Grindtec platform for two new Hardinge grinding machines

Grindtec 2020

Hardinge Inc.: Stand 5114, Hall H5

Two new and innovative high precision grinding machines manufactured by Hardinge Inc. specialist grinding companies will be debuted at the forthcoming Grindtec International Trade Fair for grinding technology.

Taking pride of place will be the all new Voumard 1000 Universal CNC internal grinding machine which will be fully operational and on public view for the first time while another Hardinge machine highlight will be an addition to their extensive universal grinding machine portfolio.

Both machines feature significant design innovations coupled with ease of use, underlying Hardinge Inc.’s focus on combining advanced design characteristics with quality and precision towards creating a highly productivity solution for the end user.

The new Voumard 1000 offers a high-performance, economical grinder for the widest range of universal internal grinding requirements to obtain fine surface finishes and tight tolerances. A primary design feature is the use of hydrostatic guideways which are standard on all axes and produce the very highest machine performance across all ID grinding applications. They provide excellent damping, stick and slip-free operation and very rigid wrap around guideways, resulting in outstanding surface quality and more reliability without any friction loss and wear.

Hardinge believes the machines’ characteristics set a new standard in ID grinding, providing customers with the ultimate combination of precision and performance in an affordable machine.  Its design optimises production costs when manufacturing high-precision parts for industries ranging from aerospace to medical with typical applications being grinding operations on parts for hydraulic components, spindles, bearings, and gears.

For over 80 years, the Voumard brand has been a global leader in innovative ID/OD grinding with almost 10,000 installed internal grinding machines around the world. It specializes in machine tools specifically designed for machining work pieces with large diameters and / or lengths. Acquired by Hardinge in 2014, Voumard is now an integrated part of Hardinge Inc.’s grinding group alongside Jones & Shipman Hardinge, Kellenberger, Hauser, Tschudin, and Usach.  Voumard’s production and support facility is now back to its roots in Switzerland, where it is within the Kellenberger operations.

In the UK Jones & Shipman Hardinge, based in Rugby, represents all of the Hardinge Grinding and Super Precision® products along with the sales and support for Okamoto grinding machines.

Commenting on the new Voumard machine introduction, Mike Duignan, managing director of Jones & Shipman Hardinge states; “We are introducing a brand-new grinding system that incorporates features resulting from customer feedback. These range from the rigid base to the hydrostatic guides in combination with direct drives on all axes to the new user interface on our controls. The result is a CNC machine that exceeds the most demanding of today’s grinding requirements.” 

Other than traditional grinding machine features, the Voumard 1000 offers up to 5 fully functional CNC axes with outstanding positioning accuracies in the nanometer range as well as best in class tool and work piece management. The concept also offers additional movement for dressing and measuring devices.

Adds Mike Duignan; “In replacing the Voumard 110, 130 and aspects of the 150 series, the new 1000 machine offers almost infinite configuration options for wide ranging grinding operations. It can accommodate machine work pieces with a length of 300mm length and 300mm swing diameter over the table.” 

In addition to the features highlighted, other key elements of the Voumard 1000 are ultra-precision accuracy with a fast oscillation, direct drive linear motor system; coolant management; a hydrostatic spindle turret configuration for ideal accessibility and accommodating a larger spectrum of parts; hydrostatic B-axis with benchmarking positioning repeatability and a compact “table turret” for collision-free dressing and improved accessibility. 

Finally, there is the Fanuc 31i control for improved operator access, fast programming and retooling, even for inexperienced operators.  This uses the latest BLUE Solution software with object guide for easy operation and short set up times.

To learn more about the new Voumard 1000, please visit: www.hardinge.com and enter the Grinding section.

About Hardinge Inc.
Hardinge, Inc. is the trusted global provider of high precision, computer-controlled machine tool solutions for critical, hard-to-machine metal parts and advanced workholding accessories. With over 125 years of experience, Hardinge offers the largest variety of metal-cutting turning machines, grinding machines, machining centers, collets, chucks, index fixtures, repair parts, standard and specialty workholding devices, and other machine tool accessories. Hardinge’s solutions can be found in a broad base of industries including aerospace, agricultural, automotive, construction, consumer products, defense, energy, medical, technology, and transportation. Headquartered in Berwyn, PA, the company designs, manufactures, and distributes machine tools in over 65 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia.