Aldridge-based jig and cylindrical-grinding specialist Kepston Ltd has purchased a second Hauser jig grinding machine — an H35 400 — as part of an on-going £3 million investment programme that includes machine tools, infrastructure and additional personnel.
The new Hauser sits alongside Kepston’s other Hauser jig grinder — a 13-year-old S35 — that has been key to the company’s success. Leicester-based Jones & Shipman Hardinge (
www.jonesshipman.com) supplied both machines; it is part of the international Hardinge Grinding Group, which supplies Hauser, Kellenberger and Usach machines in the UK, as well as its own J&S range.
Kepston serves a diverse range of industries including aerospace, Formula One, food packaging, petrochemical and high-end general engineering. Managing director Brent Millage says that buying the latest jig grinder is part of an on-going process.
“We set out to be the UK’s premier jig and cylindrical-grinding specialist and we believe that with our capabilities and equipment, we are up there with the best. The exceptional performance of our first Hauser made the latest investment an easy decision. The original machine has hardly missed a beat in 13 years, and it maintains 1µm surface finishes day in, day out.”
The Hauser H35 400 is a highly adaptable machine, accommodating simple bore and form grinding or rapidly adapting to become a fully automated high-tech grinding and hard-milling cell.
It features the latest Hauser jig grinding/hard-milling head, which provides a variety of grinding and milling strategies with its Z-, C- and U-axis configurations.
Furthermore, the 12-position fully programmable automatic tool changer allows automatic machining with grinding wheels from 3 to 50mm in diameter.
This will accommodate lengthy unmanned machining cycles — overnight if necessary. As well as its two Hauser machines, Kepston’s extensive grinding capacity also includes two Kellenberger KEL-Viva cylindrical grinders and three Jones & Shipman universal grinders.