INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Six-axis tool grinder unveiled

The new six-axis Ewag Compact Line tool grinder from Walter Ewag has been designed as a small-footprint, flexible solution for the grinding of inserts in tungsten carbide, cermet, ceramic, PCBN and PCD. Peripheral grinding is also included in the machine’s capabilities, alongside optimised kinematics and C-axis motion, which together ensure the application of protective chamfers on the inserts’ main cutting edges.

According to Ewag, machine downtime is minimised by the Compact Line’s short travel distances and integrated six-axis Fanuc robot that offers agile handling and a high degree of flexibility for loading complex inserts. A ‘three-in-one’ dressing unit offers wheel dressing, regeneration and form ‘crushing’ (for profiling diamond grinding wheels) in a single package.
Machine traverses in the X, Y and Z axes are 450, 180 and 150 mm respectively, while axis resolution is 0.0001 mm. The 5.5 kW grinding spindle produces 10,000 rpm.
Machine usability and effectiveness is also said to be guaranteed by the integrated ProGrind software, while the Fanuc control system enables all grinding routines to be programmed quickly and easily via its user-friendly touch-screen panel.
For further information www.walter-machines.com

First self-regulating flat-finishing machine

Thielenhaus Microfinish says it has introduced a trendsetting innovation on the path to Industry 4.0: based on the proven MicroStar platform, the machine-tool manufacturer has managed to develop the first self-regulating flat-finishing machine, MicroStar iQ. Until now, no reducing processes were possible with parameters such as flatness.

The eight-station machine for combination processing does not just ensure highly precise workpieces, but consolidation of the process stream. In the area of active magnetic spindle technology, the magnetic fields of the bearings retain the spindle both radially and axially, and perform the feed motions. The MicroStar is equipped with a synchronous spindle, which is capable of varying and/or oscillating highly dynamic speeds during the process. Due to the speed variation, the tool can always be maintained within an easy-cutting range. HyperFinish processing is also possible with this system by overlapping the main oscillation with an additional high-frequency oscillation.
A new HyperBrushing process that was developed especially for the machine ensures equal or even better results than those achievable by a high-pressure deburring unit, which can thus
be omitted from the whole process to save costs, says Thielenhaus. This deburring technology with special kinematics of the brushes improves the symmetrical rounding ratio of the flat surface to the casing and ensures more constant deburring results. According to the company, this is particularly important in the case of holes in components used for injection technology, which may be subjected to pressures of more than 2000 bar.
For further information www.thielenhaus.com

Ypsotec celebrates 100 years with Tornos

On its 100th anniversary, Grenchen, Switzerland-based Ypsotec, which also has a facility in Tábor, Czech Republic, decided to take its next step towards the future and enter the field of multi-spindle turning technology, choosing a Tornos MultiSwiss 6×16.

An urgent order for 1,300,000 pieces by one of Ypsotec’s customers prompted the company to rethink its operation. First, Ypsotec managers had planned to outsource production to China for financial reasons, but understood they had to invest in new technologies to remain competitive. The company thus had the impetus to break new ground and the MultiSwiss entered the stage.
According to COO Piero Tschanz, the targets set were difficult to achieve with the company’s existing single spindle lathes: “We had to increase our productivity. At the same time, we wanted to avoid structural measures such as a plant extension. Multi-spindle technology quickly came to the fore. After initial analysis, the Tornos MultiSwiss soon turned out to be a solution that aroused our interest.”
As far as ergonomics are concerned, the machine boasts various attributes, including integrated peripherals and good access to important areas. To facilitate work set-ups, Ypsotec is banking on Göltenbodt quick-change toolholders.
“To date, the machine has proved to be a reliable partner and we are fully satisfied with the result,” says Tschanz. “It was very easy for our employees to get accustomed with the new technology and the significant advantages of the machine features in terms of floor space, as well as higher productivity. The hydrostatic bearings on the machine offer distinct benefits with regards to tool life and surface finish.”
For further information www.tornos.com

High-specification universal lathe

The CTX 2500|700 universal turning machine has been unveiled by DMG Mori. Designed for machining components up to 366 mm in diameter from billet, or 76 mm from bar, and to a maximum length of 705 mm, the machine is the first in the company’s range that allows users to turn grooves up to 12 mm wide in CK45 steel and drill holes to 80 mm diameter.
DMG Mori’s CTX 2500|700 combines the rigid machine bed and box guideway configuration of the NLX 2500|700, of which more than 10,000 have been sold, with the VDI turret and Siemens 840D Solutionline control from the CTX beta 800. DMG Mori’s proprietary app-based control and operation interface, CELOS, is included.

Precision and surface quality derive from the thermo-stability of the lathe, which has a spiral oil jacket around the spindle to control temperature and coolant recirculation through the cast bed. A linear scale with a standard resolution of 0.01 µm is fitted in the X axis for positional feedback. Furthermore, rapid traverse of 30 m/min in the linear axes ensures short idle times, while a Y axis may be specified for turn-milling work.
The TurnMaster 4000 rpm main spindle with 26 kW of power and 525 Nm torque (or optional 3500 rpm, 30 kW, 1194 Nm version) is opposed by an 11 kW, 7000 rpm, 70 Nm (or 32 kW, 5000 rpm, 360 Nm) counter spindle. A 6000 rpm, 32 Nm cooled-disc turret with VDI 40 interface is offered as standard, while an 85 Nm TorqueDrive and a 12,000 rpm SpeedDrive are available.
For further information www.dmgmori.com

LNS keeps developing e-Connect

The LNS Group says that it is implementing e-Connect solutions to integrate its products, particularly barfeeds, into customer ERP and MES systems. “This will allow LNS customers to get full machining transparency at a glance, including the workload of each machine, cycle times and expected production completion,” explains Carlos Muniz, global product manager barfeed at the LNS Group.

LNS has been pushing innovation in the field of connectivity for more than 10 years. Together with major machine manufacturers, the connection between the peripheral and the machine tool was developed. A second major innovation was the connection between the LNS product and the humans controlling it. Monitoring production remotely from mobile devices saves time by knowing when the machining process will stop for a changeover, thus anticipating downtime in production planning. Thanks to e-mail or GSM notifications, overall production processes are more efficient. Additionally, the connection to internal or external technical support ensures downtime reduction.
While the e-Connect solutions to the machine and people are essential, another major step is the integration into customer ERP, MES and quality control operations.
“Until now, such systems and the machines were not efficiently connected, missing transparency,” says Muniz. “LNS is developing software drivers that will gather relevant information from the peripheral and, through middleware, feed it to applications or systems such as ERP, MES or quality control. These solutions are tailor-made for each customer software platform. The real-time monitoring of all processes will help clients to save time and resources.”
For further information www.lns-group.com