The Cetos BUA 25A universal cylindrical grinding machine with teach-in CNC system boasts an unrivalled price-to-performance specification that will appeal to both toolmaking and production.

Manufactured in the Czech Republic by Cetos, the new BUA 25Auniversal cylindrical grinding machine with teach-in CNC systemnow available from Ward CNC of Sheffield boasts an unrivalledprice-to-performance specification that will appeal to bothtoolrooms and companies involved in either one-off or volumeproduction. With a swing diameter of 500mm and a distance betweencentres of 1500mm, the Cetos BUA 25A can accommodate workpiecesof 500kg. Workhead swivel and speeds are 90 degrees and 18 to 560revs/min, and wheelhead swivel is quoted as + 40 degrees to -15degrees.

Able to utilise 500mm diameter grinding wheels, wheelspeed is 1,695/1,960 revs/min and peripheral wheel speed is45m/sec.

Table feed rate is 0.05m/min to 5m/min.

The K51 teach-inCNC is a high-performance control system that allows grinding tobe performed under manual control or automatically, while alsoaccommodating longitudinal grinding with auto infeed at tablereversal points, wheel dressing and intermediate wheel dressing.In manual mode, wheelhead infeed length and rate control is via acontrol knob, which can be used to increase the step ten-fold.For manual longitudinal grinding, automatic infeed can beadjusted at the reversal points.

In volume mode, programs can becreated automatically during the grinding of the first workpieceby teach-in methods, with no special programming knowledge beingrequired.

Programming can also be by direct entry of cycleparameters.

As standard, up to 10 teach-in programs can be stored(ie five plunge-cut and five longitudinal grinding programs) andprogram changes can be easily accommodated for further work sinceeach change is automatically remembered.

The BUA 25A is one of anumber of Cetos grinders available from Ward CNC.

These alsoinclude other universal CNC cylindrical grinders as well asinternal/external, single/two-wheelhead cylindrical plunge andcrankshaft-type machines.

JJ Hardy and Sons, has widened its range of services and raised productivity with the purchase of a Jones and Shipman 'TechMaster' 634X 600 x 300mm table capacity surface grinder.

North-east precision engineers JJ Hardy and Sons, has widened itsrange of services and raised productivity with the purchase of aJones and Shipman 'TechMaster' 634X 600 x 300mm tablecapacity surface grinder. The microprocessor controlledTechMaster, which was selected and specified by Hardy'sManaging Director Andrew Pailor, was commissioned and productivewithin a month of the initial sales enquiry. 'It was an easyfinancial decision to choose the TechMaster,' says MrPailor, 'As it gives us the opportunity to keep control ofgrinding operations in-house and to seek new business horizonswith the added flexibility this excellent machine gives us.'Jones and Shipman's worldwide reputation of excellence inprecision surface grinding attracted Mr Pailor when he wasinvestigating the feasibility of adding grinding operations tohis company's capabilities.

With considerable experience inquality CNC milling, Hardy's saw a growth opportunity forsupplying precision-ground components.

American Axle andManufacturing, which has several plants in the UK and who isalready an established customer, was identified as a possibleclient for ground parts.

Regional Sales Manager Paul Chickinvited Mr.Pailor to Jones and Shipman's LeicesterHeadquarters to identify his exact needs.

The new 600 x 300mmTechMaster 634X (part of a four model range with table capacitiesfrom 500 x 200mm to 1000 x 500mm) was recommended anddemonstrated.

Andrew was very impressed as it perfectly matchedhis requirements for quality, price range, health and safetyconsiderations and expected volume of work.

Working closely withGeoff Walker of Jones and Shipman's technical department, aninitial batch of samples was produced and submitted toHardy's for inspection.

The results were excellent and theorder for the TechMaster 634X was subsequently placed.Established in 1856 in Hartlepool, JJ Hardy and Sons enjoys alongevity and reputation that few companies can claim to have.The company started manufacturing as brass founders andengineers.

