Guyson International has added the Multiblast RXS1400 automated blast system to its portfolio of rotating-indexing spindle solutions. Suited to the complete surface treatment of components that can be blast-finished or shot-peened while rotating about one axis, Guyson’s largest standard indexing system can handle components with a maximum component size of 400 mm high by 400 mm diameter, with weight up to 25 kg.

Notably, the blast system is suitable for medium to high volumes of: automotive transmissions; aerospace and land-based turbine components; railway, wind and construction equipment; and substrate materials in metal, composite or exotic alloys.

The Guyson Multiblast RXS1400 machine is a six-spindle rotating indexing blast system that can process multiple parts simultaneously; two blast stations make it extremely suitable for high volume manufacturing. Each of the six work spindles are spaced equally around the perimeter of the rotary indexing table and arranged so that at all times two of the spindles are outside the machine during the blasting operation for loading and unloading. Due to the rapid table indexing of the RXS1400, the load/unload environment is generally protected with a light-guard failsafe safety device.

Guyson’s sales manager Ian Rayner states: ″Customers can specify the RXS1400 as either suction-fed or pressure-fed, with the choice directed by application and throughput requirements.″

Parts are loaded on to the left-hand spindle and enter the blast chamber via pneumatic sliding doors. These open and close automatically and interface with the table indexing mechanism. Importantly, the doors also create a seal during the blast operation to prevent media and noise from escaping to the work environment.

For further information
www.guyson.co.uk

A newly established manufacturing line for compression springs at a production facility of Baumann Springs takes place in a tumble-belt blast machine from Rösler. In short cycle times, the custom-engineered blasting solution produces surfaces that are optimally prepared for the subsequent coating operation. Furthermore, oil that carries into the shot-blast process is neutralised and, through the media cleaning system, separated from the blast media.

Located at the Stare Mesto, Czech Republic plant of Baumann Springs, the new production line accommodates different types of long compression springs made from EN 10270-2 spring steel. For cleaning and texturing (roughening) the surface of the springs prior to coating, the company uses a Rösler RMBC 4.2-HD tumble-belt blast machine.

“The Rösler solution impressed us not only because of its design, but its functionality,” explains Claudio Hertig, project manager global operations. “Another positive factor was the sturdy machine construction.”

Rösler’s RMBC 4.2-HD allows the blast cleaning of loosely tumbling compression springs with batch weights of up to 1,000 kg. Two Gamma 300G turbines, each equipped with a power of 11 kW, ensure high shot-blast intensity. These turbines, developed by Rösler, are equipped with curved throwing blades in a ‘Y’ design. Compared with conventional turbines, the specially calculated blade curvature generates very high media throwing speeds, resulting in up to 20% higher blast performance and, in turn, shorter cycle times.

Integrated blast media deflectors further intensify and accelerate the blast process. These special compressed air nozzles cause an additional blast-media movement. The automatic blast-media flow control allows not only the monitoring but also the precise adjustment of media flow to the respective workpieces. Media replenishment takes place automatically.

For further information
www.rosler.com

At the EMO Milano exhibition in October, Vollmer delivered the public premiere of its VGrind 360S grinding machine for the complete machining of carbide tools. This new five-axis CNC grinding machine can produce carbide tools with a diameter up to 25.4 mm and, depending on machine kinematics and the equipping of grinding wheel packages, it can even be used for tools up to 150 mm diameter. The VGrind 360S incorporates wear-free linear induction motors on the X, Y and Z axes to lower maintenance costs for the machine, while contributing to higher surface quality for the tool.

The tried-and-tested vertical double-spindle concept from Vollmer now features an oriented spindle stop for the first time. Also known as spindle indexing, this function always stops the spindle at a specific position, resulting in a reduction of axial run-out errors and concentricity issues, while offsetting wear in the HSK holding system. Another new feature is a heat plate exchanger to efficiently cool the motors and spindles, which in turn leads to increased thermal stability.

Simple and intuitive operation is at the core of the VGrind 360S and, for customers to fully exploit its potential, Vollmer has created an ergonomic platform whereby users can operate the control panel comfortably while having full visibility of the work envelope. Operation via the keyboard or touchscreen allows for precise machining of the tool, and the multi-function hand wheel ensures even more flexibility as operators can position it freely on the enclosure. This design allows the setting of a required axis without using the control panel.

The VGrind 360S incorporates Vollmer’s established operating concept and can be used unmanned around the clock thanks to automation features such as a pallet magazine, free-arm robot or chain magazine.

For further information
www.vollmer-group.com

The machine tool institute (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University and Rösler Oberflächentechnik/AM Solutions are co-operating on practical research for knowledge-based mass finishing processes. For the necessary processing trials, WZL not only uses its own equipment, but also the comprehensive range of mass finishing machinery at the customer experience centre of Rösler.

“With Rösler we have a partner who is highly motivated to further develop mass finishing technology,” says Marius Ohlert, project manager for grinding technologies at WZL. “As a result, we are constantly communicating with the company’s R&D department. From this information exchange about developments in the field of science and experience in the industry we frequently identify questions and subjects for future projects.”

For example, such projects deal with the post processing of components produced by either 3D printing or hybrid manufacturing technologies.

“The activities in this field, which Rösler pursues under the brand name AM Solutions-3D post-processing technology, are especially valuable for the co-operation with WZL,” states Ohlert. “They were also the reason for investing in two new finishing machines, which we purchased in close liaison with colleagues from a partner institute that deals intensively with additive manufacturing.”

Moreover, this investment allows the WZL institute to further demonstrate the possibilities of mass finishing technology for basic research, as well as for specific industrial projects. The institute purchased a surf finisher 700, a special rotary vibrator R 150 DL-2 and a semi-automatic centrifuge Z 800 K-HA Turbo-Floc for cleaning and recycling the process water from the mass finishing machines.

For further information
www.rosler.com

On the Haas Schleifmaschinen stand at the EMO Milano exhibition in October, the grinder manufacturer used its Multigrind machine to demonstrate the single-point grinding of a skiving tool to such close tolerances that it could produce gears to quality 2 to 3 (the accuracy class when skiving gears is traditionally 4 to 6). The sole sales and service agent for Haas Schleifmaschinen in the UK, Irish and Gulf markets is Kingsbury.

Wolfram Hermle, software department manager at Haas Schleifmaschinen says: “Today, dimensional tolerances of 2 µm are not uncommon. The production of such accurate profiles requires highly complex calculations. If we want to have that under control, we have to do the maths ourselves.”

Two years ago, when the project to develop the required software was initiated, there was no satisfactory method on the market for determining machining cycles to achieve the ever increasing gear precision being demanded by industry. The goal was to create a system that could calculate cycles for cutting a wide variety of gears.

Hermle does not want to divulge details of the newly developed calculation model in Haas Schleifmaschinen’s Multigrind Horizon software, but confirms that machining gears of accuracy class 2 to 3 is possible. However, he points out that it is only one element of the process, the other being the high precision which the grinding machine must be capable of achieving: alignment of the grinding wheel must be accurate to 0.0001°.

“As far as I know, this accuracy is achieved exclusively using Haas Schleifmaschinen production solutions,” concludes Hermle. “Only when software and hardware are ideally matched can a skiving tool be created for manufacturing a perfect gear.”

For further information
www.kingsburyuk.com