Dual Grinding Spindle Offers High Productivity and Small Footprint

The remit from the customer was simple, design and produce a grinding spindle that can do two jobs in one with 2 different grade fixed wheels. Sounds easy, but the solution to develop a grinding spindle able to grind with two different wheel grades without the use of an expensive tool changer mechanism demanded the combination of the experience of the customer (A leading player in the manufacture of grinding machines for the renewable energy sector) as well as the full linear and rotary motion background of Jena Tec working as a team to develop a highly customised spindle suitable for a demanding grinding operation.

Jena Tec's solution was to develop a motorised spindle capable of grinding speeds up to 6,000RPM with a special splined dual shaft arrangement utilising a highly effective seal and bearing arrangement which allows a static position rotating outer shaft to hold a large diameter grinding wheel while maintaining a smaller diameter inner grinding wheel maintained in a fixed rotational position from inner to outer wheel. Utilising Jena Tec's precision linear motion components, the system uses a servo drive and gearbox arrangement to extend the inner shaft and wheel very precisely when required while keeping very accurate run out and stability. Through spindle coolant was also required and achieved through the use of a specialist Deublin coupling. Another customer demand was to use spring water cooling which meant providing specific elements of the machine tool spindles in corrosion resistant materials.


The key benefit to the customer was that they can combine roughing and finishing operations with 2 different wheels on the same machine tool spindle thus saving the number of fixed position spindles needed within the machine layout, reducing handling time in between operations and also machine footprint. This contributes to the customer being able to offer a much more competitively priced machine tool system with higher productivity compared to their existing competition.

The Jena Tec dual spindle was designed and delivered in adherence to demanding customer build schedules and is another clear example of Jena Tec's specialist area of product development to support OEM machine tool makers product introduction and technology development.

For more information please go to www.jena-tec.com or email sales@jena-tec.com

Jena Tec Systematic Contract to Automotive Tier 1 Supplier

The Systematic Multi Head range now exclusively manufactured by Jena Tec provides a wide range of engineered solutions for High Productivity Machining. Our experienced engineers can design or retro-fit our multi head components into your machining centre to maximise the productivity demands of today's environment, offering you time and cost savings in the manufacturing process.

In June 2010 Jena Tec is pleased to announce a significant value contract win to a leading UK tier 1 supplier to an automotive OEM for diesel engine components. The Jena Tec remit was to re-design a range of multi head systems and replace an aging Marwin 3 machine transfer line of rotary transfer systems with new slideways and multi head drilling systems to enable a new diesel engine variant component to be produced using an existing line. As space was at a premium, investment in additional machine tools to satisfy production and also the high capital cost meant that Jena Tec's Systematic upgrade option was the preferred option in terms of timing, cost and floorspace to allow the customer to meet rising demand for production of new engine types.

The scope of supply includes the design, manufacture and retrofit of a complete series of CNC machine tool systems with more modern technology and machine tool components allowing faster productivity and throughput. The complete project will be designed, installed and commissioned by January 2011. Jena Tec's investment in the brand name of Systematic, a well known respected name in the automotive industry has secured their position in the niche engineering sector and takes advantage of a shrinking skill set for this type of work available in the UK. Export potential of this high precision sector of the machine tool industry is showing positive indications as Jena Tec capitalise on their global distribution network and group companies particularly in mainland Europe, USA and Asia.


For more information contact the Jena Tec team on +44 (0)1623 726010 or email at sales@jena-tec.com

Jena Tec Systematic Multi Head Spindles

The Systematic Multi Head range now exclusively manufactured by Jena Tec provides a wide range of engineered solutions for High Productivity Machining. Our experienced engineers can design or retro-fit our multi head components into your machining centre to maximise the productivity demands of today's environment, offering you time and cost savings in the manufacturing process.

Jena Tec Systematic offer single or multiple heads for block boring, drilling, tapping, reaming, indexing rotations and W axis slide motion. Using gear or belt drives, Jena Tec Systematic can custom design a unit to your specification utilising standard, ISO, BT or HSK tooling.

