Universal Grinder uses CBN grinding wheels.
Press Release Summary:
CNC Zeus S, for shaft parts, employs polymer Granitan machine bed for vibration dampening and thermal stability. With 300 mm working range between centers and 175 mm center height, it handles workpieces weighing up to 10 kg. High-frequency, 16,000 rpm digital-drive technology, combined with galvanic-bond and ceramic-bond CBN grinding wheels from 70-400 mm, enables constant circumferential grinding-wheel speed of up to 120 in/sec. Siemens Sinumerik 840D digital control package is included.
Original Press Release:
Zeus S Optimizes CBN in Precision Shaft Production
MLAMISBURG, OH - United Grinding Technologies, Inc. (UGT) announces the Zeus S, the latest high-performance CNC universal grinding machine for round and non-round shaft parts from Schaudt Mikrosa BWF.
The Zeus S is designed for volume production of camshafts, crankshafts and gear shafts, as well as electric motor armatures, steering assembly parts, eccentric shafts, tool holding fixtures, pump shafts, axle components, turbo rotors and others. With a working range of 300 mm between centers and a center height of 175 mm, the Zeus S handles workpieces weighing up to 10 kg.
A polymer Granitan machine bed provides optimum vibration dampening and thermal stability. The sliding Z-axis with digital ball screw drive and X-axis with hydrostatic guideways offer ultra-precise axes positioning and repeatability for precision shaft grinding. High-frequency 16,000 RPM digital drive technology combined with galvanic-bond and ceramic-bond CBN grinding wheels from 70 mm to 400 mm enable constant circumferential grinding wheel speed of up to 120 in/sec. The results are short grinding times, long-lasting tool life and optimum grinding performance.
The 130 mm rotary diamond dressing form roll is positioned next to the workpiece spindle head for easy access, while assuring precise dimensional accuracy between the dressing tool and the grinding wheel.
CBN and compressor shafts
In most cases, gray cast iron compressor crankshafts are ground with corundum tools under optimized processing conditions, a situation which provides very little room for process improvement. However, the use of CBN as a grinding medium opens up new possibilities.
Earlier attempts to introduce CBN failed for a number of reasons - excessive cost, high wear and tear resulting from slow cutting speeds, unsuitable dressing tools and a low degree of machine rigidity.
The Zeus S has been designed and optimized specifically for the use of CBN. Cutting speeds of 120 mm/sec, rotating diamond dressing tools and superior machine stability make the Zeus S an ideal CBN machine. And compared to conventional grinding approaches, CBN considerably increases the intervals between dressing and grinding wheel changes.
Clamping chuck
Another problem confronting users of more conventional process solutions is clamping the crankshaft in the eccentric chuck in order to machine the lift pin. The crankshaft is clamped eccentrically into the chuck so that the crank pin can be centered and ground cylindrically. As a certain amount of adjustment is necessary for eccentricity, expensive clamping devices and large chucks are often required.
Special chucking is no longer necessary with the Zeus S. The workpiece is clamped with ease in a central clamping chuck, and the cam is cylindrically ground using a programmed path operation. The eccentricity changeover takes place in the machine control, and manual adjustments are no longer necessary. All of this adds up to higher precision, more flexibility and shorter changeover times.
Features
The Zeus S workhead has a C-axis speed range of 1 to 300 RPM. Spindle torque is 25 Nm. The work center is MT 5. Tailstock quill stroke is 100 mm; quill diameter is 70 mm.
State-of-the-art Siemens digital control and SIMODRIVE axis drive components are at the heart of the new Zeus S. Machine operation, setup, changeover, dressing and programming of even complex parts are easily accomplished through an innovative step-by-step, on-screen operator interface. The Siemens Sinumerik 840D control package features application-specific software routines. WOP (work oriented programming) system permits automatic generation of speed profiles from just a few parameters. Remote diagnostics, process control and trouble-shooting via standard telephone line and machine modem link are easily facilitated.
The Zeus S machines are supported by an expert team of grinding specialists; drawing on more than 14,000 grinding machine installations and support and service centers in more than 50 countries.
United Grinding Technologies, Inc., the North American arm of the Korber-Schleifring Group and supplier of such venerable nameplates as Blohm, Ewag, Jung, Magerle, Schaudt Mikrosa BWF and Studer, is a global leader in grinding technology and has built a reputation for industry-leading innovation and unparalleled service and support.
For more information, contact United Grinding Technologies, Inc.; 510 Earl Blvd., Miamisburg, OH, 45342. Tel: 937/847-1215. Fax: 937/859-1115. www.grinding.com.
