Orbital crankshaft machines tackle cranks over 8 m in length

Cinetic Landis has designed and manufactured an orbital crankshaft machine to accommodate cranks over 8 m in length and 8 metric tonnes in weight as one of a new range targeted at the market for large internal combustion engines for marine, locomotive and power generating equipment. This massive machine, although of a completely new design, retains the well-proven features of the Landis orbital range of machines currently being supplied to automotive and truck powertrain manufacturers. Like the traditional Landis orbital range of machines, the new machine range features a cast iron bed structure, linear guideways for the Z-axis and patented captive hydrostatic ways for the orbiting X-axis, both driven by proven linear motor technology. Two crank heads contain hydrostatic bearings and direct drive servo motors. The right hand crank head acts as a footstock and includes an axial load cell with digital readout to allow operator adjustments. The left hand crank head can be moved under servo power to suit differing length crankshafts. The grinding wheelhead supports the grinding wheel spindle, again, with hydrostatic bearings and direct drive servo motor generating up to 60 KW of power. A precision two axis CNC Truform wheel dresser is mounted directly behind the grinding wheel on the grinding wheelhead. The dresser also uses linear motor technology for both axes and can be equipped with either a rotating diamond disc or blade dressing tool. Huge two jaw servo controlled workrests support the crankshaft on axis and provide precise follow-up as the grinding process takes place.