FEATURE ON WORKHOLDING

Micro VC Holder provides pinpoint precision

Nikken is releasing its Micro VC Holder, a micro-tooling range designed for high precision, reliability and high-performance micro-machining. According to the company, the Micro VC Holder offers exceptional precision, balance and efficiency for industries where perfection is paramount. Whether crafting intricate components for luxury timepieces or producing highly detailed medical instruments, the Micro VC Holder ensures results with minimal runout (3 μm at 4xD) and high-speed performance up to 50,000 rpm.

Designed to support the latest generation of micro machine tools and high-speed spindles, the Micro VC Holder is available in monobloc and straight-shank variants. This versatility allows manufacturers to achieve enhanced accuracy and cost savings by eliminating the need for extended length cutting tools, which can be crucial in both watchmaking and medical applications where micro-level precision is essential.

The reduction in vibration, through in-built damping and reduction in tool wear means extended tool life and lower replacement costs – delivering financial benefits that directly impact profitability.

Furthermore, the Micro VC Holder incorporates the HSK-E symmetrical tool-holder shank, which eliminates drive slots, tooling holes and timing notches. This results in superior balance and reduced vibration, critical for maintaining flawless finishes on watch components and ensuring the tight tolerances required for surgical tools and implants. The advanced 8° collet system further enhances grip and stability, reducing tool deflection and extending tool life.

Nikken says that its Micro VC Holder proves that size really does not matter – at least when it comes to tool-holding technology.

More information www.nikken-world.co.uk

Device checks small tool holder pull-in force

OTT-JAKOB Spanntechnik, a German manufacturer of tool clamping systems for lathes, milling machines and grinders, has launched a spindle clamping force measuring device, the Power-Check Micro. A key component for preventative maintenance, it has been introduced alongside the established Power-Check 2 and Power Check Magazine, which determine the pull-in force with which a tool holder is held in a large diameter spindle taper, whether it is HSK (up to 160), BT (30, 40 or 50), SK, CAT or another type.

In contrast, the Power-Check Micro is designed to perform an equivalent job for more compact HSK E15, E16 and E20 spindle interfaces, which are mainly found on small, precise machine tools intended for high-speed cutting. Such machining platforms are typically utilised in the dentistry and jewellery sectors, as well as for the production of small parts used in electronic and medical products, precision components in aerospace and automotive engineering, and small tools and dies.

These pull force measuring units are exclusively available in Britain and Ireland through sole sales agent Gewefa UK. The company points out that the new device is pertinent to nearly all micro-manufacturing applications, where there is a growing emphasis on process reliability, condition monitoring, preventative maintenance and quality assurance.

The latest drawbar force monitoring system is of compact design, measuring just 48.8 x 43 x 41.5 mm and weighing approximately 200 g, making the unit suitable for use in constrained working areas. Mains-independent, power arrives courtesy of two replaceable lithium batteries capable of up to 1000 hours of continuous operation.

More information www.gewefa.co.uk

Ways to maximise productivity and flexibility

At the Automatica 2025 exhibition in Munich last month, Schunk presented its portfolio for smart automation – from standardised components and complete solutions to customised engineering. The focus was on maximising productivity and flexibility in industrial manufacturing.

Industrial robots and cobots (collaborative robots) in particular – are indispensable for future-oriented automation of production processes. For these systems, as well as for the next generation of robotic systems such as humanoid robots, Schunk offers suitable end-of-arm components with open digital modules.

The anthropomorphic SVH 5-finger gripping hand, for example, is available with open-source software and as a digital twin. Thanks to decades of expertise in flexible gripping technology and strong partnerships with industrial companies, start-ups and research institutions, Schunk is opening up new fields of application that go beyond the scientific environment. An live demonstration at the Schunk booth – developed in co-operation with Neura Robotics – showed what this could look like in practice.

In the field of E-mobility, Schunk develops tailor-made automation solutions for battery cell handling – from the handling of cells in the composition of battery packs to the final assembly in the vehicle. The RCG round cell gripper, for example, is specifically designed for handling 46 mm round cells – both individual battery cells and the precise assembly of complete cell clusters.

Schunk’s engineering offering is complemented by digital tools such as a digital twin for planning and simulation. Customers can virtually plan, simulate and optimise their automation tasks. Partnerships with technology companies like NVIDIA support the simulation and design of complex automation projects.

More information www.schunk.com

Multi-Part Clamping Transforms CNC Machining

With hundreds of zero-points across the table or pallet of a vertical or horizontal machining centre, Sinco MultiZero work holding offers modularity and precision when securing multiple components for machining. The systems are sold into the UK and Irish markets under an exclusive agency agreement with 1st Machine Tool Accessories, which also provides a consultancy service to manufacturers wishing to maximise the advantages of the Slovenian-made work-holding equipment.

Central to Sinco’s approach to increasing CNC machining efficiency and profitability are the virtually limitless work-holding arrangements made possible by its MultiZero base plate. It features an array of precisely spaced, conical, zero-point locations at 50 or 100 mm centres. The high-density grid maximises machine capacity usage by simplifying multi-part clamping all over the machine table, utilising matching centring elements on the underside of other MultiZero modules that fit accurately into the conical holes.

The additional modules include clamping pallets that attach directly to the base plate and can hold workpieces directly. Five different pallet types are available for manual or automatic clamping of parts on a machining centre, while a die-sink or wire EDM machine, measuring machine, or assembly station may be similarly equipped. Pallets can be supplied fitted with an RFID chip to allow integration into an Industry 4.0 factory environment, enabling automation, digitalisation, automatic data capture and scheduling of production.

Other accessories such as modular vices, stoppers and risers can be mounted on top of the clamping pallet in countless ways to suit different workpiece sizes and shapes.

More information www.1mta.com

Clamped, centred and aligned with flange mandrel

With the KFDF flat-element flange mandrel, Ringspann says it offers a compact precision clamping tool for optimising many turning, drilling, grinding, milling and balancing processes in gearbox construction, gear production and tool manufacturing. It scores with precise concentricity, a short clamping length and a standard clamping diameter of up to 375 mm, which can be extended to up to 560 mm by using alternative clamping elements. Its flat clamping body centres the workpiece and aligns it level.

The turning and drilling of steel coupling elements, the grinding of carbide rolling rollers, the milling of aluminium gearbox covers and the gear grinding of hollow shafts made of stainless steel are just a few applications examples of the KFDF flat element flange mandrel from Ringspann. They illustrate the versatility of this compact clamping fixture, whose domain is mechanical machining processes that place increased demands on precision. Apart from its concentricity of ≤0.01 mm, it ensures precise centring and a flat alignment of the clamped workpiece.

“The uneven deformation of workpieces – a common problem when using three-jaw chucks for example – can be ruled out with our KFDF thanks to complete 360° clamping,” says Christoph Schulz, product manager for clamping fixtures at Ringspann.

The KFDF is one of the group of purely mechanical precision clamping mandrels in the Ringspann portfolio and can be individually configured in the company’s one-stop web shop in all standard variants for executable clamping diameters from 120 to 375 mm. In addition, the manufacturer offers standardised flat elements that can be used to extend the clamping diameter up to 560 mm. Additional adaptations to different spindle connections, special workpieces or customer specifics are possible via adapted holders, assembly rings, intermediate flanges or spring accumulators.

More information www.ringspann.com