Automatic wheel changing on grinding machine

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 21, 2001

Developed for grinding cutting tools and components, the latest Schutte WU 305 five-axis universal tool and production grinding machine is equipped with an automatic wheel changing system

Developed to achieve the most cost-effective grinding of cutting tools and components, the latest Schutte WU 305 five-axis universal tool and production grinding machine is equipped with an automatic wheel changing system and magazine able to hold four different wheel and arbor assemblies.

As part of the wheel change procedure, coolant nozzles are also automatically exchanged in order to ensure delivery is optimised for each size and shape of grinding wheel.

Available from Traub Heckert UK of Brackley, the grinding performance of the WU 305 is maximised through the use of direct drive digital AC motors to grinding spindle, universal rotary axis and C-axis positioning.

The compact, high-performance grinding spindle has a 15 kW power rating giving up to 12,000 revs/min while the three linear axes have maximum feed rates of 24 m/min.

The closed-loop universal workhead rotary axis is powered by a 4.7 kW motor capable of 2,500 revs/min and is capable of high accuracy positioning within 0.0002o via the C-axis.

It will accommodate components up to 250 mm diameter by 570 mm between centres.

The WU 305 is capable of cylindrical grinding, helical grinding and grinding features such as the full radius on ballnose cutters, step drills and shell end mills as well as special tool forms.

In addition, production cylindrical grinding and heavy duty plunge grinding can be carried out due to the inherent rigidity of the machine.

On machine inspection can be carried out via an integral 3-D Renishaw probe mounted on the grinding head.

The probe, for instance, is able to determine unclamped length, diameter, helix lead and indexing position of the spiral flute on the circumference of cutting tools such as end mills and feeds the data direct to the Siemens control from which the automatic grinding cycle is initiated.

The machine is compact having a footprint of just 1,718 mm x 1,840 mm with axis travels of 400 mm by 250 mm by 250 mm.

The machine is designed with the grinding wheelhead set at 30o to the vertical with the centre of the wheel close to the centre of the workhead rotational C-axis to maximise rigidity.

And, because the longitudinal guideway is inclined at 30o, coolant effectively washes away grinding debris into the coolant tank filter system and makes the rotary axis more convenient for manual loading.

An optional automatic workpiece loader that is integral in the machine is available for parts between 4 mm and 32 mm diameter and weighing up to 1.2 kg.

The pallet system is mounted on the longitudinal axis of the machine with the workpieces positioned vertically.

The table and head axes are used to position the pick-up for transferring the workpiece from the pallet to the workhead.

During grinding, the loading arm is parked in a safety zone over the wheelhead of the machine.

The WU 305 uses the Sinumerik 840D control system with Windows-based 'open architecture' special Schutte grinding software that is easy to use allowing programs to be entered or edited on the machine with full graphics support.

There is a wide choice of menu-driven tool-specific programs with operator prompts to simplify and speed up programming for milling cutters, drills, step drills and step tools as well as profile knives and cutting tools used in woodworking and plastics machining.

The machine is very suitable for medical implant applications such as 'Tibial Troys' 'Femoral Implants' etc.