Automated power tool grinder helps keep prices in check

Citation

(2008), "Automated power tool grinder helps keep prices in check", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780eab.011

Automated power tool grinder helps keep prices in check

Article Type: Aerospace technology From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 5

Samwell Tooling has doubled its complement of Walter Helitronic Power CMC five-axis tool grinders (Figure 1) with the arrival of a second model at the company’s Poole facility supplied by Korber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth, UK.

Installed only a few months ago the machine - which has an automated Loader that accommodates up to 280 tools - is already proving instrumental in keeping prices down and helping the company to retain a healthy order book, according to Managing Director Ian Wellman.

Figure 1 The Walter Helitronic Power tool grinder enables Samwell Tooling to retain a healthy order book

With its core business in the sub-contract supply and service of what Ian describes as “specialised cutters” for industries such as aerospace and medical, the eight-employee company last year reached maximum capacity from its existing Walter Helitronic Power.

“The machine had performed well over the past seven years, so when it came to specifying extra capacity we had no hesitation in returning to Walter,” he says.

“However, in an increasingly tough marketplace we appreciate the need to keep our prices down, a factor we are convinced will keep us busy. We wanted to do this through the adoption of new technology and take a step towards greater automation by exploring the possibility of lights-out machining.”

Although some batches at Samwell Tooling are as high as 100, average batch size is five-off and one-offs are also frequent. This put certain constraints on the search for a new machine, although fortunately for Samwell, the flexible nature of the innovatively engineered Walter Loader allows users to process both large and small batches.

“The Loader handles tools up to 220 mm long and between 3 mm and 32 mm diameter, and its combination with the Helitronic Power has given us genuine competitive advantage,” says Ian. “I can’t think of many, if any, local competitors that can boast technology such as this.”

The Walter Helitronic Power has undergone several improvements since Samwell Tooling had its previous machine installed in 2001. The “Production Package” offers 24 kW of power, glass scales and high-speed workhead plus rapid traverse rates of 15 m/min in all linear axes plus 1,207 s on the rotational axes, the on-board wheel dresser allows Samwell to manufacture a wider scope of tooling.

Ian also points out that a number of software advances bring both enhanced ease-of-use and greater functionality.

Tools being manufactured on the new machine are mainly rotary solid carbide cutters, along with a small selection of flat tooling. The Helitronic Power also helps Samwell fulfil its extensive regrinding order book.

“The extra capacity we now have ensures there will be no slippage in the high standards of customer service and on-time delivery that our customers have come to expect over the past 25 years,” he concludes.

“And the use of the Loader ensures we can also remain ultra cost competitive and help secure repeat business and new contracts moving forward.”

For further details please contact: Korber Schleifring UK, Tel.: +44 (0)1926 485047, E-mail: neil.whittingham@walter-machines.de, web site: www.walter-machines.com