Walter Ewag plans workshops and demonstrations at Open House

Laser Contour Check

As well as showcasing two new-to-the-UK Walter Helitronic tool grinders — the Helitronic Mini Plus and the Helitronic G 200 (reported recently in Machinery Market here), Warwick-based Walter Ewag UK’s Open House, taking place from 27-29 June, will also host daily series of workshops and demonstrations of some of Walter’s money-saving and user-friendly technologies for fast and effective tool production and regrinding, as well as inspection.

The three-day event is taking place at the company’s headquarters, St Georges Business Park, Lower Cape, and will highlight the rewards of integrated measuring, benefits of non-contact laser contour checking, use of remote service, and how the powerful yet easy-to-use Helitronic Tool Studio software can simplify and speed up grinding/erosion times.

Walter heralded a step change in the fully automatic measurement and digitalisation of tools when it launched the Walter 3-D laser sensor which enables the Walter Helicheck Pro and Plus tool measurement machines to scan with four-times the resolution than previously possible and to process that data four-times faster than before.

Ideal for inspecting high-performance tools where cutting edge geometry, pitch and spiral pitch vary widely, the 3-D sensor can replace two separate machines traditionally used for measuring such tools — perhaps a combination of conventional and laser checking.

Easily and quickly programmed using wizard routines, with resulting short set-up times, the 3-D sensor effectively ‘visualises’ the workpiece as a point cloud (in differing formats) and enables various measurements to be undertaken on the three-dimensional image.

Pictured left: Tool eroding with Tool Studio

When the resulting image is ‘placed’ on the tool’s three-dimensional design drawings, or a master part, any deviations can be clearly seen (via the integrated 3-D viewer) as three-dimensional comparisons of point cloud and target model, including surface reconstruction.

Visitors to the Open House will also be able to see Walter’s non-contact Laser Contour Check in action. This innovation ensures high-precision and fast in-process measurement of tool parameters in Walter tool grinding and eroding machines.

Using blue laser technology in conjunction with an intelligent measuring system to accurately and efficiently measure various features on cylindrical tools from 1-52mm diameter, any deviations are compensated for directly during the machining process.

Laser Contour Check’s analogue laser beam measures a tool’s entire contour rather than measuring at specific points, as with tactile or digital methods. Laser technology also avoids possible damage to the tool’s cutting edges as well as measuring errors that could occur due to probe tip wear during tactile measuring routines.

The measuring system — which is an option for Walter’s extensive range of tool grinding and eroding machines — is integrated directly into the machine’s working area and moves into position when required.

Based on secure Internet connection, Remote Service enables machine users to post service requests for direct assistance at any time. Offering fast and secure analysis, troubleshooting and de-bugging by service experts, Remote Service includes appropriate file transfers, as well as text, video and voice chat — and even a whiteboard for exchanging technical information and where customer care technicians can provide graphic support for work steps and draw suggested remedial steps directly onto any photos provided by the machine operator.

Pictured right: Integrated measuring

Remote Service is part of the revolutionary CORE (Customer Oriented REvolution) hardware and software architecture developed by United Grinding. Designed to embrace the digital age, CORE has intuitive functionality that facilitates machine set-up, operation, networking and maintenance.

Visitors will also be able to witness Walter’s Helitronic Tool Studio software which, with integrated wizard technology, has an established reputation in simplifying and speeding up grinding/erosion times by providing powerful yet easy-to-use routines for “what you see, you can grind” fast tool production simulation, parameter changes and operation.

The software also features functionality for the design and programming of complex tool geometries, including individual tooth geometries and tool parameter scaling, as well as fast 3-D live simulation routines and, for example, for cut-off operations — compensating for worn wheels, probing and alignment of asymmetrical flats — functionality to define probing points/probe the exact position for perfect alignment, and automatic collision control.

In addition, options include: in-process wheel measurement inside the machine; core compensation for drills — core parameter and tolerance band; automatic machine axis referencing — using setting disc with electrical isolator; and thread milling cutters — diameter/flank grinding and OD grinding.

The Open House demonstrations will highlight the hard rewards from all of these software aids, while two cost-effective Walter Helitronic tool grinders will also be on show.

The Helitronic Mini Plus and the Helitronic G 200 represent the most affordable — yet very capable and highly accurate — models in the comprehensive range of tool and insert grinding, erosion and laser machines available from Walter Ewag UK. Both machines are designed for processing tools up to 125mm dia and both can utilise optional technology to capitalise on the rewards of increased automation.

To register to attend the Open House, please contact Phil Morris, sales director and general manager on 01926 485047/07714 826832.