Andrew Pailor is the third generation of his family torun the company successfully.

'I strongly believe ininvesting in new technology,' says Mr Pailor, whosegrandfather bought the company from the founding Hardy family in1937.

They have been in the present premises since 1967 andachieved ISO9002 accreditation back in 1990.

'We are aforward looking company and in five years we will be celebratingour 150th anniversary.

We believe in investing in training sohave a good modern apprenticeship scheme, employ thirty peopleand operate around the clock,' continued Mr Pailor.'The new machine gives us a good rate per hour and weoperate five days and nights per week,' states Mr Pailor.'It allows us to get the most out of our skilled people whocan produce top quality components with no wastage.' Withits simplified Man machine interface (MMI) and microprocessortechnology, the Techmaster assists the operator to achieve thehigh levels of productivity, together with the precision and easeof use that the company is looking for.

The firm's customerbase currently includes many of the UK's leading railwaycompanies and provides precision services for a wide range ofindustry sectors including commercial and off-highway vehicles,chemical, oil and food processing, power generation and sub-seaapplications.

JJ Hardy and Sons now enjoys an excellent workingrelationship with Jones Shipman and can see the possibility ofinvesting in other 'J and S' grinding machines asmarkets develop.

'To sum up the whole commissioningprocess,' continued Mr Pailor, 'I am very impressedwith the facilities, personnel and technical support provided byJones and Shipman International.

They worked with us quickly andefficiently right from my initial enquiry to provide the idealsolution for our production needs at a price that we couldafford.' Managing Director Andrew Pailor also confirmed,'With the Jones and Shipman TechMaster 634X we are providingour customers with the right product first time, everytime.'2

Targeted at the carbide industry for grinding components such as punch forms, the latest Okamoto UPZ 315Li high speed CNC surface grinding machines have up to 100m/min feed rate.

Targeted at the carbide industry for grinding components such aspunch forms, the latest Okamoto UPZ 315Li high speed CNC surfacegrinding machines with up to 100m/min feed rate are able toproduce punch type components up to eight times faster thantraditional optical profile grinding methods. Available from 600Centre in Shepshed, the UPZ uses linear motor drives for thetable with linear glass scales to provide precise closed-looppositioning. With the new 4.2kW drive system, the grinding feedrate is totally programmable up to 100m/min through the Fanuc18iMB system.

Central to the machine design is the placement ofthe dual linear drive system which is set on the vertical planeeach side of a tennon section that runs the length of theunderside of the table.

This configuration overcomes any forcesthat could be created by the linear drive and thus eliminates anytendency for table lift or pull-down during the grinding process.This action would not only reduce the maintenance of grindingsize and the holding of geometric tolerances, but would also leadto bearing surface wear on the table.

The table design alsoeliminates effects of thermal growth generated from the hightable speed and any heat generated by the high power drivesystem.

The main wheel head has a 3.7kW AC motor and maximumwheel size of 200mm with a surface speed of 6,000m/min.

Thewheelhead assembly is attached to the main bed casting andreaches the floor which improves rigidity.

The wheel to tabledimension is 400 mm, longitudinal table travel is 280mm and crosstravel is 170mm.

The magnetic chuck size is 175mm by 105mm.

Themachine control software is able to accommodate the grinding of aseries of 'family' parts of various sizes using a gridreference style tabulation of the magnetic chuck surface inconjunction with program positional and size data.

By using atouch trigger probe, higher levels of datum position for formgrinding can be made in order to accommodate high accuracyrequirements.

In partnership with Douglas Curtis, Kellenberger is entering the CNC-centreless grinding machine market with the Kel-Curtis machine.

In partnership with Douglas Curtis, Kellenberger is entering theCNC-centreless grinding machine market. The Kel-Curtis machine isa joint development based on the design of the compactKellenberger Kel-Vision cylindrical grinding machine withstationary table and X- and Z-axes underneath the wheelhead. Thespecific technology know-how of centreless grinding originatesfrom Douglas Curtis.

