The all-new series of three ANCA FX Linear machines, introduced at IMTS 2014, feature new motion and control technologies and are designed to provide higher levels of grinding accuracy and performance and less required maintenance in a smaller footprint. They utilize the new ANCA-design tubular shaft linear motors built into the ANCA FX Series grinders.
The FX Linear machine range covers a broad industry spectrum from light manufacturing, regrinding and full production. Its best performance and productivity range is for tools up to diameter 12 mm (1/2"). It offers grinding capabilities for tools up to diameter 200 mm. Maximum wheel diameter is 8". The FX series consists of three machine levels: FX3 Linear, FX5 Linear and FX7 Linear.
According to the company, the FX3 Linear is an entry-level machine that provides companies an affordable first step into CNC tool and cutter grinding. The space-saving range is designed for higher productivity, lower operating cost and greater tool and cutter quality. Further, a new generation of software offers greater power and ease of use.
"The FX machine range will be released with a new generation of software RN33 and uses a new generation of automation technology designed and developed by subsidiary ANCA Motion," said Grant Anderson, ANCA CEO/Director. "These new developments include the LinX linear motors as well the new Touch pad user interface, high performance CNC, remote pendant, AMD5x servo drives and IO box, all of which use the latest Ethercat communication technology."
The latest generation AMD5x control system supports machine operation. The new ANCA CNC Pad operator panel is a full touchscreen. This new design offers the benefits of Windows 8 functionality such as multi touch and zoom. The screen layout is intuitive and is configured to the machine options. A new hand-held pendant gives the operator improved access to the machine during set-up.
"ANCA Motion designed and built the ANCA LinX Linear motors for a lifetime of operation in the harsh grinding environment," said a company spokesperson. "Their design is fully sealed and impervious to the effects of grinding contamination."
In the FX series, LinX linear motors provide axis motion in the X and Y axes. The vertical Z-axis uses a preloaded ballscrew to move the grinding head. Coupled with linear scales, ANCA said the linear motors provide high levels of machine precision and performance, resulting in enhanced tool accuracy and surface finish. According to the company, the linear motors avoid issues with ballscrew wear, loss of preload or rigidity, permit smoother axis motion and eliminate backlash. The benefit to tool grinding is higher quality.
"LinX Linear motor's design naturally isolates any motor heating effects from the machine elements and allows the use of grinding coolant for temperature control, and thus does not require a separate dedicated coolant and chiller system," said the spokesperson. "There is no additional power consumption and no increase in ambient factory temperature.
"LinX with its linear scales provides exceptional accuracy and is impervious to effects of temperature variations. With no mechanical moving parts there is no loss of machine accuracy over time due to wear. Higher axis speed and acceleration allow reduced cycle times. LinX motors provide a rapid speed of 50 meters/min. No additional load is placed on machine axis guidance due to the magnetic attraction in the scales."
The FX machines offer large working envelopes. The grinding wheel is positioned on the C-axis centerline and, together with the compact design, helps reduce the effects of temperature influence on machine elements. This, coupled with the benefits of the polymer-concrete base, results in a thermally stable and rigid machine.
The FX5 Linear offers an automated two-wheel changer for increased range of available wheels and tool types. With optional automatic headstock clamping and a compact loader, it can provide unmanned operation.
The FX7 Linear is designed for manufacturing and resharpening. The 19 kW wheel spindle provides the high levels of speed and productivity needed to produce a wide range of tool types and geometries. The FX7 also has high performance servo drives for quicker machine movements and reduced cycle times. The FX7 offers an automatic headstock as standard and a range of options for high productivity, including a robot loader with capacity to load up to 840 tools, a 6-station wheel changer for auto loading of wheel packs and coolant manifolds, a compact loader and laser probe for in-process tool measurement.
For more information contact:
ANCA Inc.
31129 Century Drive
Wixom, MI 48393
248-926-4466
info@anca.com
www.anca.com