Category Archives: German Machine Tools of America

GMTA Presents New Profilator Machines

GMTA, the North American distributor of Profilator, has added new machines using the process modules it already supplies. Profilator is suitable when customers require complex machining processes to be carried out effectively, efficiently and with high precision.

Today, an operator working on a modern machine expects a flexible manufacturing process, short cycle times, reduced investment and running costs. With these requirements in mind, Profilator offers polygon & face slot machining, gear tooth pointing, chamfering and deburring, gear and spline cutting, shifter stop machining and Scudding®.

The polygon turning unit is used for castle teeth machining on automotive gearbox parts. The rotating cutterhead is synchronized with the workplace spindle and a front face coupling is produced with the carbide insert arrangement and the transmission ratio. With additional inserts on the same cutter head, the part can be deburred. In gear tooth pointing, the pointing tower can be used in both rotative and indexing modes. Settings and corrections are made through the new Ergo Control SIMPS® (Profilator Simplified Integrated Machine Programming System). For the chamfering and deburring of splines, gear wheels and shafts, Profilator uses the ZEM series gear deburring machines. This vertical, single spindle gear deburring machine offers clear advantages over conventional deburring machines. Gear cutting is used both for the Profilator rotative gear cutting with inserts and for hobbing. Through the application of Schlagzahn tools and carbide inserts, customers achieve the most economical manufacture of splines, gears, involute gears and front face gears. The shifter stop is synchronized so that the tool machines each tool flank. Lastly, Scudding® can be used for a wide range of symmetrical gear applications as well as non-symmetrical gear or profile applications such as belt pulleys and synchronize gears. The same machine can be used for internal and external Scudding® applications.

Profilator developed the S-type machine. This is a compactly and modularly designed, vertical single spindle pick-up gear cutting machine. Machines in the S Series are better than broaching and most applications feature a dry machining process. All machine components are designed for especially high static stiffness and optimal dynamic behavior. Furthermore, the machine’s twin spindle arrangement speeds up the process considerably. A control panel and a media container are installed on the rear of the machine bed. The workplace flow direction is variable. S-type machines are available in three sizes, namely Profilator S-150, Profilator S-250 and Profilator S-500. Profilator S-150 has a part diameter up to 150 mm, while Profilator S-250 and S-500 have a part diameter up to 250 mm and 500 mm, respectively.

---

For more information, please contact:
Walter Friedrich
President
GMTA
4630 Freedom Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
+1-734-973-7800
walter@gmtamerica.com
www.gmtamerica.com

GMTA is the exclusive distributor for a number of top-quality German and other metalworking machine builders companies including Arnold, BvL, K+G, Praewema, Profilator, Rasoma, Samag and WEMA Glauchau. The company’s headquarters is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a subsidiary in Queretaro, Mexico.

Continue reading

Arnold’s 100th Anniversary Celebrates Company’s History and Technology

Presentations were given by company personnel on September 13, 2019 in Ravensburg, Germany.

Arnold, a major manufacturer of laser technologies, recently celebrated 100 years at its headquarters in Ravensburg, Germany. The event included various presentations such as: “Development of Technologies,” “Laser Polishing-Development and Opportunities,” “Laser Treatment of Electric Sheet,” “Laser Use in e-mobility” and “From Regional Provider to Global Player.” A brief history with a focus on emerging technologies was given by Hansjörg Klotz, the sales director.

The company was founded in 1919 as a mechanical workshop by Anton Arnold. At the time, the company was considered a special welding plant for cast iron and aluminum. From 1950, under the leadership of Karl Arnold, the company developed contract turning for automatic turning parts. From 1969, the focus shifted to equipment construction and special machines for various industries. In 1985, the first laser system was built for ZF Friedrichshafen.

In 1985, Spectra Physics, the predecessor of Rofin Sinar, reached out to Arnold for the construction of a rotary axis and clamping technology for a laser welding system for transmission wheels. This project was the first step for Arnold into laser technology. Driven by the idea of using the laser not only as a tool, but as the technology for beam guidance requirements and understanding of the processes, many components have been developed and patented over time. They can still be applied today with improved details. Available in 1985 and beyond, Arnold constructed thousands of clamping devices for milling machines and engine processing. Also included were pallet change systems for large machining centers, assembly lines for motors, test fields, keyboard drills and battery levels.

While competitors need to adjust beam guidance after every mirror change, the change was a matter of a few minutes for Arnold and production could be continued immediately. This production-oriented thinking has continued with the company’s machine designs. All important components were geometrically overdetermined and could only be installed with proper production.

