FEATURE ON GRINDING & HONING

Software helps GT Grinding stay ahead

GT Grinding’s continual quest to meet a growing order book, and to improve service delivery levels in the manufacture of special-purpose tooling, as well as tool regrinds for customers across the UK, has led the tooling specialist to invest in a Walter Helitronic Power tool grinder.

Supplied by Walter Ewag UK, the machine is capable of processing rotary tools from 3 to 320 mm diameters, and up to 350 mm long. Complementing three other Helitronic machines at the company’s Oldham site, the new Power is equipped with an Eco Loader and wheelchanger, as well as the latest version of Walter’s Tool Studio programming software, to ensure that GT Grinding “stays ahead in the design, modification and grinding of rotary tooling”, according to works manager Andy Cooper.
He adds: “This latest machine will undoubtedly also help us to make further inroads into our manufacturing and regrinding operation, especially of routers for the woodworking and plastics industries. The Tool Studio software will play a key role, too.”
With integrated wizard technology for ease of use, Tool Studio 3 includes a host of new routines for ‘what you see you can grind’ tool production simulation, parameter changes and operation for Helitronic Power users. The software is combined with the benefits of automatic non-stop production via the Eco Loader – which is located on the machine work table and can accommodate 20 tools as standard – and up to 165 tools in the Eco Loader Plus configuration. In GT Grinding’s case, this includes the machining of solid-carbide and HSS tools such as special form cutters and slitters, as well as ‘conventional’ drills, milling cutters and reamers.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

Blank preparation grinder introduced

Capable of achieving a surface finish better than 0.2 Ra with run out of less than 2 µm, the new four-axis Anca CPX Linear blank preparation grinder uses the pinch-peel method of grinding.

Simon Richardson, product manager at Anca, says: “We have taken the best aspects of our technology to build a fantastic machine. For example, our specially designed polymer concrete base provides the utmost stability in our grinding process, so we took that and used it in the CPX Linear model.
“We are known for our ongoing dedication to research, as well as our commitment to ensure that Anca technology surpasses customer needs,” he adds. “This is another major milestone in our approach, providing a complementary machine for the full grinding process. Our customers asked and we listened; designing our own blank preparation machine.”
Anca’s LinX linear motor technology for axis motion (X, Y and V axes), in conjunction with linear scales, is designed for a lifetime of operation in harsh grinding environments. LinX motors have a cylindrical magnetic field, which means there is no additional down force on the rails or machine base.
With no temperature variations (meaning no need for a separate chiller unit), and being sealed to IP67, there is minimal wear and tear so that machine accuracy is retained over the lifetime of the Anca CPX Linear.
With a peak power of 43 kW, the grinding spindle for roughing uses a 250 mm diameter wheel, ensuring high-volume stock removal in a short cycle time. The finishing spindle uses a 150 mm diameter wheel supplying a peak power of 9.7 kW.
For further information www.anca.com

Timesavers highlights efficiency at EuroBlech

At the world’s largest trade fair for the sheet-metal industry, EuroBlech (23-26 October, Hanover), Timesavers will unveil several new innovations and productivity enhancing developments.

Timesavers’ machines are available in the UK via Ellesco.
Central to the Timesavers display will a combination of its rotary brush machine, the 42 series WWRBW, and an ‘add-on’ underside-finishing machine. This combination will bring added versatility to the recently upgraded 42 Series machine and lead to reduced processing times for the deburring and edge rounding of sheet material.
The additional unit sits at the front of the 42 Series machine in a dedicated conveyor belt zone. Here, the workpiece has its bottom face deburred and edges rounded prior to it being processed through the 42 Series machine. This process has the benefit of completely eliminating the requirement for a second pass and saving considerable cycle time.
A further innovation from Timesavers is the Hammer Head, a new aggregate that is designed to remove heavy slag on larger steel products. Visitors to the stand can see the Hammer Head in action on a 42 Series HWRB machine.
Timesavers’ programme
of updates to its portfolio continues with the 12 Series machine, which has gained a completely new look (to be unveiled at the exhibition). The 12 Series machine is said to be a cost-effective route for metal finishing, deburring and edge rounding. Completing the display from Timesavers will be the 32 Series WRBW, the 22 Series WMDB and a 10 Series manual grinder.
For further information www.ellesco.co.uk

Toolmaker relies on Vollmer tool grinder

Japanese manufacturer Heiwa Sangyo produces mould tools and critical components for the aerospace, space and rail sectors.

The company also manufactures carbide cutting tools such as end mills, drills and reamers to machine its mould tools. For the manufacture and the sharpening of cutting tools, Heiwa Sangyo relies on the VGrind grinding machine from Vollmer.
Vollmer equipped its VGrind with automation solutions so that Heiwa Sangyo can grind and sharpen its carbide tools unmanned and around the clock. In addition, the Vollmer machine realises multi-level machining via two vertical spindles. As a result, the company can manufacture its cutting tools precisely, individually and in large quantities.
“The VGrind not only facilitates accurate production, but also many possibilities such as circular and cone grinding, an advantage that no other competitor has today,” states managing director Dr Yasuhiro Yao. “If one attempts to manufacture a ball cutter with a cone, the cone has to be machined first on a circular grinding machine essentially using two grinding machines. The VGrind from Vollmer does all this in one step.”
Another reason for choosing the VGrind was that Vollmer has its own subsidiary in Japan. This presence allows the company to provide local support to Heiwa Sangyo, whether it is maintenance, repairs or training.
Heiwa Sangyo employs around 180 staff and has been active in the international metalworking industry for over 50 years. With headquarters in Tokyo, the company also has three production sites in Funabashi, Ichikawa and Komagane. Heiwa Sangyo has become an important business partner in heavy industry and can count well-known companies such as GE and Rolls-Royce among its list of international customers.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

Drill-to-finish bore solutions

The recent acquisition by Sunnen of BTA Heller has created an interesting solution for shops seeking complete bore drilling-to-finishing capabilities.

As a result of the purchase, Sunnen, which claims to be the world’s largest vertically integrated manufacturer of honing systems for precision bore sizing and finishing, now adds BTA’s deep-hole tooling and systems for primary hole generation.
“We have developed various tools and systems to facilitate intricate, internal, profiled deep-hole drilling from 12.7 to 914.4 mm (0.5 to 36”) diameter,” says Mark Sollich, director of Sunnen’s BTA Heller division. “To combine forces with Sunnen and its bore geometry expertise creates a unique resource. No other company can provide a total bore solution from the creation of the primary hole to the final bore finish specifications.”
In addition, as Sunnen enters the skiving/roller burnishing sector, the company brings its approach of providing support to customers using non-Sunnen equipment for bore creation and finishing, a key advantage for shops with a variety of machine types and/or manufacturers.
“Our companies complement each other very well,” says Chris Miltenberger, president and COO of Sunnen. “No other deep-hole/BTA company has Sunnen’s global presence for customer, technical and post-sales support. The transfer of knowledge between the two companies will create a unique value proposition, and Sunnen’s financial stability and strong sales and service network will deliver this expertise to our customers.”
For further information www.sunnen.com