The trio of new Walter Helitronic tool grinding and Helicheck tool inspection machines announced by Kandoumlrber Schleifring UK of Honiley near Kenilworth not only reinforces Walter's position as a world leader in the tool grinding and inspection field, but the developments also address user demands both for entry-level tool grinding and inspection equipment plus a machine specifically to grind micro tools. The new machines are: The Helitronic Basic - a budget-priced five-axis tool grinder; The Helitronic Micro - for the consistent production of tools of 0.1 mm to 12.7 mm diameter; and The Helicheck Basic - an entry-level, high-accuracy tool measurement machine. The new machines are based on similar high-quality construction principles to Walter's existing models and, likewise, also incorporate the company's renowned tool grinding software.

But importantly, the new machines feature CNC and drive hardware from Fanuc - 'ultra-reliable and globally standardised technology', says Neil Whittingham, sales director of Kandoumlrber Schleifring UK.

A derivative of the highly successful Helitronic Power, the new Helitronic Basic tool grinder offers an unrivalled route for cost-effective tool regrinding.

With Fanuc 310i CNC and 15 inch touch screen monitor, the machine features a 70 mm grinding spindle powered by 7 kW drive plus worm gear drive in the A axis.

As standard it is supplied with Walter Window Mode P1 and P3 grinding programs (end mills and drills), and options include coolant tank, Eco tool loading system, automatic clamping and worktable.

The new six-axis Helitronic Micro, on the other hand, has been developed from a clean sheet and is designed to meet the increasing production demands by, for example, the medical and electronics sectors of micro tools of 0.1 mm to 12.7 mm diameter.

Tools from 2 mm to 12.7 mm diameter can be reground.

Featuring an HSK 40, 5 kW spindle and utilising Fanuc 310i CNC that incorporates Walter's 'what you see is what you grind' Helitronic Tool Studio software, the machine's double-ended grinding head (optionally three-spindle, with one 5 kW and two 1.5 kW drives) has integrated cooling that combines with linear drives and torque motor (with integral cooling) and the machine's mineral cast base to help generate high precision, excellent surface finishes and longer wheel life.

An integrated Fanuc robot (double gripper) loading system also features, for fast - less than 10 secs - tool change, in conjunction with the four-pallet Pallet load system.

This provides unmanned working of up to 300 tools per pallet - three pallets for unground tools; one pallet 'empty' for ground tools - of tools from 1 mm to 6.9 mm shank diameter and 120 mm long.

Larger tools of 7 mm to 12.7 mm shank diameter and 120 mm long can be handled at 108 tools per pallet.

An optional, additional manual X axis is available to reduce grinding traverses, where appropriate.

The new Helicheck Basic tool inspection machine occupies 30 per cent less floorspace than the Toolcheck it replaces (by adopting vertical design principles rather than horizontal) and, like its stablemates the Helicheck and Helicheck Pro, it offers 3C Direct View camera technology with cameras for back, front and top light illumination.

The back light provides magnification of 50x, front and top of 100x; and combined with the solid granite base plate for temperature resistance and high stability, the result is a repeatability of 1.5 micron and an absolute accuracy of +/- 2.2 microns at a measuring length of 10 mm (VDI/VDE 2617: E1 = 2.2 microns + L/300).

These new machines are complemented by a new grinding wheel/electrode wheel changer for the Helitronic Power Diamond two-in-one machine for grinding/eroding PCD tools - where up to eight electrodes/wheel sets, with coolant distributor, can be changed in 10 secs - and follow hard on the heels of recently-announced the Helicheck Plus tool inspection machine for measuring standard and micro tools down to 0.1 mm diameter.