Spindle protection device wins GF award at Prodex

The MSP module is available on the Mikron HPM 600U and 800U, both of which use the 20,000 rpm HPC 190 motor spindle from supplier Step-Tec. The programme enables the spindle to be able to absorb axial and lateral displacements in case of a spindle crash. According to GF, collisions mostly occur when a new CNC program is executed for the first time. MSP protects the machine and spindle during the setup process. During set-up, the machine operates in a safe mode with reduced feed rates that allow common cutting operations. The combination of MSP and reduced feedrates protect the spindle and machine from crash damage. It also restores positional accuracy after a collision. When full production speed is required, the machine switches back to full-speed mode. Since the launch of MSP in April, it has also been shown at IMTS in the USA and the AMB International Metalworking Exhibition in Germany. The Swiss manufacturer won the Swiss technology innovation award in the field of manufacturing and production at the Basel machine tool show, 18-21 November. Other Prodex award winners were Studer-WireDress, for a new method of cutting grinding wheels with EDM, Mikron Tool's CrazyMill Cool, a small-diameter cutting head that is claimed to produce a greater chip volume than conventional cutters, and Roehm Spanntechnik's KPF-MT collett that enables machining of both sides of thin parts.