Adapter jaws drive Schunk range compatibility

With new adapter jaws, Schunk has established compatibility between machine vices and the world’s broadest portfolio of top jaws from Schunk/Gressel. These useful connecting elements offer new and flexible clamping options for any machining task.

The interface between the machine vice and top jaws for a specific clamping task depends on the manufacturer. Until now, users have been bound to the respective vice manufacturer’s jaw portfolio. This is now a thing of the past with the new Schunk adapter jaws. They enable Schunk to create compatibility between the vice and its top jaw portfolio, which the company says is the most extensive on the market. Therefore, users are no longer tied to a specific system, but can now significantly expand their clamping options.

The potential of the adapter jaws for machine vices with a jaw width of 125 mm is considerable. This is because they offer concrete advantages for stationary workpiece clamping in vices, especially on milling machines: the Schunk adapter jaws open up any top jaw variation for virtually infinite clamping possibilities.

Due to this flexibility, it is possible to achieve many different clamping options and cost advantages. After the initial investment for the adapter jaws, Schunk says amortisation arrives very quickly by using the top jaws from the Schunk portfolio, since the top jaws are less expensive than comparable competitor products. Another advantage is the set-up time savings and process optimisation thanks to the quick-change function on some variants of the top jaws from the Schunk portfolio. Screws only require loosening slightly instead of completely, with easy removal of the jaw upwards along the grooves.

For further information www.schunk.com

Sales manager appointment

GF Machining Solutions, a milling, EDM, laser and additive manufacturing machine and automation systems supplier, has appointed Gary Purcell as its new sales manager for the whole of Ireland (Republic and North). Purcell was previously applications engineering manager at Waterford-based Schivo Medical, a contract manufacturer specialising in the medical device and life sciences sectors. Although already established as a key partner with Irish medical component manufacturers, Ireland’s med-tech sector provides GFMS, through its latest appointment, with significant business opportunities.

For further information www.gfms.com

Schuler site turns 50

In 1973, Siegfried Heilmann and Fritz Haller founded Gemminger Maschinenbau GmbH(GMG), thus laying the foundation for today’s Schuler plant in Gemmingen. Initially, the focus of the business was on the manufacture and sale of special machines, feeding and linking systems, and the automation of machine tools. Today, Gemmingen is the competence centre for press line automation, hydraulic systems and equipment within the Schuler Group, to which the site has belonged since 1989.The factory is home to approximately 330 employees.

For further information www.schulergroup.com

ROSA names new UK and Ireland agent

Midlands-based Master Abrasives is now the authorised agent in the UK and Ireland forgrinding machines made in Italy by ROSA Ermando SpA. Mutual agreement has been reached with ROSA’s current distributor to ensure gradual handover. For several years, ROSA has been represented in the UK by NL Machine Tool Consulting, whose managing director Norman Loughton is now considering slowing down as he heads towards retirement. Following a three-way discussion, it was mutually agreed that Master would represent ROSA moving forward, working closely with Loughton in a seamless handover. 

For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

Helleris 130 years old

130 years ago, Hermann Heller opened a trading and manufacturing company for patented products and watchmaking tools in Nürtingen, Germany. With the business selling tools of all kinds, the engineer laid the foundations for the long-term success of the company, which entered the mechanical engineering sector in 1898 with the production of cold circular saws, blade skiving machines and thread cutting machines. In 1900, Hermann Heller’s brother Ernst, a trained tradesman, joined the company, marking the birth of ‘Gebr. Heller Werkzeug- und Maschinenfabrik’ (Heller).

Manufacturing state-of-the-art CNC machine tools, Heller today maintains the spirit of a family-run business with a strong sense of tradition. Since 2016, all shares in the group have been wholly owned by the family. Dr Thorsten Schmidt (CEO), Andreas Müßigmann (CFO), Dieter Drechsler (COO) and Peter Weber (CSO) currently manage the group.

For further information www.heller.biz