More precision, faster setup for Pride Engineering’s die grinding machine with IndraMotion MTX from Rexroth

Addressing the demand for more precise, longer-lasting dies, Pride Engineering of Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A has developed the Model 30 air bearing grinder. Implementing Rexroth’s IndraMotion MTX CNC controller and drive platform, this five-axis air bearing carbide die grinder sets new standards for grinding accuracy, ease of use, and fast, efficient grinder setup and changeover. For can makers around the world, it is the type of tool that can dramatically enhance can manufacturing and tool room efficiency.

Precision to “Die” for

Pride Engineering is one of the leading manufacturers supplying the two-piece can industry with equipment such as air bearing grinders. The company serves can manufacturers in North and South America, Asia and Europe.

The Model 30 is one of Pride Engineering’s most advanced offerings, built to satisfy a growing need by can manufacturers for faster die production, reduced setup time, and more productive tool room operation.

Can manufacturing is a high-throughput industry with conditions that can be quite punishing on production machines and tools. Aluminium or steel “cups” are drawn out of sheet metal, then “ironed” into their final shape by being pressed under extreme pressure through a set of tungsten carbide dies, called a tool pack. Typical production is 400 to 600 cans per minute.

Minute imperfections in the die’s roundness, inside diameter, or other areas can cause excess friction and uneven wear. This may lead to cans whose shape or diameter is off-specification, or cause a problem called tear offs where the can literally rips or tears as it passes through the tool pack.

Dies can be used for about four to five days of round-the-clock production before normal wear requires that they be pulled and re-ground.

“There’s a constant industry demand for tighter tolerances and higher quality die finishes,” said Bruce Allyn, vice president at Pride Engineering. “The Model 30 produces dies ground to extremely precise tolerances, for the closest thing to perfect roundness that’s physically possible.”

Previous versions of the grinder used manual setup and changeover procedures. Operators had to carefully centre the die and find “zero” before grinding began. During the Model 30’s development, engineers at Pride Engineering concluded that they needed a new CNC controller to achieve their targeted levels of accuracy and ease of use. Working with local Rexroth sales partner Motion Tech Automation, Pride found the perfect combination of user-friendly features and precise, automated CNC functionality: The Rexroth IndraMotion MTX.

The IndraMotion MTX system from Rexroth is a high-productivity machine tool CNC for grinding and forming operations. It contains all the components – drives, controller, operator software and a powerful engineering framework – optimised for machine tool automation.

Rexroth’s IndraMotion MTX supports up to 64 axes of motion and 12 independent CNC channels. It provides the shortest CNC cycle times and minimum PLC program processing times, helping tool builders achieve high-speed machining and reduce non-productive setup and changeover times. It also uses an open architecture with standard interfaces such as Profibus, SERCOS and Ethernet.

Pride’s Model 30 also uses Rexroth’s IndraDrive family of intelligent drives, offering drive-based position loop closure, various compensation functions, and optional features such as IEC 61131-3 compliant integrated motion logic. In addition, Rexroth’s IndraDrive offers scalable functionality and a comprehensive range of high-performance servo (linear and rotary) and spindle motors.