Main features include: * Space requirementsvery limited due to compact design.

* Ergonomic design of themachine allowing excellent access to the grinding and dressingareas.

* Quick and easy automatic set up of the machinepermitting economical grinding of single parts and small batchesof components.

* High-precision swivelling wheelhead for straightand angle-approach grinding operation.

* Grinding of shouldersand faces on right-hand and left-hand sides in one operation.

*Dressing concept permitting multiple dressing cycles for thegrinding wheel with 6 optional dressing tools at the contactpoint of grinding wheel/component.

* In-process measurement ofthe component.

Approximately 5 years ago the concept for a new centreless grinding machine was conceived with a number of objectives, to increase the reliability, consistency of the process and speed setting up.

Approximately 5 years ago the concept for a new centrelessgrinding machine was conceived with these objectives. * To reducethe known problem areas associated with centreless grinding suchas taper on parts after dressing, difficult and slow wheelchange, slow changeovers, and only through and straight approachgrinding. * To enable centreless grinding on components notnormally associated with this method of grinding.

* To reduce thenumber of cnc controlled servo slides and make more universal.

*To dress both grinding and control wheels from the front toreduce the tapers after dressing.

Douglas Curtis were successfulin applying for a Smart award, a government funded grant to helpwith the development costs in new projects, and designed andbuilt the prototype on our existing between centre grindingmachine base and enclosure.

This was extensively tested and anumber of limitations with the existing machine base becomeapparent.

It was restricted in z axis travel (400mm) limitingdressing variations, fitting automatic loading was difficult dueto the position of electrical cabinet and when heavy cuts weretaken vibrations occurred due to poor damping of machine slides.On a visit to an EMO exhibition in 1998, a visit to theKellenberger stand was made.

The sales director of Kellenbergerworked in the past with our sales director for a centrelessgrinding company, and general talk about the grinding businessand of our development of a new concept centreless grindingmachine were discussed and the problems we had incurred.

furthermeetings between ourselves took place and it was decided to usethe Kellenberger Kel-Vision machine base, slides and B axis ifrequired and enclosure.

This would give us the increased strokewe required (650mm) and also the base was vee and flat cast ironbed ways oil lubricated which would give very good damping.

Kellenberger made a number of small modifications to the standardmachine base and slideways and modifications were made to ourwheelhead and control wheel assembly to suit the new machine.

Douglas Curtis fits their own design wheelhead and control wheelassemblies, fit all the electric's including Siemens 840DCNC control and digital servo motors, design and integrate partshandling equipment and write all the machine software.

To datetwo machines have been sold and a machine has been exhibited atthe EMO show on the Hardinge/Kellenberger stand.

The joint veturewe hope will be benificial to both companies, Douglas Curtis area small company with little sales overseas except through to ourU.K customers and are not known outside the u.k.

Kellenberger onthe other hand are vey well established in external grindingworldwide with a large sales network.

Until now, CNC dressing with a diamond dressing roll has only been possible with CBN wheels and has rarely been used on tool grinders, but Schuette now offers a solution.

Until now, CNC dressing with a diamond dressing roll has onlybeen possible with CBN wheels and has rarely been used on toolgrinders, not least because it demands an inordinate designeffort to accommodate an appropriate, speed- controlled dressingattachment on a 5-axis grinder. It is here that Schutte exploitsthe opportunities provided by the well proven, digital,synchronous AC motor's use as a universal rotary axis(A-axis). This multi-functional machine module performs well, notonly as - a high-precision dividing attachment for helix grindingoperations, - a fast rotating work spindle for high-performancecylindrical grinding operations, but also as - a dressingattachment that carries the diamond dressing roll and whose speedcan be set to the appropriate technologically most advantageousvalue.

