Studer Offers Optimizations for CNC Universal Cylindrical Grinding Machine
Studer, the Swiss manufacturer of precision cylindrical grinding machines, has further developed the favoritCNC. Manufacturing companies now have a modern CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine whose advantages include high accuracy, short machining times, and intuitive operation for a cost-effective investment.
"With numerous new features, optimizations, and automation capabilities, the favoritCNC is a future-oriented, economical solution for the external and internal cylindrical grinding of small to medium-sized workpieces. It’s well suited for individual and series production, for both high-quality contract manufacturing and in-house production," says Sandro Bottazzo, CEO at Studer.
The latest generation of the favoritCNC features a modernized CNC control (FANUC 0i-TFP), software, and smart automation capabilities. Thanks to the new automatic door and loader interface, customers can now automate their production themselves. Further optimizations have been made regarding its operation with a view to sustainability and efficiency, and in ergonomics for even easier and safer operation. For example, user-friendliness is significantly increased by the simple grinding wheel changing aid and park position for the tailstock within the machine (optional). The new features also include the machine base with a larger distance between the X-guideways for even greater wheelhead stability, a resource-saving belt spindle system, the digital display of the swivel angle on the manual B axis, and the optional QuickSet function for exceptionally fast retooling.
When defining the equipment on the new favoritCNC, Studer focused on flexibility, which is particularly important for customers in this segment. There are two wheelhead variants to choose from: a fixed wheelhead for productive external grinding (manual positioning 0°/15°/ 30°) or a universal wheelhead for external and internal grinding (grinding in one clamping, manual swivel 2.5° Hirth coupling). There are also numerous configuration options, such as a fixed or swiveling worktable, or options such as measuring and balancing systems, grinding detection, and longitudinal positioning. This means the machine can also be subsequently retrofitted for different grinding tasks and production conditions.
With the favoritCNC, customers benefit from an optimal interplay of hardware and software and Studer's 112 years of expertise. As a result, the machine contains high-quality components and modern and reliable grinding technology. For example, the workhead, grinding spindles, guideways and drives meet the high-performance standards of Studer's premium segment. The machine bed made from the company's own Granitan S103 mineral casting features outstanding damping and thermal properties, ensuring excellent surface finishes on the favoritCNC.
The operation of the new favoritCNC is now even easier and more user-friendly via a 10.4-inch flat screen and an ergonomic manual control unit close to the grinding process. In addition, the internally developed and optimized StuderPictogramming and StuderGRIND grinding software provide modern digital solutions that allow even complex grinding processes to be set up and controlled intuitively. On the new favoritCNC, it is now possible to grind non-circular forms and threads with StuderThread and StuderForm. Thanks to the machine's digital capabilities, even employees with little knowledge of CNC grinding can quickly achieve high-quality results.
With the new conventional grinding mode, the machine is also capable of manual grinding. This allows users to efficiently produce high-quality ground workpieces without programming knowledge, making the switch from a conventional machine to a CNC particularly easy. "As a result, the new favoritCNC is an optimal solution for a wide range of different grinding applications," summarizes CEO Bottazzo.
