Virtually every industry depends on cylindrical parts with fine surface finishes, from crankshafts for minivans to landing gear components for the latest aircraft. To achieve these finishes at the speed of modern manufacturing, shops need access to cylindrical grinding equipment that can allow them to overcome part-production challenges and boost their competitiveness. And to maintain that success, shops require OEM partners who will accept feedback and incorporate it into the next generation of equipment.

UNITED GRINDING North America prides itself on providing this level of responsiveness, which is exemplified by the latest versions of the STUDER S31 and STUDER S33 universal cylindrical grinding machines. We listened to what your shops needed, and STUDER has incorporated those changes along with numerous other improvements, all to help manufacturers achieve better part quality, higher throughput and greater profitability.

For example, both the S31 and S33 now have an extended range of distances between centers – 400 mm and 1,600 mm, respectively – to complement the existing sizes of 650 mm and 1,000 mm. 650, 1,000 and 1,600 feature new integrated temperature-control systems to further improve the stability provided by the rigid Graintan^® machine base. But the machines also feature improvements specific to the needs of manufacturers using each model.

For example, the S31 now features an extended X-axis stroke of 370 mm (14.5") that allows for a variety of wheelhead variants that customers can configure to their exact needs, including the ability to choose between the turret wheelhead with an infinite B-axis or a B-axis with 1° Hirth coupling. And with STUDER Quick Set, grinding wheel set-up software, the machine changeover times are 90 percent faster. The S31 also allows manufacturers to grind different diameters and any taper with just one grinding wheel and without time-consuming intermediate wheel dressing.

Beside the extended X-axis stroke, likewise, the S33 includes several new features to further improve manufacturers’ cylindrical grinding productivity. It has a new wheelhead that can be equipped with a spindle motor for external grinding as well as a high-frequency spindle for internal grinding in different configurations. Its new B-axis design features an automatic 1-degree Hirth coupling with a swivel range of -30 degrees to +210 degrees for as many as two outer diameter (OD) grinding wheels and one inner diameter (ID) grinding spindle for complex tasks. The new spindle motor wheelhead swivels to positions of 0, 15 and 30 degrees, offering additional flexibility for straight and angular plunge grinding on one machine.

Today’s manufacturers rely on constant innovation to combat obstacles and remain competitive. The newest design changes to the STUDER S31 and STUDER S33 universal cylindrical grinding machines will enable them to be more precise when processing parts while enjoying greater flexibility and easier setups. For more information on the STUDER S31 and S33, contact your UNITED GRINDING representative.