Schaudt CamGrind L
Key Specifications
max workpiece length
max camshaft diameter
max wheel speed
wheel type
grinding head
c axis resolution
Overview
The Schaudt CamGrind L is a CNC camshaft and crankshaft pin grinding machine from Schaudt, the United Grinding Group member specializing in automotive and engine component grinding. Schaudt's CamGrind series is the global reference machine for automotive camshaft grinding — the precision grinding of cam lobes to the exact profile geometry that determines valve timing, lift, and duration in internal combustion engines. The automotive industry's shift to variable valve timing (VVT) and engine downsizing has increased camshaft complexity and profile accuracy requirements, driving demand for Schaudt's precision camshaft grinding capability.
The CamGrind L handles camshafts up to 700 mm in length — covering the full range of passenger car and light commercial vehicle camshaft sizes from 4-cylinder to 8-cylinder inline and V-engine configurations. The machine uses CBN (cubic boron nitride) grinding wheels with a high-speed spindle (up to 63 m/s wheel speed) to produce the precise cam lobe profiles that control valve motion. CBN grinding of camshafts provides significantly longer wheel life than conventional abrasive grinding, reducing the frequency of wheel changes and dressing interruptions in high-volume production.
Schaudt's CamGrind machines use a pivoting grinding head design that maintains constant wheel-to-cam contact regardless of the cam lobe's angular position as the camshaft rotates. This design, combined with the CNC interpolation of the wheel head pivot against the camshaft C-axis rotation, produces the non-circular cam lobe profiles with the geometry accuracy that modern VVT engines require.
At $500,000-$800,000 new, the CamGrind L is the production standard at the major automotive camshaft manufacturers — Mahle, Linamar, ThyssenKrupp Camshafts, and their OEM captive camshaft plants. United Grinding's global service network supports the installed base across all major automotive manufacturing regions.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Workpiece Length | 700 mm (27.6 in) |
| Max Camshaft Diameter | 50 mm (1.97 in) |
| Max Wheel Speed | 63 m/s (12,400 fpm) |
| Wheel Type | CBN grinding wheel |
| Grinding Head | Pivoting (cam profile interpolation) |
| C Axis Resolution | 0.0001° |
| Workpiece Drive | Servo-controlled C-axis |
| Profile Accuracy | ±0.003 mm cam lift |
| CNC Control | Fanuc with C.O.R.E. platform |
| Machine Weight | ~8,000 kg (17,637 lb) |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Pivoting grinding head with CNC interpolation produces precise non-circular cam lobe profiles for VVT and high-performance engine applications
- CBN wheel at 63 m/s provides high material removal rates and long wheel life for production camshaft grinding
- 0.0001° C-axis resolution enables the precise angular control required for cam lobe profile accuracy
- 700mm length capacity covers 4-cylinder through 8-cylinder inline camshafts in a single machine
- Schaudt is the global reference for automotive camshaft grinding — installed at all major OEM and Tier-1 camshaft manufacturers
- C.O.R.E. platform integration for facilities running multiple United Grinding brands
Limitations
- $500K-$800K investment requires sustained automotive camshaft production volumes to justify
- Specialized application — camshaft grinding expertise and cam profile programming skills required
- CBN wheels for camshaft grinding are high-cost consumables requiring careful management
- Machine configuration is specific to camshaft/engine component grinding — not a general-purpose grinding machine
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Cam lobe profile grinding produces the non-circular cam lobe shape that controls valve motion — the shape of the lobe determines when the valve opens, how far it opens (lift), and how quickly it opens and closes (ramp rate). This shape is not a simple circle; it consists of multiple arcs and tangent transitions that must be ground to within ±0.003 mm of the specified profile. Errors in cam profile directly affect engine breathing efficiency, power, and emissions. The CamGrind L achieves this accuracy through synchronized CNC interpolation of the wheel head position against the camshaft C-axis rotation.
02
Yes. VVT camshafts used in modern variable valve timing systems have the same grinding requirements as conventional camshafts — the cam lobe profiles must be ground to the specified geometry regardless of whether the engine uses fixed or variable timing. Some VVT systems use phased camshafts with specific bearing journal arrangements that require careful setup on the CamGrind L. Schaudt's application engineers provide process qualification for new camshaft designs.
03
Automotive camshafts are most commonly made from chilled cast iron (for cast camshafts), carburized and hardened steel (for forged camshafts), or assembled camshafts with individual cam lobes made from hardened steel pressed onto a hollow steel tube. Cast iron camshafts require different wheel specifications than hardened steel — Schaudt's application team specifies the CBN wheel type, grade, and grinding parameters for each camshaft material.
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