The ability to carry-out the highest standards of cylindrical grinding is a prerequisite when manufacturing precision gears and associated components. In order to achieve the necessary demanding levels of dimensional, roundness and surface-finish specifications, Chesterfield-based Ondrives recently purchased a Studer S31 cylindrical grinding machine from Micronz.

Having enjoyed excellent service from a Studer S21 cylindrical grinding machine since 2011, the decision to install a second Studer machine was prompted by the need to increase the company’s high-precision internal, external and thread-form grinding capacity, and help satisfy increasing customer demand for its gear-related products.

When compared with Ondrive’s existing S21 model, the Studer S31 cylindrical grinding machine has increased the company’s between centres grinding capacity from 400 to 1000 mm.

Ondrives managing director Ben Hinchliffe says: “To satisfy our requirements, with the help of Micronz, the Studer S31 cylindrical grinding machine was specified with the addition of several options, including a synchronous driven tailstock. This enables our operators to complete grinding work in a single set-up, rather than making multiple changeovers. The Studer S31 has more than doubled our between-centres grinding capacity, thus increasing our precision grinding capabilities and significantly raising efficiency levels.”

The Studer S31, as purchased by Ondrives, has a centre height of 175 mm and is available with between-centre options of 400, 650, 1000 and 1600 mm. Reduced set-up and resetting costs, especially in single-part or small-batch production, are made possible by the S31’s turret wheel-head with several grinding wheels. The machine’s swivelling wheel-head is equipped with water-cooled, roller-based, maintenance-free motor spindles with step-less speed control and the latest generation of contact sensors.

For further information
www.micronz.co.uk