Expanded Universal Cylindrical Grinder Provides Fast, Precise Positioning

Kellenberger, a Hardinge brand, offers its Varia universal cylindrical grinding machine with an enlarged workspace that enables custom configurations incorporating processes such as internal, thread or out-of-round grinding. Hydrostatic guideways damp vibration and deliver smooth, accurate operation for high-precision grinding of tools, molds and other components in the automotive, electronics, aircraft and job shop sectors.

The Varia grinder provides distances between centers of either 39.4" or 63" (1,000 or 1,600 mm), and heights of centers of 7.8", 9.9" or 11.8" (200, 250 or 300 mm). The elongated machine table can handle workpieces weighing as much as 661 lbs (300 kg). According to the company, the longer table, greater distance between centers and longer axis travels provide room for optimal wheel positioning and greater flexibility for application-specific wheel configurations; a 125-mm-diameter internal grinding wheel; and expanded wheelhead variations. These include more than 30 combinations of external and internal spindles as well as universal wheelheads for single-setup OD, ID and face grinding; diagonal wheelheads for rough and finish grinding; and tandem wheelheads for straight and angular plunge grinding work.

The hydrostatic B axis is equipped with a direct drive, speeding wheelhead rotation to positions as precise as 1 arcsecond. Drives move the longitudinal and cross-slides at speeds ranging to 787 ipm (20 m/min.) at an axis resolution of 10 nm.

In addition to the Heidenhain GrindPlus640 controls with user-guided ISO programming, the Varia also offers graphical programming and collision monitoring. According to the company, the controls enable faster-working speeds at higher precision. Optionally, the machine can be equipped with the FANUC 31i, as in previous models.