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.

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.

 

 

Impressive productivity in a small space with the new Vector Quad and Vector Pendulum

Colchester, Essex, 26th July 2019. Curtis Machine Tools (‘CMT’) today announced the world
premieres of two revolutionary grinding machines at EMO Hannover; The Vector Quad and The
Vector Pendulum, which will bring the grinding of small parts into a new era of productivity. The
grinding machines are deemed to be ground-breaking because they have double the output
compared to that of a conventional grinder. The innovation which is simple in principle and
based on the doubling of work spindles (despite that the base area of the quad remains
unchanged from that of the Vector twin). Equally, the Pendulum is a compact grinding machine
with twice the capacity. Both machines are priced to make the productivity gains much more
attractive than purchasing two separate machines.
CMT is one of the leading European manufacturers of grinding machines for small,
high precision components, such as diesel injectors and turbocharger parts. The two new
innovations are suitable for use as either a single machine or can be integrated into a fully
automated production line with the facility for ancillary processes to be incorporated as required.
Michael Scarfe, Managing Director of Curtis Machine Tools commented “We see this innovation
as a revolution in grinding, as users actually get double the output, without having to pay twice
as much.”
The Vector Quad is equipped with four workpiece spindles and The Vector Pendulum with two
workpiece spindles. This increases productivity when grinding large volumes of small parts
(such as diesel injectors, turbochargers, hydraulic parts and cutting tools) to previously
unimaginable heights. At the same time, the spark-to-spark time is reduced because the loading
/ unloading of the parts occurs automatically and in parallel with the grinding process.
The concept of the Vector Quad is based on the proven Vector Twin. However, the new
machine has an indexing workhead with four spindles, enabling the outer diameters or contours
to be ground simultaneously on two workpieces using the same grinding wheel. Conventional
plunge grinding is equally possible as is peel grinding. The workpieces can have a maximum
diameter of 45 mm and be held in either collets or chucks. Whilst two parts are being ground,
either the standard loading system, or a robot, loads the two other spindles with the next two
workpieces. “This not only halves the process time when grinding large volume parts, but also
the spark-to-spark time drops to almost zero,” said Scarfe.

CMT will also be unveiling another world premiere at the EMO exhibition when it showcases the
Vector Pendulum. With this machine, the grinding wheel oscillates between two independent
workheads, each of which is can be set up for different operations on the same component.
With workhead inclination angles of up to 30°, the outer diameter and shoulder can be ground
for small parts up to 50 mm in diameter and 150 mm 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 wheels, without the cycle time sacrifice for dressing, giving a low
consumable cost, equally super abrasives can be used as the machine is capable of spindle
speeds in excess of 100 m/s.

About CMT Curtis Machine Tools Ltd

Engineered grinding solutions for high precision volume production.
Curtis Machine Tools Ltd. is part of the Douglas Curtis Machine Tool Group, which was founded in 1973
by Douglas and Richard Curtis in Colchester, Essex. Over the years, CMT has developed into a
specialist supplier of innovative grinding machines with integrated automation and process technology.
With the patented Vector grinding technology, engineered grinding solutions are on offer, which give the
customer a full turnkey solution from one supplier.

Check out our interview with MTD CNC Global from EMO 2019