The rise of grinding machines

The grinding machine market is expected to keep growing in the future. New innovations and machines from global players of the sector are in demand and firms try to fulfill these calls by constantly updating their product portfolio.

The global grinding machinery market is forecasted to reach 5.43 billion dollars by 2021 and grow at a CAGR of close to 4% during 2017-2021 according to a report by Technavio, one of the leading market research companies. The most dominating regions in terms of consumption of grinding machinery include Americas, Europe and more recently APAC with the rise of industrial growth across diverse manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding. Some of the leaders in the global grinding machinery market include Amada Machine Tools, ANCA and Junker.

Amada in the market

Amada Machine Tools recently exhibited grinders at EMO Hannover 2017 i.e. the optical precision profile grinder – GLS-150GL and the high precision forming grinder – MEISTER-G3. The optical precision profile grinder offers a high accuracy wheel and elevation table. The 155 mm wheelhead stroke and 400 min-1 high speed reciprocation (limited stroke) has the capacity to handle a wide variety of workpieces.

This is enhanced with a wide array of accessories and a large capacity wet grinding splash guard system. It also comprises a standard high power spindle (6000 min-1) that is compatible with large diameter grinding wheels and allows the installation of TC-20 (20000 min-1) depending on workpieces to be ground. The machine’s ‘center-of-gravity bed design’ optimizes the layout of jack bolts and ribs and eliminates deflection in the center area and increases static accuracy. The high precision forming grinder – MEISTER-G3 provides high speed table reciprocation.

Amada Machine Tools’ proprietary positioning scale and hydraulic servo system can achieve 250 min-1 high speed reciprocation and significantly increase grinding efficiency. The machine also offers optical linear scale for high accuracy positioning. The vertical axis is accurately positioned by fully closed feedback using a linear scale of 0.05 μm resolution (optional for MEISTER-V3). Lastly, the installed heat-insulating cover can cope with thermal symmetry structure and environmental change and assure work safety.