These optimal conditions allow not only for the CNCdressing of CBN wheels, but also of diamond wheels on the SchutteWU 305.

A collision-free, integrated laser measuring system cangauge the grinding wheel geometry with great dynamic.

This hascreated the conditions that lead to constantly maintainedworkpiece quality in batch production, by applying optimaltechnological grinding conditions.

Horizontal HG CNC machine platform is designed for external cylindrical, out-of-round, face and internal grinding.

Horizontal HG machine platform is designed for externalcylindrical, out-of-round, face and internal grinding. The designallows for a great number of machine variants to be configuredexactly in accordance with individual machining requirements:from the external grinding of one-offs and the productiongrinding of large batches of small or large, long or shortshaft-type components (know-how Karstens) to the internal andexternal grinding of high-precision chucked components (know-howReinecker) and the grinding of cams, camshafts and crankshafts(know-how Kopp). Even very different manufacturing problems aresolved by using largely identical basic machines, with all theobvious advantages for the user: standardised operation,programming and maintenance, resulting in a shorter learningcurve and reduced maintenance costs.

Planning the deployment oflabour becomes easier, owing to increased flexibility, makingmultiple-machine operation possible.

Based on this machineplatform for grinding lengths of up to 3,000 mm and grindingwheel diameters of up to 762mm EMAG showed at EMO 2001 the size3, the Karstens HG 310A for the external cylindrical grinding ofmedium size shaft components.

The quality standards for groundcomponents in particular, increase day by day.

At the same timeprocess integrity has become the main criterion in serialproduction grinding; values of Cpk 1.67 / Cmk 2.0 are a reality.Other important objectives of production planning are short,flexible production sequences.

Short retooling times must beachieved, to ensure that component manufacturing costs do notrise despite a steadily increasing workpiece diversity and theshrinking of batch sizes.

In addition to that, different batchsizes require different automation concepts.

The deciding factorwhere machining results are concerned, is the correct grindingtool.

The requirements of the various abrasives used on modernmachine tools have to be met.

The same applies to cutting fluids,as they too have a fundamental influence on machining results.Machine manufacturers (and often users too) have paid littleattention to them in the past; but they must be given dueconsideration in any new machine design.

The new horizontal HGgrinding machine platform of EMAG's grinding machine grouptakes account of all the demands required by modern externalcylindrical grinding machines.

The basic assemblies, such asspindles, measuring devices and drives are manufactured in largenumbers within the Group and assembled into working entities ofmodular design.

This also includes various work headstocks,grinding units, tailstocks, measuring devices, dressingattachments for CBN and corundum grinding wheels, and interfacesfor loading and unloading equipments.

The thermostable machinebase - also of static and dynamic rigidity - carries the slides.The sturdy compound table design reduces the footprint and saveson expensive production floor space.

It also makes the changeoverof grinding wheels easier.

NC tailstocks and flexible driversensure that a variety of workpieces can be quickly accommodated.The machining area allows generous axis movements.

The energysupply circuits are maintenance friendly.

Hydrostatic guidewaysin all linear axes allow for smallest infeeds, with optimalcontinuity of movement.

They are stick-slip free and welldampened and lead to contour integrity and an exceptional surfacefinish.

The machine is prepared to accept cutting oils as well asemulsions and allows high pressure and high volume deliveries,which facilitate CBN technology.

The demand for operator comfortand ease of servicing is fulfilled by the standardised controlsystem.

The EMAG on/off-line operating and programming systemtakes care of the varied demands made on the different machiningrequirements of this modular grinding machine platform.

Allprocess-specific functions, including loading, gauging, etc., canbe called up with standardised commands and are dialogue-based, avery operator-friendly feature.

Other demands from productioncompanies have also been taken into account.

Energy supply linesare located outside the machining area.

This preventscontamination and downtimes, makes for an uncluttered machiningarea and eases servicing.

The machine envelope is separate fromthe machine base, so that outside influences can have no adverseeffect on machining results.