In the first years, Arnold focused purely on welding machines. The aim was always to build a single block machine, possibly supplemented by conveyor belts for component supply and removal.

Later on, more and more functions were integrated. Parts had to be pressed, heated and brushed, and seam detection systems, component handling, conversion strategies, process monitoring, different beam sources, laser concepts, to name a few, had to be integrated into the systems. The effort for commissioning and control grew almost limitless.

Even though there were isolated laser projects parallel to the classic special machine construction of the first few years, the main focus of the company since the 1990s has been the construction of laser systems. The first few laser applications were used in gear wheels, heat exchangers, shaft welding with induction and starter contacts for incandescent lamps.

New technology developed by Arnold features systems for rotary parts such as a double station and the M800/1500 units. In addition, the company offers new concepts of 3D systems used for welding, cutting, powder application welding, hardening and polishing. The newest flex cell and gantry systems feature up to 7 axes working simultaneously. Lastly, the company developed two extreme expansion stages of gear wheel welding systems. These are fully automated systems.

Functional extensions on the current machines include robots, conveyors, press stations, additional axes, induction preheating, UMH preheating, brushing stations, runout test stations and ultrasonic testing.

It has always been important for Arnold to participate in European-funded research projects. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, contact with Fraunhofer-IWS in Dresden was established. Countless mutual visits, the exchange of process experience and material knowledge on the part of the IWS as well the mechanical engineering experience and enthusiasm of Arnold quickly bore fruit. In 1994, Arnold, together with the IWS and EFD (manufacturer of induction plants), delivered the world’s first plant for welding cast iron to steel. Ford in Düren, Germany was the customer that benefitted from this, producing drive shafts.

Current projects include Melato (manufacture of pressing tools from layered, laser-cut sheets), POLAR (laser polishing), KLASSE (laser cutting and solidification with an optic in a gantry system) and GeKoWig (titanium powder application welding in a protective gas atmosphere).

Together with IWS, Arnold has developed Remoweld Optic, a high-frequency optic scanner. With this scanner, copper, aluminum and mixed compounds can be welded virtually splash-free. With IWS, the company exhibited the optic scanner at various trade shows. The response has been very positive and several interested parties have approached IWS with potential applications.

In conclusion, Arnold has undergone many transformative changes in the past 100 years and it continues to expand its capabilities to better serve its customers.

---

For more information, please contact:

Walter Friedrich
President
GMTA
4630 Freedom Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
1-734-973-7800
walter@gmtamerica.com

GMTA is the exclusive distributor for a number of top-quality German and other metalworking machine builders companies including Arnold, BvL, K+G, Praewema, Profilator, Rasoma, Samag and WEMA Glauchau. The company’s headquarters is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a subsidiary in Queretaro, Mexico.

Continue reading

GMTA Presents Profilator and its “Micro-Finishing” Technology at Motion + Power Technology Expo

With over 300 exhibiting companies, the Motion+ Power Technology Expo is the ideal show for gear, electric and fluid power industries. Taking place between October 15 and 17, GMTA is one of the exhibitors at the Cabo Center in Detroit, Michigan.

GMTA will feature its Profilator line of gear pointing, rounding, cutting, Scudding®, Hard Scudding®, deburring and polygon machine tools for North America. The highly modular machines are used for polygon and slot facing, shifter stop machining, chamfering and deburring of highly complex automotive and other powertrain gears. The “Scudding®” and the “Hard Scudding®” process sets the Profilator apart in the market because of its manufacturing efficiency. “Hard Scudding®” allows the machining of green and hardened gears on the same machine, using the same programs. Furthermore, it is a superior technology to skiving, the previous technology used in the gear industry.

While Profilator GmbH & Co. KG introduced the concept of “Hard Scudding®” in 2015, it expanded scudding technology with “Micro-Finishing.” “Micro-Finishing” takes place after the Hard Scudding® process has been completed. The process takes a high quality “Hard Scudding®” part and improves its surface quality. Additionally, this is a completely “dry” machining process and requires no cutting fluids or MQL technology. The total cycle time for finishing a ring gear via Hard Scudding® and “Micro-Finishing” is approximately 64 seconds but the cycle time could be decreased by 10%, keeping it under one minute for all automotive gear rings.

“Micro-Finishing” technology is aimed at making at quieter gear and the superfinishing process reduces friction, increases pitting resistance and the life of gears. This process uses a high quality diamond plated tool, designed to remove only a small amount of part material. The resulting part greatly increases surface quality on the gear teeth.

Stop by at booth 4439 to find out more about the technologies at GMTA.

