The Nottingham-based tool-sharpening specialist Vollmer UK Ltd (www.vollmer-group.com) has launched its new VGrind 340S grinding machine, specially developed for producing and re-sharpening extremely small carbide tools with diameters from 0.3 to 12.7mm. 

The company says drills and milling cutters in this size range are in particularly high demand in the automotive, electronics, connector and medical-engineering sectors, where ‘assembly spaces’ and components are becoming ever smaller.

Furthermore, the automation options for the VGrind 340S allow tool manufacturers to use this new machine tool for round-the-clock unmanned production.

The VGrind 340S features two vertical spindles for different grinding-wheel sets and reduced non-productive times — and there are five CNC axes (linear and rotary) with interpolated movement.

Furthermore, the linear axes feature direct (linear) drives for the first time (unlike ballscrews, these are non-contact drives and are not subject to wear, increasing their service life, precision and longevity).

The VGrind 340S also features a steady rest to ensure optimum tool concentricity during grinding; a back rest is also available as an option for longer drilling tools.

Meanwhile, the proven and intuitive NumrotoPlus software provides a three-dimensional simulation of the tool production process, making it possible to carry out collision monitoring in advance.

The VGrind 340S features a replaceable dressing device that enables the grinding-wheel packages to achieve optimum concentricity and axial run-out.

An optional probe enables in-machine grinding-wheel calibration and offers the option of recalibrating the handling mechanism as often as required.

Furthermore, the wheel coolant nozzles can be replaced automatically, just like the wheel packages themselves.

Optional solutions for automation include the HP 160 pallet magazine and the HPR 250 free-arm robot, allowing the unattended machining of up to 900 tools with different shank diameters.