ANCA solutions to boost quality and efficiency at AMB 2024

The grinding technology specialist ANCA is celebrating its 50th anniversary at AMB in Stuttgart in 2024, presenting a number of innovations and partner solutions. In Hall 5/B12, the grinding experts will be showcasing smart automation specifically for the needs of tool manufacturers, integrated, lean peel and geometry grinding and the complete package for gear cutting tool manufacturers. In addition, the new versions of ANCA’s ToolRoom and CIM3D grinding software promise productivity boosts of up to 20%.

Martin Winterstein, Managing Director of ANCA Europe GmbH: “AMB in Stuttgart is a very inspiring trade show. The expert visitors from Germany and abroad are bringing in their specific industrial and local requirements. As a driver of innovation in precision tool manufacturing, we want to use this opportunity to drive  efficiency and productivity in the industry!”

 ANCA’s ULTRA series has been continuously expanded since the introduction of the nanometre control in 2022 and is now available for tools down to 0.1 mm in diameter. Thanks to the precision package, which includes spindle temperature compensation, in-process quality control and tool runout compensation in addition to the high-precision control, the ULTRA models of the MX, FX and MicroX variants produce tools of consistently high quality quickly and reliably.

The MX7 ULTRA, which will be on display at AMB, comes in a configuration that has great potential for lean production. Equipped with a P-axis and a steady rest from ANCA’s long-standing partner Arobotech, the machine enables integrated blank preparation, peel grinding and geometry grinding in a single clamping. This allows users to simplify their processes, shorten throughput times and reduce complexity in production.

The MX7 ULTRA also serves as an illustrative example of an automation solution from ANCA that enables a quick and easy introduction to digital production control. AIMS Connect connects machines with each other and enables transparent and verifiable processes. An operator guidance system informs employees about the production process, i.e. which tasks are due and when. Skilled labour is relieved and can be deployed where it is really needed. Each cutting tool is comprehensibly described in an order process based on a recipe and ensures consistent quality through defined compensation strategies and logic. In Stuttgart, trade visitors will be able to experience an example of the process using a demo that includes digital operator guidance, measurement and compensation on a genius universal measuring machine from ZOLLER and a link to the MX7 ULTRA grinding machine. 

In line with the focus on gear manufacturing in Hall 5, ANCA will present the package for gear cutting tool manufacturers, consisting of the ANCA GCX grinding machine and the matching complement, the MP1200 EDM dressing machine from Mitsubishi. The established partnership between the grinding machine manufacturer ANCA and the EDM specialists from Mitsubishi is intended to lead to greater precision and productivity through linked processes and shared expertise. This is crucial in the production of gear cutting tools, especially skiving tools, taps or thread mills. The GCX comes as a turnkey package with functions for the design of gear cutting tools, integrated tool measurement and the provision of set-up parameters for gear skiving machines. Visitors will experience live how this configuration enables short set-up times, simulation and monitoring as well as quality-enhancing functions through ANCA motor temperature control (MTC) or integrated balancing (iBalance) for unrivalled long-term grinding profile accuracy of

+/-0.0015 mm. The erosive dressing on the Mitsubishi not only contributes to this through flexibility and precision, but the data exchange between the two machines also makes everyday production considerably easier.

Another highlight in Stuttgart are the new ToolRoom software version RN35 and CIM3D, which promise a productivity boost of up to 20% with federate optimisation, statistical process control, software-supported air time reduction and extended functions for in-process measurement with ANCA’s LaserUltra, the further development of the non-contact measurement and compensation system introduced by ANCA already in 2014.