ELECTRIC MOTOR COMPONENTS | With the power generation and automotive industry driving demand for increasingly efficient electric motors, more manufacturers are turning to centreless grinding to satisfy quality requirements while utilising cost effective manufacturing techniques.

Because many components for use in electric motors can be ground on one machine, universally configurable between plunge and throughfeed operations, production and maintenance costs can be dramatically reduced, while at the same time increasing capacity, by adopting the centreless approach.

PRECISION SHAFTS | Precision shafts are widely used on power generation applications, where the smooth running of mechanical elements is critical to reduction in friction loss and energy conservation.

Shafts can be ground using either the throughfeed process for single diameters or the plunge process for shafts with multiple diameters. Each grinding configuration can be offered with a host of options on automation equipment, either bespoke or standard, as well as advanced control options for lights-out production and increased component quality.

BEARING COMPONENTS | Centreless grinding is widely used in the manufacture of precision bearings, favoured as being a process which allows a diverse range of highly accurate components to be produced efficiently and quickly in high volume.

As the reduction of friction is so critical on power generation applications, such as for use with precision shafts on turbines and generators, high quality, durable bearings are key components in system specification. The increasing use of ceramics in bearing construction offers advantages over steel for outdoor or underwater applications.

POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS | Centreless grinding has become an increasingly integral process in the production of geared shafts and similar components for use in power generation applications as well as for the automotive industry.

Through utilising a plunge grinding centreless process, part cycle times are reduced dramatically when compared with external grinding of multi-diameter shafts. All shaft diameters can be ground at the same time while still maintaining high tolerance diameters and surface finishes, instead of passing over each surface with an external wheel.