Product category:
Tool and cutter grinding
News Release from: Walter GB | Subject: Helitronic Vision five-axis CNC tool grinder
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 February 2004
Direct linear drives contribute to 50%
output gain
Innovative five-axis CNC tool grinder that uses direct linear drive systems to all five axes and gearless direct drive to rotary A and C axes, offers 50% productivity gains.
Tool grinding productivity gains of up to 50 per cent are promised with the innovative new Helitronic Vision five-axis CNC tool grinder being displayed by Walter GB of Redditch Direct linear drive systems to all five axes permit rapid traverse speeds of 50m/min in the X, Y and Z axes, and there is gearless direct drive to the rotary A and C axes
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 Nov 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Tool grinding productivity gains of up to 50 per cent are promised with an innovative five-axis CNC tool grinder whose control combines tool simulation with simplified programming routines.
Tool grinder offers 50% productivity gains
Tool grinding productivity gains of up to 50 per cent are promised with an innovative five-axis CNC tool grinder with rapid traverse speeds of 50m/min.
The machine features a rigid 100mm diameter grinding spindle with 30kW motor having spindle speeds up to 12,000 revs/min.
Coupled with the new generation HMC 600 control system with Microsoft Windows XP and the Helitronic Tool Studio programming software, the all-new Helitronic Vision sets new standards in CNC tool grinding efficiency and effectiveness, generating shorter cycle times and consistent grinding surfaces finishes of 0.1micron Ra.
Of Walter's characteristic build quality encompassing heavy-duty, patented gantry design and mineral cast bed for excellent rigidity, damping and thermal expansion properties, the Helitronic Vision accommodates PCD and carbide tools from 3mm to 320mm diameter and up to 370mm long for length/contour grinding and 300mm long for length/face grinding.
Further reading
Five-axis tool grinder gives 50% more productivity
Spearheading a 'tool system' display at MACH, will be an innovative five-axis CNC tool grinder promises tool grinding productivity gains of up to 50 per cent over competitor machines.
Circular saws ground under 'lights out' conditions
The potential for extended production routines including lights-out operation have spurred Harrison Saw and Tool, to invest in a Woodtronic CNC circular saw blade grinder with auto Loader.
Tool grinder meets rising aerospace demand
Rising order levels from its aerospace customer base have prompted cutting tool specialist, Techni-grind (Preston), to buy a Walter Helitronic Power Regrinder tool and cutter grinder.
In addition, the use of glass scales leads to maximum positional accuracy on all three linear axes.
The new generation HMC 600 control system also contributes to the machine's improved performance: the introduction of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system and 2.4GHz processor (Pentium 4) provides maximum computing power via the easy-to-operate 15 inch TFT touch screen.
In tandem with these control hardware developments is the introduction of the new Helitronic Tool Studio programming software that combines the benefits of tool simulation with simplified yet high-performance programming routines.
Other features that encourage the Helitronic Vision's increased productivity title include a twin-spindle grinding head that can hold up to eight grinding wheels, automatic tool measuring and positioning, as well as the new Lift Loader automated loading system for unmanned (lights-out) operation.
Currently available with three pallets, Lift Loader can accommodate up to 504 tools, depending on size.
The Helitronic Vision is the latest addition to Walter's world-leading range of five-axis tool grinders - the Helitronic Diamond, Power, Mini Power and the 'two-in-one' Power Diamond.
These machines offer high-accuracy, cost-effective five-axis regrinding of a multitude of tools up to 370mm long and 320mm diameter, including cylindrical cutters, tapered cutters, drills, face milling cutters, woodworking tools, profile tools, taps, reamers and thread mills.
The Helitronic Power Diamond combines CNC erosion with 'conventional' CNC tool grinding for the fast, accurate and cost-efficient machining of both PCD and carbide tools, using rotational erosion technology to produce radii down to 0.1mm and generate surface finishes that can eliminate the need for finish-grinding.
It is actually two machines in one: the machine can 'revert' to being a Helitronic Power in only a few minutes - thanks to the use of the twin-head electrode/grinding wheel spindle unit and a dielectric that has been especially developed for this application.
The dielectric is used as the machine's cutting fluid as well as the erosion dielectric, and can operate at up to 158degC.
In Helitronic Power mode - with 11.5kW spindle drive and digital drives that ensure rapid traverse rates of 15m/min in all linear axes and 120deg /sec on the rotational axes - the machine can accommodate tools 350mm long (300mm for face grinding) and 320mm diameter.
For erosion, a fully automatic measuring program determines all necessary parameters such as angle between axes, angular pitch and tool orthogonal rake, cutting edge position convex/concave and length of cutting edge.
The electrode dressing device allows users to create the appropriate contours on electrode diameters down to 6mm.
Walter GB's MACH 2004 stand will also highlight the comprehensiveness of the company's 'tool system supply' philosophy, with tooling (including Quartec, Tiger.tec and the new Xtra.tec programme), tool measurement machines (Heli Toolcheck and Helicheck), and the TDM suite of tool management systems, for example.
MACH 2004 - April 19-23 - NEC Birmingham, UK.
Hall: 5, Stand: 5269.
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