In recent years, Midaco has expanded its line of automatic pallet changers to accommodate the need for high-volume large precision parts machined to tight tolerances for the aerospace, energy, automotive, medical, defence, power generation, and oil and gas industries. These jobs cause significant spindle downtime due to the long and involved process of heavy/large part changeover. When combined with crane loading, first-article inspection and job interruption tasks, the machining centre can be idle up to 70% of the time. Idle machine time means slow production and lost profit for each machine owned.

Midaco says its pallet changers are a simple solution to eliminate unnecessary spindle downtime and rescue lost profit on large as well as small and mid-size machining centres.

The company manufactures pallet changers which adapt to virtually any brand and model of machining centre, including large bridge mills with travels up to 4826 x 2235 mm, and with a weight capacity of up to 14,528 kg.

Automatic pallet systems are easily installed on the right side or the left side of a VMC, or both sides for machines which do not move in the Y axis. Once a pallet or load of parts is complete, the next pallet or job is transferred into the machine automatically from the side-mounted shuttle on to the receiver fitted to the VMC table. As all part loading and job set-up tasks are performed offline (without the operator having to lean into or climb on to the machine) both productivity and ergonomics are maximised.
For further information www.midaco-corp.com

Schunk says its workholding solutions have been a major facilitator in gains witnessed at Rockenhausen, Germany-based precision subcontractor Maas Frästechnik. Here, the equipping of three five-axis machines with Schunk’s Vero-S quick-change clamping modules has proved highly advantageous.

DMU 50 ecoline, Hermle C30U and Hermle C42U machining centres are now equipped with the Schunk quick-change technology and supplemented with an extensive clamping device pool, meaning the majority of all conceivable customer requests can be accommodated.

“We have components the size of a little finger and others that require a 500 mm base plate,” says company owner Stefan Maas. “This means we are required to map all possibilities in quick succession and must often put out fires for our customers.”

The key element of the clamping solutions are Schunk Vero-S NSE plus 138 quick-change modules, which are mounted to all three machine tables. Various clamping devices can be switched between the individual machines with just a few actions.

“I don’t need to tighten any screws, or look for any washers or keys,” says Maas. “All clamping devices are precisely and firmly connected to the machine. The clamping result is always identical, without anything having to be aligned. And the flexibility is simply sensational.”

Radially arranged clamping slides retract and self-lock the clamping pin with the Vero-S via a spring assembly that uses form-fit clamping. Clamping and positioning is carried out via a short taper, which ensures a repeat accuracy of <0.005 mm. Due to the patented dual stroke system, each module achieves pull-down forces of 7500 N. With activated turbo-function, the pull-down force is 25,000 N, while the retention force is 50,000 N. For further information www.schunk.com

Located close to the UK’s motorsport valley in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, Dowse Engineering ensures the efficient and cost-effective delivery of quality components through continuous investment in the latest manufacturing technologies, which includes a range of workholding equipment from Thame.

“An example of the many advantages we have gained through the use of Thame Workholding’s products is our recently purchased InoGrip system,” says director Trevor Dowse. “Before loading a billet on to an InoGrip vice for milling, we stamp the workpiece in our InoGrip stamping station. The four precise depressions allow the specially shaped ends of the InoGrip vice’s three jaws to lock into the last 6 mm of the workpiece. This positive fit makes it possible to securely clamp the workpiece with just a fraction of the previously necessary clamping force. In addition, the arrangement provides a reference point for reinserting workpieces in the vice with a high degree of repeat accuracy. Much reduced machining times, improved precision and substantial cost savings on materials means that we anticipate a rapid return on our investment.”

The InoGrip system uses a high-pressure hydraulic press to simultaneously apply four cruciform indentations to the last 6 mm of the workpiece billet. Following the stamping operation, when transferred to the InoGrip chuck, the male cruciform features engage with the workpiece indentations. As a result, a positive, secure fit is produced with a holding force that is up to 10 times higher than that produced by conventional gripper jaws, says Thame.
For further information www.thameworkholding.com

Visitors to the Röhm stand at the recent AMB 2018 exhibition in Stuttgart experienced how the company can reduce set-up time to less than 60 seconds. To demonstrate, there was a set-up time challenge in which visitors could prove themselves and win prizes by changing the jaws on Röhm’s new Duro-A RC. Here, nine year-old Alexandra showed how it was done.

“We are absolutely thrilled and satisfied by this year’s AMB,” says CEO Gerhard Glanz. “Not only the set-up time challenge, but the response to our new products. The Duro-A RC power chuck and Lubritool lubrication device proved a total success.

“We were quite astounded when a record was set for the set-up time challenge on the fourth day of the fair,” he adds. “The three jaws of the Duro-A RC power chuck were changed in an unbelievable 10.27 seconds. On the last day of the fair, we were also surprised by nine year-old Alexandra, who managed to change the jaws in 53.96 seconds, thereby showing that it really is child’s play.”

The Duro-A RC power chuck prevails not only due to the fast jaw change, but due to its overall height, which has been reduced by 14% compared with the previous generation chuck, while weight has been reduced by 17%.

Elsewhere on the stand was the Lubritool lubrication device, which enables the automated lubrication of tool clamping systems within 5 seconds, instead of 5 minutes. Based on this time saving, Lubritool can pay for itself in less than six months.
For further information www.roehm.biz

MetLase, which is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, has been announced as the tooling and fixture partner for Boeing’s newly constructed Sheffield facility in a deal that will initially increase the workforce by 15%. The contract seals a record year for the mechanical engineering specialist.

Using its 3D design capabilities, laser-cutting technology, and patented assembly and joining systems, Metlase will create lightweight, optimised machining fixtures designed to hold 11 different castings used in the production of actuation system components for the 737, 767 and 777 passenger jets. This contract with Boeing is the latest in a line of business wins that include strategic partnerships with blue-chip companies in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy – marking a 70% annual increase in sales for the Sheffield-based firm.

“The long-term agreement with Boeing marks a new chapter for our business as it will enable us to become an integral part of its future plans to develop intelligent and connected fixturing and tooling solutions,” explains Steve Dunn, managing director at MetLase. “Our unique approach and technology will see us produce optimised fixtures that are lighter than traditional alternatives, can be produced in weeks as opposed to months and, importantly, through our design iteration service, can be continually improved to deliver the best possible performance.

MetLase, which employs 25 people at its 12,500 sq ft facility at the AMP Technology Centre, started delivering the fixtures last month as part of a three-year contract.
For further information www.metlase.com