CNC Archives – Curtis Machine Tools

What happened at CIMT 2021?

Laura Butcher — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:45:47 +0000

CIMT 2021

CIMT (China International Machine Tool Show) 2021 was a huge success for the machine tool industry. Unfortunately, colleagues from CMT and many international attendees were unable to attend, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Our representatives at Rieckermann attended the show to meet with potential customers and showcase the engineered grinding solutions CMT can provide, with our 45 years’ experience in the machine tools industry.
Some of our team at our headquarters in Essex, UK were available to take part in video calls to speak with potential clients. Rieckermann team members had some in depth discussions about what CMT can offer, the capabilities of our machines and the requirements of potential customers.

CMT and Rieckermann worked closely to ensure we could provide attendees with the best possible experience. We created a slideshow that was interactive on the stand for viewers. CMT also send out a number of different components that our VECTOR family of grinding machines would be able to manufacture. Employees at Rieckermann were also helpful with translating documents into Chinese, and printing copies ready for the show, see below for the link to our Chinese (simplified) Brochure.

Although our team was disappointed to not be able to attend CIMT, the use of technology made the event enjoyable. However, we hope that in the future we will be able to attend exhibitions in person to build a better relationship with potential customers. CMT were very impressed with the professional stand at CIMT and thank them for their hard work.

Photos from CIMT 2021

A variety of components were sent out to the show from the UK, these were displayed in glass cabinets to showcase the wide range of parts our VECTOR grinding machine can manufacture. As you can see, CMT are able to provide machines to grind automotive components such as turbocharger impellers and vanes, see above photos alongside other components our machines are capable of manufacturing. If you have any questions regarding these components, please contact us. Alternatively, you can visit our website for further information regarding our machine variants and services. We are happy to arrange a conference call with our team members in the UK or put you in touch with our representatives, depending on location, to discuss your grinding machine requirements.

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A long tradition in grinding

Laura Butcher — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 10:24:26 +0000

VECTOR Twin and Quad

Is a well-established British manufacturer of high precision grinding machines for small components. We supply bespoke engineered grinding solutions to manufacturers worldwide and have over 45 years’ experience within a variety of industries, such as automotive, cutting tools and defence.
Our Grind in a Box patented technology has proved to be a global success, based on this innovative concept, CMT have designed and manufactured the VECTOR family of grinding machines. The Engineering team at CMT are constantly developing new machining methods and applications that are precisely tailored to the needs of our customers and market conditions, in order to maximise the efficiency of production. The integration of additional processes such as:

Vision systems
Automation
Workpiece inspection
Deburr, wash and dry
Laser marking, packaging and much more.

These are designed, developed, and integrated into the VECTOR, providing a complete turn-key process. CMT offer limitless possibilities to engineer and implement the user-specific requirements. With hundreds of machines ranging from a standalone solution to fully automated production lines, CMT is one of the market leaders in this field and your partner when it comes to process orientated solutions.
Our machines are fitted with the latest technology, including Siemens control systems, and our engineers have a high level of understanding using both Fanuc and Staubli robotics.

All the VECTOR machine variants share the same grinding platform, with a long radial stroke and a short axial stroke, for single and multi-plunge operations or peel grinding of profiles. VECTOR machines have been designed to give maximum productivity and precision with an exceedingly small footprint, providing an excellent ROI.

VECTOR Twin

The VECTOR Twin incorporates an indexing twin-spindle workhead, allowing loading and secondary operations to be performed. This additional spindle allows loading and unloading to take place whilst grinding is in process on the other spindle, giving a spark-to-spark time approaching zero, making it ideal for cycle time optimised production.

VECTOR Quad

The VECTOR Quad is based on the proven VECTOR Twin, revolutionising production grinding. The Quad uses an innovative four-spindle workhead, enabling the outer diameters or contours to be ground simultaneously on two workpieces, using the same grinding wheel, doubling the output. The Quad has a maximum diameter of 45mm.

This article can also be seen in the April 2021 edition of Grinding and Surface Finishing magazine.

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Curtis Machine Tools at GrindTec

Laura Butcher — Sat, 22 Feb 2020 14:59:00 +0000

Following the successful launch of both the Vector Pendulum and Vector Quad at EMO Hannover in September 2019, Curtis Machine Tools, one of the leading European manufacturers of grinding machines for small high-precision components such as diesel injectors and turbocharger parts, will this year be exhibiting the following machines at GrindTec 2020.

The VECTOR Twin & Flat has been developed specifically for the production of single spigot VGT vanes. These both require a cylindrical and surface grinding operation. The machine is based on the already well established Vector Twin but has an additional surface grinding station, enabling the vanes to have secondary operation complete in parallel with the cylindrical grinding operation. Thus giving a component production time of under 13 seconds.

The VECTOR Pendulum operates on a truly unique principle. With this machine, the grinding wheel oscillates between two independent workheads, each of which can be set up for different operations on the same component. With workhead inclination angles of up to 30^o, the outer diameter and shoulder can be ground for small parts up to 50mm diameter and 150mm in length. During oscillation from one workhead to the other, the grinding wheel can be dressed, giving the ability for the use of conventional grit grinding wheel, without the cycle time sacrifice for dressing, giving a low consumable cost, equally super abrasive can be used as the machine is capable of spindle speeds in excess of 100 m/s.

All the Vector machines in the range share the same grinding platform. With a long radial stroke and a short axial stroke, for single and multi-plunge operations or peel grinding of profiles.
The grinding wheel guard houses the workpiece and rear dresser, incorporating a shutter for loading access, ensuring that the grinding fluid/debris is retained within the machine. A variety of work loading and driving solutions are available. The machine can be configured for straight or angled approach with optional in-process gauging. The machine functionality incorporates as standard 3-axis Cartesian robot and a transitional parts storage area. Parts can be buffered in pallets using drawers or transferred in and out using linear systems. Primary and secondary processes, such as pre- and post-gauging, orientation, deburring, washing etc are all possible additions.
The layout enables good integration possibilities into the wider manufacturing environment, whether using manual transfer of pallets or linked linear transfer systems.

Basic

The core machine, with conventional workholding and Cartesian robot workpiece handling. The Basic variant has a wide application range and the greatest potential for future re-tooling for new components or applications.

Concentric

A centreless grinding variant incorporating a steel control wheel, work rest blade and ‘concentric’ pressure roller. Typically use for secondary operations on parts having a cylindrical body.

Twin

The Vector Twin incorporates an indexing twin-spindle workhead, allowing loading and some secondary operations to be performed concurrently with the grinding process. This gives advantages when the grinding times are short and minimises the spark to spark time.

Quad

The Vector Quad is based on the proven Vector Twin. However, the Quad has an indexing workhead with four spindles. This enables the outer diameters or contours to be ground simultaneously on two workpieces using the same grinding wheel, doubling the output.

GFS

Grind from Solid, a bar fed system complete with cut-off enables parts to be ground from solid rod. Unloading can be by gravity or robot. This variant is advantageous when parts to be ground are less than 5m in diameter.

Polygon

The Polygon variant uses a special workhead with a programmable ‘B’ axis allowing simultaneous axis interpolations facilitating the generation of forms, either cylindrical off axis or to a defined geometric profile.

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