The various grinding lengths and thedifferent sizes of work headstocks, tailstocks and back restsallows for the machining of a large variety of workpieces frommany branches of industry, from 200g to 700kg in weight, with atailor-made machine, using the most appropriate grinding method:gear shafts, differential gear shafts, camshafts, motor shafts,pump pinions, steering pinions, slide valves, steering gearboxes,turbine wheels, compressor wheels, axles and work spindles,components for textile machinery, for wind generators and otherhigh-precision equipment.

Kopp also will use this grindingmachine platform and offer in the near future the HG 310N typefor the machining of cams, polygon profiles, camshafts andcrankshafts.

The Kopp SK 25 is an innovative 5-axis high-performance grinding centre for multi-functional complete machining.

The Kopp SK 25 is an innovative 5-axis high-performance grindingcentre for multi-functional complete machining Kopp has been partof the EMAG grinding group - Reinecker Karstens Kopp - sinceAugust 2000. Within this group, Kopp is the specialist ingrinding and milling machines for the out-of-round machining ofhigh-precision workpieces, as used by many branches in theautomotive and mechanical engineering industries: cams, polygons,operating cams for printing presses and textile and packagingmachines, injection pump housings, housings for power-steeringpumps, tripods for drive elements, camshafts and crankshafts. AtEMO 2001 the Emag grinding group showed its Kopp SK 25 5-axisGrinding Center in its presently realisable top version, formulti-functional, 5-sided complete machining.

With thisproduction tool Kopp belongs to the trendsetters in combining andintegrating different processes thus reducing the processsequence succession - with all the advantages for the user:higher machining quality, faster throughput, as there are nointerim storage periods between several individual machines,shorter retooling times, lower capital outlay and reducedcomponent manufacturing costs.

The Kopp SK 25 is primarily usedwhere complex, high-precision workpieces have to be completemachined from 5 sides in one set-up, necessitating severaldifferent machining processes: internal and external machining ofround and prismatic workpieces of up to 500mm diameter or 500mmside dimension, employing internal and external cylindricalgrinding, out-of-round grinding, surface grinding, slot grinding,polishing, drilling, and milling operations.

The workpiecesinclude chuck casings, housings for thread rolling heads andcomponents with free-form or functional multi-plane surfaces.

The3 linear and 2 rotary axes can be used independently or ininterpolation.

To fulfil the demands for tight tolerances themachine is exeptionally sturdy and thermo-stable in design.

Theguideway layout and the use of precision linear guideways ensurethe necessary high dynamic of the axes.

Various automationmodules for tool and workpiece changes are available to create atailor-made production tool.

As is customary on machiningcenters, the 16-station tool changer allows for individual toolsto be changed; but in addition to that, or in lieu of it,complete machining units can also be changed at a chip-to-chiptime of just 20 minutes.

This permits the use of grinding unitswith high-frequency or belt-driven spindles, planetary grindingattachments for the grinding of slots or grooved cams, and alsoof milling units.

The simple exchange of individual tools orcomplete machining units also makes it possible to use the mostfavourable grinding material for each application: CBN, diamond,ceramics or PCD.

Workpiece loading/unloading is also designed tosuit individual customer requirements: manual or automatic, bypallet changer or gantry loader.

When it becomes necessary togauge the machining allowance or carry out an in-process gaugingoperation on the machined component, the appropriate measuringprobe is transferred from the tool changer.

An acoustic touchrecognition device is employed to avoid unproductive'air-grinding'.

The capability of the Kopp SK 25 wasdemonstrated at EMO 2001 with the complete machining of ahigh-precision component for a hydraulic power chuck: externalcylindrical grinding of the O/D, grinding of the front and rearend faces, three-dimensional grinding of the innner and outerguideways for the chuck jaws.Press Release Communiqu‚ dePresseInformationen fr die Presse1 / 1.

