Toyoda has announced the GU4x100, the first universal grinderever built by the Japanese manufacturer. Indexing of thewheelhead is effected manually in five degree increments using aHirth coupling and hydraulic clamping to ensure precise location.Either of two external grinding wheels for straight- orangle-approach may be deployed, or alternatively an internalgrinding spindle. The machine's introduction heralds furtheruniversal models, according to Mick Webster, European OperationsDirector, as well as the introduction of powered wheelheadrotation under CNC.

Toyoda is known worldwide for externalcylindrical grinders and in the UK has around 20 per cent of themarket (MTTA figures).

The company does not produce internalgrinders, so the appearance of this new model, available in twoversions with 1,000 mm or 1,500 mm between centres, representsthe first time that Toyoda has offered equipment for producingcomponents requiring internal as well as OD grinding.

Thespecification includes maximum internal and external grindingdiameters of 300 mm and 120 mm respectively, 320 mm swing overthe table and a wheel surface speed of 30 m/s (optionally 45m/s).

A second innovation is an upgraded version of the GL5Pstraight-approach cylindrical grinder capable of peripheral wheelspeeds of up to 120 m/s, 50 per cent more than the previousmaximum.

The increased rev/min enables the high speed productionof parts using cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive wheels.

Cycletimes are typically 20 per cent less than when using conventionalaluminium oxide wheels.

Toyoda has the hard turning market in itssights with the introduction of this machine.

More and more,lathe suppliers are claiming that hardened metals may be turnedat high production rates and with the added flexibility ofsingle-point turning.

To emphasise the grinder'ssuperiority, Toyoda points out that the GL5P can producecomponents in hardened steel by traversing the wheel across thediameters and shoulders, rather than by plunge grinding.Angle-approach grinding with a CBN wheel, a combination which isvery unusual, is also possible with the GL5A variant of thismachine as was demonstrated at MACH 1998.

Both 'A' and'P' versions are offered in two bed lengths havingbetween-centres capacities of 320 mm or 630 mm.

Maximum grindingdiameter is 220 mm.