The ROTA-ML flex 2+2 four-jaw manual lathe chuck from Schunk has received a comprehensive facelift. The result is a lower, lighter and even more flexible product.

With the centrically compensating ROTA-ML flex 2+2, Schunk has had a low-maintenance manual lathe chuck in its portfolio since 2020. It allows almost all workpiece geometries – whether round, cubic or geometrically unshaped – to clamp precisely and efficiently on turn-mill centres. Its patented drive concept has a particularly large compensation stroke at 12 mm per jaw.

With a structural facelift starting from the 500 mm diameter model, the tool-holding and work-holding expert reduced the chuck’s height by up to 30%. This design change also reduces the chuck’s weight by up to 40%. The lower mass allows higher table rotation speeds, as well as the process-reliable machining of even larger and heavier workpieces. Users will discover that this revision increases the variety of applications available from a single chuck, while simultaneously enhancing machining efficiency.

The updated base plate of the chuck also supports more flexibility. Users can set-up ROTA-ML flex 2+2 lathe chucks quickly and easily on almost any machine table.

The lathe chuck continues to feature special seals on the guiding rails. The seals prevent grease wash-out and reduce the gradual loss of clamping force. Users therefore enjoy precise functioning of the lathe chuck, even when applying low clamping forces. A patented sealing concept protects the drive kinematics against dust and chips, thereby enhancing process reliability and extending maintenance intervals. Moreover, an indicator pin at each jaw signals the optimal clamping range for secure workpiece clamping.

Schunk offers the flexible manual lathe chuck in eight sizes, ranging from diameters of 260 to 1200 mm.

More information www.schunk.com

Taichung-based Hota Industrial, the largest manufacturer of drive components in Taiwan, is now using the Mando G211 mandrel from Hainbuch for producing transmission parts for electric cars. Made from low-alloy case-hardening steel at a monthly production volume of 20,000 units, the parts place high demands on both machines and tools. However, Hainbuch was able to meet Hota’s requirements, delivering in a 20% increase in productivity.

Hota and Hainbuch began collaborating in May 2021. The gear manufacturer planned to change the clamping configuration for all process steps before hardening in order to achieve higher process reliability and production quality. Drive gear manufacturing takes place on a Hartech HGH-250 gear hobbing machine. Previously, Hota used collets in the production of its helical drive gears.

“For our manufacturing process, the collets did not meet the requirements for concentricity and repeatability,” says Alex Chao, deputy head of design at Hota Industrial.

The selected Mando G211 mandrel clamps workpieces radially with pull-back effect. Depending on the mandrel size, the radial clamping force of the mandrel is 42 to 150 kN. This extremely rigid ID clamping provides the required accuracy. Integrated flushing channels keep the clamping device free of chips. Importantly, the improved process reduces the machining time per part, while simultaneously increasing tool service life.

Selecting the right work-holding technology has significantly improved the entire production process.

“We are very satisfied with the service and advice provided by the Hainbuch employees,” confirms Chao. The Mando G211 mandrel impressed with its stability, service life and good price-performance ratio. Moving forward, Hota plans to introduce the Hainbuch Mando G211 as an option for all new machines.

More information www.hainbuch.com

RPI UK, a specialist developer and manufacturer of precision positioning devices for high-accuracy rotary and angular inspection systems, has supplied Wenzel’s Bulgarian distributer with a QuadSlimLine rotary table. The rotary table will integrate into a Wenzel CMM, enabling a European aerospace giant to measure aero engine disks up to 40% faster.

RPI’s rotary tables are a good addition to high-precision CMMs. Specifically designed as a fourth axis, the rotary tables are accurate to ±0.5 arc-seconds: equivalent to hitting a golf ball at a hole located more than 22 km away and scoring a hole-in-one every time. As well as significantly improving overall CMM measurement accuracy and reducing uncertainty, rotary tables greatly increase the available measuring volume, providing greater flexibility in what users can measure. 

“When it comes to measuring symmetrical or prismatic components, it’s all about simplifying your measuring procedures, increasing your CMM’s application range and effective measuring volume,” explains RPI’s sales manager Jim Palmer. “In turn, this will increase the flexibility, productivity and efficiency of your CMM.”

The installation of the QuadSlimLine on to the Wenzel CMM was carried out by 2M Trading, the Bulgarian distributor for both RPI and Wenzel.

Timothy Matyushin, 2M’s general manager, says: “We installed RPI’s Quad Slimline on to Wenzel’s CMM LH108 NG, which incorporates a Renishaw UCC S5 controller and Renishaw Modus software. The result is a CMM that works smarter with increased flexibility, capacity and throughput, ultimately delivering a 40% reduction in inspection time for one of Europe’s major aerospace manufacturers. The customer is so impressed, they’ve ordered another two QuadSlimLine rotary tables for installation to CMMs before the end of the year.”

More information www.rpiuk.com

Mitsubishi Materials has launched a dedicated range of tool holders to complement the huge range of geometries and types available in its iMX series of solid-carbide exchangeable end mills. The company says that the mono-block type holder greatly reduces tool overhang compared with standard milling chucks. A mono-block holder also allows stable machining, even with larger diameter tools, thereby achieving high-efficiency machining.

When using a standard milling chuck, a screw-in type shank is necessary, which machine shops can also negate when using a mono-block type holder to reduce costs. An added feature is the undercut at the bottom of the neck, making it suitable for vertical wall machining.

The iMX series is an end-mill system that combines the advantages of both solid-carbide and
indexable end mills. Performance advantages and savings are available, especially in long overhang applications. Exchangeable heads negate the cost of extra-long solid-carbide end mills.

A key feature is the double face contact of carbide head and holder that enables security and rigidity close to that of a solid-type end mill. This is possible because the taper and end-clamping faces of the head and the holder are both solid carbide, with only the threaded
part composed of steel. Benefits of this secure and accurate clamping method compared with the usual steel-to-carbide method are greater efficiency from increased cutting parameters, improved accuracy and more reliability.

A broad spread of applications is made possible not just by the strong and reliable clamping system, but by the EP7020 coated-carbide grade. This fine, hard carbide substrate has an (Al,Cr)N Smart Miracle coating that Mitsubishi Materials says delivers substantially better wear resistance than conventional coatings.

More information www.mmc-carbide.com