The company will showcase its current IoT solutions, which make the exchange of data between sharpening machines and different Industry 4.0 platforms possible. Vollmer says it offers tool manufacturers and sharpening specialists a gradual and practical introduction to the topic of Industry 4.0.
“We use AMB to exchange information and ideas with customers and partners and to work on perfecting the sharpening process for tools,” states Dr Stefan Brand, CEO of the Vollmer Group. “This year, our concepts and technologies for Industry 4.0 and IoT take centre stage at the trade fair. We show how the quality and variety of rotary tools can be increased, thanks to networked machines.”
In addition to this, the company will show its VGrind 360 grinding machine for processing carbide tools such as drills, milling cutters or reamers in one set-up. The machine is available in two versions: One with two vertical spindles for grinding wheel packages (pictured) and the other with one grinding wheel spindle and one high-frequency spindle (HF spindle) plus an automatic tool changer. The high-frequency spindle allows the grinding of special pocket areas for PCD plates. In addition, the VGrind 360E is offered as an entry-level model, which is geared towards the specific requirements of service companies and smaller tool manufacturers.
A wheel sticking unit is also available as a VGrind 360 option for the automatic opening of the abrasive coating. This means that grinding residues on the diamond-tipped grinding wheel surface can be removed, in order to guarantee the sharpness of the grinding wheel for longer. The tool grinding machine also has the option to automatically change the grinding wheel sets as well as their coolant nozzles.
In addition, there’ll be the HC 4 automation solution for the VGrind 360. This comprises a chain magazine with 39 spaces for standardised HSK 63-A (hollow shank tapers), or it can also optionally hold up to 158 shank workpieces. Users can use the HP 160 pallet magazine to supply up to 900 workpieces for round-the-clock, unmanned machining. Alternately, the HPR 250 free-arm robot can be used to automatically manufacture carbide tools with various shaft diameters, resulting in three times as much capacity for tool manufacturers.
The VPulse 500 wire erosion machine for the machining of PCD tools will also be present. A touch-screen allows operators to easily programme and control the tool for quick, error-free work.
Also for PCD tools, the QXD 250 disc erosion machine can machine a whole variety of PCD tools. Added programme functionality means that tool manufacturers can use the current QXD 250 to speed up their sharpening processes. With the HC 11 pallet circulation magazine, the erosion machine can be expanded with up to 64 workpiece positions.
