It’s a small world

Sharpening and grinding specialist Vollmer has now launched its new VGrind 340S grinding machine.


Complementing the existing VGrind series of machines, the new VGrind 340S has been specially developed for producing and re-sharpening extremely small carbide tools with diameters from 0.3mm to 12.7mm.

Drills and milling cutters in this size range are in particularly high demand in the automotive, electronics, connector and medical engineering sectors where assembly spaces and components are becoming smaller and smaller. The automation options on the VGrind 340S allow tool manufacturers to confidently use this new machine tool for unmanned production around the clock.

The VGrind 340S, which Vollmer first presented at EMO 2019, enables the highly efficient machining of thin carbide drills and milling cutters that are primarily used in car manufacturing, the electronics industry and medical engineering. These sectors call for increasingly compact products, featuring metal or composite components that need to be machined with extremely small tools. Electronic components and medical devices are requiring increasingly delicate machining by manufacturers.

The machine is not just suitable for producing rotationally symmetric tools, but also for re-sharpening them. It relies on the tried and tested VGrind technology to achieve this functionality. It features two vertical spindles for different grinding wheel sets, which makes it possible to reduce non-productive times.

Five perfectly harmonised CNC axes achieve interpolation with short travel distances for the linear and rotary axes. These machine kinematics reduce non-cutting times and the subsequent time required to machine workpieces. In addition to the rotary axes, the linear axes are also designed as direct drives (linear drives) for the first time. Unlike ballscrews, these axes are non-contact drives and are therefore not subject to wear, increasing the service life, precision and longevity of the new arrival. The VGrind 340S also features a steady rest to ensure optimum tool concentricity during grinding whilst a back rest is also available as an option for longer drilling tools.

The proven and intuitive NUMROTOplus software enables a 3D simulation of the tool production process and makes it possible to carry out collision monitoring in advance. The height adjustable and pivoting touchscreen control desk and the generously dimensioned view of the machining space makes for ergonomic machine operation.

Optional solutions for automation, such as the HP 160 pallet magazine or the HPR 250 free-arm robot, ensure that precision machining of up to 900 tools with different shank diameters can continue unattended around the clock.

The VGrind 340S features a replaceable dressing device for the grinding wheels to achieve optimum concentricity and axial run-out for the wheel packages. An optional probe facilitates in-machine grinding wheel calibration and offers the option of recalibrating the handling mechanism as often as required. A sticking unit enables the abrasive coating to be opened during production. In addition, the wheel coolant nozzles can be replaced automatically, just like the wheel packages themselves.

"We are expanding our tool grinding range with the VGrind 340S to support tool manufacturers in developing extremely small machining tools," says Dr Stefan Brand, CEO of the Vollmer Group.

"Machining small tool diameters requires a great deal of finesse, which we have been able to achieve through digital and mechanical solutions. Actuation via five CNC axes and the use of back rests guarantee precise machining in the micrometre range."

Vollmer www.vollmer-group.com

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Vollmer

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