Introduced by Chevalier at EMO is the Ultra-H612/B612CNC Submicron profile grinder capable of producing 'mirror' surface finishes on highly accurately ground workpieces.

Introduced by Chevalier at EMO is the Ultra-H612/B612CNCSubmicron profile grinder capable of producing 'mirror'surface finishes on highly accurately ground workpieces. Themachine was demonstrated producing microfinishes to 0.25 micronRmax. Positioning accuracy is 0.5 micron and grinding accuracy,1micron.

Movements are programmable in increments of 0.0001mm.Table size is 305mm by 152mm, maximum distance from table tospindle centreline is 355mm and wheel spindle is rated at 1.5kWand 1000-4500 rev/min, or optionally, to 7000 rev/min.

Standardgrinding wheel size is 203mm diametre by 12.7mm wide.

Chevalier introduced its Smart-H1224 Conversational CNC Profile Grinder which is designed for the machining of profiles such as thread rolling dies orfir tree root profiles. 'comb' sect.

Chevalier introduced its Smart-H1224 Conversational CNC ProfileGrinder which is designed for the machining of profiles such asthread rolling dies, turbine blade fir tree root profiles,'comb' sections and so on. Chevalier builds two sizes.The Smart H/B1224 has a 500mm by 300mm table, 620mm Distance fromtable surface to wheel spindle centreline is 620mm and range ofgrinding wheel spindle speeds is up to1750rev/min. Three spindlehead ratings can be specified: 3.7, 7.5 or 11.25kW.

Standardgrinding wheel size is 355mm diameter by 50mm wide.

The smallerSmart-H/B818 has a table size of 460mm by 200mm and distance fromtable surface to wheel spindle centre line of 510mm.

Grindingwheel speeds are up to 3450rev/min and spindle power is 1.5kW.Wheel size is 203mm diameter by 12.7mm wide.

Major reductions in capital investment, set-up times, production costs and lead times have resulted at Rolls-Royce group factories as a result of viper grinding on Makino M-Cs.

Major reductions in capital investment, set-up times, productioncosts and lead times have resulted at Rolls-Royce group factoriesin Glasgow, Derby and Bristol as a result of viper grinding onMakino machining centres. Required process capability oftypically Cpk 1.3 is being achieved easily on components rangingfrom turbine blades to compressor casings. During a recent openhouse at NCMT's Coventry technical centre, productionengineers from Rolls-Royce as well as other OEMs andsubcontractors were shown demonstrations of so-called'viper' grinding of inconel on a Makino A99-CDmachining centre.

The technique was developed in collaborationwith grinding wheel manufacturer, Tyrolit, for producing aircraftengine parts.

The first operation on an Inconel test piece duringthe open house showed a 15mm wide aluminium oxide wheel roughgrinding an 8mm deep slot in six seconds, using continuousdressing of the wheel.

The same operation would take 3 minutesusing a carbide end mill on the same machine.

Operation 2involved using a similar wheel, this time 30mm wide, to produce a25mm wide flat on the flange into which the previously mentionedslot had been ground.

Stock removal depth was 8mm, as evidencedby the disappearance of the slot, and the process took just 12seconds.

It would have taken a face mill much longer to do thesame job.

If the expense of a diamond continuous dressing wheeland arbour cannot be justified for a particular application,Makino can equip the machine with an hydraulic, 3000 rpm,table-mounted diamond dresser, as was demonstrated at the openhouse.

One factor behind the success of viper grinding is the useof very high pressure, high flow rate, refrigerated coolantdirected at the machining area - 70 bar through an NC nozzledirected continuously just above the point of grinding and 100bar through the spindle.

To withstand these pressures as well asthe copious generation of grinding dust, the Makino A99 isconstructed with a double skin and has its slideways protected byspecial guards.

The application takes advantage of themachine's rigid structure, efficient swarf and coolantcontainment and management, and advanced spindle technology witha wide speed range of 50 to 12,000 rpm, all consistent with highmetal removal rates.

