The tool-grinding and erosion machine manufacturer Vollmer, which has a UK subsidiary in Nottingham (www.vollmer-group.com), has introduced a number of automation solutions for its Vgrind 360 tool-grinding machine — the successor to the Vgrind 160.

The Vgrind 360 features increased travel distances and can accommodate carbide tools up to 100mm in diameter; and with two vertical spindles, it can undertake multi-level machining for greater levels of productivity.

Moreover, this machine has been configured for automated tool production, using options that include pallet magazines, wheel-changing packages and free-arm robots for ‘round the clock’ unsupervised operation.

The optional wheel-changing facility accommodates up to eight grinding-wheel packages with wheels up to 150mm in diameter.

The wheel changer is located outside the work envelope in a clean environment, and the automated system can change a wheel and the respective coolant nozzles in just 9sec on either spindle.

Vollmer has also developed its HP160, HC4 and HPR250 automation packages.

The HP160 pallet magazine offers the quick supply of up to 272 workpieces; the HPR250 free-arm robot triples this capacity, while also accommodating different shaft diameters; and the HC4 chain magazine has space for up to 39 HSK-A63 workpieces or up to 158 shaft-type workpieces.

Furthermore, Industry 4.0 solutions from Vollmer “encompass everything from grinding and measuring through to automatic compensation and finish grinding”.

Vollmer works with NUM and its Numroto grinding and simulation software, which is integrated into the Vollmer V@dison vision digital networking software.