Walter Grinders unveiled its Helitronic Vision CNC tool grinder at IMTS. According to the company’s press release, the grinder offers shorter cycle times and grinds carbide or HSS tools ranging from 3$B!&(B20 mm in diameter. The grinder’s five CNC axes-two rotary and three linear-use direct drives. The linear motors offer positioning accuracy and move at up to 2,000"/min. (50 m/min.) with high acceleration, minimizing non-grinding time. Walter used its 3D gantry design in an "acceleration proof" mineral casting for the base and the gantry. According to the company’s press release, the damping properties improve grinding precision and surface finish, especially when trying to achieve the fastest possible grinds. Additionally, the mineral casting offers insensitivity to temperature fluctuations, improving precision and increasing productivity by virtually eliminating the need for a warm-up cycle. The Helitronic Tool Studio software offers unlimited programming flexibility, along with the ability to set up while the machine grinds. The grinding machine can be equipped with an automatic tool loader and wheel changer, enabling flexible multi-shift operation with minimal manning. For long loader runs, similar wheel packs can be changed as wheels wear. For mixed tool batches, different wheel packs can be loaded for different tool types. For large stock removals, roughing and finishing wheel packs can be loaded. For mixed tool materials, CBN and diamond wheel packs can be auto-loaded.