Product category:
Tool and cutter grinding
News Release from: Walter GB | Subject: Helitronic multi-axis CNC tool grinder
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 June 2004
Advanced CNC tool and cutter grinder
added
As part of a continuous investment programme that has seen over GBP 3m invested in state-of-the-art production equipment a tooling company has bought further multi-axis CNC tool and cutter grinder.
As part of a continuous investment programme that has seen over GBP 3 million invested in state-of-the-art production equipment designed to maintain the competitive edge, Tamworth-based Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) has installed another Helitronic multi-axis CNC tool grinder from Walter GB of Redditch The purchase of the five-axis Helitronic Power with Pallet Loader is ITC's fifth Walter machine in as many years and, says technical director Roy Talbot, has been installed to match the company's steady growth in business
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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"We've invested in a new Walter tool grinder every year since 1999," says Talbot.
"The driver has always been to use the best tool grinders available to keep one step ahead of the competition through guaranteed high-quality output and responsive service in terms of our ability to meet ever-demanding delivery schedules.
"In addition, another reason for repeatedly returning to Walter GB is the fact that the service and back-up from Redditch is excellent." Based in Tamworth, UK, ITC specialises in the design, manufacture and regrinding of a wide range of HSS and carbide tooling for customers across many industry sectors, particularly aerospace, motor sport mould and die/toolmaking.
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In addition to a burgeoning regrinding business -"thanks to the Walter machines, we can provide a regrind service that restores tooling back to original geometry", comments Talbot - the company is also the sole UK stockist of Hanita (Israel) and Metal Removal (USA) products.
The company's new Helitronic Power has traverses in the linear X, Y and Z axes of 500mm by 320mm by 660mm, plus +/-200 deg of swivel in the rotary C axis.
A 24kW spindle drive produces a speed range 0 to 7,000 rev/min and constant torque.
Rapid traverse rates are 12 Degrees/sec in rotational axes and 15m/min in linear axes.
Featuring a stable and compact gantry-type cast base and an automatic central lubrication system, the machine also employs digital servo drives and an integrated rotary encoder to ensure maximum precision.
One particular useful feature of the machine highlighted by Talbot is the user-friendliness of the new generation PC-based HMC 600 control software that is common across the Helitronic range.
This incorporates the Microsoft Windows XP operating system and the 2.4GHz processor (Pentium 4) provides maximum computing power via the easy-to-operate 15 inch TFT touch screen.
In Walter Window Mode, the control system assists the user in quickly creating programs for the regrinding of a number of tools types including cylindrical cutters, tapered cutters, drills and step drills, side and face milling cutters, stepped tools, profile tools, taps, crest cut tools, reamers and routers.
The Helitronic Power accommodates tools from 3mm to 320mm diameter and up to 370mm long for length/contour grinding and 300mm long for length/face grinding.
ITC's Helitronic Power sits alongside two Helitronic MiniPowers (one with pallet Loader), a Helitronic Power with pallet Loader and a Power regrinder with disc Loader.
"Of course, the Walter loaders enable us to run the machines unmanned and overnight, if necessary," concludes Talbot.
"The extra investment in the loader technology more than repays itself in terms of ITC retaining both its competitive edge and an enviable level of customer service.".
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