Warwick-based Walter Ewag UK Ltd (www.walter-machines.com) has announced that its two-in-one Helitronic tool grinder/erosion machine concept has been extended to process tools up to 420mm long with diameters of 3-315mm.

The Helitronic Vision Diamond 400L can grind and erode — in a single set-up — rotationally symmetrical precision tools such as end mills, reamers, step drills, shaped lathe tools, ball-nose tools and drills made from materials that include PCD, carbide, HSS, ceramic, cermet and CBN.

Walter’s grinding/erosion process also enables the machine to automatically switch betweenthe production of PCD tools and carbide tools in a single set-up. The 400L features a mineral cast base and portal construction.

Among the principal features is Walter’s Fine Pulse Technology eroding concept, which is said to improve surface quality, edge roughness and process reliability (it is the result of progressive improvements to the machine’s generator and its erosion software).

Also featured is an inexpensive belt-driven spindle for the automatic switching of eroding and grinding wheel sets, complementing the options of ‘dual and motor-spindle’ versions.

Electrodes and grinding wheels up to 254mm in diameter can be accommodated, and up to 24 electrodes and/or grinding wheel sets can be used with the assistance of wheel-changer options.

Various loader solutions are available for tool changing via a six-axis Fanuc robot. The machine is provided as standard with Walter’s Helitronic Wizard-enabled Tool Studio grinding software, which includes the option of an
erosion capability.