities of components more frequently while meeting increasingly demanding cleanliness standards. The compact, cost-effective system provides an entry into high-quality parts cleaning with a relatively low investment. 

Operating under full vacuum, Focus can use hydrocarbons or modified alcohols and requires only an industrial power supply and compressed air connection. Its working chamber accommodates components up to 565 x 365 x 250 mm and weighing up to 50 kg. 

Designed as a plug-and-play solution, Focus incorporates features intended to deliver reliable and repeatable cleaning as standard. Two solvent tanks with separate circulation systems and bypass filtration can support pre-cleaning and fine cleaning where high cleanliness levels are required. Alternatively, one tank can be used for cleaning and the other for conservation. 

Ultrasonic cleaning is also integrated, with frequency adjustable to suit the application. A loading aid supports ergonomic operation and can be extended to automatic loading and unloading, while barcode scanning is available for unmanned operation. 

Energy and resource efficiency were key considerations in the system’s development. Vacuum pumps, heaters and drain pumps have been selected to provide an efficient balance between performance and consumption. An integrated distillation unit continuously processes the solvent, while automatic oil removal helps maintain cleaning performance and extend solvent service life. 

Further energy savings come from recovering heat from the distillation process and insulating heated components. A filtration system removes particulate contamination, while an optional automatic lid lock helps prevent solvent release during filter changes. 

By concentrating on the equipment required for high-quality cleaning, Focus provides a practical solution for manufacturers handling lower cleaning volumes without compromising process reliability or efficiency. 

More information www.karl-roll.de/en 

Harrison Silverdale Boosts Productivity with MecWash Duo

MecWash Systems has installed a Duo 400 parts washing system at fastener specialist Harrison Silverdale, providing additional cleaning capacity following investment in new manufacturing equipment. 

Harrison Silverdale has supplied engineered fastening solutions since 1982 and dispatches around 10 million parts each month to customers across more than 37 countries. Its design service also develops bespoke fasteners for customer applications, supported by three CAD engineers and on-site rapid prototyping. 

Following the purchase of a new Star sliding-head lathe, the company contacted MecWash to increase its cleaning capacity and ensure its specialist components could be cleaned to the required standards. 

“Our bespoke parts require absolute accuracy, so they must be cleaned to a high standard,” says Mark Harrison, managing director of Harrison Silverdale. “MecWash has a reputation for delivering extremely detailed component cleaning, so I contacted the team to discuss our requirements.” 

MecWash conducted trials to establish the most suitable solution before recommending the Duo 400. Installed at Harrison Silverdale’s newly built factory extension in Dronfield, the system is designed for cleaning high volumes of small turned parts. 

States Alan Atkinson, sales manager at MecWash. “The Duo 400’s combination of flood and spray washing, spray rinsing and hot-air drying provides thorough cleaning while handling dense baskets of components.” 

With a 400 x 450 x 600 mm wash chamber and 100 kg maximum load capacity, the system is helping Harrison Silverdale respond to growing demand from OEMs and distributors across Europe, the USA and Australasia. 

“The MecWash team has provided first-class support throughout the process,” concludes Harrison. “The Duo 400 has enabled us to fulfil growing customer demand while maintaining the speed of service that is critical to our offering.” 

More information www.mecwash.com 

ANCA Demonstrates Connected Regrinding Workflow at IMTS

At last month’s IMTS 2026 exhibition in Chicago, ANCA demonstrated a connected regrinding workflow combining the ANCA MX7 Ultra, Zoller Genius measuring technology and AIMS Connect software to help manufacturers extend tool life, reduce carbide consumption and improve control of the regrinding process.  

With carbide prices having risen significantly in recent years, regrinding is becoming increasingly important to tool manufacturers. ANCA’s integrated workflow connects grinding, measurement and production data, reducing manual intervention while improving process visibility and traceability. 

At its centre is the MX7 Ultra, which combines precision grinding technologies including LaserUltra and runout compensation. Zoller Genius provides automated measurement before and after grinding, while AIMS Connect links machine, measurement and production data. ANCA says the system can deliver productivity gains of up to 20%. 

