At the recent EMO exhibition, the Germany-based sharpening specialist Vollmer presented its ground-breaking new VHybrid 360 grinding and erosion machine, which can be used to machine solid carbide or PCD cutting tools — including drills, milling cutters and reamers — in a single combined set-up.
Available in the UK from Nottingham-based Vollmer UK Ltd (
www.vollmer-group.com), this machine offers tool manufacturers reduced machining times, along with maximum precision and a wide range of automatic settings that enable unmanned production round the clock.
The VHybrid 360 is based on multi-layer machining, which is implemented through two vertically arranged spindles.
While the top spindle is reserved exclusively for grinding, the bottom spindle can be used for both grinding and eroding.
From the world of erosion, the key component is the VPulse EDM erosion generator, which is said to set new standards, when it comes to efficiency and surface quality.
From the world of grinding, the ultra-modern machine concept of the VGrind series ensures high-precision machining, with both spindles of the VHybrid 360 vertically arranged in the pivot point of the C axis. This guarantees high-profile accuracy and enables exact grinding and eroding processes.
In addition, tool machining times can be reduced by the shorter linear-axis travels that result from the unique spindle arrangement.
The VHybrid 360 can be used to produce different cutting-tool types that are used for machining processes in the wood, metal orcomposite material sectors.
It gives tool manufacturers the flexibility to perform fully fledged grinding and eroding processes on standard and special tools — regardless of whether the blanks are made of carbide, sintered PCD or brazed diamond tips.
The machine can be used for tools with diameters up to 50mm and lengths up to 360mm; depending on the configuration of the grinding wheels or rotary electrodes, larger diameters are also possible.
An optional steady rest ensures stability for long tools, and a new five-axis control guarantees precise execution of the grinding and eroding processes.