Manufacturing companies that produce highly precise bores in small- to medium-batch sizes often hesitate to invest in their own precision honing machine. The rate of utilization is simply too low. Such manufacturers might use a simpler machine that is less costly but often does not work precisely enough. With a new single-spindle ‘Eco Honing Machine,’ Kadia now seeks to meet the needs of exactly these and similar user groups. The E line, as it is called, is the ideal solution for entry into high-precision honing. And in the event that production quantities rise – no problem, as the machine concept offers options for series production.
In view of rising quality requirements, every μ matters when honing is used for finishing of precision bores. The edge of what is technically possible is becoming the norm. High-end machining equipment and highly developed technology are the prerequisites to even be considered as a supplier. Working productively and precisely to the last μ is Kadia’s speciality.
To put the technical possibilities into a machine that also carries the ‘eco’ name is therefore quite a new approach from developers at Kadia, a balancing act that has nevertheless been achieved with the new E line. “The new single-spindle E line is a cost-effective, productive honing solution for the highest precision. With this machine we are rounding off our spectrum in the smaller range,” said Executive Director Henning Klein. The machine is also “ultra-compact” and requires just 2.5 m² of floor space. The control cabinet is integrated into the side and all the components that require regular maintenance are easily accessible.
Up to now, the company on the Neckar River has developed mostly multi-spindle machines for use in large series production, especially by automotive manufacturers and large suppliers.
Such companies then have two options: They either handle the honing themselves or they hand off the demanding precision work to external service providers. The latter lends itself well when the company does not view honing as one of its own core competencies but would still like to accept orders from customers with highly precise requirements for boring quality. Professional honing providers can carry out such tasks quickly and reliably. The new E line is the ideal alternative, especially when honing is a central part of the company’s manufacturing competence, and highly economical and precise work is important. In this case, the special entry-level features and the quality of output are not mutually exclusive, since the same components that Kadia uses in other types of machines ensure that the end quality is correct down to the μ: a highly dynamic lean high-speed honing spindle and intuitive high-performance control.
The experts from Nürtingen recently presented their second-generation LH spindles with the current type designations LH2 and LH3. The update includes a range of further developments that take into account current technology. The somewhat smaller LH2, with a material removal rate of up to 18 mm³/s, performs its work in the eco machine.
The company surprised the honing scene a few years ago with the HMC100, a machine control system of its own development. At that time there was no comparable solution on the market that was specifically tailored to honing. The control system features the newest technologies and measuring techniques and visually presents all processes on a large 19” panel. The design engineers in Nürtingen now integrate the HMC100 into all of their honing machines.
Like all Kadia honing machines, the E line is also available in a variety of configurations — the “ultra-compact” and “eco” characteristics do not preclude this option. In its basic configuration the machine contains a fixed table; for prototype parts and small batches, this is often sufficient. The option of installing a rotary table with multiple stations, usually honing, measuring, and loading stations, is also possible.
Depending on the number of units being produced, the provision of coolant may come into play. As a compact solution, an integrated coolant and extraction system is available to E line operators.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kadia.com