Both internal and external grinding may beundertaken.

Owing to the difficulty associated with milling ofInconel, conventional creep feed grinding has traditionally beenused wherever practicable.

The rationale behind finding analternative stems from the significantly higher capital cost ofgrinders compared with that of a machining centre.

Otherfinancial considerations are the high price of standard,large-diameter profile grinding wheels and the greater levels ofoperator attendance associated with conventional grinding ascompared with a machining centre.

In particular, a grinder maytake up to a day to set up for a new component whereas a Makinomachining centre can be reconfigured in one to two hours, andoften considerably faster.

Another relevant factor is that asingle, large wheel has to incorporate the forms of all thefeatures to be ground on a component, so whilst only a small partof the periphery may be grinding the component at any particulartime, continuous dressing of the whole wheel peripheryunnecessarily wastes this expensive consumable.

Herein lies thekey benefit of translating the process onto a machining centre.Small grinding wheels, each with the profile of a specificfeature on the component, are held in the tool magazine.

They arechanged automatically in the same way as, for example, a millingcutter, and dressing is restricted to the profile that is in use.For complete machining of components, milling cutters, drills andother tools may be stored in the magazine as well and called upautomatically within the cycle.

It is also possible to carry outstatic tool work such as broaching.

In the viper grindingprocess, vitrified, aluminium oxide wheels are employed in creepfeed grinding mode.

They have been found to machinelong-chipping, sticky, nickel-based alloys faster than cubicboron nitride.

Additionally, the porosity of aluminium oxide isbeneficial in retaining coolant and assisting in its delivery tothe point of cutting.

The open grain carries the coolant throughthe point of cutting, providing both lubrication and cooling andavoiding the problem of push-off caused by the wheel floatingover the component if the jet is aimed directly at the point ofmachining.

Accurate control over the coolant is achieved bymounting a 2-axis programmable coolant nozzle around the spindlenose, one axis (U) providing rotation, which allows bothhorizontal and vertical grinding, and the other (V) allowingradial positioning of the nozzles to take account of grindingwheel wear.

Automatic nozzle changing is effected from a cabinetmounted on the rotary table (B) axis, behind the rotaryhorizontal A-axis on which the workpiece is fixtured.

Meccanodora will be showing at EM0 a bearing track grinding machine concept, which also allows for future developments in hard turning and mill-turning.

Meccanodora will be showing at EM0 a bearing track grindingmachine concept, which also allows for future developments inhard turning and mill-turning. The Futura turns the workpieceupside-down for the combined machining of the spherical innerdiameter and six ball tracks of an automotive constant velocityjoint outer race. In doing sop, it offers the followingadvantages: * The machine grinds the outer/inner diameters andtracks in one clamping, so improves final quality.

* Theslide-mounted workhead picks up and deposits workpieces from andonto a conveyor.

* The workpiece is automatically indexed forball tracks machining.

* The workpiece is continuously rotatedfor the machining of the spherical inner diameter.

* Machineslides are completely isolated from the working area, so thatguideways, motors, lubrication, hydraulic and pneumatic unitsnever come into contact with chips or coolant.

The machine isdesigned to operate with: * superabrasives or CBN wheels; *toolholders suitable for hard-turning using CBN tooling and *high frequency spindles for hard-milling using CBN tooling.

Jones and Shipman has issued an informative new brochure about the superabrasive machine tools developed by Edgetek.

Jones and Shipman has issued an informative new brochure aboutthe superabrasive machine tools developed by Edgetek. Based inConnecticut, US, Edgetek builds superabrasive slant bed andconventional turning systems and machining systems in a widechoice of capacities. The process is used by aerospace,automotive and medical instrumentation industries.

Edgetek is amember of the Renold Precision technologies group.

It includesgrinding machine builder Jones and Shipman International andleaders in rotor, gear and thread milling and grinding machinetechnology, Holroyd.

