Published 3/1/2016

Motion Meeting a Mega Success

The introduction of a sleek new super-efficient assembly line was just one of the highlights of this year’s conference focusing on United Grinding’s constant pursuit of machining excellence.

Russ Willcutt

Former Associate Editor, Production Machining

The company’s new Flow-Assembly line began production in October of 2015, shaving lead times by a matter of weeks by performing all functions—including measurement and test grinding—without leaving the production line.

Motion Meeting 2016, presented by United Grinding Group, took place February 19 at the Studer manufacturing and assembly facility in Thun, Switzerland. Members of the global trade press gathered with company representatives to attend the conference titled “The Flame of Passion,” and learn about the latest advances made by group members Studer, Schaudt and Mikrosa.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the visit was a tour of the company’s new Flow-Assembly production line, which went online in October of 2015. The U-shaped line carries machines through 16 different workstations, with everything from laser measurement to grinding test runs conducted without removing the unit from the line, at the end of which the machine is complete and ready to be shipped. On average, the Flow-Assembly line has shaved some three weeks off of lead times, allowing the company to be more nimble and responsive to customer demands and changing market conditions.

Developments included the new Studer S131—bracketed by the S121 and S141—radius grinding machine, which has been designed to replace the older CT750 and CT960 universal internal cylindrical grinders. Technical features of the series include the StuderGuide guide system, StuderSim software, high-precision axis drives with linear motors, a direct-drive grinding spindle turret, and automatic swiveling of the workpiece table. It was designed primarily for mold and die making and machining complex parts, especially high-speed steel, carbide and ceramic, with demanding ID and OD profiles.

The Schaudt ShaftGrind series was also in the spotlight, providing flexible grinding with up to four wheels. The ShaftGrind S can be equipped with two spindles, whereas the L2 can handle up to four, operating simultaneously and cutting cycle times in half. Mikrosa Kronos centerless grinding machines feature Multiwheel Transmission Shaft Technology, which enables synchronous machining of bearing positions and spline diameters in a single plunge.

View this slideshow for a glimpse of what my colleagues and I witnessed at the United Grinding Group’s Motion Meeting 2016.