23/7/10 – Engis Launches new line of lapping and polishing machines.
23 July 2010
FastlapTM is the name of a new line of lapping and polishing machines launched by Engis. The company says that the new series of machines offers “engineered ridigity and high head pressure capabilities” required for superabrasive applications while also being suitable for conventional abrasives.
The new series has broad application in a range of industries from aerospace, electronics, processing industry, medical devices to automotive components, bearing manufacturing to decorative glass manufacturing. FastlapTM can work with metals, ceramics, glass, plastic and carbon materials. Some examples include wafer polishing for optoelectronics and mechanical sealing where high finish tolerances are required. There are four models in the new series, each of which can be customised to the particular application.
The machine construction
Each machine has a solid steel, reinforced base that supports the spindle and pneumatic structure. The base has been designed to minimise vibrations which would impact on final quality of components produced. The base incorporates a swarf run-off drain and has interlocked doors to allow each access to all machine components. The spindle is supported by a ribbed 20 mm top plate and incorporated an oversized heavy duty nest tapered roller bearings. Consequently, in operation the spindle has low vibration and heavy axial load support capability.
As Engis is a leading supplier of superabrasive diamond powders and slurries for lapping and polishing applications, the new machine series incorporates a gear box that has been designed to meet the extra power and torque demands when using such abrasives. The gear box also employs heavy duty precision angular axial and radial thrust roller bearings that are quiet in operation and generate low heat.
The pneumatics equipment can handle a pressure range and speed setting of up to 1,100 pounds per head and 90 rpm. Chrome plated corrosion resistant pressure plates are fitted with sealed angular roller bearings to cope with high axial thrusts. The pressure plates have a screw-fed radial adjustment which enables accurate plate position and maximum flatness control, says the company.
The FastlapTM machines incorporate a variable speed drive system that is controlled by a PLC-based operator control system that uses a touch screen digital control. The menu-driven control system has been developed for minimum operator intervention as well as being optimised for computer controlled manufacturing.
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