When Wilhelm Hainbuch laid the foundation for his company on 1 March 1951 with a lathe and an idea, no one could have guessed it would one day become a global manufacturer of work-holding technology. 75 years later, Hainbuch stands for inventive spirit, down-to-earth attitude and the determination to do things better than before – shaped by people who not only develop technology but live it with passion.

It became clear early on that Hainbuch is not about copying what already exists, but about creating something new. The small company received a decisive boost in the 1970s from Gerhard Rall, son-in-law of the company founder and long-standing managing director. With passion, spirit and a firm belief in his own ideas, he developed the Spanntop chuck in 1977, an innovation that caught on worldwide and transformed Hainbuch from a small business to a major manufacturer of work-holding technology.

“We would rather fail with an innovation than succeed with a copy.” This credo continues to shape the company today. It explains why Hainbuch has repeatedly set technological standards: from intelligent clamping devices with sensor technology to ultra-light carbon clamping devices and solutions for automated and networked production.

The fact that strength in innovation is not just history but also a living reality is underlined by the company’s recent award of the TOP 100 seal.

Despite its international presence with around 800 employees worldwide, Hainbuch remains a family business. Now in its third generation of owner management, the company offers short decision-making processes and a culture that embodies responsibility, trust and long-term thinking. Many employees have been with the company for decades, working passionately every day to turn technology into a real advantage for customers.

More information www.hainbuch.com

Machining expert Walter is integrating SERI’s high-performance clamping fixtures into its range of services. The move means that, for the first time, Walter is able to offer its customers a complete machining process from a single source, right from the clamping system and machining strategy to tooling, project set up, management and services.

With the integration of SERI clamping fixtures and related services into the Walter portfolio, Walter now provides a total solution for individual machining challenges. For manufacturing companies, this means they can design the entire machining process and manage procurement with just one partner. They also receive support with set up and start up in production.

Walter’s process experts deliver a machining solution in which all components are harmonised to achieve optimal results in the process. It eliminates the need to co-ordinate with multiple partners, enables faster implementation of changes, and ensures that status reports are available in a consolidated format at any time.

The optimally co-ordinated tools and clamping fixtures not only ensure a smooth start to production but also support long-term productivity. Thanks to SERI’s years of experience, Walter supplies machine-ready fixtures that have already undergone extensive testing in advance. They are designed for easy maintenance, based on standard hydraulic components, and feature easily replaceable wear parts.

SERI clamping fixtures stem from over three decades of expertise in mechanical engineering, machining and project management. Established in 1988 as an independent company in Portugal, SERI specialises in clamping systems for manufacturing components used by the automotive and aerospace sectors. These predominantly include chassis, e-mobility and combustion engine parts. SERI has been part of Walter AG since 2022.

More information www.bit.ly/4tP9rnP

SMW Autoblok says its next-generation APS 138‑E and APS 138‑I zero-point clamping modules are engineered to deliver <0.005 mm repeatability, maximum rigidity and universal interface compatibility across nearly all zero-point systems currently in the market. The APS 138 series enables high-speed part changeover, full automation support and high machining accuracy across turning, milling and grinding operations, reports the company.

With the APS 138-E for external mounting and APS 138-I for integrated, built-in applications, both modules provide the same mechanical performance characteristics: a three-jaw clamping design, spring-actuated locking and pull-down forces up to 26 kN assisted by SMW Autoblock’s ‘Turbo’ function. Holding force reaches 75 kN using standard ISO 4762-12.9 screws, and modules can be unlocked pneumatically at 6 bar via side or bottom actuation.

“This platform is designed as a direct-fit alternative to other zero-point systems on the market,” says Larry Robbins, president and CEO at SMW Autoblok USA. “Shops don’t have to reconfigure their work-holding systems to gain a boost in precision and speed.”

The APS system serves as a universal interface between the machine tool, clamping device and workpiece. It requires no traditional fixturing methods and is suitable for pallet automation and modular set up.

All APS modules are Proofline-sealed for full protection against coolant, corrosion and swarf. An integrated air purge system for cleaning and locating surfaces is standard, helping maintain chip-free mating surfaces, essential for automation and high-tolerance part handling. Select models support pneumatic stroke control for real-time monitoring and feedback during robotic load/unload cycles.

The three-jaw system includes three clamping slides, providing higher pull-down forces and eliminating the need for special set-ups during multi-directional milling operations.

More information www.smwautoblok.com

In the fast-paced world of precision machining, factors such as speed, accuracy and repeatability are everything, which is why Kurt Workholding has developed its PFA620 five-axis pneumatic vice.

The Kurt PFA620 is an air-actuated self-centring vice designed for modern five-axis machining centres. Compact, powerful and automation-ready, it is suitable for shops looking to shorten set-up times without sacrificing precision.

The new air vice was recently featured as part of a fully automated, lights-out work cell at the Yamazen open house in Elk Grove, Illinois. At the event, the air vice could be seen mounted on a custom base directly to the platter of a Brother Speedio U500Xd2 machining centre with an integrated robot. 

“The automated access door allows the robot to move parts in and out of machine without an operator present,” explains Andrew Justin, Kurt Workholding sales engineer. “You can load stock into the drawer system and let the machine run for hours unattended until stock is depleted. At this point, you replenish the raw stock and start the cycle over again. The PFA620 mounts to any five-axis platter both through the body and with a custom adapter plate if necessary.”

The PFA620 can be integrated into a rotary union with pneumatics so there are no external air lines: all pneumatics are captured within the base plate and vice. This design allows for maximum access on five sides while not potentially damaging external air lines. New Kurt air vice models will feature porting on the bottom of the vice to eliminate exposed air lines.

Unlike typical pneumatic vices, the Kurt PFA620 offers manual full-stroke adjustment via a hex screw and handle, giving machinists the freedom to quickly adapt to parts of varying sizes.

More information www.kurtworkholding.com