The Bournemouth facility of Magellan Aerospace manufactures items such as pintle pins, undercarriage pins and split chrome halves, all of which need high-precision grinding to achieve the required standards of accuracy and surface finish.

Here, the company has recently installed a Studer S41 CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine from Advanced Grinding Supplies.
“Having been enthusiastic users of Studer S30 and S21 grinders, purchased from Advanced Grinding Supplies Ltd, not only have we been delighted with the performance of these machines, we have also been impressed by the support and advice received from the supplier,” says Keith Summers, engineering manager, special projects European operations.
“I was able to visit the Studer factory in Switzerland and witness in-depth grinding trials that confirmed the performance of the S41 on our parts, and its ability to deliver improvements in cycle times. As a result of the S41’s suitability, and given the guarantee of continued support from Advanced Grinding Supplies, we were happy to place an order.
“The help of Advanced Grinding Supplies was invaluable when we were specifying the machine and its accessories and consumables, such as dressing tools, grinding wheels and coolant,” continues Summers. “We believe that these important add-ons will help us to realise the full productive potential of our new grinder.
“The speed and flexibility of our Studer S41 is already helping in our ongoing quest for productivity improvements. As well as increasing our current component grinding capacity, the S41’s between centres and centre height capacities, in addition to its large weight bearing capability, will ensure that it is able to undertake the precision grinding of all future components.”
For further information www.adgrind.co.uk

Master Abrasives has introduced a range of ceramic abrasive discs for angle grinders. Unlike conventional discs, the grain in Master Ultra Ceramic discs fractures to form new points that are sharp and precise.

This functionality maintains a cooler cutting action and long product life, making the discs suitable for aggressive grinding and blending applications. The discs also require less pressure, resulting in reduced operator fatigue.
Initially available from stock in 36 and 60 grit for 50 and 75 mm diameter discs, additional options for the Ultra Ceramic range are set to follow. The discs from stock have the MRD threaded screw-type mounting system, which makes them suitable for high-volume, high-production operations. Ultra Ceramic discs are packaged in the trademark Master branded blue boxes, and will also be available from distributors of the Master brand.
Andy Wright, national sales manager, says: “We’ve already experienced exceptional results in various customer applications when using ZIPP high-power angle grinders with Master Ultra Ceramic discs, and are now finding new opportunities to improve productivity in aerospace, fabrication and foundry markets.”
The ZDG-302 air angle die grinder by ZIPP, which is suitable for many high-speed grinding and finishing applications, is compatible with Master quick-change holders and discs. The grinder can be used on finishing dies, metal moulds and cast-iron workpieces.
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

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