Advances in sharpening, machine tools

The specialist in grinding and eroding machines has successfully further developed both technologies and services for its sharpening and machine tools in close communication with customers and partners. In Hall 1 at Stand 1003 VOLLMER showcases its current innovations, including the new grinding machine CHX 840 for machining tooth face and top of circular saw blades in a single clamping process.

The Swabian sharpening specialist also presents variants of the tool grinding machine VGrind 360, with which carbide tools can be manufactured, as well as the wire erosion machine VPulse 500 and the eroding machine QXD 250 for the machining of diamond tools.

At GrindTec, the international trade fair for grinding technology, VOLLMER presents the current sharpening machines as well as automation solutions for machining tools and circular saw blades at its 640 square metre Stand 1003 in Hall 1. From 14 to 17 March 2018 in Augsburg the portfolio of the machine builder will be complemented by services related to training, financing, maintenance and repair. As a global partner of tool production as well as sharpening services, VOLLMER is represented worldwide with its local service teams and provides maintenance and repair of the machines.

HW circular saws: Shortening the setup time VOLLMER débuts its new development for the machining of circular saws at GrindTec: The grinding machine CHX 840 sharpens carbide-tipped circular saw blades with a diameter up to 840 millimetres. Thanks to a double grinding wheel the machining of tooth face and top is effected in a single clamping process. This ensures a significant reduction in the setup time. In addition, the machine is adapted to the individual needs of the customer by different automation levels, thus ensuring further time savings. One option is the automatic setup procedure, which consists of saw insertion, diameter detection and acoustic sensor for touching. Automatic loading can be added, whereby an autonomy time of up to 7 hours is possible.

Carbide tools: Sharpening around the clock
Another technology highlight at the trade fair is the grinding machine VGrind 360, which VOLLMER designed for the development of carbide tools such as drills, milling cutters or reamers. The machine is available in two versions: One with two vertical spindles for grinding wheel packages, 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 seats for PCD plates (polycrystalline diamond). One of VOLLMER's latest solutions, the HC 4, is a compact machine that 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.

For the first time VOLLMER shows an optional roughing unit for the VGrind 360 in Augsburg. It enables the automatic opening of the abrasive coating, i.e. the removal of grinding residues on the diamond-tipped grinding wheel. This process helps maintain the sharpness of the grinding wheel for longer. It is now also possible to automatically change the grinding wheel sets as well as their coolant nozzles within the VGrind 360. Thanks to this option for both spindles tool manufacturers can reduce the setup times and use the VGrind 360 even more efficiently for production.

Diamond tools: Precise machining
VOLLMER's faithful QWD series is now making way for the new VPulse 500 wire erosion machine for the machining of PCD tools. With a new erosion generator and advanced technology, it can produce large batches of high-quality PCD tools. Modern machine kinematics ensure high profile accuracy in both production and maintenance. With the VPulse 500 operating concept, the touchscreen allows you to easily programme and control the tool for quick, error-free work.

The QXD 250 disc erosion machine can also be used to precisely 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 5 pallet circulation magazine, the erosion machine can be expanded by up to 28 workpiece positions. At the GrindTec trade fair, VOLLMER will also be presenting new software updates and available software options to increase process reliability, precision and flexibility.

Circular saws: Sharpening around the clock
In the area of circular saw machining, the trade fair visitors can obtain information from VOLLMER on another four innovative machines: The CC 355 production line enables circular saws for cutting wood to be fully sharpened – including all tooth faces, tooth tops and side angles – in a single working cycle. With the VOLLMER CHD 270, the entire grinding unit is robustly mounted on a central main structure, forming a compact assembly. This monoblock construction ensures that the machines are precise and run smoothly for the sharpening process of carbidetipped circular saw blades. Together with an ND 230 handling system and corresponding loading carriage for automatic loading, the machine is in operation around the clock for customers. VOLLMER presents the sharpening machines for the carbide-tipped circular saws CHP 840 and CHF 840 with a multifunction handwheel for intuitive machine operation.

VOLLMER subsidiary Loroch, which is based in Mörlenbach, will also be represented at GrindTec. At the VOLLMER Stand in Hall 1 Loroch presents its product portfolio of automatic saw blade sharpening machines – including the band saw sharpening machine CNBS 100 as well as the CNC-controlled sharpening machine PowerStar 850.

"GrindTec is the ideal platform for us to engage in dialogue with tool manufacturers and sharpening specialists and successfully further develop sharpening machines and services together in line with the trade fair motto 'Shaping Success Together'", states Dr. Stefan Brand, Managing Director of VOLLMER in Biberach.