 

 

---

For more information, please contact:

Walter Friedrich
President
GMTA
4630 Freedom Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
1-734-973-7800
walter@gmtamerica.com

GMTA is the exclusive distributor for a number of top-quality German and other metalworking machine builders companies including Arnold, BvL, K+G, Praewema, Profilator, Rasoma, Samag and WEMA Glauchau. The company’s headquarters is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan with a subsidiary in Queretaro, Mexico.

Continue reading

GMTA Now Represents WEMA Glauchau GmbH

The full line of WEMA grinding machines includes internal, universal, external, roller bearing, and customized solutions.

German Machine Tools of America is now the  North American distributor of WEMA Glauchau GmbH. These high precision grinding machines will be shown by GMTA at IMTS 2018.

WEMA’s internal grinding machines maximize operating times with more efficient and integrated procedures. A repeatedly allocable tool and workpiece headstock are guided on up to six axes with an accuracy of 0.1 μm. WEMA SI is scalable and is adapted to the clients’ needs through specific mounting for the greatest machining efficiency. Powerful drives ensure quick availability with additional work and peripheral modules reducing costly non-productive times. Available in 4 different series (S2I, S3I, S6I and S10I), it offers machining of chuck and shaft-shaped parts. In addition, the internal grinding machines are equipped with internal cylinder/ cone, internal polygons, internal screw threads, up to 4 applicable grinding tools and high rigidity through the use of cast beds/hydropol beds.

With WEMA SU, universal grinding machines are available for the complex task of three-way machining of all major workpiece sizes. The machines are equipped with external and internal grinding units. Clamping operations provide decisive efficiency and precision benefits. WEMA’s technology enables machines to perform highly complex operations, while peripheral modules permit greater flexibility. These machines’ features include up to 3 swivel axes, machining of 4 sides in one clamping operation, machining of chuck and shaft-shaped parts and external grinding wheels with a maximum diameter of 600 mm. WEMA SU also offers additional features such as: 4 insertable internal grinding tools, 4 external grinding tools and cones, polygons, etc.

The company’s external grinding machines can machine parts up to 1,500 kg with external lengths of Ø  600 mm and 2,700 mm. Grinding wheels are available in Ø 500, 600, and 750 mm. Typical workpieces include railway axles, rollers, pipes and shafts.

Assemblies of the roller bearing grinding machines feature a strict modular structure used for various operations. One is for sequential internal, external and rim machining operations. Another is for simultaneous internal and external machining operations. Other modular structures are used for external machining operations, internal machining operations and rim machining operations. Machining jobs can be carried out on single or multi-row outer rings (OR) and inner rings (IR) of diverse bearing types. Notable features on these WEMA machines include three different types of milling centers (SW3, SW6, SW10), grounding of borings and tracks of inner rings, as well as tracks and outer diameters of outer rings. Outside rings have a diameter of approximately 300 mm to 900 mm. Shoulders, rims, etc can also be ground and different grinding operations can be performed in sequential or simultaneous grinding procedures.

Although the company’s grinding machines cover a wide range of possible applications,  they also build and design grinding machines to order ranging from more or less customized adaptations to complete designs of the machine.

 

For more information, please contact:

Scott Knoy
Vice President
German Machine Tools of America (GMTA)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Office: 734-973-7800
Fax: 734-973-3053
Email: scott@gmtamerica.com
www.gmtamerica.com

Continue reading

GMTA Names Dan Thomas New Project Manager

Ann Arbor, Michigan – German Machine Tools of America (GMTA) today announces the appointment of Dan Thomas as Project Manager for this major supplier of various machine tools, lasers and parts washers to the North American automotive, off-highway, heavy equipment and other power transmission markets.

GMTA Vice President Scott Knoy comments, “We welcome Dan to our team. His role will be a vital part of our ongoing efforts to be more customer-centric, as we expand our machine offerings, penetrate new markets and expand existing ones.”

Thomas will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination of the project flow at GMTA, from initial contact through commissioning of machines and systems onsite.

GMTA is a major supplier of machining centers, integrated laser-based work cells, fully-automated parts washing lines and related tooling, focusing primarily on gear, spline and other power transmission components.

See us at IMTS!

For more information, please contact:

GMTA (GERMAN MACHINE TOOLS OF AMERICA)
4630 Freedom Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: 734-973-7800
Fax: 734-973-3053
Web: www.gmtamerica.com
Email: scott@gmtamerica.com
Attention: Scott Knoy, VP

 

Continue reading

Samag Machine Tools Now Available in North America from GMTA

Continue reading

GMTA News Of Note (Issue 2016-2)

Continue reading