Why turn when you can grind?

Why turn when you can grind?

The Weifuautocam Precision Machinery Corporation from Wuxi, China is using a Grindstar profile and cut-off machine from Junker for the production of adjusting screws for high-pressure hydraulic pumps. Weifuautocam, a part of the Weifu Group, began collaborating with Junker in 2000.

May 24, 2021

The Grindstar profile and cut-off machine.The Weifuautocam Precision Machinery Corporation from Wuxi, China is using a Grindstar profile and cut-off machine from Junker for the production of adjusting screws for high-pressure hydraulic pumps.

Weifuautocam, a part of the Weifu Group, began collaborating with Junker in 2000. Since then, Junker has worked on a variety of applications for the company from grinding turbine pumps to common rail pumps. Ding Yu, project manager at Weifuautocam, said the company continually searches for better and faster machines, and, during a visit to the EMO 2017 trade fair they learned about the Grindstar.

Profile and cut-off grinding machine

Weifuautocam uses the Grindstar for producing adjusting screws for high-pressure hydraulic pumps used in vehicles with turbochargers – one of the technologies that meets the latest national VI emissions standards.

From left to right: Ding Yu, project manager, and Ge Wei, production engineer both of Weifuautocam; and Sun Wenlai, area sales manager of Junker Shanghai Representative Office. Source: Junker"Our products can be found in injection nozzles for vehicle engines, high-pressure pumps and magnetic gearbox valves," said Ding Yu. "Our production always runs in three shifts per day. Quality and speed are our most important standards.

The machine uses two machining methods: profile grinding and cut-off grinding. The essential synergy effect is achieved by combining the two methods in a single clamping set-up. The Grindstar replaces several lathes, particularly in the context of mass production. The direct machining of bar stock, with a length of up to four meters, or six meters optionally, nounkert only increases efficiency, but also the surface quality of the workpiece.

"It was a decisive factor for us that the grinding wheel does not need to be dressed," said Ge Wei, production engineer at Weifuautocam. "Operating the machine is made simple thanks to minimal settings. The machine is also equipped with an in-process measuring system, which thanks to a stable quality, enabling us to achieve virtually unmanned operation."

Reliable service

After the EMO show, Weifuautocam opted for the Grindstar and became the first owner of this technology in China. "Grinding as opposed to turning is a sophisticated technology developed by Junker," said Ding Yu. "Investing in a well-developed technology has paid off for us, enabling us to start with production earlier and to position ourselves on the market. Throughout the longstanding collaboration between Weifu and Junker, we have been impressed by the Junker quality."

Grindstar can achieve the shortest machining times. This novel grinding process can be used with both CBN and diamond as an abrasive. Source: JunkerThe Junker Asia Service Center had already planned the commissioning thoroughly in advance of the arrival of the machines. A service technician was specially trained in the setup and carrying out initial machine tests. "After the arrival," said Ge Wei, "we realized that the room temperature of our workshop deviated from the required machine standard ambient temperature. The Junker engineer provided us with training and supported us in carrying out the relevant optimizations and improvements so that we were able to meet the conditions for normal machine operation."

For more information on Junker products, visit www.junker-group.com.

Glossary terms in this article

  • grinding wheel
    Wheel formed from abrasive material mixed in a suitable matrix. Takes a variety of shapes but falls into two basic categories: one that cuts on its periphery, as in reciprocating g…