Time To Clamp Smarter And Harder Eith New Kurt Air Vice

Kurt Workholding has introduced the PFA620 five-axis pneumatic vice, an air-actuated, self-centring work-holding solution designed to improve productivity, accuracy and repeatability in modern five-axis machining environments.

Developed for automation as well as manual operation, the compact PFA620 was recently demonstrated as part of a fully automated lights-out machining cell at the Yamazen open house in Elk Grove, Illinois. Mounted on a Brother Speedio U500Xd2 machining centre with an integrated robot, the system automatically loaded raw material and removed finished components, enabling extended unattended production.

“The automated access door allows the robot to move parts in and out of the machine without an operator present,” explains Andrew Justin, sales engineer at Kurt Workholding. “The PFA620 mounts seamlessly to any five-axis platter and can be integrated with a rotary union so all pneumatic connections are contained within the base, eliminating exposed air lines while maintaining full access to the workpiece.”

Designed to accommodate a wide range of component sizes, the vice combines manual full-stroke adjustment with a 6.35 mm pneumatic stroke to deliver consistent clamping force and repeatable positioning. This helps reduce set-up times and supports efficient changeovers in both manual and automated production environments.

The PFA620 can be configured as a standalone unit or in multi-vice arrangements, making it suitable for everything from single-machine applications to high-density automated machining cells. It also features tool-free, quick-change jaws, with serrated and dovetail options available for different work-holding requirements.

Delivering up to 8.9 kN of clamping force from a 7.5 bar shop air supply, the PFA620 provides the rigidity required for demanding five-axis machining while its compact design offers good access for efficient five-sided component machining.More information www.kurtworkholding.com

Greater Productivity Through Multi-Part Clamping Systems

Röhm not only supplies multi-part clamping systems to manufacturers worldwide but also uses the technology extensively within its own production facilities to improve productivity, process reliability and quality. The experience gained feeds directly into the development of practical solutions for customers across a wide range of industries.

One example is at the company’s Dillingen plant, where the manually operated Duro M lathe chuck is manufactured. Used on conventional, horizontal and vertical turning and milling machines, as well as rotary tables and indexing units, the chuck is produced using specially developed multi-part clamping systems from Röhm’s own portfolio.

The objective was to reduce machining and auxiliary times while increasing machine utilisation. By introducing a self-designed four-station clamping fixture, machining time per part was cut by around 90 seconds, while loading, tool changes and pallet changes were significantly reduced. Overall, productivity increased by approximately 10%.

“We needed a power-actuated solution with higher accuracy, since the components are milled from a pre-turned blank with finished reference surfaces,” explains Magnus Strobel, production manager in Dillingen. “The specially developed four-station fixture enables secure, distortion-free clamping while allowing complete finish machining in just two setups.”

Röhm also employs multi-part clamping technology to manufacture the stepped jaws of the Duro M. An automated production cell, comprising a Chiron DZ 16 W twin-spindle machining centre, integrated industrial robot and custom eight-station clamping fixture, handles loading, machining and unloading with minimal operator intervention.

Looking ahead, Röhm plans to expand the concept further. “We’re currently planning to add power-operated centric grippers, enabling us to machine cubic parts using the same production principle in the future,” adds Strobel.

More information www.roehm.biz

Tezmaksan Introduces Automated CNC Vice Loading System

Global manufacturer of CNC automation systems, Tezmaksan, has launched the CubeBOX Blues RT-VISE, a compact automation solution developed for high-mix, low-volume production environments. Designed to automate vice handling and the loading of clamped workpieces, the system helps manufacturers increase machine utilisation while reducing manual intervention.

Built around a six-axis industrial robot and rotary table, the CubeBOX Blues RT-VISE automates vice loading and unloading across one or two CNC machines. Operators can prepare multiple work-holding set ups in advance, reducing downtime, accelerating job changeovers and supporting unattended, lights-out production during breaks, overnight shifts and other non-working hours.

Compatible with a wide range of clamp types, the system accommodates different workpiece geometries without requiring dedicated tooling, making it particularly suitable for subcontract machinists and specialist manufacturers producing small batches of diverse components.

The CubeBOX Blues RT-VISE is supplied with a teach pendant, robot controller and industrial PC running Tezmaksan’s RoboCAM+ software. The intuitive interface enables users to define part positions and handling sequences without complex robot programming.

