CNC Grinder features linear drive technology.
Press Release Summary:
Featuring extended x- and y-axis movement plus 2 auxiliary slides for workpiece clamping, 5-axis 325linear CNC Grinder operates from 2,500–4,000 rpm, accommodating micro tools, gun drills, hob cutters, and complex geometries, as well as medical implants and orthopedic surgical tools. System offers scalable automation, with 140-position tool changer, 5-24 grinding wheel magazine, and flexible robotic tool gripper. Primary motor spindle operates up to 12,000 rpm with 15 kW max drive output.
Original Press Release:
Schütte Shows Off New 325linear at Open House
Schütte (Jackson, Michigan) held an open house at its North American headquarters in the Detroit area on April 26-28, 2016. Many regional medical/ortho companies and others attended to see the demonstration of the new 325linear, a 5-axis CNC grinder with extended x- and y-axis movement plus two auxiliary slides for workpiece clamping and improved grinding wheel guidance over the entire machining envelope.  Micro tools, gun drills, hob cutters and complex geometries, as well as a wide variety of medical implants and orthopedic surgical tools, can be accommodated on this new machine, which operates in the range of 2500-4000 rpm, typically. The additional second auxiliary slide enables the 325linear to utilize tool guidance, part support, tailstock or workpiece pallets in operation.  This new Schütte machine further expands the user’s automation possibilities, as it also offers significant advancements in wheel change and robotic workpiece handling.  Various options were demonstrated at the event. Â
During the open house, representatives from the company’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany, including Thomas Simmich, group leader for Schütte medical, conducted numerous presentations on the technology of the machine. In addition, part production was shown for a femoral knee joint, plus a rasp, broach, drill and reamer used in surgical procedures. Engineers Scott Topa and Matt Morgan from the Jackson facility also demonstrated the machine and gave technical presentations to the attendees. The event was organized and supervised by Marketing Manager for Schütte in North America, Brittany Parks. Â
As the presentations explained, the 325linear grinder with linear drive technology ensures no part splay on femoral knees, for example, with high accuracy and no backlash. Further, Schütte provides customized software for the preparation of various implants as well as rasp/broach, drill/reamer and other specific tool programs. The onboard CNC further offers full cycle simulation for the user, so job estimating can be done more efficiently. Â
Specifically, on the 325linear machine’s a-axis, a user can install collet chucks, hydraulic expansion chucks or multi-range chucks. With the automated collet changer on the machine, workpieces with different diameters can be clamped with high concentricity in the unmanned loader station. The Schütte a-axis configuration on this machine also permits position-oriented clamping of non-rotationally symmetrical workpieces. In this way, sequential workpieces with various roughing and finishing requirements can be preset on the machine for continuous processing. Â
Likewise, this new Schütte grinding system offers scalable automation, with a 140-position tool changer, 5-24 grinding wheel magazine and a flexible robotic tool gripper for changing the smallest micro tools as available options.  The same base machine can be utilized for continuous production of a single part in a work cell setup or used for sequential one-off work, as needed. Â
The 325linear features a universal rotation a-axis with a high level of concentricity (<0.0001º resolution) and pitch accuracy, while the xyz-axis resolution is maintained at <0.1 microns.  The swiveling c-axis for the grinding head has a 225º range of motion, also with <0.0001º resolution accuracy. The primary motor spindle operates up to 12,000 rpm with 15kW max. drive output, while the grinding spindle option affords a max. speed of 24,000 rpm. Linear axis travel on the machine is (xyz) 480mm x 250mm x 275mm. Â
The machine is offered with the proprietary SIGSpro (Schütte Integrated Grinding Software) as the programming interface, allowing users to assign clamping options for each grinding operation being performed. When the support and tool guidance system are used, preset distances from the grinding wheel to the workpiece can be defined and held constant. In the 3D mode, all cycle steps can be simulated, controlled and optimized for exact estimating, collision avoidance and even external workstation integration with the other workpieces.Â
All motion control on this new grinder is maintained on a Siemens 840D sl CNC with compatible drive technology. Â
This new Schütte 325linear grinding machine is available for viewing at the company’s North American headquarters in Jackson, Michigan and will be in the Schütte booth during IMTS in Chicago. Â
For an operational video on this machine, please visit: http://youtu.be/2gTHHCZHMic
For further information, please contact:Â
SCHUTTE MSA, LLC
4055 Morrill Road
Jackson, MIÂ 49201
Phone:Â 517-782-3600
www.schutteusa.com
rfq@schutteusa.com
Attention: Brittany Parks Â
