A range of compact work-holding systems suited to metal-cutting operations on five-axis machining centres has been introduced by Roemheld UK. The SCS vices are manufactured by the German group’s Hilma division in Hilchenbach.

Hilma’s fixed-jaw SCS vices are designed to allow good accessibility of tools to the component. It means that five-sided machining can be achieved without collision using short standard tools, lowering costs and improving workpiece accuracy due to the generation of less vibration.
Stable clamping systems and the high retention force resulting from the use of a reversible jaw mean there is no need to pre-stamp a workpiece before it is secured, even when it is clamped on just a few millimetres of material. Repeatability of positioning is to within ±10 µm.
The SCS work-holding systems have comprehensive swarf protection, so are suitable for use in multi-pallet prismatic machining cells. Operation is either mechanical, via a threaded spindle and torque wrench, or hydraulic, using a single-acting cylinder to effect the clamping pressure, with unclamping achieved by spring force.
Base lengths up to
350 mm are offered, with different clamping ranges to 300 mm, while clamping force is up to 40 kN at 100 Nm torque. A range of hardened and ground jaws, as well as soft jaws, in 80 and 120 mm widths to suit the various vice models, is available, as are customised versions in other lengths, or with individual mounting holes, including for zero-point clamping.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

The Allmatic range of German-manufactured vices, which is offered in the UK by Stocdon, is said to be a high-end solution for work-holding applications that include the three or five-axis machining of prismatic parts, as well as non-prismatic components like castings and forgings.

What makes Allmatic solutions different to the rest on the market is that they often fulfil the complete needs of a customer’s application, says Stocdon, where previously they had to spend time using multiple vices or resetting vices between applications.
Allmatic’s engineering allows users to pre-select working pressures, use minimum material work holding and grip rough materials.
The latest Allmatic Gripp solutions are said to lead the way when it comes to all types of component selection, with large capacity, high clamping force up to 7 tonnes and minimum deflections, for easy setting.
Allmatic has been a work-holding partner of Stocdon since 1972, largely because of the company’s pedigree when it comes to accurate pre-selection of material clamping pressures. The vice performance, across the range, is second to none, says the company.
According to Stocdon, a question that clients always ask when enquiring about Allmatic work holding is the cost, versus other brands, to which the company always showcases the savings to be made in the long term. Stocdon knows that budgets are always under pressure, but it also knows that investing in work holding pays dividends, long term.
For further information www.stocdon.co.uk

At Stratos Precision Engineering in Gloucester, where the subcontract machining of plastic parts constitutes the vast majority of output, the manufacture of a particular component was causing problems exacerbated by the need to produce around 5000 per year.

The component in question is an acrylic manifold block for a flow control device that previously had to be clamped three times in conventional vices mounted side by side on the table of a Haas VF4 vertical machining centre. This process has now been replaced by a more modern clamping system based on a four-sided tombstone and indexing trunnion supplied by 1st Machine Tool Accessories.
To be specific, the solution is a US-manufactured Chick indexing subsystem that consists of a Multi-Lok having four faces, each carrying a twin-position Qwik-Lok clamp that secures two parts at once against a central jaw each time the handle is wound to closure. The whole arrangement is mounted horizontally on a fourth CNC axis comprising, in this case, a Haas HRT210 rotary table and Chick tailstock.
Notable among the benefits is that the operator is now able to fixture eight plastic billets at a time, close the machine doors, walk away for an hour to do other jobs, and return to unload eight parts machined on three faces, ready for a second operation to mill away material from the back face. The previous strategy of using three individual vices meant that the operator had to be in almost permanent attendance to open the doors, reset the components and close the doors, to be able to extract one finished part every 15 minutes.
Output is thus doubled, despite the cutters being in contact with the material for a similar length of time. The saving comes purely through less handling of the components, coupled with the need to program fewer tool changes.
For further information www.1mta.com

Kitagawa, represented in the UK and Ireland by sole sales agent 1st Machine Tool Accessories, has introduced the first in its MK series of general purpose rotary tables.

The MK200, which has a 200 mm diameter faceplate, features increased holding torque compared with the MR-series table that is now superseded. Faster, heavier duty, more productive machining of the clamped workpiece is said to result. The unit is also more compact, minimising any loss of table area and working volume in the machining centre.
Although Kitagawa has stronger and more compact rotary tables of similar capacity in its product range, such as the GT200 and CK200, the MK200 is designed to meet 90% of all customer requirements. The newly developed rotary table provides a rigid fourth CNC axis and reflects Kitagawa’s focus on constantly improving the standard of its tables in three main areas: enhanced performance, improved mounting and breadth of rotary joint availability.
The clamping torque is 40% higher when using the MK200, at 570 Nm, than that of the MR200. As with all Kitagawa tables, this maximum holding torque is determined by the point at which the force on the worm wheel causes it to displace by 30 µm. In contrast, other manufacturers use the slipping torque figure as a maximum, which Kitagawa regards as likely to cause inaccuracy at best, and catastrophic failure at worst.
In addition, drive torque is said to be the highest in class at 270 Nm, while the spindle through-hole diameter has increased from 45 to 70 mm. The faceplate type is specified by the customer, either with T-slots or pre-drilled holes, the advantage being that a chuck, trunnion or other work-holding device can be mounted directly to the rotary table’s spindle, reducing the distance from the spindle bearing.
For further information www.1mta.com

As a member of Made in the Midlands, work-holding specialist Hyfore regularly attends the annual Expo, with 2019 being no exception. Operating the stand this year were Oli Riley and Rob Wait.

“The Expo gives us the opportunity to meet new people and network with people we already know,” says Wait. “It helps get our name out there a little bit more, and gives us the opportunity for more business.”
Hyfore remains proudly Coventry-based and supplies to a number of industry-leading firms throughout the Midlands.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to hone in on the fact that we’re from Coventry,” says Riley. “Coventry’s quite prestigious when it comes to the automotive industry and a lot of engineering and manufacturing, so it’s quite good to stick with our roots. Especially with the fact that the Expo’s actually in Coventry at that Ricoh arena, it’s perfect.
“I think manufacturing is definitely on the up again,” he continues. “We’re seeing a lot of projects in the Midlands and around the country that are starting to pick up more. Being out on the road and seeing different customers and speaking to them more often we find that actually, they’re benefiting from new projects coming about, and hopefully, it continues.”
Adds Hyfore’s sales manager Graham Cherry: “We’re always expanding and diversifying, constantly looking to grow our client portfolio and further our reach. We’ve got three new sales staff starting within the next 6-12 months, which will help us enhance our work-holding offer. We’re definitely seeing an increase in business and are looking to reinforce our already strong position in the market.”
For further information https://hyfore.com/