Whether in the steering system or chassis, ball joints are indispensable in cars. They not only act as a kind of pivot point between different elements but are also usually in constant motion and exposed to high physical loads. In this context, ball pins and ball sleeves are among the safety-critical car components that must leave production with high surface quality and micron precision without exception – despite high quantities and general cost pressure. How is it possible to achieve these outcomes efficiently and with minimal chip-to-chip times? Emag says it has the answer with a new machine: using the VST 50, a finished ball pin leaves the machine every 7 seconds with each component undergoing comprehensive measurement.

The VST 50 has highly automated processes, including the use of three robots. It is also easy to operate using EDNA apps. For actual turning of the ball and neck of the ball pin (only these areas are involved here), two suspended workpiece spindles can move irrespective of each other. As a result, one spindle is always loading and unloading while the other is in use during the machining process. The associated tool compound slides are split in two: the tools on the left-hand side are mounted on a rotary Baxis, enabling the ball to undergo precision turning and finishing.

The solution ensures that a finished workpiece leaves the machine every 7 seconds, while the chip-to-chip time is less than 2 seconds.

Components must leave production without any error tolerance. Here, Emag relies on a 100% solution: each component passes through a light-band micrometer, which determines the required measured values in fractions of a second.

More information www.emag.com

Thanks to its investment in a WLF M80 MillTurn multi-tasking machine with 3 m bed, HORA Holter Regelarmaturen says it is setting new standards in the machining of valve parts weighing up to six tonnes. WFL was chosen following an intensive selection process. Several machine manufacturers were in the running, but WFL’s service and availability proved the crucial factors.

HORA is a medium-sized family company employing around 300 people in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock, North Rhine-Westphalia, where it focuses oncore business areas such aspower generation, gas applications, and process and building technology.Annual turnover is around €50m.

“We wanted to deliver our vision of full digital networking by implementing and digitally connecting what we currently regard as the best machine for our requirements,” says board member Eduard Schmidt. “We needed a supplierthat could support us technologically and serve as a partner in setting a new standard in the digital process. From our perspective, WFL was absolutely the right decision.”

There were several considerations that tipped the balance in favour of the M80 MillTurn, including the turning-boring-milling unit itself, which is the heart of the machine. That WFL manufactures the unit entirely in-house was a decisive factor.

“Machining at this scale is not new for us, but the cutting capacity is truly impressive,” says Michael Beiwinkel, head of production and building technology at HORA.“The cutting capacity was outstanding even during final acceptance of the machine, as the 160 indexable insert drill effortlessly cut heat-resistant stainless steel [1.7335] with two tonnes of feed force and no vibration on the machine cover. In such moments, I like to grab the door but there were no vibrations to be felt.”

More information www.wfl.at/en