Rollomatic NaNO6
Key Specifications
grinding axes
tool diameter range
max tool length
workholding runout
workholding spindle
grinding spindle speed
Overview
The Rollomatic NaNO6 is a 6-axis CNC micro-tool grinding machine engineered specifically for the production of ultra-small diameter cutting tools — drills, end mills, and specialty tools from 0.01 mm to 3 mm in diameter. At these scales, conventional tool grinding machines cannot produce the required geometry accuracy: workpiece deflection under grinding forces, workholding runout, thermal drift, and vibration from the grinding process all become disqualifying factors at diameters below 1 mm. The NaNO6 is designed from the ground up to eliminate these constraints.
The machine's most distinctive engineering feature is its workholding system. At 0.1 mm tool diameter, a total indicator runout of even 2 microns means the cutting edges are displaced by an amount equal to 2% of the tool diameter — this is catastrophic for edge quality. The NaNO6 uses an air-bearing workholding spindle with sub-micron runout, combined with specialized collets matched to micron-level tolerances. The combination achieves tool runout in the 0.0005 mm (0.5 micron) range — a prerequisite for producing functional cutting edges at micro-tool diameters.
The 6-axis architecture (three linear axes plus three rotary axes) provides the same full geometric freedom as the GrindSmart 628XW but scaled for micro-tools. The grinding wheels used on the NaNO6 are diamond-bonded and significantly smaller in diameter than production tool grinder wheels — small wheel diameter relative to tool diameter is necessary to provide the correct approach geometry for flute, gash, and relief grinding at micro-scale. Wheel speed is correspondingly higher to maintain adequate surface velocity.
Machine structure minimizes thermal gradient effects: the NaNO6 operates in a temperature-controlled enclosure, and the machine base material has high thermal mass to absorb transient temperature changes. Active coolant temperature control maintains the grinding fluid at a consistent temperature, preventing thermal growth cycles that would otherwise show up as diameter variation across a production batch.
Rollomatic's Virtual Grinding software on the NaNO6 uses the same parameter-driven programming approach as the larger GrindSmart machines, with micro-tool specific geometry libraries and simulation. The simulation is critical at this scale — a collision in micro-tool grinding destroys both the workpiece and the grinding wheel without the operator having any chance to intervene.
Pricing for the NaNO6 falls in the $350,000-$500,000 range, comparable to the GrindSmart 628XW despite its smaller capacity — the precision engineering required for micro-tool grinding commands a premium.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Grinding Axes | 6-axis simultaneous (X, Y, Z linear + A, B, C rotary) |
| Tool Diameter Range | 0.01 mm to 3 mm (0.0004 in to 0.118 in) |
| Max Tool Length | Up to 100 mm (3.9 in) in micro-tool configuration |
| Workholding Runout | ≤ 0.0005 mm (0.5 µm) total indicator runout |
| Workholding Spindle | Air-bearing spindle, sub-micron runout |
| Grinding Spindle Speed | Up to 50,000 RPM (application-dependent) |
| Grinding Wheel Type | Diamond-bonded, small diameter for micro-tool approach geometry |
| Machine Base | Polymer concrete, temperature-controlled enclosure |
| Thermal Control | Active coolant temperature control, temperature-stabilized enclosure |
| CNC Control | Rollomatic CNC with Virtual Grinding (VG) software, micro-tool libraries |
| Coolant | Precision-temperature-controlled coolant system |
| Simulation | Full 6-axis collision simulation required before production |
Specifications sourced from rollomaticusa.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 0.5 micron workholding runout specification from air-bearing spindle enables functional cutting edges at diameters as small as 0.01 mm — not achievable on conventional tool grinders
- Active temperature control of both machine enclosure and coolant prevents thermal drift that would otherwise cause diameter variation across micro-tool production batches
- 6-axis simultaneous grinding provides full geometric freedom for complex micro-tool profiles including variable helix, gash geometry, and specialty end formations
- Virtual Grinding software with micro-tool geometry libraries enables complete programming from parameters rather than manual 6-axis G-code — essential at this scale
- Purpose-designed wheel approach geometry for micro-scale tools produces better edge quality than attempting micro-tool grinding on a scaled-down conventional machine
- Rollomatic's NaNO6 has established the reference for PCB micro-drill production globally — proven in the highest-volume micro-tool manufacturing environments
Limitations
- The NaNO6's specialization in micro-tools means it is not suitable for tools above 3 mm diameter — it cannot substitute for a GrindSmart 628XW for standard production end mills
- At $350,000-$500,000 new, plus temperature-controlled installation environment, the total system cost is significant for a machine limited to a narrow diameter range
- Micro-tool grinding requires specialized grinding wheels in very small sizes — sourcing, qualification, and inventory management of micro-grinding wheels is more complex than standard tool grinding wheels
- Process development for new micro-tool geometries is time-intensive — even with Virtual Grinding simulation, optimizing cutting parameters for a new micro-drill or micro-end mill requires multiple trial grinds
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Rollomatic specifies the NaNO6's minimum tool diameter at 0.01 mm (10 micrometers). At this diameter, the tool is finer than a human hair (70-80 µm). In practice, production grinding at 10 µm is extremely demanding — yield rates are lower than for tools at 0.1 mm or above, and the application typically involves specialized watchmaking or MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) applications. The high-volume sweet spot for the NaNO6 is 0.1-1.0 mm diameter PCB drills and medical micro-tools, where the machine has well-proven process parameters and achieves high yield rates.
02
An air-bearing spindle supports the rotating workpiece on a film of pressurized air rather than rolling elements or sliding contact. The air film provides three critical properties: near-zero friction (no stick-slip), zero mechanical wear (the bearing never touches metal to metal), and extremely low vibration. In a ball-bearing spindle, the rolling elements create tiny periodic forces that show up as surface waviness on the workpiece. At micro-tool scales, this waviness is comparable in size to the tool radius — it directly degrades edge quality and geometry. An air-bearing spindle eliminates these periodic forces, enabling the sub-micron runout that micro-tool grinding demands.
03
Both machines can grind tools in the 1-3 mm range, but the NaNO6 achieves significantly better runout and geometry accuracy due to its air-bearing spindle and temperature-controlled environment. For production carbide drills and end mills from 2-3 mm, the GrindSmart 628XW produces acceptable quality at lower per-part cost due to higher throughput. Below 1 mm, the NaNO6 is the only viable production platform — the GrindSmart's workholding runout is too large relative to tool diameter. The crossover point where the NaNO6's precision justifies its higher setup cost versus the GrindSmart is approximately 1.5-2 mm diameter, depending on edge quality requirements.
04
The NaNO6 typically uses oil-based coolant (grinding oil or very low-concentration semi-synthetic) rather than water-based coolant. Oil provides better lubrication and rust prevention for the machine's precision components, and it carries heat away from the grinding zone without the evaporative cooling effect that water-based coolants produce — evaporation causes localized temperature changes that matter at micro-scale. The coolant is temperature-controlled to ±0.5°C or better through the NaNO6's active thermal management system. Coolant volume is small (10-30 liters total system), but filtration must remove carbide particles down to 3-5 micron to prevent recirculating abrasive from damaging ground surfaces.
Videos
Cutting Tool Engineering
Saacke North America
