The new S41 CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine by Studer is characterized by outstanding technology and cost-effectiveness. The machine grinds with much higher precision, paired with a much greater metal removal rate. In addition the longitudinal and cross slide, as well as the swivel axis for the wheelhead are equipped with electric direct drives, which move to the working position much more quickly and precisely.
To launch the new S41, Studer installed a machine in the middle of the city to offer people of the area the possibility to discover this new product. From left to right, Mr Fred Gaegauf Managing Director of Studer, Mr Michael Horn, Chairmann of the board of Studer and member of the board of Schleifring Group and Mr Stephan Nell, chairman of the board of Schleifring Group (new functions since February 1, 2011) with the new S41.
Extremely rigid machine bed and maintenance-free guide system The outstanding features of the S41 include, for example, the more solid, more rigid and more thermally stable machine bed made of Granitan® S103. Thanks to its favorable thermal behavior, the machine bed largely equalizes brief variations in temperature – so that the machine operates with consistently high precision even with changing ambient temperatures. The guideways of both the longitudinal slide and the cross slide are moulded directly into the machine bed. To ensure that the high forces that occur during grinding with high metal removal rates are optimally absorbed into the machine bed, the guideways have a larger spacing.
The new StuderGuide® guideway system ensures high precision of the longitudinal and cross slides when both stationary and during movement. The StuderGuide® guideway system uses the advantages of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic guide systems and avoids the slip-stick effect or floating of the slide. Also contributing to the machine’s high precision is the fact that the solid gray cast iron longitudinal and cross slides rest completely on the guideways over the entire travel. With this maintenance-free guide system, Studer guarantees a straightness of < 0.003 millimeters over a measured length of 950 millimeters. The first test results even gave values of < 0.002 millimeters.
Electric direct drives increase speed and precision The longitudinal slide (Z-axis) has a ground work table which carries the workhead and tailstock as well as additional accessories and devices. A ground T-slot over the entire length of the guideway enables optimal positioning of dressing tools. The cross slide (X-axis) supports the wheelhead. Longitudinal and cross slides are moved by linear direct drives and, with up to 20 meters per second, achieve four times higher travel speeds and axis system resolutions of ten nanometers. This enables high-precision and highly efficient grinding, as well as making a huge contribution to reducing auxiliary times.
No longer a Hirth gear The swivel movement of the turret wheelhead (B-axis) is also by a direct drive. It swivels the turret wheelhead around three times faster and positions the new grinding wheels in a much shorter time with a positioning range of < 1". The positioning is therefore twice as precise as with the predecessor machine. The elimination of the Hirth gear, which fixed the wheelhead in position on the predecessor machines, also contributes to faster positioning. When swiveling in a new grinding wheel it is therefore no longer necessary to lift the turret wheelhead out of the Hirth gear first of all, and then to engage it again by lowering it. The time required for fine adjustment after engaging in the Hirth gear is also saved. The new concept therefore makes a considerable contribution to saving on auxiliary times - particularly when the workpiece grinding process requires frequent swiveling-in of different wheels.
Fritz Studer AG Thunstr. 15 CH-3612 Steffisburg Tel. +41 33 439 11 11 Fax +41 33 439 11 12 [email protected] www.studer.com