For information contact the Jena Tec team on +44 (0)1623 726010 or email at sales@jena-tec.co.uk

Jena Tec Miniature Ballscrews Deliver High Precision and Low Drag Torque

Jena Tec Miniature ballscrews can be manufactured from 6mm diameter with 1mm pitch with exacting precision grades less than 6 microns over the stroke length and very precise drag torques of 0,002 to 0,005 Nm. Jena Tec experiences a wide range of demanding customer applications in the fields of medical, aerospace actuation and instrumentation. Customer specifications vary depending on the use of the ballscrew and Jena Tec designers know how to accomodate important parameters such as motor torque, long life lubrication, low noise, elevated temperatures and extended life time calculations into specifying a product that fits for each request.

As well CF53 controlled case depth or through hardended material, Jena Tec can accomodate materials including aerospace standard and corrosion resistant materials in their range including those suitable for vacuum applications.

All Miniature ballscrews undergo rigourous testing to ensure compliance with drag torque and accuracy requirements on our well equipped test facilities in Jena.

For more information on the miniature ballscrew range, contact Jena Tec on sales@jena-tec.co.uk or +44 (0)1623 726010.

Jena Tec Raydent coating extends linear rail life

Developed in Japan in the 1960's and well proven in industry, Raydent coating is a proprietary technology deposited by low temperature electrochemical bonded chrome ceramic particles diffusion bonded to provide a layer up to 1mm thick on the surface of the metallic substrate.

The Jena Tec SBC range of linear rail uses this proprietary technology to great effect for corrosion protection making it suitable for corrosive environments, food grade applications and clean room standard machinery such as that used in semi conductor manufacturing.

The method of coating deposition ensures no hydrogen embrittlement takes place while a high degree of elasticity is maintained in the coating such that even while the steel substrate is flexed and placed under repeated external deformation or bending, the coating maintains its appearance and performance and is free from flakes, chips and cracks which may appear in other anti-corrosion treatments such as chrome or nickel plating.

Tests conducted on linear rail within materials testing institutes showed that for a variety of tests, SBC rail Raydent coated outperformed alternative electro chemical methods with no evidence of rust whereas traditional coatings such as chrome plating corroded significantly. Raydent was effective in concentrated sulphuric acid environments, sodium hydroxide and salt water spray tests with no evidence of degradation.

Specially treated to order, the Jena Tec SBC Raydent treated range provides a superior lifetime performance in excess of 10 years.

For information contact the Jena Tec team on +44 (0)1623 726010 or email at sales@jena-tec.co.uk

Jena Tec SBI Linear Rail offers 40% increase in capacity

The SBI range available from Jena Tec provides multiple benefits compared to those offered by the competition in relation to low noise, high rigidity and load coupled with a smooth movement and self adjusting mechanism. Increase of load carrying capacities of up to 40% can be achieved compared to standard block and rail systems.

Compared to conventional linear rail cross sections, the SBI range is approximately 10% lower in height with a wider through section of nearly 20%. Its improved lower cross sectional centre point offer greater structural rigidity, improved straightness during manufacturing and therefore a higher level of straightness in application which benefits the customer for smooth running. Heat treated to HRC60 the SBI range is extremely stable and shorter cross sectional areas mean grinding time and plastic deformation are reduced.

Similarly, Linear blocks are constructed from a hardened steel rigid structure with the same lower cross section centre as the rail and slightly longer block length meaning a greater number of balls with a smooth circular angular motion. This improved track profile and angle results in a smoother and quieter operation.

Standard across the range of SBC products is the heat and chemical resistant end plate with moulded return systems and a self aligning retained designed to ensure the end plate is correctly fitted in line with the main steel block. Despite an increased load carrying capability the additional length attributable to the SBI range is approximately only 3-4 mm longer than standard types dependant on carriage model made possible by an improved end plate design. When considering the advantage of 40% increase on load, the additional length is very modest.

Upper and bottom retainer plates fitted to each block ensure that loose steel balls are eliminated as well as skidding and poor rolling performance within the load zone. Additionally, this benefits the cleanliness of the block by preventing ingress of foreign substances. Advocating a simple design philosophy, the SBI retainers are snap assembled and self aligning. The moulded return plate contributes to the smooth running operation of the SBC range as well as keeping running noise low.

The SBI range achieve this through an improved contact angle of 52% versus the industry standard of 53%. The lower radius of curvature provides a broader contact surface compared to the relevant ball size possible and therefore improves the rigidity.
The improved angular ball re-circulation system with 4 row 2 point contact and 45 degree angular orientation ensure that excellent rolling performance is maintained with low noise even at all grades of pre-load.

For further information, contact the Jena Tec sales team at www.jena-tec.co.uk or on +44 (0)1623 726010.