Okamoto will be showcasing a number of new grinding machines at EMO Hannover 2023, taking place 18-23 September (Hall 11, Stand E65). They are available in the UK from DF Precision Machinery Ltd, Lutterworth.

First up is the new IGM15NCIII-2B twin-spindle boxer-type internal grinder which features independently moving wheel spindles for different-sized grinding wheels. This allows for multiple external and internal grinding operations with more flexibility and capacity, at the same time. It can swing up to dia 260mm inside the chuck cover with a grinding length of around 125mm. A wide selection of wheel spindles is also offered with speeds ranging from 6,000 to 60,000rev/min; they are mounted in high-rigidity quick-change dovetail housings and driven by Fanuc high-torque 2.2kW AC motors.

To further enhance the flexibility and capacity of the machine, the design also features a swing-down dressing arm, a two-axis manual pulse generator handwheel with 0.1µm increment, and joystick control of the rapid feed of both axes. To ensure maximum efficiency, the IGM15NCIII-2B is equipped with a coolant supply through the workhead and a programmable coolant flow to each wheel spindle and the dressing station.

The machine construction features a highly-rigid large-section bed structure with fully supported linear guide slideways for added stability. AC servo motors are directly coupled to the ball screws for spindle and work-head in-feed and for high -accuracy wheel positioning.

Like the other machines in the IGM-15NCIII Series, the new machine uses the latest Fanuc 0i control with touch screen interface and with Fanuc drives on all axes. Using the Okamoto Grinding Data Automatic Setting Function, with data input via the touch screen operator user interface, complex workpieces featuring internal bores, tapered bores, external diameters, and shoulder faces can be easily and efficiently ground in one continuous cycle. With the help of the expanded standard Fanuc keyboard, ISO G Code dress or grind programmes can also be set.

The Okamoto Grinding Data Automatic Setting Function automatically sets the most suitable grinding parameters, after the wheel grain size and wheel width are input. The combination of the Okamoto Grinding Data Automatic Setting Function, an easy-to-use touch screen control, and a precise and robust mechanical design, ensure the highest accuracy and efficiency.

European launch
EMO will also play host to the European launch of the new addition to the ACC-CAiQ surface and profile grinding machine range. The ACC-CAiQ with sizes from 600 x 400 up to 1,000 x 600 has been extended with three new larger heavy duty sizes, the PSG-126CAiQ with a size of 1,200 x 600, the PSG-127CAiQ with a size of 1,200 x 700, and the PSG-157CAiQ with a size of 1,500 x 700.

The new larger models benefit from an extremely robust heavy duty main machine casting with a new moving column design that features a high-level column cross slide that further increases the rigidity and strength of the machine. Starting with the 1.2m size, these larger machines are also delivered with a heavy duty wheel head together with a 15kW spindle motor and a 510mm dia grinding wheel. Despite having a longer table stroke, the cycle time is reduced thanks to a ball-screw table drive with 40m/min feed rate.

All CAiQ Series machines benefit from an extremely rigid main casting with fully supported slide ways to guarantee the highest stability and accuracy. A double V hand-scraped table slideway ensure that the lubrication oil is perfectly distributed to ensure a flat surface and straight table movement.

The touchscreen Fanuc control, that has proven so popular with existing users of the CAiQ Series, has been further developed and made even quicker and easier to set both in production and in toolroom environments. The new Fanuc control offers an even faster response, with a larger high-definition touchscreen with sharper graphics. The Okamoto graphical touch screen user interface featured on the iQ range of surface grinders is undoubtedly the best control on the market.

Graphical representation of common user-friendly grind patterns and wheel shapes are quickly set up directly on the touchscreen view panel with the help of the iQ function which can automatically set the optimal grinding conditions, simply by entering the grinding wheel mesh/grid size.

Until now complex tasks in precision grinding depended very much on the experience of a skilled operator. The development of the Okamoto iQ touchscreen control and its easy-to-use software, coupled with the inherent mechanical accuracy of the column moving design, allows even unskilled operators to use the machine with maximum efficiency and precision.

Ergonomic design
The attractive two-tone colour and ergonomic design of the fully enclosed table cover, with interlocked sliding door, allows modern large-volume high-pressure coolant systems to be used, to increase productivity while keeping the workshop environment clean.

Completing the line-up will be the OA1 series, now supplied with a new control and featuring the Quick Touch measuring system option. Okamoto will be demonstrating the ACC-63SA1 surface grinder with the semi-automatic Quick Touch Measuring option, that allows workpiece measuring directly on the grinding machine. The measuring probe is quickly brought into operation with the touch of a button and is then used to automatically probe the workpiece height.

The SA1 Series is available in six sizes, 500 x 200, 600 x 300, 600 x 400, 600 x 500, 800 x 400, and 1,000 x 500. The new control has an easy-to-use colour touchscreen which enables advanced surface grinding with automatic wheel dressing. It provides a fully automatic grinding operation for standard surface grinding or shift plunge surface grinding for even higher productivity. The grinding method is selected via easily found touch buttons on the main panel. Feed-rates and feed change points can be quickly set and easily adjusted at any time via the touch screen. Table parking and wheel head retract at cycle finish are standard features to make the load/unload process faster.

Coupled with the touchscreen control are 0.1µm AC Servo Motor driven ballscrews in both axes with two-axis digital readout as standard. The grinding wheel is directly driven via an elastic coupling between motor and shaft that offers the best power, precision, and surface finish. Wheel speed inverter and wheel dressing from the table mounted diamond are standard.

The ACC-SA1 series features a robust rigid cast iron construction with high static and dynamic stiffness and excellent dampening characteristics. The hydraulically driven table features double V slideways with minimal overhang and non-contact switches for table reversal. All slideways have automatic lubrication.