In response to the need for increased output by customers in the oil and gas and aerospace industries, Larkhall-based Gilmour Tools – one of the largest independently owned cutting tool manufacturers in Europe – has expanded its range of Ewag insert grinders with a Compact Line insert-grinding machine.

Supplied by Walter Ewag UK, a member of the United Grinding Group, the machine complements five other Ewag insert grinders (Ewamatic models) and has been installed primarily to produce threading-type inserts for the oil and gas sector.
According to managing director Gary Gilmour, the 5.5 kW/7000 rpm machine is suited to such work, offering fast and accurate insert machining. Its production capacity is not only enabling the company to meet increased order demands, but the machine also represents the latest upgrade to insert manufacturing at the 10,000 sq ft factory.
The Compact Line’s ‘three-in-one’ dressing unit is highlighted as especially useful, since it ensures grinding wheel concentricity and high process reproducibility, alongside wheel dressing, regeneration and ‘crushing’.
Gilmour Tools specialises
in the production of carbide inserts for all oil threads – to many complex shapes in a variety of materials – as well as the production of tool holders and blades.
Capable of machining carbide, cermet, ceramic and PCB/PCD inserts, the six-axis Ewag Compact Line provides resolutions of 0.0001 mm (linear) and 0.0001° (rotary). Depending on the clamping system, the machine can accommodate minimum inscribed circle diameters of 4 mm (pin clamping) and 3 mm (indexable insert clamping), and offers short set-up times, says the company.
For further information www.walter-machines.com