“Regrinding is no longer just a cost-saving option – in a high-carbide-cost environment it’s a strategic imperative,” says Edmund Boland, CEO at ANCA CNC Machines. “A well-executed regrind typically costs 30-40% of a new tool while delivering 85-95% of original performance.” 

ANCA also showcased the MicroX Ultra for high-volume production of micro tools down to 0.03 mm diameter, alongside the Zoller PomBasic MTI for measurement. The EPX-SF stream finishing machine demonstrated post-grinding processing, with before-and-after tool samples showing its effect on edge quality and surface finish. 

The booth also feature ANCA’s Tool of the Year 2026 competition, software and simulation solutions, ANCA Academy training, customer support resources and custom solutions for application-specific requirements. 

More information www.anca.com 

UK Manufacturing is Growing. Now is The Time to Build on It

UK manufacturing entered autumn with another month of growth, strengthening the case for renewed investment in Britain’s industrial base. The S&P Global manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 51.9 in September from 51.7 in August, marking an 11th consecutive month of expansion. A reading above 50 indicates growth. 

For Midland Deburr managing director Chris Arrowsmith (pictured), the figures highlight an opportunity to build capacity across the wider manufacturing supply chain: “Eleven months of manufacturing growth tells us something important. There’s work out there, companies are investing and there’s still tremendous engineering capability in Britain.  

While manufacturing growth is often measured through factory output, every finished component depends on a network of specialist suppliers. From its West Midlands facility, Midland Deburr provides vibratory deburring, component cleaning, solvent degreasing and vapour degreasing for manufacturers producing pressings, castings and machined components. 

“When customers become busier, that work travels through the supply chain,” Arrowsmith explains. “Machining creates components that need finishing, while pressings and castings require deburring and cleaning. Increased production ultimately means increased demand across specialist processes.” 

September’s survey recorded continued growth in new orders and exports, alongside longer supplier delivery times and higher input costs. Arrowsmith believes investment throughout the supply chain will be essential if manufacturers are to respond to rising demand. 

“If Britain wants higher manufacturing output, we have to think about capacity all the way through the supply chain,” he says. “That means machinery, skills, energy, premises, logistics and the specialist processes that keep components moving.” 

He adds: “Britain knows how to manufacture. We have the people, the engineering heritage and an extraordinary base of specialist companies. This is the time to use it, invest in it and give it every opportunity to grow.” 

More information www.midlanddeburrandfinish.co.uk 

Invitation to Compete for Fritz Studer Award 2026 Prize

Grinding machine builder Fritz Studer AG is inviting young researchers from European universities and technical colleges to enter the eighth Fritz Studer Award, which recognises innovative research with the potential to advance machine tool technology. 

The competition is open to graduates whose student research projects, college work or dissertations have focused on scientific or applied research relevant to the machine industry. Entries can address areas including precision machine tool concepts, alternative construction materials, simulation of machine dynamics and thermal behaviour, control and sensor technology, digital solutions for grinding, or new manufacturing technologies such as grinding and hard turning. 

To qualify, applicants must be able to demonstrate substantiated results or partial results from their research. The jury will assess the scientific content, form and accuracy of submissions, as well as the originality of the approach and, importantly, the feasibility of applying the findings in the machine industry. 

“With the Fritz Studer Award, we want to give young researchers an opportunity to present innovative ideas that could contribute to the future development of machine tools,” says a Studer representative. 

The winner or winners will receive CHF 10,000, the Fritz Studer Award and a certificate. Entries will be assessed by a jury comprising: Dr Konrad Wegener of Inspire-IWF Machine Tools and Manufacturing at ETH Zurich; Fred Gaegauf, Board of Directors of Fritz Studer AG; and Dr Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of Research and Development at Fritz Studer AG. 

The award ceremony will take place in mid-February 2027. The competition provides young researchers with an opportunity to gain recognition for work that combines scientific innovation with practical potential for precision manufacturing. 

More information www.studer.com