FEATURE ON WORKHOLDING

Jaw changing is child’s play

Visitors to the Röhm stand at the recent AMB 2018 exhibition in Stuttgart experienced how the company can reduce set-up time to less than 60 seconds. To demonstrate, there was a set-up time challenge in which visitors could prove themselves and win prizes by changing the jaws on Röhm’s new Duro-A RC. Here, nine year-old Alexandra showed how it was done.

“We are absolutely thrilled and satisfied by this year’s AMB,” says CEO Gerhard Glanz. “Not only the set-up time challenge, but the response to our new products. The Duro-A RC power chuck and Lubritool lubrication device proved a total success.

“We were quite astounded when a record was set for the set-up time challenge on the fourth day of the fair,” he adds. “The three jaws of the Duro-A RC power chuck were changed in an unbelievable 10.27 seconds. On the last day of the fair, we were also surprised by nine year-old Alexandra, who managed to change the jaws in 53.96 seconds, thereby showing that it really is child’s play.”

The Duro-A RC power chuck prevails not only due to the fast jaw change, but due to its overall height, which has been reduced by 14% compared with the previous generation chuck, while weight has been reduced by 17%.

Elsewhere on the stand was the Lubritool lubrication device, which enables the automated lubrication of tool clamping systems within 5 seconds, instead of 5 minutes. Based on this time saving, Lubritool can pay for itself in less than six months.
For further information www.roehm.biz

Boeing contract seals record year for MetLase

MetLase, which is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, has been announced as the tooling and fixture partner for Boeing’s newly constructed Sheffield facility in a deal that will initially increase the workforce by 15%. The contract seals a record year for the mechanical engineering specialist.

Using its 3D design capabilities, laser-cutting technology, and patented assembly and joining systems, Metlase will create lightweight, optimised machining fixtures designed to hold 11 different castings used in the production of actuation system components for the 737, 767 and 777 passenger jets. This contract with Boeing is the latest in a line of business wins that include strategic partnerships with blue-chip companies in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy – marking a 70% annual increase in sales for the Sheffield-based firm.

“The long-term agreement with Boeing marks a new chapter for our business as it will enable us to become an integral part of its future plans to develop intelligent and connected fixturing and tooling solutions,” explains Steve Dunn, managing director at MetLase. “Our unique approach and technology will see us produce optimised fixtures that are lighter than traditional alternatives, can be produced in weeks as opposed to months and, importantly, through our design iteration service, can be continually improved to deliver the best possible performance.

MetLase, which employs 25 people at its 12,500 sq ft facility at the AMP Technology Centre, started delivering the fixtures last month as part of a three-year contract.
For further information www.metlase.com

Vice holds cylindrical or prismatic parts

The PC80Z self-centring vice from Roemheld is available in a new, two-in-one version that accepts the manufacturer’s optional round inserts, enabling cylindrical components or billets from 44 to 95 mm in diameter to be clamped securely. There is now no need for a machinist to buy a bespoke workholding solution or machine sets of soft jaws to hold parts of different diameters.

The vice can be converted back within a couple of minutes to its conventional role of holding prismatic components; it simply requires the Allen bolts holding four round inserts to be unscrewed and the pair of straight, 80 mm wide jaws to be reinstated. Parts from 17 to 139 mm long can then be secured for metal cutting using the 62 mm clamping stroke.
Of 60 mm overall height, the low-profile unit ensures that not much Z-axis travel is lost on a vertical machining centre. Additionally, despite its all-steel construction, the light weight of only 6 kg avoids taking up undue allowance from a machine’s maximum pallet load, enabling heavier parts to be produced.
Well suited to use on five-axis machining centres and in automated production cells employing pallet magazines, the vice is fitted as standard with the Lang interface for added versatility. Clamping force is 20 kN at 60 Nm closing torque. The device is said to be easy to disassemble and clean, minimising loss of productivity during routine maintenance.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

New centre jaw for five-axis vice

The Hoffmann Group has introduced a new module for its Garant Xpent five-axis vice.

This centre jaw, which can be optionally fitted to the base rail, has made it possible to clamp two workpieces with just one vice, and process them in a single operation. Such a configuration means clamping strategies that are more efficient can be implemented, leading to a measurable increase in productivity, says the company.
Garant Xpent vices are based on a modular design concept. Clamping modules, base rails and spindles can be individually combined and the convex clamping modules can be turned through 180°. Hoffman’s newly developed centre jaw offers another bonus, in terms of flexibility, and is immediately available as an accessory for sizes 0 to 1S (and will soon be available in sizes 1 and 2). The existing range of attachment rails, each with two clamping stages, is fully compatible with the new centre jaw.
Each vice has a clamping force of up to 40 kN at a torque of 90 Nm, and is available in three different heights and two widths. Base rails are available in lengths of 360 to 1050 mm. The new 1S size was specially developed for three- and five-axis machines with small
spindle gearboxes.
For further information www.hoffman-group.com

Nikken and Boeing in technical partnership

At its innovation Centre on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Sheffield, Nikken Kosakusho Europe recently hosted a visit from Boeing senior executives and engineers to sign a long-term technical partnership between the two companies.

Boeing senior executives Dave Hyem, Don Hendrickson and James Needham are pictured with Nikken Kosakusho Europe director Gary Williamson and European CEO Tony Bowkett, following the signing of an integrator agreement to provide precision tool holders, cutting tools and tool pre-setting solutions to the aerospace giant’s new Sheffield manufacturing facility, the first in Europe, based within the High-Value Manufacturing (HVM) cluster in Sheffield.
As Integrator and technical partner, Nikken will work closely with Boeing’s engineering team to help optimise manufacturing processes and achieve production goals and Industry 4.0 ambitions.
Boeing Sheffield will employ approximately 30 people, including 18 apprentices, when it opens later this year as part of Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ (BCA) fabrication operations, and will work closely with Boeing Portland, a company Centre of Excellence for complex machining, gear systems and flight controls. The manufacture of high-tech components for Boeing’s Next-Generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aircraft is due to commence at the new facility in September 2018.
“This is a very proud moment for the Nikken European team, resident here on the AMRC park,” says Bowkett. “We have worked tirelessly to put together a total support solution that will allow the Boeing engineers to produce upwards of 10,000 parts per month, supporting its Portland facility in the USA. It’s a great opportunity for our engineering and logistics teams to integrate world-class machine tools and equipment, and to use their knowledge and experience to optimise their performance, resulting in productivity and efficiency gains.”
For further information www.nikken-world.com