Grinders for tools and blades

At MACH 2016 the new VGrind 160 grinding machine for processing solid carbide tools will be making its UK debut on the Vollmer stand alongside another MACH debutant; the Vollmer CHC840 for processing carbide tipped circular saw blades.

The exhibition will be the first opportunity for UK tool manufacturers and service shops to see the company’s new solid carbide cutting tool machine up close. As the company's first venture into solid carbide processing machines, Vollmer has approached the process from what it says is a radically new technological point of view. The VGrind 160 utilises two vertical spindles to enable multi-level machining. This new approach enables tool manufacturers to produce large quantities of solid carbide milling cutters and drills quickly and precisely.

The VGrind 160 has five CNC controlled axes, a feature that delivers high precision and productivity. With the 160, tool manufacturers can produce solid carbide drills and milling cutters with diameters between 2mm and 20mm. At the core of the machine is the new kinematics system, which is controlled by two vertical spindles. The reasoning behind this is that unlike with a single spindle or horizontal double spindle, multi-level machining can be carried out thanks to the vertical arrangement. In addition, the spindle arrangement solves the common problems related to fixed and floating bearings, which leads to more precise results when machining workpieces.

With short linear axis travel distances and swivel ranges, the VGrind enables customers to reduce machining times for machining workpieces. Non-productive times are reduced because customers can load the two grinding spindles with different tools. An optional tool magazine with six grinding wheel packages also enables tools on the vertical spindles to be changed over automatically. The pallet magazine can accommodate up to 550 workpieces and further automation solutions are available.

The multi-level machine ensures that tools are only ever machined on the fixed bearing side of a grinding wheel set whilst the grinding wheel set is always located at the C-axis pivot point. This combination allows a more accurate sharpening process.

On the circular blade manufacturing front Vollmer has introduced the new CHC840 grinding machine for carbide tipped circular saw blades. This next generation grinding centre delivers the wide flexibility for the processing of saw blades up to 840mm diameter. The new CHC840 provides accurate grinding of virtually all tooth geometries in a single cycle with its four CNC controlled axes.

The flexibility and user friendliness of the CHC840 is provided via a new multi-function handwheel that selects and controls the axes through a single module. The handwheel avoids operator error and it can be used as a potentiometer to conduct speed adjustments when running in automatic mode. This optimises machining times and improves surface finishes through the variable input of speeds for different surfaces.

The CHC840 has oscillating grinding as standard for high material removal rates in just one cycle. In addition, the machine has a motor driven hook and clearance angle adjustment for a rapid changeover from face to top grinding.

This feature, along with optimum movement coordination that creates a shortened grinding time, ensures that the CHC is the most productive machine for the sharpening of carbide tipped circular saw blades that Vollmer has produced. The CHC series has a capacity for saw blades from 80mm to 840mm diameter with a minimum bore diameter of 10mm and a workpiece weight up to 30kg. Capable of processing blades up to 8mm wide with a cutting width of 12mm, the new CHC line is an ideal addition to any manufacturer of high quality saw blades.

Lastly, appearing alongside the CHC840 will be the Loroch PowerStar 850 range of automatic saw sharpening machines for producing metalcutting circular saw blades. With flexibility and ease of use at the heart of PowerStar, the machine is a flexible CNC controlled machine that has been developed for the precision processing of saw blades from 400mm to 850mm diameter. Ideal for machining HSS and segmental saw blades, the PowerStar can also process friction and solid carbide saws.

VOLLMER www.vollmer-group.com
Hall 5, Stand 5257