Switzerland-based
Studer, a manufacturer of high-quality cylindrical grinding machines, has further developed its entry-level favoritCNC universal cylindrical grinding machine range, which represents the culmination of years of grinding and mechanical engineering experience. The result is modern grinding technology with high precision and simple operation at a cost-efficient price.
Studer’s CEO Sandro Bottazzo said: “With numerous new features, optimisations, and automation capabilities, the favoritCNC is a future-oriented, economical solution for the external and internal cylindrical grinding of small- to medium-size workpieces in individual and series production. It is ideal for both high-quality contract manufacturing and in-house production.”
The latest generation of the favoritCNC feature a modern Fanuc 0i-TFPCNC control (pictured below), software, and smart automation capabilities, and thanks to a new automatic operating door and loader interface, customers can automate their production themselves. Further optimisations have been made regarding its operation with a view to sustainability and efficiency, and in ergonomics for even easier and safer operation.
For example, user-friendliness is significantly increased by the simple grinding wheel changing aid and park position for the tailstock within the machine (optional). The new features also include the machine base with a larger distance between the X guideways for even greater wheelhead stability, a resource-saving belt spindle system, the digital display of the swivel angle on the manual B axis, and the optional ‘QuickSet’ function for exceptionally fast re-tooling.
Flexible application optionsWhen defining the equipment on the new favoritCNC, Studer focused on flexibility, which is particularly important for customers in the entry-level segment. There are two wheelhead variants to choose from — a fixed wheelhead (pictured below) for productive external grinding (manual positioning 0/15/30deg) or a universal wheelhead for external and internal grinding (grinding in one clamping, manual swivel 2.5deg Hirth coupling).
There are also numerous configuration options, such as a fixed or swiveling worktable, or options such as measuring and balancing systems, grinding detection, and longitudinal positioning. This means the machine can also be subsequently retrofitted for different grinding tasks and production conditions.
With the favoritCNC, customers benefit from an optimal interplay of hardware and software and Studer’s expertise as a quality manufacturer of innovative cylindrical grinding machines with a history stretching back 112 years. As a result, the machine contains high-quality components and modern and reliable grinding technology.
For example, the workhead, grinding spindles, guideways and drives, meet the high-performance standards of Studer’s premium segment. The machine bed made from the company's own Granitan® S103 mineral casting with its outstanding damping and thermal properties also ensures excellent surface quality on the favoritCNC.
Simple operation and smart softwareThe new favoritCNC is user-friendly with a 10.4in flat screen and an ergonomic manual control unit close to the grinding process. In addition, the internally developed and optimised StuderPictogramming and StuderGRIND grinding software provide modern digital solutions that allow even complex grinding processes to be set up and controlled intuitively.
On the new favoritCNC, it is now possible to grind non-circular forms and threads with Studer-Thread and StuderForm. Thanks to the machine’s digital capabilities, even employees with little knowledge of CNC grinding can quickly achieve high-quality results.
With the new conventional grinding mode, the machine is also capable of manual grinding. This allows users to efficiently produce high-quality ground workpieces without programming knowledge, making the switch from a conventional machine to a CNC particularly easy. Mr Bottazzo concluded: “As a result, the new favoritCNC is an optimal solution for a wide range of different grinding applications.”