Turning balls, especially in safety-critical areas such as the automotive industry, places the highest demands on precision, repeatability and cycle time. Components such as ball pins in ball joints play a central role in steering and chassis. Their production requires state-of-the-art turning technology – especially when it comes to large quantities and economical processes.
The requirements for CNC lathes are clearly defined: maximum process reliability, high machining precision, flexible application options and easy integration into automated production lines. A well-thought-out machine concept is particularly important for workpieces that require machining on both sides as well as additional milling or drilling. The HSC 1 from EMAG has precisely these aspects in mind. In this interview, Peter Gröner, Product Manager of the Turning Business Unit at EMAG, explains the technical features, the range of applications and the design considerations behind this machine.
The automotive industry is facing a major challenge: the Euro 7 standard stipulates strict limits for particulate matter emissions. Cars will then only be allowed to emit around three milligrams of particulate matter per kilometer – a drastic reduction compared to today’s values of up to 40 milligrams. To achieve these ambitious targets, car manufacturers are increasingly relying on innovative technologies such as coated brake discs.
Laser cladding is a promising process for manufacturing these ultra-modern brake discs. In this application, a special material powder made of stainless steel and hard carbide is welded onto the surface of the brake disc using a laser. The result is brake systems that not only drastically reduce particulate emissions, but also minimize wear and prevent corrosion.
However, the design and development of this new coating technology also creates new challenges in post-processing. With the VLC 450 DG grinding machine, EMAG offers a specialized solution for the machining of these high-tech brake discs.
We spoke with Jannik Röttger, Head of Grinding Technology at EMAG, about this innovative technology and EMAG’s response to the challenges of the Euro 7 standard.