2D CNC offers vertical and versatile Mitsui Seiki VGE60A thread grinder

Significantly, the VGE60A, now available in the UK through 2D CNC, a vertical configuration machine, minimises the floor space taken up by these processes. A vertical solution also supports a highly rigid construction to eliminate sag that can occur in the more common 'between centres' horizontal approach to the thread grinding process. The Mitsui Seiki VGE60A machine will accept components up to 80 mm dia by 700 mm long with a maximum grinding length of 600 mm. It can be used with both oil and water-based coolants. Typical applications are small to medium batch requirements on high accuracy components where a single cycle routine involving multiple operations can overcome geometric relationships of different component features and avoid relocation of parts. Typical components subject to trial by Mitsui Seiki are special gauges, lead and feed screw actuators, parts for auxiliary power units for aerospace and helicopter engine and transmission units and components for use in electrical power steering. It is also considered that the machine will be of interest in prototype production. The machine concept incorporates automatic grinding wheel changing which can, depending on the system specified, accommodate up to 24 wheels up to 255 mm diameter. A full CNC wheel dressing system for vitrified wheels, plus the ability to employ CBN wheel technology, is incorporated into the machine design. An automated wheel guarding system for grinding wheel tilt angles can be set between +45º and -90º and is infinitely programmable at the Fanuc 30iMB control. Thermal compensation for each machine axis is available to maximise consistency and repeatability of each grinding cycle. Both the vertical solution and the wide process capability, 2D CNC reports, were factors in the machining winning the Grand Prize in Japan's 43rd Machine Design Awards on 25 July 2013.