In recent years, in addition to the widespread use of wearable terminals and IoT devices, the demand for high-precision small parts is increasing due to the increasing complexity of various products due to their high functionality. An internal grinder is required as one of the equipment for processing these parts.Seiko Instruments provides internal grinders that can solve various problems that customers have, based on the high technology cultivated through many years of wristwatch manufacturing.

Various industries are required to improve the performance of internal grinder

Internal grinding is a type of grinding and is a processing method that grinds the inner surface of a cylindrical workpiece.

Small, high-precision parts are required in various industries such as automobiles, home appliances, and information terminals, where the functions are becoming more sophisticated and the internal structure is becoming more complicated. In the internal grinding process used for processing these parts, it is desired to achieve both high processing accuracy and productivity.

In addition to machining accuracy, the internal grinder also needs to meet various demands. For the purpose of effective utilization of factory space and reduction of production cost, space-saving and cost-saving equipment is required. In addition, consideration for the environment should also be emphasized.

Due to the characteristics of the processing method of internal grinding, the grindstone is "cantilever support". Therefore, there are still problems with insufficient rigidity of the shaft that supports the grindstone, processing speed, and changes in the sharpness of the grindstone. Due to these effects, it is said that the machining accuracy of internal grinding is less stable than that of other grinding, and the machining efficiency is likely to decrease.

In addition to improving processing accuracy and efficiency, it is not easy to develop space-saving and low-cost equipment. Seiko Instruments has proposed solutions to these issues by meeting the needs of our customers.

Advantages of Seiko Instruments’ internal grinder

Seiko Instruments offers space-saving and highly accurate internal grinder. Our grinder has high operability and is compact.

High grinding accuracy is achieved by installing a high-performance high-frequency spindle developed in-house. In addition, the products are highly versatile and has excellent expandability.

Cases of solution by using Seiko Instruments' internal grinder

From the viewpoints of productivity improvement, stable high-precision machining, and skill transfer, there are many examples of customers who have the impression that internal grinding is difficult.

Seiko Instruments resolves such inquiries from customers who have problems with internal grinding through test grinding.

Here are three cases of how the problems were actually solved by using Seiko instruments’ grinders.

Case 1

For small parts that require coaxiality between the outer diameter and inner diameter, such as parts for small medical equipment, it is difficult to ensure accuracy with the commonly used tool fastening methods such as air chucks, diaphragm chucks, and magnet chucks.

Seiko Instruments' internal grinder solves these problems by adopting the 2Rolls-1 shoe workhead spindle unit used in bearing processing and the high-frequency spindle developed in-house.

In addition, full automation has been achieved by realizing automatic supply by the parts feeder, automatic measurement of workpieces after processing, and automatic ejection. We can respond not only to grinding accuracy and grinding efficiency, but also to requests to improve productivity.

Case 2

For precision machined parts, lapping may be required after internal grinding. The wrapping process is the final polishing work, and the cutting surface is polished with a wrapping liquid containing fine grindstone grains to create a mirror surface.

When lapping is required, in order to reduce the processing time, it is necessary to process with an accuracy close to that of the final finishing lapping in the internal grinding process. By improving the roundness, cylindricity and surface roughness, the difficulty of the wrapping process can be reduced.

Seiko Instruments' internal grinder can improve the surface roughness in addition to the shape accuracy such as roundness and cylindricity, so the lap processing time can be shortened.

Case 3

When grinding the inner surface of a small hole, the rigidity of the quill that supports the grindstone becomes lower, making it very difficult to ensure dimensional accuracy and shape accuracy. Seiko Instruments' internal grinder can efficiently perform internal grinding with a minimum diameter of 0.3 mm by using a high-speed spindle developed in-house with high accuracy and processing know-how cultivated through many years of experience.

Miniaturization and high precision technology that is the basis of internal grinder

As introduced in the above example, Seiko Instruments Inc.'s internal grinder realizes high accuracy, shortening of machining time, and improvement of worker's workability while saving space.

As a watch maker "SEIKO" for many years, Seiko, which has continued to develop and manufacture high-precision products, is based on the know-how accumulated over many years.

It is widely known that SEIKO watches are of high quality. In order to meet expectations by producing high-quality in-house products and continuing to provide them to our customers, we have continued to pursue high precision, high efficiency, stable quality, and high workability for processing equipment.

These efforts are based on the technical philosophy of "SYO" ism that lives in Seiko Instruments. The technology cultivated in precision processing for wristwatch parts is playing an active role not only in our own products, but also in automobile parts, bearing parts, medical equipment, etc. that require compact and high-precision processing technology.

In addition, Seiko Instruments offers retrofitting such as repairs, modifications, and control device replacements so that customers can continue to use the equipment shipped for a long time.

Summary

Seiko Instruments has realized a highly accurate and highly productive internal grinder with the technology cultivated in the development and production of wristwatches. If you are worried about high-precision small parts that are in high demand in various industries, the internal grinder provided by Seiko Instruments may be the solution.

If you have any problems with the processing of small precision parts, please feel free to contact us. As introduced in this article, our solution may solve your problems.