Title: Resource efficient grinding – solutions and restrictions

Authors: Eckart Uhlmann; Christoph Sammler; Fiona Byrne

Addresses: Department Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technologies, Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF), Technische Universität Berlin, Pascalstrasse 8-9, 10587 Berlin, Germany; Fraunhofer Institut für Produktionsanlagen und Konstruktionstechnik, Pascalstrasse 8-9, 10587 Berlin, Germany. ' Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF), Technische Universität Berlin, Pascalstrasse 8-9, 10587 Berlin, Germany. ' Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF), Technische Universität Berlin, Pascalstrasse 8-9, 10587 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: In order to provide solutions to the current challenges and discussions on resource efficiency and energy savings, the manufacturing industry must present saving methods, in particular in energy intensive applications. The grinding technologies, with their high demands on precision and integrity of the boundary layer of components are one such application area which must source new and innovative solutions. Due to the ever increasing complexity of components, such as cooling lubricant systems and arrangements for maintaining temperatures of axes and guideways, the demand on machine tools to reach these high accuracies is constantly rising. In order to make a significant contribution to resource efficiency and energy savings, along with research on tool and process optimisation and innovative machining kinematics, the activities of the IWF focus on the substitution of complex machine tools with robot assisted machining strategies in order to simultaneously achieve high flexibility and productivity.

Keywords: resource efficiency; coolant; cooling lubricants; speed stroke grinding; flexible robots; robot machining; grooved grinding wheels; ceramic; diamond grinding wheels; energy saving; machining kinematics; manufacturing flexibility; manufacturing productivity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2011.044094

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2011 Vol.4 No.6, pp.487 - 495

Received: 06 Oct 2010
Accepted: 24 Feb 2011

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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