Grinding Machine has inverted spindle.
Press Release Summary:
Grinding module holds workpieces in spindle that travels face down. It performs automatic workpiece gripping, transports parts to and from load/unload station, and moves workpiece to tools. Able to pick up and drop off parts, unit offers programmable speeds and feeds to rough and finish parts to precision tolerances and surface finish requirements. Grinding wheel is dressed before each machining cycle, and its face is held square and perpendicular to center axis.
Original Press Release:
Saginaw Machine Systems Inc. Specialized Inverted Spindle Grinding Module
As part of the previously established alliance between Hitachi Seiki and Saginaw Machine Systems Inc., Saginaw Machine Systems will be displaying a special inverted spindle high production-grinding machine, which is a station module for an integrated machining system. The inherent advantage of inverted spindle provides in machine automation, which provides faster, more economical loading capabilities and is ideally suited for integration for multi process systems requirements. This machine will be displayed in Hitachi Seiki Booth #A8432. These systems can be customized for a multitude of machining process including turning, boring, milling, drilling, tapping, and grinding.
The inverted spindle concept holds the work pieces in a traveling face down vertical spindle, with tools positioned underneath the part. The vertical spindle is able to perform automatic workpiece gripping and transport to and from the load/unload station in addition to moving the workpiece to the tools for turning, boring, milling, drilling, tapping and grinding applications. Since the traveling spindle is easily programmed to pick up and drop off parts, this concept eliminates the need for a separate loading mechanism and all the programs and controls for a separate unit. Other advantages of the vertical design are that chips naturally fall away from the work area insuring clean processing work area and floor space requirements are greatly reduced, when compared to comparable automated machining systems.
The special grinding application that will be displayed consists of a collet type fixture for holding the part in an inverted position, the grinding spindle is positioned upright to grind the face of the part. The wheel is programmed to be probed and dressed as required. Speeds and feeds are programmable to rough and finish the part to precision tolerances and surface finish requirements.
The grinding wheel is dressed before each machining cycle. The face is held square and perpendicular to its center axis, to high precision tolerances. This module is the last operation of a complete integrated system that starts with the part as a raw forging.
