Walter introduces its six-axis Helitronic Micro tool grinder which is available from Walter Machines of Honiley near Kenilworth has been specifically designed from the ground up to meet increasing production demands in the medical and electronics sectors for the production of micro tools of 0.1 mm to 12.7 mm diameter and the regrinding of tools from 2 mm to 12.7 mm diameter.

As an example of cycle times, a drill of 0.4 mm diameter and 2 mm long can be produced in 3 mins 20 secs, while a 0.4 mm diameter square end mill of 1.5 mm long can be ground in 4 mins 30 secs.

Featuring an HSK 40, 5 kW spindle and utilising Fanuc 310i CNC that incorporates Walter’s ‘what you see is what you grind’ Helitronic Tool Studio software, the machine’s double-ended grinding head (optionally three-spindle, with one 5 kW and two 1.5 kW drives) has integrated cooling that combines with linear drives and torque motor (with integral cooling) and a mineral cast base to help generate high precision, excellent surface finishes and longer wheel life.

An integrated Fanuc robot (double gripper) loading system also features, for fast – less than 10 secs - tool change, in conjunction with the four-pallet Pallet load system. This provides unmanned working of up to 300 tools per pallet – three pallets for unground tools; one pallet ‘empty’ for ground tools – of tools from 1 mm to 6.9 mm shank diameter and 120 mm long. Larger tools of 7 mm to 12.7 mm shank diameter and 120 mm long can be handled at 108 tools per pallet.

The Helitronic Micro has an X axis travel of 400 mm, a manual X axis of 110 mm to reduce grinding traverses, (available as a fully automatic axis as an option), and Y and Z axes both of 320 mm, while C axis is 200 deg.

The A axis workhead speed of 2,000 revs/min permits precise cylindrical grinding applications, such as when multi-step tools are being handled. And hydraulically-operated tool shank steady rest enables high-precision workpiece guiding, which is particularly appropriate when long workpieces such as drills are being processed.