“RoboCAM+ simplifies how manufacturers move from design to production by translating CAD data directly into robot movements,” says Hakan Aydogdu, CEO at Tezmaksan. “This capability reduces set-up time and helps ensure consistent handling across different parts and batches, particularly in environments with frequent changeovers.”

Designed with a compact footprint, the CubeBOX Blues RT-VISE integrates easily into smaller workshops, while its modular architecture allows it to be adapted to different machine layouts. The latest addition to Tezmaksan’s CubeBOX range provides manufacturers with a practical, flexible route to automation, helping boost productivity without major changes to existing machining operations.

For more information www.tezmaksanrobotics.com

Efficient Die Changing And Clamping For Trimming Large Castings

Located in the German municipality of Mömlingen, Aulbach Automation abk Pressenbau is a specialist manufacturer of presses for trimming large castings. For more than a decade, it has relied on powered die changing systems, ball and roller bars, and die clamping elements from Roemheld, which has its UK subsidiary in Cramlington.

Mega- and giga-casting technology produces large, single-piece aluminium structural components that replace dozens of individual welded parts, reducing vehicle weight, simplifying production and improving rigidity. However, the size and weight of these castings place considerable demands on post-processing operations.

Aulbach Automation has specialised in trimming presses for the foundry industry since entering the mega- and giga-casting sector in 2021. By September 2025, it had delivered 23 four-column presses for removing excess aluminium flash from castings measuring more than 3 x 2.5 m.

André Pfeifer, technical project manager at Aulbach Automation, says: “In our view, there’s many reasons to choose Roemheld products, including their precision, reliability and durability. In addition, the co-ordination of the elements is excellent, delivery times are short and the service is impressive.”

Roemheld’s hydraulic transport rails, incorporating ball or roller bars, allow the quick and accurate positioning of heavy die sets before hydraulically actuated swivel clamps secure them in place. Sensors verify correct positioning, while the clamping system accommodates slight misalignment and delivers high clamping forces.

The upper die is secured using hydraulic swivel clamps linked to a central hydraulic unit with electronic monitoring. Inductive proximity switches continuously verify whether each clamp is released, rotated or clamped, instantly locking the press if a fault is detected.

By enabling the exchange of multi-tonne die sets safely and reliably in minutes rather than hours, the Roemheld system helps maximise uptime and productivity.

More information www.roemheld.co.uk

LATEST TOOLING SOLUTIONS HELP MAKE DIFFICULT MATERIALS ROUTINE

Industry research from Deloitte shows that manufacturers continue to invest heavily in improving efficiency and resilience, with greater attention on productivity, process stability and making better use of existing capacity. For global cutting tool and machining solutions specialist Sandvik Coromant, this supports its approach of working closely with customers to improve performance directly within production. The company’s ongoing partnership with Merx, a precision subcontract manufacturer based in Söderköping, Sweden, is a case in point.

Fortune Business Insights reports that the global superalloys market is projected to grow significantly from $8.78bn in 2026 to $22.44bn by 2034. As demand increases across sectors that rely on high-performance components, manufacturers require specialist knowledge, stable processes and the confidence to work with these challenging materials, something Merx has been building for decades.

Since Hans Hammargren and his co-founder started Merx in 1989, the company has grown from a small operation into an established high-precision manufacturer, supplying customers across the energy sector and other demanding industries.

Today, Merx employs around 75 people and operates a growing number of CNC machines, producing components where reliability is critical and tolerances are often measured to the thousandth of a millimetre. The company is now preparing for its next phase of growth, with plans to expand its facility by around 1000 m² and add more machines to increase production capacity.

“We’re growing, and we need to keep improving at the same time,” says Hammargren. “That applies to both production and how we work with our partners.”

A key part of Merx’s offering is its ability to machine complex materials that many subcontract manufacturers choose not to work with. One of the most demanding materials is Inconel 718, a heat-resistant superalloy widely used in turbine and energy applications, and where components need to perform reliably under extreme conditions.

The material’s strength and resistance to heat make it suitable for these environments, but the same properties create challenges in machining. Cutting forces are high, heat builds quickly at the cutting edge and tool wear occurs quickly, often reducing tool life to only a few minutes. This places pressure on both process stability and cost, where even small inefficiencies can have a significant impact on overall production.

