Suited for cellular or lean manufacturing, Profimat MC traveling column machine provides multi-axis grinding and is available with integrated automatic tool changer that can switch wheels in 8 sec. Four production profile models feature grinding range/table clamping area of 700 x 400 mm to 1,000 x 600 mm. Rated at 60 kW, variable-speed main spindle achieves speeds to 8,000 rpm. Maximum cutting speed of 170 m/sec is suitable for CD or IPD as well as CBN applications.


MIAMISBURG, OH - The Blohm Profimat MC, a production profile grinding system from United Grinding Technologies, Inc. (UGT), for creepfeed applications, is a powerful traveling-column machine capable of multi-axis grinding in a tight space-saving 2,000 mm-wide footprint. Available with an integrated automatic toolchanger, the Profimat MC allows for added flexibility.

According to Larry Marchand, Aerospace Accounts Manager, the Profimat MC is increasingly the choice of manufacturers employing or implementing cellular or lean manufacturing. He notes, for example, an aerospace customer who has 38 Profimat MCs arranged in multiple lines producing turbine components. Driving the lines is a strict adherence to "takt" time, a central principle of lean processes which dictates that a specific number of finished parts must come off the lines within a set time - less than a few minutes. This is accomplished by simplifying and breaking down operations according to takt time, grouping machines tightly together in cellular fashion and limiting operator involvement. "In this case," Marchand says, "the Profimats replaced a battery of dedicated, largely inflexible grinding centers and resulted in significantly slashing lead and changeover times and reducing floor space by 75 percent."

The new Profimat MC is available with an integrated automatic tool changer that can switch wheels in eight seconds using a swing arm configuration. Maximum tool dimensions are 300 mm x 60 mm x 76.2 mm, and changer capacity is tools is 20 - 10 for wheel diameters smaller than 190 mm, and six for wheel diameters up to 280 mm. A reliable HSK-80 wheel flange system offers rigidity and precision needed for close tolerance parts with high surface finish requirements. Tool options include vitrified CBN, plated CBN, conventional grinding wheels and various other metal cutting options.

Access for machine maintenance is from the front and back, allowing the machines to be set virtually side by side, which facilitates swift production flow from machine to machine. Also, side-by-side stacking permits a single operator to oversee several machines, while the low-profile table eliminates the need for platforms and aides ease of operator movement.

The Profimat MC is designed from the ground up around a modular platform concept common to all Blohm machines. The machines are assembled from base modules, including the machine bed, column, wheelhead and machine table. These modules are manufactured in batches to assure absolute quality and consistency in machine construction. Specific guideways, drives, and controls are then added to the assembled base to meet customer-specific requirements. High-precision linear guideways in all axes consist of 6-row ball and 4-row roller bearing systems and provide stick-slip free, highly accurate positioning with minimal maintenance. The Profimat MC work area is entirely enclosed to fully contain high-pressure coolant.

Specifications

The four MC models feature a grinding range/table clamping area of 700 mm x 400 mm to 1,000 mm x 600 mm Grinding wheel size is 400 mm x 100 mm x 127 mm (smaller for CBN). Optional wheel size is 500 x 220 x 127.

The 60 kW variable speed main spindle achieves speeds up to 8,000 rpm, standard. Maximum cutting speed of 170 m/sec is suitable for conventional CD or IPD as well as CBN grinding applications.

Axes travels: X-axis travel is 700 mm (optional 1,000 mm) with a rapid traverse of 30 mm/min to 25,000 mm/min. Y-axis travel is 550 mm with a rapid traverse of 4 mm/min to 3,750 mm/min. Z-axis travel is 320 mm, 520 mm or 550 mm with a rapid traverse of 4 mm/min to 4,000 mm/min.

Dressing

Dressing options include continuous path controlled from the machine table and wheelhead mounted diamond roll dressing for continuous dressing (CD) and in-process dressing (IPD). With IPD, wheel dressing is simultaneous with the grinding process, resulting in significant reductions in grinding time and a perfect grinding wheel topography over an increased grinding length. Fast initial dressing with specific roughing tools reduces cost due to reduced wear on precision diamond tools.

Additional features, such as Auto wheel balancing, compensating coolant spouts and HSK clamping spindles, are optionally available. Flexible front table design allows different table configurations for varying specific solutions - a conventional fixed table or a two-station table with simultaneous loading/grinding for high volume production. Double CNC indexer permits up to six-axis processing for complex, precision parts (i.e., turbine vanes or vane segments requiring angles, radial cuts and shoulders).