An ultra-high-speed simultaneous five-axis CNC milling platform has been extended with jig grinding capability to bring several precision operations into a single machine. The concept is aimed at moldmaking and the production of ready-to-use mold components directly from the machine, with the stated goal of limiting post-processing while maintaining consistent part quality.
According to the material published by MoldMaking Technology and sourced to UNITED MACHINING, combining jig grinding with five-axis machining has historically been difficult because the two processes place different demands on the machine platform. The solution described brings together established hardware and newly developed features, including a diamond dressing wheel spindle mounted on the B-axis housing, an acoustic sensor to detect full contact during dressing, and a laser measuring system that feeds pin measurements back into the control so offsets can be adjusted.
Thermal stability is presented as another major requirement. The machine uses a polymer concrete base with coolant passages, an optional Ambient Robust package that extends temperature control across the machine bed, and a separate thermal coolant control system for the coolant itself. On top of that, thermal compensation software is used to correct for residual workspace variation caused by changing cutting loads that hardware measures alone may not fully eliminate.
The grinding package also adds process-supporting features such as higher-level coolant filtration, dedicated linear guide protection against fine particulate, six coolant nozzles arranged 360 degrees around the spindle nose, and a built-in mist extractor. An optional software upgrade is also described that uses existing sensors to verify contact between the grinding pin and the part and to adjust feed rate dynamically while the machine brakes are active.
The article cites Leuthold Mechanik AG, a Swiss specialist in high-precision toolmaking, metal processing and special machine construction, as a user of the Mikron Mill X with grinding capability for high-precision dies used in its presses. The company links the machine to higher output, faster response to customer needs and the ability to support lights-out automation. Its prior standardization on Mikron Mill machines for both three- and five-axis milling is also said to have eased adoption.
According to the company, the combined milling and jig grinding platform can achieve surface finishes under Ra 4 µm, contour and flatness accuracy to 2 µm, surface profile tolerances of 10 µm and roundness within 3 µm. With an optional pallet system, a robot can move the pallet to a CMM for validation and return it to the machine if more grinding is needed. For moldmakers that currently split flat grinding, hard milling, jig grinding and measurement across separate machines, the platform is positioned as a way to remove process steps, support full automation and expand capacity without investing in a dedicated jig grinder.
