Precision profile grinding machine has linear motor drives and adjustable hydrostatic slideway technology to generate new orders of flatness and straightness within 0.3 micron over 300mm.

Developed to provide a compact, self-contained production or toolroom grinding process as an alternative to creep feed systems, optical profile grinding machines or even wire EDM, the Okamoto UPG 31Li Ultra Precision profile grinding machine incorporates linear motor drives and adjustable hydrostatic slideway technology. Unlike creep feed methods, the process is able to generate new orders of flatness and straightness within 0.3 micron over 300mm even when grinding a profile out of solid material by utilising a rapid reciprocating table movement. Now available from 600 Centre of Shepshed, Loughborough, UK, the compact Okamoto UPG 31Li is able to ensure component geometry, surface finish and very competitive process times on smaller components up to 30mm by 25mm such as carbide inserts for punches, high precision slots used in the connector industry, and parts requiring face contouring or edge profiling features to be ground.

The process enables components to be progressively ground by rapidly reciprocating the machine table at up to 650 passes per min as a viable alternative to more traditional creep feed methods that use high wheel speed and a slow progressive feed rate.

One major advantage of the new Okamoto method against creep feed is that it does not require the added machine complexity involving high pressure coolant and special dressing systems.

Controlled by Fanuc 31i Model A, the machine uses high speed linear drives to provide the rapid acceleration/deceleration to power the high speed reciprocation of the table.

The table is supported on dual hydrostatic slideways that are adjusted automatically to maintain a constant oil thickness to create a stable and consistent bearing condition.

This configuration of the table overcomes any forces input by the linear drive and removes any tendency for table lift or pull-down during the grinding process.

It also eliminates any effects of thermal growth that could otherwise be influenced by the rapid table movement and the linear drive system.

Positioning is via linear scale measurement.

The 2.2kW, 20,000 rev/min wheelhead is able to tilt +/-5 deg and is available with programmable dressing.

Both carbide disc and pre-formed diamond wheels can be used.

Rapid traverse rates are 1000mm/min and feed rates programmable between 1mm/min and 1000 mm/min.

The machine has a longitudinal travel of 280mm and cross travel of 170mm with a magnetic chuck of 170mm by 105mm.

Daylight between wheel and table top is a maximum of 400mm.