New Blohm Profimat MC

The Blohm Profimat MC, a production profile grinding system from United Grinding Technologies, Inc. (UGT), for creepfeed applications, is a powerful traveling-column machine capable of multi-axis grinding in a tight space-saving 2,000 mm-wide footprint. Available with an integrated automatic toolchanger, the Profimat MC allows for added flexibility. The new Profimat MC's integrated automatic tool changer  can switch wheels in eight seconds using a swing arm configuration. Maximum tool dimensions are 300 mm x 60 mm x 76.2 mm, and changer capacity is  tools is 20 —10 for wheel diameters smaller than 190 mm, and six for wheel diameters up to 280 mm.  A reliable HSK-80 wheel flange system offers rigidity and precision needed for close tolerance parts with high surface finish requirements.  Tool options include vitrified CBN, plated CBN, conventional grinding wheels and various other metal cutting options. According to Larry Marchand, Aerospace Accounts Manager, the Profimat MC is increasingly the choice of manufacturers employing or implementing cellular or lean manufacturing. Access for machine maintenance is from the front and back, allowing the machines to be set virtually side by side, which facilitates swift production flow from machine to machine.  Also, side-by-side stacking permits a single operator to oversee several machines, while the low-profile table eliminates the need for platforms and aides ease of operator movement. 

Specifications  

The four MC models feature a grinding range/table clamping area of 700 mm x 400 mm to 1,000 mm x 600 mm Grinding wheel size is 400 mm x 100 mm x 127 mm (smaller for CBN). Optional wheel size is 500 x 220 x 127. The 60 kW variable speed main spindle achieves speeds up to 8,000 rpm, standard.  Maximum cutting speed of 170 m/sec is suitable for conventional CD or IPD as well as CBN grinding applications. Axes travels: X-axis travel is 700 mm (optional 1,000 mm) with a rapid traverse of 30 mm/min to 25,000 mm/min.  Y-axis travel is 550 mm with a rapid traverse of 4 mm/min to 3,750 mm/min.  Z-axis travel is 320 mm, 520 mm or 550 mm with a rapid traverse of 4 mm/min to 4,000 mm/min. 

Dressing

Dressing options include continuous path controlled from the machine table and wheelhead mounted diamond roll dressing for continuous dressing (CD) and
in-process dressing (IPD).  With IPD, wheel dressing is simultaneous with the grinding process, resulting in significant reductions in grinding time and a perfect grinding wheel topography over an increased grinding length. Fast initial dressing with specific roughing tools reduces cost due to reduced wear on precision diamond tools.  Additional features, such as Auto wheel balancing, compensating coolant spouts and HSK clamping spindles, are optionally available.  Flexible front table design allows different table configurations for varying specific solutions — a conventional fixed table or a two-station table with simultaneous loading/grinding for high volume production.  Double CNC indexer permits up to six-axis processing for complex, precision parts (i.e., turbine vanes or vane segments requiring angles, radial cuts and shoulders). An application-oriented spectrum of accessories with various dressing systems, NC-rotary table as well as several automatic tool changer systems transform this machine into a machining center with the possibility to carry out even drill and mill operations. 

Control

The GE Fanuc 18i is a robust and user-friendly CNC control.  The color flat screen is cleanly arranged for simplified programming with menu bars, softkeys and a Windows™ graphic user interface.  Setup is fully supported and aided by iconographics, and optional parallel operation permits programs to be entered and optimized during the grinding process.  Loop interrupt cycles allow intermediate measurement.  Other features include DNC capability and remote diagnostics via modem/phone line. A user-friendly Siemens 840 D CNC control is also available upon request. All Blohn surface, profile and creepfeed grinders are sold and support through United Grinding, in Miamisburg, OH.