New stamping unit and five-axis vice series

With a revised stamping unit (featuring a new type of serration) and a complete, additional series of five-axis vices, Lang Technik say the company continues to develop its ‘original’. According to Lang, the company’s stamping technology has been setting the bar for top-notch quality in five-axis machining through its form-fit clamping philosophy for years. Now, Makro•Grip FS is taking this to a whole new level with even more impressive milling performance. 

The abbreviation FS stands for fully serrated/full serration and describes the new, continuous holding serration on the clamping jaws of the new-generation vice.  The new form-fit between the continuous holding serration and the matching contour in the pre-stamped workpiece blank increases holding force by up to 60%, depending on the material and stamping depth. For machining, this means even more reliability and safety in workpiece clamping, which in turn allows higher cutting performance and faster milling processes.

Lang’s stamping units with adapted stamping serrations impress with numerous new features, making operation even easier and more effective. For example, the process of setting the stamping pressure can be significantly accelerated thanks to the new stamping depth gauge. The setting is now data-based by reading off the dial gauge instead of visually checking the workpiece.

A new centring unit also makes it child’s play to insert the workpiece blank exactly in the centre, reports Lang.

Lang’s five-axis vices of the FS series are available in all previously known sizes and models, and also in a new mini version: the Makro•Grip micro. The FS series will initially run alongside the established Makro•Grip series, but is expected to replace it in the medium term due to its performance advantages.

For further information www.lang-technik.de

Rohm introduces retrofit solution for iJaw

It is now possible to retrofit the Röhm iJaw, which features sensor technology and wireless data transmission to measure clamping force in real time during machining, to all turning machines. There is no need to integrate the technology into the machine’s control system.

“With iJaw, we are effectively revolutionising the machining process,” says Gerhard Glanz, CEO of Röhm GmbH. “This is because real-time measurement of the clamping force during the machining process provides the user with a whole range of benefits. The advantages start with higher machine availability because of a reduction in set-up times and faster machining processes. The result is lower part costs on the one hand and increased component quality on the other. Overall, sensor-controlled workpiece machining is, of course, much safer than conventional manual clamping by feel.”

Gone are the days when operators would have to set the clamping force higher than necessary in order to ‘play it safe’.

“Especially with thin-walled components or sensitive surfaces, this is known to be counter-productive because having too high a clamping force quickly leads to deformation or even crushing of the workpiece,” says Glanz. “With exact knowledge of the applied clamping forces, you can significantly reduce rejects.”

This is how the iJaw works: an integrated sensor detects the forces introduced into the jaw, with data processed accordingly. The iJaw measures not only the actual applied forces of the internal and external clamping but also its own temperature. The system constantly displays the charging status of the battery. Röhm’s iJaw measures in real-time during machining.

For further information www.roehm.biz

New fixture simplifies turning and milling

More flexibility in machining production and significantly reduced set-up times: these are the premises under which Ringspann presents its new HSFS 110 clamping sleeve chuck. This innovative precision clamping system offers numerous advantages, especially for users of turning/milling machines with main and counter spindles, and machine tools with bar loaders. Since the clamping system does not require pull-back action, it is equally suitable for machining bar stock and material sections in the first set-up or workpieces from the second clamping step.

With a diameter range from 22 to 80 mm, the new HSFS 110 is a versatile clamping fixture for many different tasks. It also provides the user with additional flexibility, not least because it allows the clamping diameter to be changed by up to 1.5 mm.

The HSFS 110 clamping sleeve chuck is a purely mechanical clamping system consisting of a base chuck, clamping sleeve, draw tube adapter and adapter flange. While the adapter flange connects the machine spindle to the base chuck, the draw tube adapter transfers the actuating force from the clamping force device of the machine spindle into the base chuck.

The clamping sleeve is an interchangeable part that offer easy and fast replacement as and when necessary without special tools. In addition, the use of individually designed stop plates makes it possible to load and process workpieces axially positioned from the front. For this reason, the HSFS 110 is suitable for material sections in the first clamping set-up without any problems.

Thanks to its high adaptability and easy handling, Ringspann says that the HSFS 110 is one of those clamping systems that can give the machining of workpieces noticeable economic efficiency.

For further information www.ringspann.co.uk

Staubli tool changer helps TPR take off

With a comprehensive portfolio of systems and modules, Stäubli robot tool changers continue to find their way into new and exciting projects across many different sectors. By way of example, when TPR Ltd set out to apply its digital robotic technology to a drilling project, the company turned to Stäubli for the robot tool changing systems.

Stäubli’s MPS 130 R20 robot tool changer and CombiTac connectors perform the tool changing operations, optimising the robot’s utilisation, and connecting the water, air, power and data signals.

True Position Robotics (TPR) provides smart solutions for robot drilling and inspection, designed to fit within a digital landscape. As part of the Innovate UK funded ADI (Automated Drilling & Inspection) project, TPR’s technology plays a key role in transferring robot programs (created offline) to the real robot, and guiding the robot in space to become a true digital twin.

The ability to obtain both the connector and tool changing technologies from a single source (Stäubli), as opposed to using hybrid technologies from different suppliers, is seen as beneficial because it guarantees the manufacturing processes, materials, tolerances – and ultimately – the product’s reliability and compatibility.

Stäubli’s MPS 130 R20 robot tool changer and CombiTac connectors perform the tool changing operations between the inspection systems used to define datums prior to machining, the drilling technology used to produce and countersink the holes, and finally the laser scanning system for final process verification.

Commenting on the Stäubli solution, TPR director Roger Holden says: “The main benefit is we don’t have to worry about the consistency or quality of the different services when we disconnect and then re-connect different tools. We can take that for granted as we have full confidence in Stäubli’s solution.”

For further information www.staubli.com

Stark releases new-generation Hilma.NC vice

The Hilma.NC machine vice, successful on the market for many years, has undergone a complete revision of the product series by Stark Spannsystem GmbH. The Roemheld Group company has made these modular and versatile vices customisable and thus adaptable to numerous requirements.

Hilma.NC vices primarily find use on vertical machining centres. Depending on the machining strategy and existing automation, operators can initiate the clamping force with the Hilma.NC manually using a hand crank and hydraulic power transmission or – with the Hilma.NCH – purely hydraulically using a unit. This variant is primarily for partially automated processes and enables short clamping and release times, as well as improved ergonomics.

The modular structure makes the Hilma.NC a real all-rounder among clamping elements. It means the vices are suitable for workpieces of different dimensions. There are three sizes to choose from when it comes to jaw width: 100, 125 and 160 mm. Standard lengths are available for each version, achieving a maximum base length of between 380 and 1200 mm. Regardless of the modular system, individual desired lengths up to 1200 mm are also available for order.

The selection of clamping jaws for different tasks is already very extensive in the standard range. No matter whether raw or finished parts, square or round shapes or small to large workpieces – all machinists will find what they are looking for with Stark’s clamping jaws. If choosing magnetic quick-change jaws, users can even change the jaws without tools within a few seconds. Upon request, Stark also produces customer-specific clamping jaws.

For further information www.stark-roemheld.com/en