To increase efficiency and reduce costs, machine tool manufacturers are constantly developing new products for toolmakers and resharing shops. Automation is increasingly being emphasized as a means of increasing machine utilization and reducing labor costs.
Additionally, the software is being developed to enhance the capabilities of machines and enable them to schedule production in small lots and with short lead times. In this way, economic feasibility is ensured. In addition, the power of the machine has been increased. Thus, it can meet a wide range of requirements and expand the range of specifications for grinding tools. Three main aspects of the future development of CNC tool grinding machines have been identified.
1. Automated manufacturing: a tool manufacturing plant that produces new tools in large quantities, resulting in high efficiency. However, tool sharpeners do not have such conditions and can only solve the efficiency problem through the use of automation. To control costs, tool sharpeners do not require unmanned machine tools, but rather want one operator to supervise multiple machines at the same time.
2. A high degree of precision: Many manufacturers have made reducing operating time their primary goal, but others have put part quality at the forefront (such as manufacturers of high-precision tools and medical components). With improvements in grinding machine production technology, newly developed machines can ensure very tight tolerances and an exceptional finish.
3. It is now hoped that the more automated the degree of automation in grinding processing, the better. This is regardless of the size of the production batch, flexibility is the key to solving the problem. According to the Secretary General of the International Mold Association, Luo Baihui, a set of automated loading and unloading systems has been developed by the Association's Tooling Committee in recent years to achieve an unattended or minimally attended grinding process for tools and machining wheels. In his view, the growing importance of software is since the number of high-level workers who are capable of grinding complex tools by hand is declining.
Furthermore, hand-made tools have difficulty meeting the cutting speed and accuracy requirements of modern machine tools. When compared with CNC grinding, hand grinding reduces the quality and consistency of the cutting edge. The reason for this is that when grinding by hand, the tool is resting on the support piece. This is because the grinding wheel is spinning in the direction of the cutting edge, which causes burrs. CNC grinding, on the other hand, does not require a support plate, and the milling direction is away from the cutting edge, so no edge burrs are produced.
