Vollmer’s Andreas Weidenauer, the Business Development Manager for Tool Grinding, doing what he does best at recent trade show
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When it created a vertically positioned twin-spindle tool and cutter grinding machine concept back in 2014, Vollmer broke all the realms of convention with its VGrind. The reward for this bold and ingenious design was an extremely successful machine that after almost eight years of evolution, has become one of the industry’s best-selling machine tools.
Vollmer used the GrindingHub exhibition in Stuttgart as the platform to launch the new VGrind neon and argon packages, as well as the VGrind 260 machine, we hear from Andreas Weidenauer, the business development manager for tool grinding at Vollmer to find out more – particularly concerning the VGrind 260.
Like every machine tool manufacturer, Vollmer acknowledges that creating a continuous feedback loop with customers is essential for continued success. To expand market penetration of the VGrind, Vollmer’s industry feedback has led to the arrival of the neon, argon and VGrind 260 machines – solutions for cost-conscious machine shops with somewhat limited automation requirements.
“Looking at the three new machines,” Andreas says, “they are three packages. The VGrind concept has remained the same since 2014, but we have evolved the product with the introduction of things like different drives, different spindles, more power and different loading systems.
Andreas with one of the new VGrind models at GrindingHub 2022
“The VGrind 260 incorporates ball-screw drives whereas the existing VGrind 340S and 360S variants are linear drive machines, this lowers the cost barrier for small businesses and makes the technology more accessible for a diverse audience. We have to look at the VGrind 260 machine as a package. It was created as the foundation base for the neon and argon variants. The VGrind 260 is the configurable base model that can be tailored to meet the exact needs of the end-user whereas the neon and argon machines have restrictions on the available options.
“The limitations on factors like automation and grinding wheel changer in the neon and argon machines are reflected in their market entry point. What the VGrind 260 model allows customers to do, is review the various packages available and create a machine that suits both their needs and budget.
“If the customer has any requirements that do not fit within the parameters of the argon or neon packages, then we can offer the VGrind 260 which is the third of the new machines. This machine can be configured open and freely to the customers’ requirements. With this machine, you get everything with regard to flexibility. You can have an external or internal tool loader, the eight-station wheel changer, steady rest and everything else - you can configure every conceivable option that we have.”
Like any VGrind machine, the new 260 incorporates the two vertical spindles that pivot on the C-axis, the unfathomable Vollmer IoT gateway that gives customers entry to the world of Industry 4.0, the NUMROTOplus software with 3D tool simulation and of course, the polymer concrete foundation and proven kinematics that gives the VGrind series its industry-leading performance.
Customers can also select grinding spindles with direct- or belt-drives, wheel measuring probes for wear control, gripper compensation units for safe and precise loading and unloading, a sticking unit for opening the abrasive coating on grinding wheels, automated changing of the intermediate sleeves with a bayonet, a fully adjustable steady rest with automatic stroke and much more.
Essentially, the VGrind 260 provides every possible option for grinding tools with a maximum length and diameter up to 360mm and 200mm respectively.
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