When Joy Mining Machinery decided to improve the changeover and set-up times on their new gear grinding machine, the company turned to Roemheld to supply the quick release and positioning system that would work with the large sizes and weights of the components involved – some of which weighed up to half a tonne.

Months of planning and consultation took place between Joy Mining Machinery, Roemheld distributor, AC Hydraulics, and the fixture builder, P.T.G. Workholding of Bristol.  Three Roemheld Stark Speedy 2000 zero point units were incorporated into a specially designed and fully machined flanged pillar, to hold gears ranging in size from 150mm to 700mm in diameter.  The flanged base was designed to locate and bolt directly to the machine table. Three Stark retractable nipples were also supplied per fixture for Joy Mining to fit to the upper mandrel tooling.

Eighteen months later and this mix of new machine technology and Stark zero point components have meant that instead of the old machine production rate of one gear per shift, the new, faster C.N.C machine along with zero point units produces a batch run of up to three gears per shift.  Changeover times have been reduced from one and a half hours to 10 – 15 minutes. 

The company is now looking at the possibility of introducing the Roemheld quick change technology into its gear hobbing machines.

Mr Barnett said:  “Our investment in the new gear grinder has shown us that if we take advantage of new technology we can make the same components more quickly and efficiently, which is essential to satisfy customer demand.”

To find out more about the Roemheld range of innovative workholding solutions, visit www.roemheld.co.uk