Ramsey, New Jersey — Glebar helped a manufacturer improve output, reduce production time, and save costs form grinding ball valves.
Balls are manufactured for many applications including roll-on deodorants, golf balls, and general industry ball-valves. As an assembly part, these applications require precise measurements to accurately fit within the finished product.
Long manufacturing lead times create a need for increased inventory levels and deplete cash on hand. In many cases, suppliers form the balls one at a time from bar stock on a lathe in multiple roughing and finishing tool paths.
Almost all products require additional turning steps to achieve the desired diameter, remove mold imperfections and parting lines, and achieve the required surface finish. Turning can be slow and inconsistent, resulting in long cycle times, high scrap rates, and surface finishes that generally require downstream grinding or honing to meet specifications.
Glebar’s PG-9DHD Centerless Form Grinder can grind spherical and cylindrically shaped components, yielding 5-10 parts every 40 seconds depending on the diameter and application. An automatic feeding system can be positioned at the top or side of the machine depending on the application. The 10” wide work wheel provides the highest capacity, producing multiple components per cycle while, in this application, maintaining tolerances of +/- 0.003”. Finer tolerances can be achieved depending on the material being processed.
In recent tests, the PG-9DHD Centerless Form Grinder ground preformed balls and rods. Six preformed balls, measuring 1.25” diameter, were ground in 40 seconds. Each 1.75” diameter rod produced five balls in 3-1/2 minutes. In this application, form grinding increased output by as much as 80%.
The PG-9DHD Centerless Form Grinder is available with remote connectivity, gauging, automation interfacing, and precise positioning.
Glebar developed ball grinding for the golf industry in the 1960s using centerless grinding fundamentals. The process was adapted to grind other spherical and cylindrically shaped components. Their machines can grind most hard to turn materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass (including G10), Teflon, Santoprene, and polypropylene.
For more information, read the case study, visit Glebar’s website, send an email, or call 201-337-1500.
About Glebar Company
Glebar Company (www.www.glebar.com) is an innovative, vertically-integrated, process improvement company that designs and configures its standard platform of modular precision centerless grinding machine systems to provide turnkey, custom solutions for its customers. The company focuses on delivering a process to its customers while maximizing customer return on investment. Founded in 1952, Glebar serves companies all over the world, across many market segments including medical, industrial, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and mining. Its machines are known for their precision, longevity, flexibility, and efficiency.
Glebar machines are made to the highest quality and safety standards. Every machine is backed by a 24/7 customer service operation which includes a team of technicians, design engineers, and customer service representatives. The company also stocks a stand-by inventory of critical parts and tooling for next-day delivery in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. It employs a dedicated applications team conducting research and development activities, customer process enhancement, and pushing the limits of grinding wheel technology. Glebar is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company and is ITAR Registered.
In 2020, Glebar Company expanded its capability and is now offering Electrochemical Grinding (ECG) technology, through the acquisition of ECG leaders Tridex Technology and Everite. Glebar now offers innovative turnkey ECG manufacturing solutions designed to improve cycle times, maintain quality levels, and allow operators to easily set up and run multiple machines.
For more information about Glebar, call (201) 337-1500, visit www.www.glebar.com, or send an email to info@www.glebar.com.
