Fast process for grinding.

Although the Prokos profile grinder from Blohm Maschinenbau GmbH (available in the U.S. through United Grinding; www.grinding.com; Miamisburg, OH) is not specifically targeted for the auto industry (through bearings is one application area), given the capabilities of this new machine--which the company claims is the first of its type--it ought to be considered for possible application. That's because it uses linear drives for both linear and rotary axes. The linear drives are said to make the machine 30% more productive than with standard drives and reduce wheel consumption by more than 20%.

One particularly interesting capability is called "speed stroke" grinding. In this process, the wheel takes small cuts. Quickly. As in the X-axis federate is 120,000 mm/min, and the Z-axis feed is 50,000 mm/min. Speed stroke grinding keeps the heat out of the part, which allows materials like titanium to be ground.

The Prokos can handle workpieces measuring 300 x 300 x 300 mm. The wheelhead vertical travel is 400 mm, and cross travel is 900 mm. There is a 30-kW spindle drive that provides up to 120,000 rpm for the 300mm OD grinding wheel. An optional tool changing system allows the machine to completely machine a part, including grinding, milling and drilling.

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