Flexible automation for the masses

From its biggest ever stand at MACH 2018, Thame Workholding (Hall 6, Stand 170) will display a number of products receiving their UK exhibition premiere. For instance, RoboTrex is the first Lang automation equipment based on the small QuickPoint 52 system.

Suitable for retrofitting to the front or side of a machine tool, the RoboTrex can work with individual components up to 12 kg. Customers can choose from up to four specially designed workpiece trolleys that serve as vice storage systems. Furthermore, two new RoboTrex vices, with a jaw width of 46 and 77 mm, can be mounted vertically for optimal use of space when being picked-up by the robot.
Another MACH debutant on the Thame stand will be the Inoflex VL range. This weight-reduced series of self-centring four-jaw chucks is suitable for vertical turning centres, offering part-clamping capacity from 420 to 1200 mm. Compensating features permit the clamping of round, cubic and geometrically irregular workpieces when milling or turning.
While conventional chucks operate with all jaws moving in the same direction, either towards or away from the centre of the chuck, the Inoflex chuck operates with the jaws moving together or apart on two parallel axes. In addition, weight-reduction characteristics improve clamping forces at higher machining speeds while simultaneously reducing the stress and forces placed on the spindle when machining large workpieces.
Thame will also introduce its latest series of multi-face fixture systems for five-axis machining. This three-faced fixture facilitates the clamping of three individual components on a single device. According to the company, the fixture provides greater clearance and access to five-axis parts, especially when compared with standard four-face tombstone systems.
For further information www.thame-eng.com