The ROTA THW3 flexible-jaw quick-change chuck from Schunk manages a balancing act between short set-up times and low maintenance. Its overall package of functional design, flexibility and sustainability also convinced the jury of the iF Design Award 2022.

Idea, form and function – these were just some of the criteria used by the design experts to determine this year’s winners of the iF Design Award. Aesthetically, the ROTA THW3 jaw quick-change chuck achieved high marks with its optimised outer geometry and fewer interfering edges. However, it was the chuck’s function that impressed on multiple levels. Schunk has cut down on weight in the product design, which helps to reduce energy input and enables faster acceleration and braking behaviour of the lathe. Nevertheless, the lathe chuck still has a highly rigid base body that ensures process-reliable clamping, even under maximum stress. Equipped with a quick-change jaw system, the ROTA THW3 can be quickly converted for a new range of parts and has a jaw repeat accuracy of <0.02 mm. In addition to its functionality, the jury was also impressed by the sustainable focus of the clamping device. Patented sealing has allowed cleaning and maintenance intervals to be up to 20 times longer than with comparable products, reducing the use of lubricants, cleaning agents and water, and helping to protect the environment. By using resources sparingly, it makes a successful contribution to sustainable production while ensuring optimal functionality. For further information www.schunk.com

At the MACH 2022 exhibition last month, Roemheld showed for the first time in the UK a new, modular, sensor-based system that digitalises zero-point clamping by enabling the digital recording of its status. STARK.intelligence enables data on workpiece loading and unloading to be integrated directly into an automated manufacturing process. Information is also provided on the condition of the clamping equipment to facilitate its scheduled maintenance.

Each fixture is equipped with its own sensor box to measure position, temperature and pressure in real-time. A master unit receives data from several units and outputs the information to different devices via IO-Link. The device can be the machine tool’s control screen, computers in the quality assurance department or the service engineer’s smartphone.

It is possible to combine STARK.intelligence with various STARK zero-point clamping systems; it can retrofit easily to machine tables and quick-release fixture plates. Due to its modular design, users are able to choose between individual components or a complete solution, which may include the integration of an RFID interface that automatically detects pallets and workpieces.

Another introduction at the show was a range of compact bore clamps with a large clamping range for five-sided machining. The devices hold internally, exerting force both radially outwards and downwards against a support surface. The new models enable safe location in bores from 5.2 to 13.7 mm, so are suitable for clamping small workpieces. Bore size can be adjusted easily through interchangeable bushings while the clamping element remains in its fixture.
A third innovation at the exhibition was a compact flat-lever clamp designed for use on fixtures in machine tools with low-pressure hydraulics between 70 and 120 bar.

For further information
www.roemheld.co.uk

Röhm’s new iJaw clamping jaw allows the clamping force to be measured in real time during machining. The company says it therefore solves a problem for which there has been no accepted industrial solution up to now: that the correct setting of clamping force relies on operator experience.

Errors during machining due to incorrect clamping force or workpiece loss are thus pre-programmed. The Röhm iJaw integrates sensor technology for clamping force measurement, as well as wireless data transmission. Measurement takes place directly at the clamping point to the workpiece; data transmission to a gateway makes use of the upcoming industry-standard IO-Link Wireless. The gateway can connect to the machine control system via the integrated PROFINET interface and/or send the data to a cloud via the integrated LAN interface.

“We’ve identified seven very different scenarios in which the iJaw offers significant added value,” says Claus Faber, head of product management and marketing at Röhm.

The first three scenarios are about the ‘feeling’ before and during machining. Before machining, iJaw assists in feeding workpieces and setting up the clamping system. If errors occur, the measured clamping forces deviate from the target values and a manual or automated reaction can be initiated. During machining, clamping forces that are too high (risking workpiece damage) and clamping forces that are too low (insufficient to hold the workpiece) can be detected.

Further scenarios offer solutions for the evaluation of series and serial measurements. Here, the changing of clamping forces can be used to detect trends at an early stage. This includes the early detection of upcoming maintenance to maintain the clamping force or the wear of tools.

For further information
www.roehm.biz

Swiftool Precision Engineering (SPE) is a family-owned business that produces safety-critical parts for a global customer base. Having manufactured and supplied high-integrity, precision-machined components, kits and machined assemblies for over 40 years, the company has gained in-depth experience in serving sectors such as the nuclear, defence and petrochemical industries. More recently, SPE began supplying the global aerospace market.

In accordance with the firm’s quest for ever-higher standards of efficiency and quality, and to enable its advanced machine tools to achieve their full productive potential, SPE recently invested in a range of work-holding devices from Lang Technik UK. Among other equipment, Sutton-in-Ashfield-based SPE ordered Lang Technik’s stamping technology, Makro Grip vices and Quick-Point work-holding system.

Project applications engineer at Swiftool, Alex Nelson, says: “Through the use of Lang Technik work-holding systems on our machine tools we’ve slashed our job change-over times and achieved the production increases we were seeking. It helps that now, much of the work associated with setting-up the next job due on our machine tools can be carried-out while a current job is undergoing machining.

“For instance, within the cycle time of a currently running job, we use our new Lang Technik stamping unit to make very accurate, minute indentations into our next-to-be-machined workpiece blank before putting it into one of our Lang Makro-grip vices,” he continues. “As the features on the vice’s jaw precisely engage with the workpiece’s pre-stamped indentations, we can achieve excellent holding power while only needing to apply minimal clamping forces. The quick loading/unloading nature of the Lang Technik system means much quicker job changeovers.”

For further information
www.lang-technik.co.uk