Wuxi is the largest manufacturer of grinders in China, having designed and produced a range of machines for over 50 years, and has now set up Wuxi Machine Tools (Europe).

With the recent formation of Wuxi Machine Tools (Europe) inHertfordshire, there's now a major new player in the CNCgrinding machine tool market. While new to the UK and continentalEurope, Wuxi (pronounced 'whooshy') is the largestmanufacturer of grinders in China and has been designing andproducing a range of machines for over 50 years. Wuxi KaiyuanMachine Tools Group Co Ltd (its full title) is one ofChina's leading state-owned companies and it has ambitiousplans to become a global supplier of precision grinding machines.And the first step in expanding into Europe is the establishmentof the European operation in Berkhamsted -- a joint venturebetween Wuxi and a team of UK investors.

Wuxi produces around2500 machine tools a year from its factory in the Jiangsuprovince and has in excess of 60% of the Chinese market.

Theproduct range is wide covering: cylindrical, internal, centrelessand bearing track grinders as well as special honing machines.ISO9001 part 1 accredited, the company's CNC grinders arenow approved by some of the world's leading bearingproducers and it also offers a complete line capability for theproduction of most precision components.

The company employs over500 qualified engineers, is well supported by modern westernsoftware (on the CAD, CAM and production control fronts), has apolicy of recruiting university graduates and invests heavily inR and D.

Wuxi Machine Tools (Europe) has been set-up to handletechnical sales, distribution and support for CNC grinders inthis country and continental Europe.

Heading up the UK operationis managing director John Hire -- a former manufacturing directorof SKF and recently managing director of machine tool spindleremanufacturing specialists MTSR.

With a wealth of experience inprecision grinding technology, Mr Hire is impressed by both thequality and price performance ratio of Wuxi machines.

'Ithas taken us two years to set up this new venture and we had tosatisfy ourselves that quality levels were first class.

Alongwith our own investigations, the certification of quality by someof the world's leading bearing manufacturers, who hadevaluated various Wuxi grinders, helped to convince us this was amajor investment opportunity.

We also placed great store on thecompany's on-going commitment to research and development,training, design and manufacturing techniques.' Wuxiproduces smaller, more flexible and economically priced grinderswhich, for large scale users, will allow complete grinding linesto be set up for a lower investment as well as being more quicklyreconfigured for different products.

While for smalleroperations, these machines meet the demands of lower batchproduction in terms of quick set-up and changeover and all-roundflexibility.

As far as costs are concerned, Wuxi grinders can beup to 30% cheaper than comparable models while offering the sameperformance, and up to 70% cheaper than top-of-the-range machinesalbeit with a lower performance ratio.

Quality, accuracy andrepeatability standards are specified to a high order.

Such aprice tag also means that new Wuxi machines can also competedirectly with rebuilt and upgraded CNC machines in terms of basiccost.

While the use of western control systems (from the likes ofSiemens and Omron) and hydraulic components (from Vickers) onEuropean machines will help to ensure fast and efficientservicing and support.

All grinders produced for Europe conformto CE marking and can have full certification, if required.

Whilenot well known outside of China, Wuxi has supplied some grindinglines to the USA, Sweden and India.

However, with its newEuropean operation, the Chinese company is determined make itspresence felt on a truly global scale.

And to further thisobjective, Wuxi Machine Tools (Europe) will be setting up anetwork of selected distribution agents across Europe, withGermany and Italy probably being the first two targets.

Chinesemachine tools have something of an image problem in the west asthey have yet to fully establish their credentials on the qualityand reliability fronts and build-up significant export sales.However, China is determined to establish itself as a leadingmanufacturer in a number of key areas including machine tools,bearings and automotive components.

And the establishment ofWuxi's European operation in Berkhamsted shows just howserious this well-established machine tool builder is aboutsucceeding in world markets.