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With the GrindSmartNano5, Swiss grinding machine manufacturer Rollomatic has developed a high-performance grinding machine for the series production of dental and medical tools that not only grinds an impressive range of tools, but does so fully automatically, without any operator intervention.
Particularly in the field of medical and dental technology, small tools that can handle hard, difficult-to-machine materials such as high-performance ceramics or titanium alloys are very important. However, soft materials are also machined in this industry, e.g. during the processing of wax blanks, so versatility is a must. The GrindSmartNano5 was specifically developed in particular for dental tools. However, it is also suitable for series production of other applications. For example, it can produce dental burs, standard cutters and Lindemann milling tools as well as endodontic files and reamers.
"In order to keep cycle times as short as possible and to ensure ultra-high stability during the grinding process, the grinding machine features a compact design with minimized travel distances," explains Jean-Charles Marty, Product Manager at Rollomatic SA.
To cover such a wide range of tools, the GrindSmartNano5 is offered with different tool guide systems to suit the application. One such system, which is designed especially for dental burs, clamps the tool directly behind the head in order to achieve maximum stability during the grinding operation. The second tool guide system is suitable for manufacturing standard drilling and milling tools whose tool head diameter is smaller than the shank. For tools with long cutting length, such as endodontic files and reamers, a steady rest is available to prevent the tool from bending during the grinding process.
Changing from one tool guide system to the other and reconfiguring the machine only takes a few minutes. "In addition, the machine hood is not connected to the bed," adds Jean-Charles Marty. "This means that the grinding results cannot be influenced by external disturbances."
Rollomatic has also integrated an automatic robot loader into the GrindSmartNano5 to equip it for series production. Batch sizes of up to 1,000 pieces can be machined without operator intervention thanks to the robot. The machine has been designed for maximum efficiency, with short axis movements and a high-speed loading system that loads and unloads the workpiece in just a few seconds, resulting in significantly short cycle times.
Rollomatic supplies the GrindSmartNano5 with a powerful FANUC control unit plus an integrated PC with 15-inch touchscreen and an ergonomic control panel. The standard package also contains the latest version of the programming software Virtual GrindPro, which offers a combination of high performance and user-friendly operation. The software package, consisting of Virtual GrindPro and BurCalc, offers a range of programming options for milling and drilling tools, not just dental tools.
An office simulator shows the direct 3D display of the workpiece to be machined and also visualizes the machine movements on the PC before production begins. This helps to minimize machine setup time and avoid any potential collisions from the onset, while significantly maximizing machine operation.
Jean-Charles Marty: "Despite offering such a wide range of outstanding features, the CNC programming remains simple and intuitive for the user. Naturally, we continue providing our customers with the latest free software updates after they have purchased the GrindSmartNano5."
Related Glossary Terms
- alloys
alloys
Substances having metallic properties and being composed of two or more chemical elements of which at least one is a metal.
- ceramics
ceramics
Cutting tool materials based on aluminum oxide and silicon nitride. Ceramic tools can withstand higher cutting speeds than cemented carbide tools when machining hardened steels, cast irons and high-temperature alloys.
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- grinding
grinding
Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.
- grinding machine
grinding machine
Powers a grinding wheel or other abrasive tool for the purpose of removing metal and finishing workpieces to close tolerances. Provides smooth, square, parallel and accurate workpiece surfaces. When ultrasmooth surfaces and finishes on the order of microns are required, lapping and honing machines (precision grinders that run abrasives with extremely fine, uniform grits) are used. In its “finishing” role, the grinder is perhaps the most widely used machine tool. Various styles are available: bench and pedestal grinders for sharpening lathe bits and drills; surface grinders for producing square, parallel, smooth and accurate parts; cylindrical and centerless grinders; center-hole grinders; form grinders; facemill and endmill grinders; gear-cutting grinders; jig grinders; abrasive belt (backstand, swing-frame, belt-roll) grinders; tool and cutter grinders for sharpening and resharpening cutting tools; carbide grinders; hand-held die grinders; and abrasive cutoff saws.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- shank
shank
Main body of a tool; the portion of a drill or similar end-held tool that fits into a collet, chuck or similar mounting device.
- steady rest
steady rest
Supports long, thin or flexible work being turned on a lathe. Mounts on the bed’s ways and, unlike a follower rest, remains at the point where mounted. See follower rest.
