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The ShapeSmart NP5 precision grinding machine from Rollomatic has already proven itself in the market as a multi-talented resource for grinding cylindrical workpieces. Now, the Swiss grinding machine manufacturer has outfitted its already popular cylindrical grinding machine with thread-grinding functions as well.
The demands made of tool manufactures today are high: Ever greater levels of flexibility are required in response to varying batch sizes and continued price-pressure demands increasingly efficient production methods. Extremely precise, high-quality blanks for round tools are required in order to rise to this challenge.
"After all, the qualities of tools and blanks are very closely linked," declares Jean-Charles Marty, Product Manager at Rollomatic SA. "Modern, flexible cylindrical grinding machines are required in order to manufacture the blanks."
The ShapeSmart NP5 is a 5-axis precision grinding machine with a grinding range of 0.025 to 25mm in diameter. Not only does it manufacture high-quality tool blanks, it is also suitable for producing ejector pins, stamping and forming tools, press needles and other components with a complex length/diameter ratio.
The machine features a 3-axis robot loader that handles up to 1,000 workpieces in a batch without any operator intervention. "The unique selling point of our ShapeSmart NP5 is the function patented by us for completing rough and finish grinding in a single step," explains Jean-Charles Marty.
The evolution from machining of tool blanks to production of boring bars continues to expand the ShapeSmart NP5's range of applications. Now, with a flipper and the CCD camera option, the shank chamfer and coolant-hole slots, as well as the pre-shaped points on drill blanks, can actually be ground in a single step. And Rollomatic continues to expand the machine's ability: The multi-function grinding machine now also grinds threads into the blank material, for exchangeable tool heads, for example.
"The threading and finishing grinding wheels are mounted on the same wheel arbors in such a way that the ShapeSmart NP5 can complete thread grinding and finishing in a single step," says Jean-Charles Marty.
Rollomatic technology has been tested and has proven its value over many years. As such, it ensures outstanding performance. Whether handling hard metal or HSS, the grinding wheels achieve not only ultra-low tolerances of 1 µm but also such a high material removal rate that there is absolutely no more retooling or realignment required and the machining time is significantly reduced compared to conventional grinding machines.
The Fanuc 32iA machine control unit with a 15-inch display and integrated PC guarantees both a high level of user-friendliness as well as safety. Jean-Charles Marty states that: "We have expanded our ShapeSmart NP5's range of functions and adapted the programming software for the new thread grinding option, but nothing has changed in terms of the grinding machine's outstanding user-friendliness."
Related Glossary Terms
- boring
boring
Enlarging a hole that already has been drilled or cored. Generally, it is an operation of truing the previously drilled hole with a single-point, lathe-type tool. Boring is essentially internal turning, in that usually a single-point cutting tool forms the internal shape. Some tools are available with two cutting edges to balance cutting forces.
- cylindrical grinding
cylindrical grinding
Grinding operation in which the workpiece is rotated around a fixed axis while the grinding wheel is fed into the outside surface in controlled relation to the axis of rotation. The workpiece is usually cylindrical, but it may be tapered or curvilinear in profile. See centerless grinding; grinding.
- 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.
- high-speed steels ( HSS)
high-speed steels ( HSS)
Available in two major types: tungsten high-speed steels (designated by letter T having tungsten as the principal alloying element) and molybdenum high-speed steels (designated by letter M having molybdenum as the principal alloying element). The type T high-speed steels containing cobalt have higher wear resistance and greater red (hot) hardness, withstanding cutting temperature up to 1,100º F (590º C). The type T steels are used to fabricate metalcutting tools (milling cutters, drills, reamers and taps), woodworking tools, various types of punches and dies, ball and roller bearings. The type M steels are used for cutting tools and various types of dies.
- 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.
- threading
threading
Process of both external (e.g., thread milling) and internal (e.g., tapping, thread milling) cutting, turning and rolling of threads into particular material. Standardized specifications are available to determine the desired results of the threading process. Numerous thread-series designations are written for specific applications. Threading often is performed on a lathe. Specifications such as thread height are critical in determining the strength of the threads. The material used is taken into consideration in determining the expected results of any particular application for that threaded piece. In external threading, a calculated depth is required as well as a particular angle to the cut. To perform internal threading, the exact diameter to bore the hole is critical before threading. The threads are distinguished from one another by the amount of tolerance and/or allowance that is specified. See turning.
