The installation of a Walter Helitronic Basic five-axis tool grinder is enabling Gloucester-based Concept Grinding UK not only to bring in-house formerly out-sourced tool production and regrinding but also to reduce lead times, resulting in faster deliveries.
Supplied by Walter Ewag (
www.walter-machines.com), the Helitronic machine was chosen as a suitable entry-level grinder for the launch of this new division of Concept Tooling UK.
Director Jerry Ballinger says: “The success of our tooling company, which is an approved distributor for Arno UK, Dormer, Guhring, Kyocera, Lamina and Safety Cutting Tools, led to a steady flow of requests for small-batch bespoke and often complex tools, predominantly in carbide but also HSS.
“We used to sub-contract the manufacture of tools to companies all over the UK, but as volumes increased, we knew it would make more sense — especially from a
logistical point of view — to produce the carbide tools ourselves, so we set up Concept Grinding UK.”
With a customer base that extends across most of industry, including the aerospace and oil and gas sectors, Mr Ballinger knew that only a best-in-class grinder would suffice. The Helitronic Basic can process tools up to 320mm in diameter and 350mm long. It is supplied as standard with the Helitronic Tool Studio plus Walter Window Mode P1 and P3 grinding programs (for end mills and drills). Options include a coolant tank, a tool-loading system and automatic clamping.
“The Walter brand of tool grinders was the only one we found that could produce the four flutes required on a small ball-nose cutter, and we attracted new work as soon as our customers knew we were operating a Walter tool grinder.
“We don’t just take a drawing and produce a tool; we discuss tool designs with our clients and explore speeds and feeds — as well as depths of cut and different coatings — to suit the job in hand. The whole objective is to satisfy customers’ tooling needs at the right price and at the right time — every time.”