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Why buy a
Studer grinder?
We have worked on Studer for more than 25 years on every CNC ever made by
Studer. It is like no other. If you keep your machine
maintained it would produce a micron accuracy even after
25 years. I have personally worked on manual Studer
machines which were made 40 years ago and still working
at the same accuracy.
Maintenance does not have to be expensive. Just smart
and timely. Why are the machines accurate after this
many years? The machine base is made of Granitan. It is
natural stone compressed for years naturally. They
change very less to the environment. If you buy a
machines made of Iron base, it is cheaper by 30%, but
they
are not even close when it comes to the geometrical
tolerance.
B Axis - If you end up having B axis to move
between OD and ID wheel then how is it moved and held
down is a key point in accuracy. If you do not have
curvic coupling hold it down, your machine is not rigid.
Studer does that with 1 degree curvic coupling. Studer B2 axis is a unique design makes them the best in
the industry. Studer has an excellent presence in the
US. Exceptional service team who are knowledgeable
and friendly. You will always find parts even after 25
years. When it comes to a used machine, it is all in
mechanical and not electrical. Electrical can be
upgraded for 120K. If mechanical condition is not good
, it will never make the parts the same. Let us see how
to check these machine before you buy.
How
to buy a Studer grinder?
How to test a Studer? What question to ask the seller of
a grinder?
Ways - Foremost is the ways. The machine made in the last
15 years have a type of 2 part epoxy poured which keeps the
oil on the ways. If they are worn out, it takes 420,000
USD to fix them. Knowing how much is the wear is good to
know.
Granitan Cracks- Make sure there was no crash and the
base is not broken anywhere. Though I have personally
repaired a few cracks, some of them the cost 420,000
to repair. It has to go to Switzerland for repair.
B axis -There are a few machines which were made without
a curvic coupling and is never going to accurate. The
price of a new B axis is about 140,000. If water has
gotten into b axis and the shaft is bad, it a 19,000 for
some models.
Scales - Make sure your scales are enabled. The machine
can have a ton of back lash. People can turn the scales
off and sell it to you. It will not have the same
accuracy. Cost could be 15,000 Per axis.
Check the backlash on all the axes. Cost could be
15,000 per axis. Scale could be turned off and you need
how to check it.
Check the play on the work head bearings. Cost could be
as high as 25,000.
Wheel head - Check the spindle play. Cost could be
15,000
Tail stock - Check the play - Cost could be 8,000
Table wear - Table is soft. If there is wear on the
table by moving tailstock, it is a lot of work to bring
the centerline right. Cost could 10 to 40K
Electronics , though it is easy to replace, make sure
you know what you are getting into. Some components are
obsolete.
Communicator - Make sure it works - Cost could be 18,000
Sensitron - Make sure it works - Cost could be 8,000
Gauging - If you are going to use it test it and make
sure it is not obsolete. Call the gauge maker and give
the model number. They are ultra expensive to change.
Could be 25,000.
Monitor- Make sure it is good enough - Cost could be
4,000
Coolant tank - Make sure it is the right tank - Cost
could be 8,000
Id Spindle - Run it for full speed. Make sure oil drips
from the front. Coolant lines are not clogged.- Cost
could be 22,000.
Id Drive - IF the drive is bad the cheapest to replace
one is 17000 and upwards. Some of the Vacon drives are
not available.
Cables and hoses - Sometime the type of coolant can eat
it so bad, machine becomes un reliable. The fixing cost
could be 20,000.
Carbide - Depending on what was run on the machine the
corrosion could be really bad. In occasion customer had
to rebuild the whole machine after 5 years.
Watch out for dealers who run the machines on carbide,
clean it and sell it. The machine will be a total waste.
Also watch out for machines which comes out of auction.
Some have sit in water for a while. Make sure you find
out who owned the machine last. When was the last time
it ran good parts. You might see some machines sitting
on the market for a long time. There is always a reason
for that. Call Studer (United Grinding) and give the
serial number. They will be happy to give the history to
you for free.
The cheapest CNC Studer is 300K. This is entry level
Luxury. Mid level machine like a S33 with OD and
ID feature could be 700K. S31 well appointed could run
you into 1 million. S40 well appointed to 1.3 million.
Fully loaded into 1.6 million. Options are plenty.
Different work heads, center line height, quickset, non
round grinding, Thread grinding and many more can tip
the price by 100K. Getting any used Studer is a bargain.
You can find one. The questions is, did you get what you
paid for.
When you buy from us, we give you a report card. You
know what you are getting. We will give you a prediction
of how long every component will last and a risk
mitigation plan of parts for your electronics. You are
buying a Ferrari and know what you are getting. Peace of
mind comes with knowing what you are getting.
We sell only known good machines; buy from us
with peace of mind !
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