Techni-Grind capitalises on Walter’s vision to improve productivity

Citation

(2009), "Techni-Grind capitalises on Walter’s vision to improve productivity", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781aab.007

Techni-Grind capitalises on Walter’s vision to improve productivity

Article Type: Aerospace Technology From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 1

Techni-Grind (Preston), a sub-contract supplier of precision tool regrinding services to the aerospace industry, has installed its fourth Walter high-specification CMC tool and cutter grinder (Figure 8) from Körber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth – and its new Helitronic Vision was complemented by a Walter Helicheck Basic tool measuring machine, ensuring that the company’s latest investment tranche will speed both regrind and inspection times.

Formed in 1990, Techni-Grind has enjoyed steady growth by providing a comprehensive regrinding service to the North West’s buoyant aerospace industry.

Figure 8 Techni-Grind uses Walter machine technology to realise its vision of improved productivity

The ISO9002-accredited company is an approved Tier One supplier to BAE Systems, whose site at nearby Salmesbury is visited daily by Techni-Grind to ensure a planned programme of regrinds is maintained. The company also services sites at Brough and Barrow-in-Furness as part of BAE’s Supplier Excellence Programme.

“We work in close partnership with our customers,” says Managing Director David Higham. “After all, if you have a £200 cutter and you want to maximise its regrind life, we liaise with our customers’ operators to ensure they understand the regrind process. Hence, we are able to generate maximum savings for our clients.”

Already operating a trio of Walter Helitronic Power CMC tool and cutter grinders, Techni-Grind recently wanted to extend both its capability and capacity to meet continued demand.

“Eight years ago we purchased our first CMC Walter Helitronic,” states David Higham. “At the time, the Power was clearly the most competent machine on the market and so we committed to the Walter brand. Our new Helitronic Vision is the fourth Walter machine on site and we have no regrets whatsoever.”

Capable of processing tools up to 320 mm diameter by 300 mm long (370 mm for peripheral grinding), the Helitronic Vision has travels in X-, Y- and Z-axes of 480, 320 and 700 mm, respectively. Rapid traverse rates are up to 50 m/min, and the machine boasts linear and radial resolutions of 0.0001 mm and 0.0001°, respectively.

The Vision has already been put to work by the company regrinding a range of HSS and carbide end mills, slot drills, form cutters, reamers and conventional flute drills – and it immediately produced benefits in terms of processing speed.

All of the Walter machines operate during standard working hours plus throughout a night shift four times a week. Typically, the 21-employee company processes cutters up to 65 mm diameter and up to 300 mm long.

“The aerospace industry demands continuity of quality,” states David. “The customer wants to be certain that when a cutter has a regrind it will be as good as new, time-after-time. The cutters are not checked by the customer, so they need to have faith in our processes.”

“This is one of the reasons why we purchased the Helicheck Basic, an entry-level tool inspection machine, which has replaced conventional shadowgraph and clocking techniques. The machine not only improves quality but also saves considerable inspection time.”

The Helicheck Basic offers 3C Direct View camera technology with cameras for back, front and top light illumination of tools measuring up to 320 mm diameter by 400 mm long. The back light provides magnification of 50x, front and top of 100x; and combined with the solid granite base plate for temperature resistance and high stability, the result is a repeatability of 1.5 μm and an absolute accuracy of ±2.2 μm at a measuring length of 10 mm (VDI/VDE 2617: E1 = 2.2 μm + L/300).

Techni-Grind says HSS cutters can typically withstand up to five regrinds, while carbide cutters can take three, although it is possible to hold tighter tolerances on the latter.

Demand is possibly set to increase again shortly as BAE’s Salmesbury prepares to introduce an additional machine shop facility potentially housing up to 60 CMC models.

“We are known for our quality service, competitive prices and on-time delivery,” says David Higham. “The industry is forever changing but through continual improvement via, for example, capital investment, we aim to be the number one choice for our customers, both now and in the future.”

The introduction of the latest Walter technology at Techni-Grind has also led the company to ponder tool manufacturing, something that traditionally represents only a small portion of current business.

“Although our expertise is in regrinding, with our new investments manufacturing is certainly a more viable option and we are currently exploring a potential joint venture with one customer,” says.

Details available from: Korber Schleifring UK, Tel.: +44 (0) 1926 485047, E-mail: neil.whittingham@walter-machines.de, web site: www.walter-machines.com