New Kapp and Niles Machines at IMTS

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The Kapp Group has announced that it will display its new KX 500 FLEX Gear Center, an efficient, economic machine built on a shared modular platform, and the Niles ZE 400 Profile Grinder, an economic, compact, and user-friendly machine at the 2008 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago. It will be the first time the KX 500 FLEX machine has been shown in the United States.

The Kapp KX 500 FLEX Gear Center offers the flexibility of application-specific production solutions including continuous generating grinding, discontinuous profile grinding, or a combination of both methods. It grinds external spur and helical gears of modules up to 10 mm (0.4 in) with an outside diameter of maximum 500 mm (19.7 in) and a gear width of up to 520 mm (20.5 in). Either conventional dressable worms or profile grinding wheels can be used. The unit also accommodates a single- or twin-spindle dresser. Depending on the applied dresser, different technologies can be used for dressing. The KX 500 FLEX features a multi-station turntable and twin-spindle dresser, offering many different tooling concepts including dressable ceramic tools for prototype machining and grinding of medium- to high-volume series, and non-dressable tools for manufacturing medium- and high-volume series. Automation options are available.

The Niles ZE 400 machine is engineered with ergonomics in mind. All operator elements, including the workpiece, can be reached from the factory floor. The machine bed casting, made of thermally-optimized ductile iron, supports a workpiece with a weight of up to 2,650 pounds. The base machine is equipped with Siemens 840D control and includes a tailstock, CNC dressing device, and onboard measuring. Machine axes are driven by Siemens 611D simo-drives. Workpiece data is directly input into the control via a personalized operator-interface developed by Niles or prepared for transfer via network.

The ZE machine utilizes both dressable vitrified and non-dressable CBN wheels. Optional grinding spindles are available for CBN profile grinding wheels with smaller diameters or internal CBN grinding equipment. These spindles further increase the machine’s application potential.

The Kapp Group offers innovative technology and systems for precision finishing of gears and profiles. Kapp products are present in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and compressor industries. Niles products, with their larger application options, can be found in industry segments such as wind energy, railroad engineering, and mining. The Kapp Group operates six locations worldwide, with more than 750 employees. Through intensive research and development and state-of-the-art engineering and production—as well as an integrated manufacturing package of machines, tools, processes, and support—the Kapp Group offers innovative solutions for the complex challenges of today’s manufacturing world.

Visit the Kapp Group at booth #B-6748 at IMTS September 8-13 to see these two machines and a complete range of CBN and diamond-plated tools on display. For more information contact Pattea Carpenter at (303) 447-1130 x113 or patteac@kapp-usa.com. Go online to [www.kapp-usa.com].