As a manufacturer of high-precision grinding machine tools, Taiwan-based Jainnher has always been at the forefront of technology and is focused on providing a sustainable future for the manufacturing industry. One example of this is the fact that for nearly 10 years, the 11,000m² roof of the company’s manufacturing facility has been covered with solar panels generating 999kWp and helping Jainnher to produce its own ‘green’ electricity.

Kent-based RK International Machine Tools, a leading UK name in precision grinding solutions, has enjoyed a 30-plus year relationship with Jainnher in the supply and support of the latter’s grinding machines into the UK and Irish markets. As a result, RK International is proud to announce that the Jainnher JHPA-2003CNC plunge angular cylindrical grinding machine recently received a Silver Award for Substantial Achievements in Sustainable Energy Efficiency.

RK International’s general manager Simon Rood said: “With multiple Jainnher installations, both RK and our customer base are already aware of the reliability and potential of the Jainnher product range. Working towards a future ‘green’ supply chain for manufacturing and machine tools reinforces Jainnher’s position as a market leader.”

The prestigious award is part of the “Energy Saving Label in Machine Tool Industry” initiative, organised by the Taiwan Machine Tool and Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA) in collaboration with the TMTS 2024 exhibition.

The ‘Silver Energy Saving Label’ award marks a significant milestone in Jainnher’s commitment to sustainable energy usage, and RK International also believes that innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

The innovative fully enclosed Jainnher JHPA-2003CNC has a compact grinding footprint, is supplied with a Fanuc CNC control and features LEV (local exhaust ventilation). It also has a 200mm dia x 300mm component grinding capacity and can handle an 80kg workhead load. The machine also features a plunge-type feed approach with a 60deg angular wheel which allows for simultaneous grinding of OD and shoulders in the same grinding cycle. This dual functionality streamlines the process, saving time and enhancing efficiency and optimises material removal rates.

Optimal performance
Meanwhile, the JHPA-2003CNC's grinding wheel spindle incorporates grease-lubricated bearings, effectively minimising carbon emissions associated with external lubrication and cooling systems. During idle periods, the system can be seamlessly switched to an energy-saving standby mode, significantly reducing motor power consumption. Jainnher machines proudly adopt high-efficiency, energy-saving IE3 and IE4 motors, ensuring optimal performance while minimising energy usage.

The axial movement motors use a sophisticated servo system, minimising energy wastage and enhancing overall efficiency. The gap control system reduces energy consumption during the grinding process by minimising idle strokes, contributing to productivity and sustainability. Automatic in-process gauging devices ensure that workpiece dimensions meet stringent requirements, preventing material defects and reducing energy waste. The JHPA-2003CNC is also comes equipped with an advanced ‘Smart Energy Management System’, which allows real-time monitoring of energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The machine tool industry aims to develop and apply energy-saving and carbon-reducing technologies in response to climate change and the urgent need for sustainable practices. In 2022, a key initiative from the Taiwan Machine Tool and Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA) recognised the importance of environmental responsibility. It took proactive steps to promote sustainability within the industry.

Later that year, the TMBA completed the Handbook on Sustainable Operation of the Machine Tool Industry in Response to Carbon Reduction. TMTS 2024 then hosted the Green Machine Tool Energy Saving Label Assessment initiative which encourages machine tool and accessory builders to actively invest in the research and development of ‘green’ energy-saving technologies and applications.