The automatic measurement of tools in turning centres for the automotive industry is challenging, as the measuring systems are constantly exposed to flying chips, coolant and vibrations. Achieving precise results in such environments is a job only specialists can do. That is why turning machine manufacturer Schuster from Denklingen in Bavaria, Germany, relies on the expertise of Blum-Novotest.
Machines from Schuster manufacture gear shafts, camshafts and balancer shafts as well as complex motor shafts for electric drives. The shafts are machined in several interlinked stations that are loaded and unloaded manually at the beginning and end of the line. The Bavarian machines always work with a vertically positioned workpiece spindle. Depending on the task at hand, the main spindle, counter spindle or a centre turning unit are used. Up to two revolvers or milling and grinding units are used per working area so that turning, milling and grinding processes can be conducted in one clamping set-up. The machines are always equipped with X- and Z-axes, which are in the spindle or the revolver/unit depending on the machine type. The spindle typically also has a C-axis. The Y-axis is available as an option and thus, as is common in the turning sector, is not present on many machines.