Drake Manufacturing Services Co. has introduced the GS:TE-LM 200 Linear Motor External Thread Grinding System. Although it can be tooled to produce a dual lead worm, the machine can also grind a range of precision threads, ball screws, steering components, gages and complex thread forms.

The machine can be equipped with a robot load pallet system with automatic changeover. The robot picks a part off the pallet and places it in the chuck. A probe detects the part and the wheel is positioned to grind the correct amount of stock from both sides of the worm.

Temperature-controlled machine components including linear motors, motorized rotary dresser and motorized 12kW grinding spindle provide process stability. The machine is also equipped with an in-spindle automatic balancer for longer spindle life and improved surface quality. Workhead index accuracy is less than 10 arc seconds.

Available on all Drake grinders, the GS:TE-LM 200 is equipped with Drake's SmartForm technology. Dressing software is available for true ZA, ZN, ZK and ZI worms, 60 degrees, Whitworth, ISO, Acme, Buttress, full radius, Gothic arch, and other thread forms. Customers can also upload their own thread forms using .dxf files.

The Fanuc CNC system stores grind, dress and load parameters for 120 parts. Operators simply load part parameter information into the Drake PartSmart menus, and the software does the rest. No programming experience is required.