Rotary tables support larger cuts

The Detron GFA series of five-axis rotary tables is now available in the UK from YMT. Critical faces on the rotary tables are ground rather than just turned for indexing accuracy and concentricity.

Users can also increase productivity with larger cuts and benefit from smooth braking without deformation of the table surface. This latter attribute is supported by Detron’s patented dual-piston clamping technology and a fully enclosed brake-drum ring operating at high pressure.
Integrated radial and axial bearings, where the spindle and bearing is one unit, add to the rigidity of the rotary table. Additionally, the dual lead worm uses a large tooth depth resulting in a contact surface 33% greater than conventional worms. To ensure long service life, reliability and thermal stability, the worm is positioned at the bottom, so that it is totally immersed in oil. These features help ensure the table is suitable for heavy-duty five-axis machining.
The motors on the Detron GFA series are control-specific, so YMT tests the installation in-house before delivering it to the customer. All Detron GFA series rotary tables have ports in the table so that they are automation-ready, giving a clear upgrade path for end users.
For further information www.ymtltd.co.uk

Clamping devices of the future

A choice of effective clamping devices for tool and workpiece avoids expensive changeover times and helps to utilise the machine tool’s potential more effectively. With this in mind, the Precision Tool Association in the VDMA (German Engineering Federation), under the aegis of the METAV exhibition last month, hosted the 3rd Clamping Technology Forum.

Intelligent holding and clamping systems are becoming progressively more important in manufacturing operations, particularly as companies are increasingly having to deal with thin-walled and very small workpieces, as well as lightweight components. Here, intelligent clamping systems offer a huge potential for optimisation, although they also have “advantages when machining medium and small batch sizes with automated parts handling, and wherever comprehensive process monitoring is required”, says Henrik Schunk, managing partner of workholding specialist Schunk GmbH.
At Metav, Schunk gave a presentation on the importance of the toolholder in the production process. The company introduced an app with which a user can receive operating states of angle heads as raw data on his mobile terminal, enabling him or her to take countermeasures against production errors conveniently over a smartphone.
Angle heads are “very cost-efficient and flexible components designed to significantly expand the functionality of machine tools. Nowadays they are essential in an innovative metalcutting strategy,” explains Konrad Keck from Benz GmbH. Advantages and possible applications of magnetic and vacuum-based clamping techniques were also showcased at Metav.
Overall, experts presented numerous solutions, which thanks to the optimised deployment of clamping devices, can render the production process more efficient and cost effective.
For further information www.metav.com

Flexible automation for the masses

From its biggest ever stand at MACH 2018, Thame Workholding (Hall 6, Stand 170) will display a number of products receiving their UK exhibition premiere. For instance, RoboTrex is the first Lang automation equipment based on the small QuickPoint 52 system.

Suitable for retrofitting to the front or side of a machine tool, the RoboTrex can work with individual components up to 12 kg. Customers can choose from up to four specially designed workpiece trolleys that serve as vice storage systems. Furthermore, two new RoboTrex vices, with a jaw width of 46 and 77 mm, can be mounted vertically for optimal use of space when being picked-up by the robot.
Another MACH debutant on the Thame stand will be the Inoflex VL range. This weight-reduced series of self-centring four-jaw chucks is suitable for vertical turning centres, offering part-clamping capacity from 420 to 1200 mm. Compensating features permit the clamping of round, cubic and geometrically irregular workpieces when milling or turning.
While conventional chucks operate with all jaws moving in the same direction, either towards or away from the centre of the chuck, the Inoflex chuck operates with the jaws moving together or apart on two parallel axes. In addition, weight-reduction characteristics improve clamping forces at higher machining speeds while simultaneously reducing the stress and forces placed on the spindle when machining large workpieces.
Thame will also introduce its latest series of multi-face fixture systems for five-axis machining. This three-faced fixture facilitates the clamping of three individual components on a single device. According to the company, the fixture provides greater clearance and access to five-axis parts, especially when compared with standard four-face tombstone systems.
For further information www.thame-eng.com

Safe clamping of heavy dies

At the forthcoming MACH 2018 exhibition, Roemheld (Hall 20, Stand 444) will introduce a range of wedge clamping elements with patented safety bolts designed to attach a die set to the table and ram of a power press securely, regardless of whether the tool edges are straight or angled. A positive locking action allows even a heavy upper die to remain in place during maintenance or if the clamping pressure drops. The clamps move automatically, making them easy to operate, while a position control feature verifies closure and release, and reports if no die has been placed or if the edge is incorrectly set.

The system consists of a hydraulic cylinder block and a bolt guided within a housing; the bolt having a contact surface angled at 20°. A projection on the bolt and a corresponding recess along the die edge ensure positive locking if the hydraulic pressure holding the upper die should fail.
Adapter plates for simple attachment to existing dies make the retrofitting process trouble-free. The wedge clamping elements, with single or dual action, exert a force from 25 to 1250 kN. They are available to suit straight and angled die edges, and are designed in a variety of styles, allowing customers to configure clamping arrangements using a range of options. Modular construction allows cost-effective production of the elements, high availability and short delivery times, says Roemheld.
Permanent lubrication gives the clamps virtually maintenance-free operation. Due to their robust design, they are able to withstand high temperatures and soiling, and offer long service life. On request, multi-layer coatings can be applied to the bolts and housings to reduce wear in challenging applications.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

Schunk vices attract the crowds

At last month’s Southern Manufacturinig exhibition in Farnborough, UK, Schunk handed a UK exhibition debut to its Kontec KSC-F single-acting
vice, as well as the KSC 6-jaw gripper vice.

The modular configuration of the KSC-F is credit to the Vero-S interface and 160° quick-clamping system. This all-rounder for raw and finished part machining is suitable for manual and automated machine loading. The KSC-F with its flat, lightweight design is seen as applicable for use in pallet storage units. Each size – KSC-F 80, KSC-F 125, and KSC-F 160 – is designed for the common machine tool pallet sizes of 320 x 320, 400 x 400 and 500 x 500 mm. The KSC-F achieves high clamping forces even at a comparably low torque level, says Schunk.
Alongside the KSC-F was the KSC six-jaw gripper vice. This six-jaw gripper vice system performs well when processing high-strength materials, says Schunk, and the safe clamping configuration can resist extreme lateral forces when machining difficult-to-process materials.
With clamping forces up to 90 kN, the KSC is designed to deliver stability in operations that require a low clamping depth, providing the end user with good access to the workpiece with improved clearance between the component and the clamping system. The vices are suitable for clamping workpieces up to 125 mm wide.
For further information www.schunk.com