Product category:
Machine Building Components
News Release from: Schmitt Europe | Subject: Automatic wheel balancing technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 January 2003
Balanced solution to precision
manufacturing
Earlsdon Technology has specified automatic wheel balancing technology from Schmitt Europe for its latest generation of purpose-designed valve seat grinding machines.
Designing and manufacturing special purpose CNC machines capable of maintaining dimensional tolerances of better than 5 microns, while producing up to 15 components a minute, 24 hours a day, is undeniably a tough task But when these same machines are likely to be installed in plants located anywhere from Argentina or India to China or South Africa, then the need for precision must also go hand-in-hand with reliability, durability and excellent product support
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 15 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The same is just as true for any 3rd party equipment incorporated in the design.
That's certainly the view taken by Earlsdon Technology; which is why the specialist machine tool builder has specified automatic wheel balancing technology from Schmitt Europe for its latest generation of purpose-designed valve seat grinding machines.
Custom-engineered equipment and automation solutions for high speed or mass production applications are at the heart of Earlsdon Technology's business.
The Coventry-based company is particularly strong in the fields of high volume engine component manufacture, high performance fastener production and automated centreless grinding machinery.
Not surprisingly, its customers include many familiar names in the aerospace sector, as well as automotive component suppliers such as TRW, Federal Mogul and Eaton.
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"As a relatively small, but experienced player, we have focused our activities on niche market requirements", says Managing Director Simon West.
"Our latest VSG-X1 grinders are a typical example, being designed specifically for engine valve production.
The machines incorporate fully automatic component loading and unloading and will achieve cycle times of less than 5 seconds on components up to 160mm long and 50mm head diameter".
"Maximum manufacturing tolerances will normally be less than 20 microns on seat-to-face length, 15 microns TIR on seat run out, 3 microns on seat roundness and less than 0.25 microns on surface finish", he adds.
Meeting these sorts of requirements calls for precise control of the grinding process.
A key element in this is ensuring the dynamic balance of the grinding wheel itself.
It is not only central to maintaining dimensional accuracy and surface finish, but also contributes to other benefits, such as extended component runs between dressing cycles, increased wheel and dresser life, minimised vibration and reduced spindle bearing wear.
These in turn, result in greater productivity and lower machine maintenance costs.
"In effect, the wheel balancing equipment plays a crucial role in the performance of the whole machine", continues West.
"That's why we went to significant lengths to assess the capabilities of a number of suppliers' products before specifying any equipment for our new valve grinder models".
"During our evaluation, we were impressed by the range of grinding wheel balancing solutions offered by Schmitt.
Detailed discussions with the company led to a series of trials, and the subsequent adoption of their SBS dynamic balancers".
Comprising a sensor, spindle mounting adapter, balance head and electronic control unit, the SBS system provides continuous monitoring of the grinding process; eliminating the need for prebalanced wheels and greatly reducing set-up times.
The equipment uses the principle of mass compensation to correct imbalance.
SBS balance heads incorporate two eccentric weights, each of which is driven independently by electric motors through a precision gear train.
In operation, vibration or imbalance detected by the sensor is relayed to the controller at the heart of the system.
The unit processes the signal and sends commands to the balance head to advance each weight in the correct direction to reduce the amplitude of the input.
When the minimum vibration level is achieved, the balance cycle is complete.
The system continuously monitors the machine to provide a fully automatic system that maintains balance even if the wheel is stopped and re-started.
SBS equipment typically achieves balance accuracy of 0.1 micron peak-to-peak vibration displacement, which compares to 5 microns for normal unbalanced grinding operations and a figure of around 3 microns using statically balanced wheels.
"Not only did the Schmitt solution provide the high balance accuracy we were looking for, but the system's components are small and neat, enabling them to be mounted more easily in restricted access applications", says West.
"The SBS control unit is equally compact and proved easier than many of its competitors to interface with the machine control system we had designed for the new machines.
"A further important factor in our decision was that, as part of a large international organisation, Schmitt Europe could provide us with first class, world-wide support".
"Indeed, we have already taken advantage of this facility", he adds.
"Through the response of Schmitt's US-based engineers, we have quickly resolved a recent problem at one of our customers' manufacturing plants in Mexico, where 20 of our machines are installed".
So what are the prospects for the future? "Part of our reputation rides on the balancing equipment's performance", notes West.
"Since partnering with Schmitt, we have developed a close relationship, where both companies work together to address any issues that arise".
"Not surprisingly, we intend to continue incorporating Schmitt balancing and process control technology on our machines; and not just on valve seat grinders, but on other equipment - such as special purpose grinders we've developed to produce critical components for an innovative new medical device". Request a free brochure from Schmitt Europe ...
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