Look Ahead: A grinding machine designed for sintered ceramics
Most manufacturers finish their sintered ceramic parts with grinding equipment designed for metals. Tratech Corp., however, has introduced what it says is the first commercially available CNC grinding machine designed specifically for the demanding needs of machining fully sintered ceramics.
An increasing number of parts for multiple industries are being made of strong, heat-resistant, lightweight ceramics. This increase is because the craft of sintering ceramic materials has improved in recent years, allowing parts of appropriate density to be made more cheaply and easily than ever.
Most manufacturers finish their sintered ceramic parts with grinding equipment designed for metals. Tratech Corp., however, has introduced what it says is the first commercially available CNC grinding machine designed specifically for the demanding needs of machining fully sintered ceramics.
Tratech says its Advanced Grinding System (AGS) features an ultrahigh accuracy, 42,000-rpm, through-coolant spindle capable of material-removal rates of 0.06 in.3/min. (1.52 mm3/min.).
The AGS 3-axis CNC machine is designed for grinding fully sintered ceramic parts. Image courtesy of Tratech.
Review the print ads from this magazine to continue
This quick advertiser review unlocks the rest of the article and keeps the full-screen reader focused on the ads instead of the page chrome.
Advertisers included in this article experience
Print placements connected to this article
Gc GibbsCAM®
MACHINIST’S
SAFETY GLASSES. Change your shop’s view of complex jobs. If you’re looking for a powerful CAM software that makes complex jobs seem like a day at the beach, GibbsCAM is YOUR CAM software solution. Solid 2-5 Axis High-Speed Multi-Task Swiss Tombstone Turning Mill/Turn Wire-EDM Modeling Milling Machining Machining Machining Machining.
MACHINIST’S SAFETY GLASSES. Change your shop’s view of complex jobs. If you’re looking for a powerful CAM software that makes complex jobs seem like a day at the beach, GibbsCAM is YOUR CAM software solution. Gc GibbsCAM® 800-654-9399 www.GibbsCAM.com www.3dsystems.com Solid 2-5 Axis High-Speed Multi-Task Swiss Tombstone
Visit Gc GibbsCAM® View this placement in the issue recordPrint ads from this magazine
SAFETY GLASSES. Change your shop’s view of complex jobs. If you’re looking for a powerful CAM software that makes complex jobs seem like a day at the beach, GibbsCAM is YOUR CAM software solution. Solid 2-5 Axis High-Speed Multi-Task Swiss Tombstone Turning Mill/Turn Wire-EDM Modeling Milling Machining Machining Machining Machining.
MACHINIST’S SAFETY GLASSES. Change your shop’s view of complex jobs. If you’re looking for a powerful CAM software that makes complex jobs seem like a day at the beach, GibbsCAM is YOUR CAM software solution. Gc GibbsCAM® 800-654-9399 www.GibbsCAM.com www.3dsystems.com Solid 2-5 Axis High-Speed Multi-Task Swiss Tombstone
Continue reading
May 2017
The machine has a 500mm (19.68″) × 500mm × 500mm work envelope. A stationary machine bed utilizes an XYZ gantry design to protect the motion control components from abrasive ceramic particles. The bed and motion components are isolated from the machine frame to mitigate environmental impacts on the machining process.
The AGS also features several patent-pending technologies, such as an intelligent process-force-detection system, which automatically stops the grinding process and lifts the wheel out of the workpiece when overload and wheel-failure conditions are detected. In addition, a 16-tool automatic toolchanger features an on-the-fly tool tray system that keeps 256 tools in process storage. Tools and trays can easily be swapped and loaded without interrupting the machining process.
The AGS is capable of grinding very delicate parts that would be unthinkable to grind with any conventional machining process, said Tratech’s head of business development and marketing, Nicole Travert. She said the AGS can produce a 1mm-wide (0.039″) wall with a 1:10 width-to-height ratio without any microfractures or surface damage, “leaving a perfectly sharp edge.”
For more information about Tratech Corp., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., visit www.tratechcorp.com or call (844) 408-9252.
Glossary terms in this article
Related
MFGAxis Discussion
Be part of the shop-floor conversation
Like, save, or comment on this CTE story.
MFGAxis Discussion