Feature on Grinding and Surface Finishing

OSG UK adds another Walter tool grinder

The success of tooling specialist OSG UK continues apace, with the company recently installing another Walter Helitronic tool grinder to meet rising monthly volumes of tool regrinds and orders for new tooling, and to satisfy plans for its latest range of carbide tooling. These tools are joining the company’s own-brand series of taps, thread mills and end mills, as well as drills and reamers.

Supplied by Walter Ewag UK the company’s latest Walter Helitronic, a Power 400, joins existing Helitronic tool grinders and Helicheck Pro tool measuring machine at OSG‘s Basildon site. The ongoing investment by OSG means the company is “superbly equipped to meet all current and immediate future demands”, says director Tony Cooper.

Importantly, the fact that all of OSG’s Helitronic machines have pallet systems and robot loaders makes it possible to pre-load variable size batches of tools ready for effective and efficient processing overnight, unmanned, in batches of up to 30-off. The company says this capability provides the ultimate in order responsiveness for a wide customer base, including aerospace and automotive clients throughout the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

The multi-axis Helitronic Power 400 features a mineral cast machine bed and gantry design, and it provides 26 kW (up to 24,000 rpm) of spindle power. Coupled with sophisticated drive technology and X, Y and Z axis travels of 650, 350 and 720 mm, respectively, the machine can handle tools of 3 to 315 mm diameter, up to 520 mm long and weighing up to 50 kg.The robot loader can accommodate tools up to 125 mm diameter and weighing 5 kg.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

Invitation to compete for research prize

Grinding machine manufacturer Studer is awarding its research prize, the ‘Fritz Studer Award’, for the seventh time, invitingstudents from European universities and technical colleges to participate. The winners will receive a reward of CHF10,000.Participation in the competition provides young researchers with a platform for their creative solutions. The goal of the award is to advance and strengthen innovative developments in the machine tool industry.

For this competition,Studer is looking for work and research results with the following content: innovative machine concepts or components for precision machine tools; alternative materials in machine construction; simulation models for the dynamic and thermal behaviour of machine tools; control and sensor concepts for machine tools; digital solutions to support the grinding process; and new or advanced manufacturing technologies, especially in precision machining processes such as grinding and hard turning.

Anyone who has focused on scientific topics or applied research areas in their student research project, college work or dissertation is invited to enter. The applicant should also be able to produce substantiated results or partial results from their research work. What is crucial for the assessment? Firstly, the feasibility of findings in the machine tool industry. Secondly, the approach must be new. Studer will also assess the scientific content, form and accuracy of the statements.

A prestigious jury will assess the submitted entries and choose the winner or winners, who will receive a reward of CHF 10,000, the Fritz Studer Award and a certificate.The award ceremony will take place in mid-February 2024. Entrants should send their documents to Fritz Studer AG, Dr Frank Fiebelkorn, Head of Research and Technology,PO Box 177, 3602 Thun, Switzerland,no later than 30 September 2023.
For further information www.studer.com/en

Electron Engineering chooses Apex gearboxes

When Electron Engineering Services,a machine tool company specialising in machine refurbishment and CNC retrofitting, was retrofitting a grinding machine to turn it into an accurate grinder by installing servo systems instead of hydraulics, the company turned to Apex Dynamics and its range of precision planetary gearboxes. Electron selected AB115 and the PAII115 gearboxes for their high precision, hightorque and competitive price.

As part of the project, Electron determined that it needed a precision planetary gearbox fitted to the servo in order to get more accurate performance from the grinding machine and higher torque from a smaller motor.Good availability of parts was essential for timely delivery of the final machine design as Electron had previously encountered problems with other components as a result of supply chain shortages. Other key considerations included high levels of customer support, availability of 3D models for design, and assistance with calculations, in order to meet the project deadlines.

The AB115 is part of Apex Dynamics’ highest precision, highest torque range, while the compact, lightweight PAII115 is an economy precision planetary gearbox with accuracy of less than 6 arc-minutes and reduced backlash.

By installing in-line planetary gearboxes on servo axes, Electron was able to use a much smaller motor in the grinding machine to get similar torque and thrust, with lower backlash and quieter operation.

Phillip Denison, senior mechanical designer at Electron Engineering Services, says: “Having used Apex Dynamics products for some time now, they are really good at what they do and they understand what we do, helping when needed with things like calculations and 3D models. We were really pleased with the levels of service for this project.”
For further information www.apexdynauk.com

Grinding range elevates safety and performance

Fein is now offering a new grinding product range, revealing new safety and performance features to meet the latest user needs. Following the launch, power tool operators working across disciplines will be able to choose from the extended range of over 40 grinding tools, with corded and cordless options available. The range arrives as a result of first-hand industry feedback, to provide a product suitable for every application, including angle grinding, die grinding and stainless-steel processing, for example.

The portfolio includes the launch of the CG 15 compact angle grinder, the first of its class to feature a fully encapsulated, brushless Fein PowerDrive motor. The tool’s 1500 W motor and notable power-to-weight ratio allow user to operate with efficiency and endurance, reports Fein. Furthermore, the angle grinder requires fewer wearing parts, has longer service intervals and incurs lower maintenance costs throughout its life.

Fein’s new CG 15 grinder also offers users extensive protection through a variety of safety features driven by user feedback, including restart protection, kick-back check, jam monitoring and an efficient brake which brings the tool to a stop in less than 2 seconds.

Another tool in the range is the Protago high-safety angle grinder, created in collaboration to set new safety standards in the industry. Bouygues, the construction giant, had previously banned the use of compact angle grinders following a serious accident. However, together with Fein, the teams developed the Protago with safety features that almost fully eliminate the serious risks associated with improper operation.

The Protago, in addition to nine other tools in this launch, is now available on the 18 V AMPShare battery platform, powered by Bosch.
For further information www.fein.com/en_uk

Modified alcohols offer future-proof solution

With the increasing regulatory pressure on PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which might impact the future use of fluorinated solvents in industrial parts cleaning, many companies are racing to find direct drop-in replacements. Safechem, a chemical service company and solvent risk management expert, offers a long-term perspective – the use of modified alcohols in an airtight degreaser as a future-proof cleaning solution.

Safechem’s modified alcohol solvents – Dowclene 16-series and Dualene 1601 S – are chlorine-free, bromine-free and fluorine-free. Produced synthetically, modified alcohols are stable in temperature and pH. With both non-polar and polar properties, they can effectively clean off non-polar contaminants such as oils and greases, just as effectively as certain polar contaminations like cooling emulsions or solids such as particles and abrasives.

Modified alcohols have a flashpoint and application must therefore take place in vacuum closed cleaning machines, or so-called airtight/airless degreasers. Users currently operating open/semi-open equipment are likely to see the initial equipment expenditure as a hurdle. They might also be apprehensive about changing their cleaning process altogether.
However, compared with the high consumption of fluorinated solvents (PFAS-free or not) and their running costs due to emissions and drag-out losses, a closed cleaning machine can practically pay itself back due to the many cost savings it enables – in addition to increased process safety and minimised environmental impact.

Put simply, Safechem says that solvents used in closed machines are much cheaper than fluorinated products. Furthermore, solvents can be recycled and reused much more efficiently thanks to the built-in vacuum distillation unit. Another advantage is the potential to extend solvent lifespan by using stabilisers, resulting in less consumption and fewer bath exchanges.
For further information www.bit.ly/42Bgzpa