Distributed in the UK by the long-defunct Dowding & Doll Ltd of Greycot Street, London S.W.1., the Oerlikon Model HMS.2 was intended not only for the precision sharpening of carbide tools, but also their manufacture from solid.
Able to undertake cylindrical, conical, face, flat and eccentric grinding, the HMS.2 could also manage the relief grinding of two-lipped cutters, boring tools, punches and gauges.
With the a compound slide rest set vertically on the face of the main body and combined with the rotary angular movements of the workhead and indexing spindle, jobs could be set in any desired position. Changing jobs was designed to be simple and rapid - while replacement of the grinding and workhead fittingd could be done, according to the makers, in a "matter of seconds".
Cross slide travel was 411/32" (8.7 mm); vertical travel 23/8" (60 mm); the grinding arm could be moved through 2" (50 mm), and the stroke of the pivoted arm 55/16" (135 mm) and the maximum setting of the workhead's angle range -40° to +110°.
On early models, the workhead spindle speeds were infinitely variable from 0 to 900 r.p.m. and the grinding wheel spindle able to be run at either 3200 or 5500 r.p.m.
Later models offered a number of improvements including the travel of the grinding arm being increased to 70 mm; the stroke of pivoted arm to 155 mm; the grinding wheel given an additional three speeds making the range: 2650, 3500, 4900, 7000, and 10,000 r.p.m. and the workhead spindle speeds infinitely variable from 10 to 1350 r.p.m.
The spindle head accepted Schaublin Type 15W collets with a though-capacity of 10.5 mm, the indexing wheel provided with 120 divisions and, to help the operator an adjustable, leather-covered seat and a pair of padded elbow rests was provided - but no dust-extraction equipment.