Glebar PG-9DHD Form Grinder Reduces Green Ceramic Scrap Rate

Glebar’s fully automated PG-9DHD Centerless Form Grinder specializes in brittle pre-sintered (“green”) ceramics that require manufacturers to use precise and delicate processes to ensure part structural integrity. The company developed this grinder to solve problems for a manufacturer whose legacy equipment was breaking ceramic shafts and increasing scrap rates. Glebar was determined to find a solution that integrated with the manufacturer’s existing isostatic press, and that could accurately handle and grind the shafts without any chipping or breaking.

The PG-9DHD – equipped with a six-axis robot, inspection camera station, cleated conveyor and gantry – resulted from this effort. The six-axis robot sensed and transferred six ceramic shafts from the press onto the cleated conveyor. The shafts then passed through a camera station to ensure they were defect-free. Lastly, the gantry fed and removed two shafts from the grinder, reducing scrap and maximizing productivity.

The PG-9DHD removed 0.040” of stock material, 0.020” per side, while maintaining a tolerance of +/- 0.001”. By grinding two shafts every six seconds, the grinder was able to keep up with the ceramic press.

For operator safety and to achieve CE Certification, this PG-9DHD featured an enclosed grinding area and robot station.

Glebar says its machines can grind most hard-to-turn materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass (including G10), Teflon, Santoprene and polypropylene.