“It’s a material many companies say no to,” adds Hammargren. “For us, it’s part of what we do, but it requires the right approach.”

Merx has worked with Sandvik Coromant in different ways since its early years, initially through distributors and later through direct collaboration. In recent years, the relationship has developed further, moving from a traditional supplier setup to a more integrated partnership.

Long-term relationships are important in this industry,” remarks Haris Karsic, account manager at Sandvik Coromant. “It’s through ongoing collaboration that you build an understanding of the customer’s production and can make improvements that actually hold up over time.”

This evolved collaboration has been driven by a combination of improved agreements and increased technical involvement. Engineers from Sandvik Coromant now visit the site regularly, working directly with Merx’s production teams to test tools, optimise parameters and identify improvements.

“It’s a very hands-on collaboration,” explains Hammargren. “They’re here in our production environment, working with our people and helping us solve real problems.”

The impact of this partnership is particularly clear in the machining of Inconel 718, where the introduction of Sandvik Coromant’s CoroDrill DE10, an exchangeable-tip drill for high-volume hole making, has led to measurable improvements in performance. Trials carried out in production showed a 48% increase in productivity, alongside a 32% reduction in cycle time per component.

What’s more, the total cost per component was reduced by approximately 51%. This saving was achieved through a combination of longer tool life, improved cutting data and more stable machining conditions.

Tool life doubled during testing, increasing from 20 to 40 components per cutting edge, while engagement time per component decreased from 1 minute 31 seconds to 0.93 minutes. These changes allow more parts to be produced in less time, improving both output and cost efficiency.

“When you look at the total economy, it becomes very clear,” says Hammargren. “It’s not about the price of a single tool, but how much you can produce and how stable the process is.”

In addition to cutting performance, the collaboration has focused on improving how tools are managed and used within production. One of the changes has been the introduction of Sandvik Coromant’s CoroPlus Tool Supply tool inventory system, which provides controlled access to tools and detailed usage tracking.

The system has improved organisation on the shop floor by allowing operators to access specific tools quickly and efficiently. Unlike previous solutions, where entire drawers were opened, the new system provides access to individual compartments, making it easier to locate the correct tool and reducing unnecessary handling time.

“It’s much clearer and easier to use,” adds Hammargren. “Our operators prefer it, and it saves time in daily work.”

The system also provides more detailed reporting, giving better visibility into tool consumption and usage patterns. This capability allows Merx to monitor costs more closely and make more informed decisions about inventory and process improvements.

The collaboration has also introduced measures that contribute to more efficient use of materials and resources. Through Sandvik Coromant’s buyback programme, used carbide tools are returned and reprocessed, reducing waste and supporting a more circular approach to production.

Reconditioning services are also used to extend tool life, allowing tools to be reused without compromising performance. While the focus remains on efficiency and cost, these steps also help reduce waste and lower the overall environmental impact of machining operations.

“Sandvik Coromant has encouraged the recycling of cemented carbide for several decades,” notes Karsic. “Recovering and reusing materials is a practical way to reduce waste while maintaining performance, and it’s something we continue to develop together with our customers.”

Merx is continuing to expand its operations, with increased production space and additional machines planned over the coming years. As capacity grows, maintaining consistent performance across all processes becomes increasingly important.

The company is therefore continuing to work closely with Sandvik Coromant to evaluate new tooling solutions and refine existing processes step by step. Changes are introduced only when they deliver measurable improvements, ensuring that production remains stable while performance improves.

For Merx, the relationship with Sandvik Coromant is based on ongoing cooperation rather than individual projects. The combination of technical support, on-site collaboration and proven results has helped strengthen production in some of the most demanding applications.

“The technical competence and the support we receive are the most important factors,” states Hammargren. “That’s what helps us move forward.”

As manufacturing requirements continue to evolve, this type of collaboration is becoming increasingly important. For Merx, it provides a practical way to improve performance while supporting long-term growth in a competitive and demanding industry.

With the global superalloys market continuing to grow, manufacturers working with demanding materials like Inconel 718 will face increasing pressure to deliver both precision and efficiency. Success depends not only on the right tools, but also on specialist knowledge, stable processes and the right people behind them, exactly the kind of long-term partnership Merx has built with Sandvik Coromant.

More information www.sandvik.coromant.com