Clamping specialist Hainbuch is now offering users of its Mini Series, or the earlier Toplus or Spanntop chucks, an innovation that is designed to save time and money. Vario Part and Vario Quick end-stop systems already in the product portfolio have now been joined by a third variant, the Vario Flex.

The pneumatic workpiece ejector pushes the workpiece from the chuck automatically. Pneumatic workpiece ejector depth can be adjusted by means of a retaining mechanism, and can be positioned in the machine exactly as required for the workpiece.

Hainbuch’s Vario Flex workpiece ejector can also be used as a basic end-stop for coolant wash or air flush. To do this, the pneumatic spring is removed and a feed tube attached. The optional workpiece-specific end stop with holes for the wash and air-flush can then be mounted directly to the interface.

According to Hainbuch, valuable time can be saved using the standardised end stops. Set-up times are reduced and the user always has the right end stop to hand. Whether to use Vario Quick or Vario Part is just a matter of preference. For precise, rigid clamping, Hainbuch recommends using the Vario Part system, which works on the same principle as a gauge block. System height can be adjusted in 1 mm steps with gauge discs. Featuring axial run-out of < 0.02 mm at the part of the end stop that touches the workpiece, Vario Part is suitable for machining finished components. The Vario Quick variant, which is intended for fast, flexible clamping, has a trapezoidal thread screw to allow clamping length to be adjusted quickly. A half-turn is equivalent to an axial adjustment of 1 mm. For further information www.hainbuch.com

SMW Autoblok took the opportunity to showcase a number of company innovations at the recent IMTS show in Chicago, USA, where demonstrations were provided in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

In terms of precision vices, the company addressed visitors looking to reduce the waste of raw materials and minimise deformation. On show were the Genius and Sintex precision vices for five-axis machine tools. Both feature SMW’s patented SinterGrip technology, which requires only 3.5 mm of clamping surface on which to grip. A series of solid-carbide serrated inserts grasp the workpiece securely, promoting higher cutting speeds and feed rates for increased metal removal.

Any visitors seeking maximum grip during heavy-duty machining applications were pointed towards the company’s APS (Automatic Positioning System). The APS zero-point clamping system is a universal connection between the machine tool, the clamping device and/or the workpiece. APS locks into position by lining up pins on the clamping device or the workpiece with holes on the chuck. When joined, the combination is automatically positioned to the zero point. The APS can be used for turning, milling, measuring or grinding.

From a chuck perspective, the BP series took centre stage. BP chucks combine the flexibility of a standard open-centre power chuck with the long life and precision of SMW’s Proofline sealed chucks, making it suitable for bar and bar-stock clamping, as well as shaft clamping. The constant grip force allows for repeatability and consistency, whereas non-sealed chucks can lose up to 50% of the grip force if not properly maintained, says the company.
For further information www.smw-autoblok.de

The Hilma division of German workholding specialist Roemheld has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with long-term co-operation partner Rivi Magnetics of Sassuolo, Italy, to develop new applications for magnetic clamping technology. Based in Hilchenbach, Germany, Roemheld Rivi is in the hands of Hans-Joachim Molka from the Roemheld management team, who will be responsible for commercial matters, and Davide Rivi, owner of Rivi Magnetics Srl, who is responsible for research and development.

Says Molka: “We see a number of new opportunities in specific sectors in the coming years: drives for electromobility, 3D printing applications, locking mechanisms for rotors in wind turbines, and robotic assembly and handling. Magnetic clamping is aimed at customers working in the supply chains to these sectors.”

Rivi adds: “Magnetic clamping technology, with its many advantages in terms of set-up time optimisation, offers huge market potential that we want to exploit even more. In addition to intensifying sales activities, Roemheld Rivi GmbH intends to launch a development initiative that will significantly broaden the product portfolio.”

Hilma M-TECS standard and customised magnetic clamping products are manufactured by Rivi Magnetics; the various models being capable of withstanding maximum temperatures of 80°C, 120°C or 240°C. According to the company there has been a noticeable increase in demand for quick mould clamping at the upper end of this temperature range. Systems can be either factory fitted by the machine manufacturer, or retrofitted to existing machines within a few hours.

Designed according to customer requirements with respect to weight (up to several tonnes), complexity of geometry and required clamping force, the systems are widely used in injection moulding and rubber industry, as well as in forming presses and stamping plants.
For further information www.roemheld.com

In recent years, Midaco has expanded its line of automatic pallet changers to accommodate the need for high-volume large precision parts machined to tight tolerances for the aerospace, energy, automotive, medical, defence, power generation, and oil and gas industries. These jobs cause significant spindle downtime due to the long and involved process of heavy/large part changeover. When combined with crane loading, first-article inspection and job interruption tasks, the machining centre can be idle up to 70% of the time. Idle machine time means slow production and lost profit for each machine owned.

Midaco says its pallet changers are a simple solution to eliminate unnecessary spindle downtime and rescue lost profit on large as well as small and mid-size machining centres.

The company manufactures pallet changers which adapt to virtually any brand and model of machining centre, including large bridge mills with travels up to 4826 x 2235 mm, and with a weight capacity of up to 14,528 kg.

Automatic pallet systems are easily installed on the right side or the left side of a VMC, or both sides for machines which do not move in the Y axis. Once a pallet or load of parts is complete, the next pallet or job is transferred into the machine automatically from the side-mounted shuttle on to the receiver fitted to the VMC table. As all part loading and job set-up tasks are performed offline (without the operator having to lean into or climb on to the machine) both productivity and ergonomics are maximised.
For further information www.midaco-corp.com

Schunk says its workholding solutions have been a major facilitator in gains witnessed at Rockenhausen, Germany-based precision subcontractor Maas Frästechnik. Here, the equipping of three five-axis machines with Schunk’s Vero-S quick-change clamping modules has proved highly advantageous.

DMU 50 ecoline, Hermle C30U and Hermle C42U machining centres are now equipped with the Schunk quick-change technology and supplemented with an extensive clamping device pool, meaning the majority of all conceivable customer requests can be accommodated.

“We have components the size of a little finger and others that require a 500 mm base plate,” says company owner Stefan Maas. “This means we are required to map all possibilities in quick succession and must often put out fires for our customers.”

The key element of the clamping solutions are Schunk Vero-S NSE plus 138 quick-change modules, which are mounted to all three machine tables. Various clamping devices can be switched between the individual machines with just a few actions.

“I don’t need to tighten any screws, or look for any washers or keys,” says Maas. “All clamping devices are precisely and firmly connected to the machine. The clamping result is always identical, without anything having to be aligned. And the flexibility is simply sensational.”

Radially arranged clamping slides retract and self-lock the clamping pin with the Vero-S via a spring assembly that uses form-fit clamping. Clamping and positioning is carried out via a short taper, which ensures a repeat accuracy of <0.005 mm. Due to the patented dual stroke system, each module achieves pull-down forces of 7500 N. With activated turbo-function, the pull-down force is 25,000 N, while the retention force is 50,000 N. For further information www.schunk.com