Bourn & Koch Blanchard 54HAD-100

The Bourn & Koch Blanchard 54HAD-100 grinds parts up to 126 in (3,200 mm) across on a 100 in (2,540 mm) one-piece steel magnetic chuck. This is a machine for very large plates and rings. Weight capacity is 30,000 lb (13,608 kg), and the grinder itself weighs approximately 103,000 lb (46,721 kg), so the foundation is part of the project.

The drive arrangement changes at this size. On the Blanchard 32HAD-60 the drive system is listed simply as Servo; here it is Servo (Z) / Hydraulic (X). The spindle head, which sets part thickness, is positioned by a servo motor with encoder feedback, while the carriage that brings the wheel over the chuck moves hydraulically. In rotary surface grinding X is a positioning move, so the split is a reasonable one, but it is worth knowing before comparing this grinder with a two-servo machine.

Grinding power is 150 hp (111.9 kW) as standard on a 54 in (1,372 mm) wheel, with increased grinding spindle horsepower optional. The chuck turns at 2.6 - 10.2 rpm. Downfeed is in two ranges, coarse at 0.001 to 0.100 ipm (0.025 to 2.54 mm/min) and fine at 0.0001 to 0.010 ipm (0.0025 to 0.254 mm/min).

Vertical range is 33 in (838 mm), with 48 in (1,219 mm) or 60 in (1,524 mm) optional. A Fanuc 35i CNC control with touch screen display and the Blanchard Grinding HMI is standard, as are the wheel dresser, auto spark-out and retract and an automatic lubrication system. External coolant systems are optional and should be planned together with the installation.