Roemheld is introducing a new range of seven double-acting arch clamps for securing dies or moulds to the bed or ram of a die casting, injection moulding or other press type. Intended for holding tools with flat edges safely, the compact clamps exert a force ranging from 30 to 450 kN.

The clamps consist of a hydraulic block cylinder and piston. Due to the internal design, the horizontally-acting force translates into an almost vertical clamping action. An integrated mechanical locking bolt maintains the clamps in position, particularly on the ram, in the event of a drop in hydraulic pressure.

Supplied without or with position monitoring, the former clamps may be used at temperatures up to 160°C (300°C on request), while the latter may be used up to 100°C. The integrated position monitoring at the side couples to the clamping bolt and signals either unclamped or clamped status, or clamping position overrun error. Special versions are available that provide a continuous signal up to the final bolt position.

The arch clamps feature sturdy construction as well as corrosion resistance due to the application of a special coating. They are intended for use with location pins or limit stops to keep the mould or die in its correct position, as during use it is subjected to side loads that, although low, may be strong enough to cause displacement.

For further information
www.roemheld.co.uk

For those who demand the ultimate in precision machined parts from their sliding-head turning centres, Floyd Automatic Tooling has introduced the Hydro-Swiss Turn range of compact hydraulic clamping tool holders for cylindrical tools. Capable of maintaining precision and run-out levels of less than 1 µm, Floyd Automatic says that ‘ultra-precise’ is now possible for all sliding-head CNC turning centres.

Regardless of whether the machine is a Star, Citizen, Tornos, Hanwha or Tsugami sliding-head lathe, Hydro-Swiss Turn holders are compatible with all leading brands. The holders are available as a standard or as an ultra-precise (UP) variant that can achieve a run-out of 0.003 and 0.001 TIR respectively. Notably, the easy clamping hydraulic holders incorporate a novel clamping system that also provides vibration damping to maximise performance and concentricity.

The Hydro-Swiss Turn holder has a through-coolant facility and an easy-clamping bolt that permits easy and free axial length adjustment. These hydraulic holders are available in a multitude of variants to suit every application from drilling and milling to PCD tool machining and boring. For Citizen machines, the Hydro-Swiss Turn is available in ST19.05, ST25 and ST25.4 configurations to clamp tools with 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm shanks, while for Star sliding-head machines, the system is offered in ST16, ST22 and ST32 variants. It is also available in all recognised dimensions for Tornos, Tsugami and Hanwha machines.

To ensure optimal precision and run-out levels, the Hydro-Swiss Turn holder must be used with H6 shank tools. Floyd also supplies the system with a positioning pin kit, while a 3 Nm torque T-wrench is available upon request.

For further information
www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Hyfore Workholding has introduced its latest line of high-quality collet chucks to meet exacting industry demands. The new range caters for all machines, including those with BT or HSK spindle tapers.

In the collet chuck series is the NR, NR-WD, C-H, C, HC, HEC and NR line of precision collet chucks, high-speed precision collet chucks, power milling chucks and hydraulic chucks. The NR and NR-WD series of high-precision collet chucks are available for tool shanks from 3 to 16 mm diameter with BT30, BT40 and BT50 variants available featuring a length from the spindle taper to the tool that ranges from 60 to 200 mm.

Alongside the NR range is the C and C-H series of power milling chucks. The C-type precision power milling chuck and the C-H high-speed variant are available in BT30, BT40 and BT50 variants that can clamp tool shanks up to 20 mm diameter with an external chuck diameter from 50 to 69 mm. This compact chuck design is further enhanced by a distance from the spindle taper to the tool of 85 to 165 mm.

For high-speed precision machining with light-duty cutting, Hyfore is introducing the HC high-speed precision collet chucks. Suitable for clamping tool shanks from 3 to 16 mm diameter and available in BT30, BT40 and BT50 variants, the HC series is offered with five different styles that demonstrate a range of capabilities such as extended reach, stability and clearance. Complementing the HC is the HEC range of hydraulic collet chucks. The BT30 variant is available in a complete range of diameters from 6 to 20 mm, with the BT40 and BT50 variants catering for shank diameters up to 32 mm.

For further information
www.hyfore.com

SMW Autoblok is introducing its BP chuck, which the company says is the only standard fully sealed power chuck on the market with a large through hole for maximum lifespan, throughput and durability. Suitable for lathe applications, BP’s large through-hole provides flexibility for virtually any application that requires the use of a standard chuck, including OD and ID clamping, bar-stock clamping and shaft clamping. In addition, it is easy to convert the BP to a collet chuck using collet pads for small diameter parts.

A true workhorse, BP maintains high efficiency even in the harsh environments of dry machining, abrasive powders, high-pressure or corrosive coolants, and more. Constant grease lubrication provides clamping force consistency and reduced wear, reducing downtime and loss of productivity. With BP, daily maintenance intervals become a thing of the past as maintenance checks are only required every 2000 hours.

Being fully Proofline sealed from outside contaminants allows BP to maintain a consistent grip force for more repeatability at high speed in comparison with non-sealed chucks, which can lose more than 50% grip force if not maintained properly. Other advantages include a case-hardened body and internal parts for high resistance and longer life.

Available in 210, 260 and 320 mm sizes, BP series chucks accept all industry top jaws. SMW Autoblok’s BP-D utilises master jaws with inch serration, while the BP-M operates with metric serration (suitable for Japanese jaws). The American standard, tongue and groove master jaws are available on the BP-C.

For further information
www.smwautoblok.com

Oxfordshire-based specialist subcontractor CNC Techniques specialises in machining Formula One components from exotic metals such as titanium, Waspaloy, Inconel and Hastelloy. The mainstays of the company’s machining capabilities are its Hurco three- and five-axis machine tools. To provide an additional two axes to the three-axis machines, CNC Techniques recently invested in a rotary table from PL Lehmann.

“Although we are kept busy throughout the year, our workload more than doubles in the traditionally busy Formula One months of December through to February,” says company founder Paul Eden. “Therefore, at that time of year, apart from working around the clock, we need to work smarter and employ equipment with greater flexibility.

“As well as giving us the ability to achieve five-sided machining in a single set up, I was assured that a PL Lehmann CNC rotary table would withstand the high forces involved in machining exotics and deliver the required levels of precision,” he continues. “The installation of the rotary table was carried-out by knowledgeable technicians who made all of the connections to our machine tool’s control system. Then, whilst observing the rotary table’s try-out I realised how easy it was to operate. We now use the rotary table along with our Lang Technik work holding. In addition to standing up to the machining forces involved in machining exotics, our new CNC rotary table is simple and fast to operate, and is making a significant contribution to our 3+2 axis machining capabilities.”

As floor space is at a premium in most machining environments, mounting a CNC rotary table inside an existing three-axis VMC provides a major advantage over purchasing a large five-axis machine tool.

For further information
www.lehmann-rotary-tables.com