FEATURE ON WORKHOLDING

Workholding system improves productivity

When Chick Workholding launched its One-Lok clamping system seven years ago as an alternative to the conventional machine vice, the company made available more precise workpiece positioning and a time-saving ratchet mechanism to adjust the position of the moveable jaw quickly. New lightweight versions have now been unveiled, offering users additional benefits. Availability in the UK is through sole agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories.

The latest One-Lok comes in two sizes rather than one, 400 or 500 mm long, offering maximum gripping lengths of 180 and 280 mm respectively. Further improvements include a lowering of the clamp profile from 150 to 134 mm, which allows longer spindle travel in the Z axis and halves the unit’s weight for easier handling. With this in mind, an ergonomic hand grip has also been added at either end.
Sometimes, machinists turn a vice through 90° so that it lies transversely across the machine table. This strategy can bring the part closer to the operator, but has the disadvantage that there is no clearance for the handle. With the new One-Lok, workholding in this orientation has been made easier by using a ratchet handle.
The moveable jaw on One-Lok systems can be adjusted quickly and conveniently, as it can now be slid using one hand rather than two over the QwikSlide ratchets. A few turns of the handle move the jaw in the same direction over the last few millimetres to complete the clamping action. The existing BoltFast interface for the 152mm wide, interchangeable hard and stepped steel jaws and aluminium soft jaws, has been retained. A quarter turn of the locking screw is all that is required to exchange them, promoting productivity when machining small batches of components.
For further information www.1mta.com

Manipulate workpieces of up to 2000 kg

The new Centrick manipulator from Roemheld enables the tilting and turning of heavy workpieces up to 2000 kg in weight. Integral articulated arms can continuously rotate workpieces and tilt them up to 90°.

This latest addition to the Modulog range of assembly and handling technology can tilt and turn products of any shape. According to Roemheld, the manipulator is ergonomic, space saving and efficient. Unlike conventional tilting and turning fixtures, the Centrick moves a component close to its centre of gravity, so the working height remains more constant. A small swivel radius ensures high stability and, if the manipulator is moved, holding brakes maintain a stable assembly position.
The Centrick from Roemheld is quiet to operate, with very low power consumption. Moreover, the manipulator can be easily integrated into assembly lines and is compatible with Industry 4.0 assembly processes. The company says that times can be reduced for assembly and materials handling, while safety is increased and downtime cut.
For further information www.roemheld.com

ETG gets a grip on clamping

ETG Workholding has been appointed the exclusive UK supplier for the German Spreitzer range of precision tools, nike air max specialising in the development and manufacture of standard and bespoke solutions in the field of clamping and measuring. Nike Air Max 2016 Dames wit A product range that ETG Workholding will be particularly promoting is the MZR range of mechanical centre vices, which offer the ability to securely clamp raw material workpieces without the need for pre-stamping. Asics Gel Lyte 3 “There are many options for raw material clamping but the vice is only part of the solution,” states ETG Workholding’s product manager Rob Beckett. Oregon Ducks “Raw materials mostly need pre-stamping, St. Johns Jerseys which adds further cost over and above the purchase cost of the vice, air max 1 pas cher and adds time to what is essentially a very straightforward operation. “MZR vices are ideal for working on multi-axis machining centres,” he adds “as they are compact in design with a small trunnion footprint yet still offer maximum access and the ability to enlarge the clamping width with reversible jaws.” Raw part machining uses the grip jaw option with the second set up for finish machining using the smooth jaw option – all without pre-stamping. Air Jordan 6 For Kids Depending on the jaw clamping width selected (four options between 70 and 195 mm), Jordan Hydro Retro a maximum clamping force of 40,000 N is achievable. This grip contributes further to reduced cycle times, enabling raw workpiece materials to be rapidly positioned, nike air huarache hombre clamped and positioned ready for machining. “Our agreement with Spreitzer is exciting as it brings a whole new range of high-quality, German manufactured equipment to the UK at very competitive prices,” concludes Beckett.

10-second changeovers with combi-collet chucks

When Parker Precision set itself on a course to improve productivity, precision and output, the Bilston-based business acquired a Mazak QuickTurn 200MSY turning centre equipped with a Hainbuch collet chuck. New Balance 574 mujer The impact of the new investment soon snowballed into a raft of new machine purchases. Canotte Los Angeles Clippers Installed in 2012, the Mazak was purchased for its sub-spindle turning capability with the aim of reducing second operations, part handling and the potential for error, as well as improving throughput. ADIDAS VALCLEAN2 CMF The impact of the QuickTurn rapidly noted the arrival of a second 200MSY, a 250MSY and a Hyper Quadrex – all fitted with collet chucks from workholding specialist Hainbuch. Arizona State Sun Devils Jerseys Commenting upon the delivery of HainbuchSpanntop Combi collet chucks with the Mazak machine tools, director at the 28-employee subcontract company, Marc Corns, says: “When we set about replacing machine tools with new technology, our concern was transferring complex parts from the main to the sub-spindle and maintaining our average ±0.01 mm tolerances on dimension and concentricity precision. Air Jordan 7 Uomo To this end, Mazak recommended a Hainbuch 65 mm diameter Spanntop Combi collet chuck for the sub-spindle. Andrew Luck – Stanford Cardinal This worked so well on the first machine, we specified the Hainbuch collet chucks on the sub-spindle of every subsequent machine installation. nike air max goedkoop “One thing we can quantify with the Hainbuch system is the savings in regards to collet changeovers,” he adds. adidas shoes uk “Our previous 5C collet system on the old machines used to take up to 30 to 45 minutes to change over.

Small hydraulic tool-holders from Big Kaiser

Big Kaiser says it has launched the world’s smallest hydraulic tool-holding chuck for HSK-E25 machine spindles. Offered in the UK market by Industrial Tooling Corporation Ltd (ITC), the new HDC line completes the range of Big Kaiser Super Slim hydraulic chucks.
Super Slim HDC chucks are designed for precision finishing processes in confined areas with drills, reamers, ball mills, end mills, diamond reamers and grinding tools. Only a single wrench is required for clamping and unclamping. Furthermore, the chucks can clamp tools down to 3 mm in diameter without needing a reduction sleeve.
When clamping 3 mm diameters, the external diameter of the chuck nose is just 14 mm. Moreover, at a length of 90 mm, the diameter is only 25 mm. This slender design means that interference contours should no longer pose a problem.
Super Slim HDC chucks are available for HSK-E 32/40/63 and BBT 30/40/50 spindle variants.
For further information
www.itc-ltd.co.uk