Additive manufacturing machine specialist Stratasys has signed a memorandum of understanding to partner with German-based software company Trinckle 3D. The agreement will integrate Trinkle’s Fixturemate software into Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro software package. With Stratasys and Trinckle’s software technology, users can produce a precision metrology inspection fixture that securely positions parts for accurate measurement. The 3D-printed design eliminates costly machining while maintaining tight tolerances.

This integration will complete Stratasys’ tooling workflow. It allows for simplified fixture design by non-CAD designers and broadens the range of users who can benefit: the addition of Fixturemate enables manufacturers without CAD expertise to design and configure custom 3D-printed fixtures within Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro.

“Eliminating the need for specialist CAD skills gives customers flexibility with their manufacturing workforce when it comes to the development of complex fixtures and tooling,” explains Victor Gerdes, vice president of software at Stratasys. “This new offering is targeted at delivering significant savings in time and workforce development, while allowing customers to use our solutions for both print preparation as well as critical design tasks for manufacturing.”

Using intelligent automation, Fixturemate software automates the design of custom fixtures, permitting manufacturers to create secure, precise holding solutions in minutes.

“We’re removing one of the biggest barriers in additive manufacturing: the need for specialist CAD skills and the costs associated with the manual design process,” says Florian Reichle, CEO and co-founder of Trinckle 3D. “By integrating Fixturemate with Stratasys’ GrabCAD Print Pro, we’re making it easier than ever for manufacturers to create bespoke, production-ready fixtures that eliminate bottlenecks, accelerate workflows and maximise the value of additive manufacturing.”

More information www.stratasys.com

Mapal says its Uniq hydraulic chucks have secured a further design award. Following the IF Design Award 2020 and the Good Design Award 2021, the Uniq series has won the sustainability-oriented Green Design Award.

When Mapal completely revised its hydraulic chucks in 2020, the focus was on making the entire product range even more efficient and durable in daily use. The new hydraulic chucks were given a uniform appearance – the requirement being that the design should guarantee the greatest possible stability with optimum use of resources.

In collaboration with design agency Ottenwaelder and Ottenwaelder, product managers at Mapal developed a new design concept for the product family. In order to emphasise the uniqueness of the revised chucks, the naming was based on the English word ‘unique’.

The two hydraulic chuck series – Uniq Mill Chuck and Uniq DReaM Chuck – combine Mapal’s performance promise of quality and function, in particular through the interplay of geometric and functional properties. Thanks to a polishing process newly developed for the Uniq series, the high-gloss surface of the chuck is more resistant to dirt and corrosion.

Mapal also attached great importance to making the use of process reliability. Here, the blue colouring of the actuating screw provides a key contribution. Specially created signatures also contain handling instructions.

“We are proud that we have won several internationally recognised awards our Uniq,” says Tobias Bayerle. “The development of the series proves that you can not only win through practicality, but also thanks to product design and the added value it offers customers. If you can impress with performance and design, you’ve done a lot of things right.”

More information www.mapal.com

A new range of four double-acting, self-centring (centric) vices of particularly compact design for demanding clamping applications in restricted working areas – often found in milling, drilling, grinding, electric discharge machining and fixture building – is now available from Roemheld (UK).

The H 4.400 Power Clamp is available in two sizes of base, 64 or 100 mm square, which is contoured below the jaws to provide good accessibility to all five sides of a clamped component and promote free chip evacuation during machining. Jaw actuation is either hydraulic or pneumatic. The small and large hydraulic versions deliver 4.8 and 20.3 kN of clamping force respectively, while the pneumatic variants are rated at 4.0 kN and 14.0 kN.

The double-acting piston with backlash-free transmission of force to the two base jaws means that all models are suitable for internal or external work holding. Jaws move synchronously and concentrically, enabling precise workpiece positioning to within 5 µm. The high rigidity of the vices and their hardened surfaces ensure long-term wear resistance, minimising the need for maintenance.

A standard feature is a connection for positive air pressure to protect against the ingress of liquids and dirt particles. A comprehensive range of options is available, including various quick-change jaws and mounting options, monitoring of clamping stroke and part position, zero-point adaptation, sensors for process monitoring, a port for centralised lubrication, and RFID chip recognition for tracking and data management. These and other accessories allow customisation possibilities and integration into diverse production environments, including those involving automated part handling.

More information www.roemheld.co.uk