FEATURE ON WORKHOLDING

Hyfore Workholding expands portfolio with Heimatec

Hyfore is expanding its diverse range of work-holding and tooling solutions by becoming the exclusive UK distribution partner for the Heimatec brand of precision tools and systems.

Founded in 1987 in Germany, the first activities of Heimatec GmbH included the production of carrier tools for indexable inserts, which expandedrapidly into the manufacture of specialist radial drilling heads, quick-change tooling systems for driven tools and then complete tool-changing systems.

Now, the Heimatec portfolio includes a programme for static and driven tools for turning centres. This incorporates everything from axial, offset, angled and swivelling driven-tool stations, as well as static VDI and BMT toolholders for boring, turning, bar pulling and cut-off holders. Also in the turning range are multi-spindle heads and high-speed tools with gearing ratios of 1:4 for machining up to 48,000rpm, and a complete range of accessories such as bar pullers, reducing sleeves, collets and collet chucks, shrink and tapping collets, sealing disks clamping nuts, and arbors.

The German tool-holding expert also manufactures a complete tooling programme for Swiss-type turning centres with live, static and customised tools supported by a diverse range of standard and special accessories that can accommodate users of Citizen sliding-head machine tools.

In addition, Heimatec’s portfolio encompasses a complete range of solutions for machining centres. The live tooling options include 360° turnable angle heads, axial drilling and milling heads, multi-spindle heads, and double-spindle and offset heads, to list but a few. Alongside a comprehensive programme of standard angled heads, Heimatec offers a compact, high-performance slim design range.Developed for difficult contours, the slim design series is suitable for small immersion diameters and large immersion depths.
For further information www.hyfore.com

Leader extends zero-point offering with Mate

Following a recent partnership agreement, the full range of high-precision zero-point fixtures from Mate Precision Technologies is now available in the UK exclusively from work-holding and machining efficiency specialist Leader Chuck International.

Being one of the latest players to enter the zero-point fixture market, Mate Precision Technologies was all too aware of the need to bring significant advantages over the competition when it launched its next-generation Dyno range.Consisting of DynoGrip vices, DynoLock base plates and DynoMount tombstones, the ethos behind the range stems from Mate targeting manufacturing efficiencies within its own workshop. With areputation for producing high-quality punch-press and press-brake tooling for manufacturers across the globe, the company employs around 300 highly skilled staff at it manufacturing facility in Minnesota, USA. So the need for machining efficiency gains comes from worldwide competition.

Extensive trials of the previous generation zero-point systems, available from established suppliers, under real life production operations, highlighted a number of limitations that Mate addressed with its new products.

Leader Chuck’s managing director Mark Jones explains: “With Mate’s extensive knowledge of the high-quality tool steels and fine tolerances used to produce its tools for sheet metalworking, it’s only logical that the same materials and processes are used for the Dyno range of fixtures. It’s why the company offers a ‘zero wear out forever’ policy across the range with a 100% unconditional customer satisfaction guarantee.”

Mate DynoGrip self-centring vices, for example, shorten set-up time and reduce process variability. Two zero-point four-stud engagement patterns are available, 52 and 96 mm, which are compatible with other systems or can mount directly to the machine table via toe clamps or bolted through the body.
For further information www.leaderchuck.com

Pallet changer zeros in on productivity and accuracy

Building upon the company’s existing comprehensive range of zero-point clamping systems, Zimmer Group is expanding the series with the launch of its new pallet-changer technology. In addition to changing pallets in machine tools, this system also opens up numerous other applications, such as the handling of components using robots while maintaining high levels of repeatability.

The slim design and low set-up profile of the clamping plate and clamping pallets, allow both close-proximity pallet loading on the machine table and optimum use of the space within the machine. High clamping forces create arigid system, while the retaining forces enable high torque levels, together with a high-precision connection between the robot and the clamping plate to make the handling of heavier pallets, in particular, easier and safer.

The structural design of the pallet changer means that system clamping takes place without the need for pneumatic pressure. However, it is possible to increase the clamping forces further by using Zimmer’s Plus connection, which provides pneumatic assistance. In addition to four rotation locks for pallet coupling, the system features an integrated blow-out or cleaning function that prevents dirt or liquid from collecting in the pin holder, contact surface and rotation locks.

Notably, the pallet coupling is used as a pallet interface for the product and creates the connection to the clamping pallet. The rotation lock enables backlash-free positioning of the bearings when joining with the product, whilesensors for piston position and clamping position verify safe operation. All functions are controllable directly via the pneumatic connections on the sides. There is also the option to control the unit by means of alternative connections on the bottom of the product.
For further information www.zimmer-group.com

Ergonomic bicycle assembly boosts productivity

At Rose Bikes in Bocholt, 120 different bicycle and e-bike models weighing between 5 and 28 kg are ergonomically manufactured on six flow lines with the help of flexible Bike Promobil assembly carts produced by Roemheld. The result of a joint development project between the two German companies, the cart is now available worldwide, including in the UKand Ireland through Roemheld UK.

A shortage of potential employees in the Bocholt area, near the Dutch border, prompted family-run Rose to look for a production solution to meet increasing demand for its products. Instead of producing on a conveyor belt, as is the case with other bicycle manufacturers, Rose chose the flow line option when it opened its new factory in 2020.

Stefan Strauss, production manager at Rose, says: “The conveyor belt is too inflexible and tends to stress employees. Flow line production is much more operator friendly, so it’s easier to find new staff and train them. Work should be fun. We don’t have anyone watching with a stopwatch and staff take turns at different stations to maintain their interest.”

Strauss originally wanted to design and build an assembly aid himself, but did not have enough time. So in 2020, Roemheld offered an early version of the cart, but it was too big, heavy, inflexible and expensive. A development partnership took shape to address these issues. One elegant idea was to hold the bike not by gripping on the frame but by placing an insert into the seat tube. Adapter sleeves accommodate different tube diameters on the various bike models, making the clamping process universal across the whole range. Rose Bikes now has 130 Bike Promobil assembly carts from Roemheld.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

Ceratizit delivers productivity gains for Bedford CNC

Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s technical sales and applications teams work in partnership with customers to ensure maximum productivity, whether that is with the latest in cutting tool technology, or with advice on manufacturing efficiency. The latter was the case when Bedford CNC was looking to improve throughput of some aluminium blocks.

While the productivity of these blocks was already good, machining four per cycle using two Ceratizit ZSG 4 vices on a four-axis machining centre, a suggestion by Ceratizit would double throughput and, by default, reduce manufacturing costs.

“When Ceratizitrecommended manufacturing a bespoke fixture that would accommodate four ZSG Mini vices, with each vice holding two components, it was an easy decision to make, as we can now produce twice as many parts in a single cycle, with reduced set-up time and costs,” says Andy Soos, managing director and owner at Bedford CNC.

Ceratizit designed and manufactured the fixture in-house at its technical centre in Sheffield, where the applications team has a range of CADCAM suites and an array of machine tools on which to produce projects such as this, or simply to provide customer training. From concept to manufacture, Ceratizit managed thewhole fixture project in-house with the completed fixture available within two-weeks of order placement.

“Having this capability adds another level of service that we can offer to customers, where we are able to develop manufacturing solutions quickly to assist them as they look to increase efficiency and profitability,” says Ceratizit technical sales engineer Nev Frisby. “When I put the idea to Andy at Bedford CNC, his reaction was how soon can I have it?To turn it around in such a short space of time was a major advantage to him.”
For further information www.ceratizit.com