Universal grinder a major step for Toyoda

Toyoda has announced the GU4x100, the first universal grinder ever built by the Japanese manufacturer.

Toyoda has announced the GU4x100, the first universal grinder ever built by the Japanese manufacturer.

Indexing of the wheelhead is effected manually in five degree increments using a Hirth coupling and hydraulic clamping to ensure precise location.

Either of two external grinding wheels for straight- or angle-approach may be deployed, or alternatively an internal grinding spindle.

The machine's introduction heralds further universal models, according to Mick Webster, European Operations Director, as well as the introduction of powered wheelhead rotation under CNC.

Toyoda is known worldwide for external cylindrical grinders and in the UK has around 20 per cent of the market (MTTA figures).

The company does not produce internal grinders, so the appearance of this new model, available in two versions with 1,000 mm or 1,500 mm between centres, represents the first time that Toyoda has offered equipment for producing components requiring internal as well as OD grinding.

The specification includes maximum internal and external grinding diameters of 300 mm and 120 mm respectively, 320 mm swing over the table and a wheel surface speed of 30 m/s (optionally 45 m/s).

A second innovation is an upgraded version of the GL5P straight-approach cylindrical grinder capable of peripheral wheel speeds of up to 120 m/s, 50 per cent more than the previous maximum.

The increased rev/min enables the high speed production of parts using cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive wheels.

Cycle times are typically 20 per cent less than when using conventional aluminium oxide wheels.

Toyoda has the hard turning market in its sights with the introduction of this machine.

More and more, lathe suppliers are claiming that hardened metals may be turned at high production rates and with the added flexibility of single-point turning.

To emphasise the grinder's superiority, Toyoda points out that the GL5P can produce components in hardened steel by traversing the wheel across the diameters and shoulders, rather than by plunge grinding.

Angle-approach grinding with a CBN wheel, a combination which is very unusual, is also possible with the GL5A variant of this machine as was demonstrated at MACH 1998.

Both 'A' and 'P' versions are offered in two bed lengths having between-centres capacities of 320 mm or 630 mm.

Maximum grinding diameter is 220 mm.

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