This month’s machine in focus is the new Genius Plus from Kolb, a CNC version of the Kolb Genius. It offers all the advantages of CNC production but, at the push of a button, can also be used as a manually operated machine for polishing drainers, for example.
Main features of the Kolb Genius Plus CNC workcentre
General: Kolb have built an enviable reputation for stone processing machinery in Germany and throughout the world in the last 50 years. Skilled personnel, modern production facilities and a constant research and development program guarantee the highest standard of machinery. Kolb attach great importance to close contact both with agents and end-users, which they believe is why they have almost 10,000 machines in use all over the world. The latest machine to enter the range is the Genius Plus, a multi-purpose CNC processing centre for drilling, milling, grinding and polishing (cut-outs, draining boards, grooves, straight edges and surfaces). It has been developed from the successful manually operated Genius.
Capabilities: The Kolb Genius Plus closes the gap between automatic work such as cut-outs and intricate manual work such as polishing draining boards. Both automatic and manual operations can be performed on the Plus, making it easy to produce finished work on this machine.
Physical Configuration: The Genius Plus has overall dimensions of 5m x 1.6m x 2.3m and weighs approximately 2tons – a bit bigger than its little brother that was introduced in 2002 that has achieved 250 sales to date. Like the Genius, the Plus version has a sturdy, welded steel tube construction completely hot-galvanised to protect against corrosion. The support and bridge run on linear saddle guides based on stainless steel rollers. These provide a smooth and easy movement of both the support and the bridge. The bridge can be disengaged by an automatic clutch allowing the machine to be operated in a manual mode. By pushing a button, the clutch will re-engage to return the Genius Plus to a CNC processing centre.
Work surface: The machine table, like the whole machine, is completely hot-galvanised. Kolb place great demands on quality and use stainless steel, brass or aluminium throughout.
Tool Handling: Tool change is by means of a pneumatic tool change to ISO 30. All tool adapters are made of stainless steel.
Motor: The machine is driven by an economic 6kW / 400V / 50Hz inverter motor that is infinitely adjustable up to a maximum speed of 12,000rpm. Rise and fall of the motor is executed by motorized spindle and displayed by a digital read-out with zero point setting that is accurate to 0.1mm.
Control: The Genius Plus is controlled by a user-friendly CNC system. The system includes a CAD link (for example using dxf) for external programming. Software has been developed and programmed by in-house programmers. Detailed instructions for installation, start up and operation are included on video and CD-ROM.
Price: At approximately Euro65,000 the Genius Plus is attractively priced for a machine built using the latest state-of-the-art methods. Kolb also have a reputation for a good price-performance ratio with German-build quality.
Further information: Martin Kolb Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG. D-89165 Dietenheim/Iller. Tel: 0049 7347 96990. Email: info@kolb-mb.de
UK Agent: Combined Masonry Supplies Ltd, Unit 1, Ripley Road, Business Park, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD4 7EX. Tel: 01274 730100.