[photo] The Studen S242 from United Grinding is designed for the hard turning and grinding of high-precision applications for both shaft and chucked workpieces such as gear shafts, camshafts, turbocharger shafts and tool holders. According to the company's press release, a part can be fully machined with a single clamping, reducing machining time, idle time and logistics costs (fixturing and refixturing from one machine to another). Modular design for quick setup and changeover, state-of-the-art digital control and drive system and step-by-step programming. Swift diameter is 185 mm and between-centers grinding length is 400 mm with an 800 mm version coming late in 2006. Depending on the application, parts up to 1,000 mm can be machined and the maximum workpiece weight is 25kg. A rigid longitudinal slide wit two independently-controlled cross slides for the tool holders ensure short travels for combined machining and the flexible use of numerous tools. The left cross slide holds the wheel head while the rotating tool turret with eight tool positions, with an optional four driven tools for milling and drilling, is fitted to the right-hand cross slide. Highly dynamic axis drives with pre-tensioned linear guideways and linear measuring systems for in-process length positioning, length and diameter guarantee higher precision. The Grantitan? S103 mineral inclined-bed machine base meets machine accessibility requirements, optimum chip discharge into the chip conveyor, effective vibration dampening and high thermal stability.