Ultra-precise helical pump screw grinding centre joins PTG Holroyd’s HG range

Following in the footsteps of its recently launched ultra-high-performance HG350 and HG500 helical profile grinding centres, UK-based PTG Holroyd Precision has introduced a new, smaller model to the HG range. The HG200 has been developed to meet the needs of manufacturers producing pump screws, as well as those grinding the smaller helical components that are typically used in the manufacture of more compact refrigeration and air compressors.

Utilising PTG Holroyd’s recently developed modular HG350 platform, the HG200 will precision grind helical gears and pump screws of up to 200 mm in diameter, with a profile of up to 50 mm wide, 35 mm maximum depth and 200 kg in weight.

“Unlike our largest HG Series machine, the HG500 rotor grinding centre, which will precision grind helical profiles of up to 510 mm in diameter and therefore requires a bespoke machine bed, our aim for smaller models such as the new HG200 is to use the modular platform from the HG350,” reveals Mark Curran of PTG Holroyd. “In addition to streamlining build time, this approach allows customers to maximise flexibility when specifying their profile grinding requirements. This is thanks to the platform being available in gear, rotor, worm – and now – pump-screw configurations.”

The next natural progression in PTG Holroyd Precision’s HG Series, the HG200 features many of the key attributes that have made HG models such a huge success. As standard, for example, HG200 machines will be controlled by Siemens SINUMERIK ONE CNC. PTG Holroyd was the first UK machine tool manufacturer to embrace the benefits of Siemens’ latest control technology when it was launched and as such, worked closely with the control systems provider to tailor the CNC’s capabilities to precise requirements.

To simplify the production of even the most complex of helical components, the new HG200 features an integrated Renishaw OSP 60 scanning probe with SPRINT™ technology for automatic in-process corrections, or via an associated component measuring machine.

“We’ve worked closely with Renishaw and Siemens to be the first machine tool manufacturer to integrate automatic calibration using the SPRINT™ probe,” concludes Mark.

All of PTG Holroyd Precision’s HG Series helical profile grinding centres feature the high power required for deep grinding operations, while a specially developed extended machine bed allows screws and worm shafts of additional length to be accommodated. IO-Link communication technology is available, as is RFID scanning – an option that will be particularly suitable for machines destined for production cells. RFID scanning helps ensure that virtually any component or tooling which needs to be switched between manufacturing cycles is correctly changed for each gear grinding operation. On-board features include automatic coordinate adjustment, in-cycle wheel dressing, integrated profile management and co-ordinate measurement.