Star Cutter Company will unveil its newest generation tool grinder – the FLX – at IMTS 2024. The 5-axis grinder offers high-efficiency carbide tool manufacturing within a compact footprint.
The grinder has been designed with a focus on flexibility, enabling users to modify features to exactly match their grinding needs. For unattended machining, FLX features a broad range of automation capability, producing large numbers of parts continuously.
The machine flexibility includes an ergonomic design with adjustable features that allow personalized setup to ensure operator comfort. With a grind zone of up to 228mm in length and 20mm in diameter, the FLX accommodates a wide variety of tool sizes. This breadth of processing is supported by up to 15 wheel changing stations with wheels of up to 6” in diameter, as well by intuitive Flexium Pro CNC, the newest control platform from NUM, helping to streamline operations.
Additionally, the machine can be equipped with truly modular automation that makes field implementation easy, while providing for optimal part quantity and wheel changing. Using waterfall programming, FLX can produce up to 1105 tools (3-7mm diameters) before unloading.
FLX is designed to be precise and accurate in both controlled and uncontrolled climate conditions, giving it broad application across industry, even in harsh environments. It features reduced warmup time, elimination of redundant chiller systems, and 35mm linear carriages for durable machine movement and longevity.
The FLX has a footprint of 72” W x 55” D (94.5” D with the automation model), and a height of 73.3”. Machines weigh 7,000 lbs. (9,000 lbs. with automation). Other options include a bolt-on tooling rail with T-slot construction, runout minimizer, and a two-wheel changer (for non-automated machines).
In addition to the new FLX grinder, other Star Cutter products to be featured include:
TRU TECH T93X Centerless Grinder
Louis Belet Swiss Cutting Tools
Round Tools: solid carbide drills and reamers, deep hole drilling solutions, PCD and 3D printed tooling
Gear Cutting Tools: hobs, shapers, Scudding® and skiving cutters, and more
Carbide blanks and preforms
IMTS 2024 will be the first opportunity for users to see the FLX grinder. To set up an appointment in advance, email sales@starcutter.com
Related Glossary Terms
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- grinding
grinding
Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.
- polycrystalline diamond ( PCD)
polycrystalline diamond ( PCD)
Cutting tool material consisting of natural or synthetic diamond crystals bonded together under high pressure at elevated temperatures. PCD is available as a tip brazed to a carbide insert carrier. Used for machining nonferrous alloys and nonmetallic materials at high cutting speeds.
INDUSTRY NEWS
