SPI Lasers now under Trumpf banner

As of 1 July, SPI Lasers rebranded under the Trumpf banner, meaning that SPI products are now available via Trumpf sales channels.

SPI Lasers UK Ltd has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Trumpf since 2008, quickly establishing itself within the group as an expert in the field of fibre-laser design and manufacture. With fibre lasers becoming important sources for material processing, both companies agree that “joining forces and integrating SPI Lasers into Trumpf is a sensible move that will be extremely beneficial for customers”. The relevant steps are expected to be completed in Q3 2020.
For further information www.uk.trumpf.com

Power chuck offers twice the grip force

SMW Autoblok has introduced its HFKS-2G weight-optimised power chuck with flats and large through-hole for minimising inertia, maximising part accessibility, and saving wear and tear on the spindle.

Suitable for high-volume lathe and turn-mill centre applications, the HFKS-2G is optimised for the heavy-duty precision machining of easily deformed workpieces, including the gripping of both ID and OD part geometries. As a result of specially designed flats on the chuck body, the ability to use shorter tools to gain closer access to workpieces provides added part precision and cost efficiency.
The HFKS-2G features a proprietary wedge hook mechanism combined with a multi-jaw guide, which multiplies the points of contact and provides added surface connection and stability. In addition, the specially designed guidance system features inclined geometry that locks the master jaw mechanically after clamping against the chuck body and reduces jaw movement.
This multi-jaw control, along with the integrated centrifugal force compensation, enables significantly higher speeds and delivers twice the grip force at maximum RPM compared with other industry three-jaw chucks, reports the company.
Direct lubrication channels and grease reservoirs integrated in the jaw guideways ensure constant clamp force and improved accuracy and durability, even in harsh industrial environments. The specially designed lubrication system also minimises downtime and reduces maintenance costs.
HFKS-2G chuck body and internal parts are case-hardened and polished for increased life. Available in a variety of sizes from 210-320 mm, the power chuck accepts all inch serrated top jaws.
For further information www.smw-autoblok.de

BoKa relies on Röhm grippers

Based on many years of positive experience with products from clamping device specialist Röhm, BoKa Automation GmbH is relying on two-jaw grippers for its newest development. With these products, a robot grips individual workpieces for further part handling directly on the machine.
Following its formation in 2014, BoKa Automation GmbH has grown into a €1.8m turnover concern. Co-founder Severin Bobon describes the company mission: “Our main goal has always been to provide the best possible service and solutions to customers.” This is a principle that was followed in the development of CodaBot, the newest product from BoKa.
CodaBot stands for ‘Collaborative Discharge Assistant Robot’. Since a wide variety of workpieces are to be handled by CodaBot, flexibility is the top priority, even for the grippers.
A system located near Hamburg shows how CodaBot operates. There, medical products – namely bone pins made of titanium – are removed from a turning machine automatically. Afterwards, a titanium chip is removed from a frontal thread bore, in order to clean the bone pin in an ultrasonic bath. A device then cleans and blow dries the bone pin in order to then deposit the sensitive workpieces free of damage and scratches. This objective is a challenge, even for the Röhm grippers.
Machining is performed from conventional 3 m bar; the workpieces can be up to 100 mm in diameter. A two-jaw gripper is deployed, the RPP50 from Röhm, which has been modified with special features according to customer requirements. Depending on the workpiece dimensions, smaller or larger grippers are used, which can be pneumatically actuated and are designed to be self-holding.
A wide variety of such two-jaw grippers is available from Röhm. Equipped with two parallel fingers, they are especially suited for gripping round and angular-shaped workpieces.
For further information www.roehm.biz

Easy online purchasing with ITC app

Industrial Tooling Corporation has introduced the new ITC app. Created to provide existing and new customers with unparalleled access to the company’s cutting tools and services, the app is a convenient and easy-to-use solution for engineers who want to check availability and purchase products.

Also, customers can access a host of ITC services, such as searching their app order history, creating and storing favourite items, and completing lists of tooling for individual machining jobs. The new ITC App can be downloaded from Android and Apple-based platforms, or via the link below.
For further information https://is.gd/tubaxo

Failsafe pneumatic swing clamps

Roemheld has introduced pneumatically actuated swing clamps incorporating a mechanical locking action, whereby the full holding force – between 200 and 600 N – is maintained in the case of air-pressure reduction or loss, ensuring operator safety and avoiding the production of scrap. Operating pressure is between 2 and 6 bar.

The clamp is a pull-type cylinder with a piston that is automatically locked when the workpiece height is within the designated clamping range, after which the air line can be depressurised or uncoupled, for example during pallet change. For unclamping, which is monitored, only the minimum pneumatic pressure is needed.
A feature of the clamps is a pair of flow control valves that can be easily adjusted from above. The valves allow the speed of the sturdy swing mechanism to be reduced if the flow rate is too high or when the clamping arms are of larger mass. This functionality also enables synchronisation or sequencing of the closure of several connected clamps. The swing angle is normally 90° clockwise or counter-clockwise, although it can be 60°, 45° or absent (0°).
If machining dry or with MQL, the ingress of small particles can be prevented by the use of an additional wiper ring.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk