In many sectors that require sheet metal handling, vacuum suction cups have become an essential element of safety, reliabilityand productivity. With the company’s new CTC high-performance bell-type suction cups, Covalsays it is bringing manufacturers the best of both flat and bellows suction cups to enhance system efficiency.

The main feature of new CTC suction cups is the bell shape. This design has the strength and anti-slip qualities of flat suction cups, with the added abilities of bellows suction cups to grip complex or angular shapes.The CTC cup series has large deflection capability, adapting easily to gripping a variety of workpiece shapes.Furthermore, anti-slip cleats make it easy to move heavy, oily sheets quickly and efficiently, while their central stops ensure the tight gripping of thin sheets without deformation.

Typical applications include feeding machines such as folders and cutters, or picking up sheet metal or parts for transfer to stamping presses and storage. CTC suction cups are particularly suitable for use in the automotive sector, in processes that include stamping, fitting and assembly, for example. The company says it has long-standing partnerships with major car manufacturers, supplying them with products that meet their quality and productivity expectations.

CTC bell-type suction cups are available in four diameters from 40 to 100 mm and various mounting configurations (3/8G male or female and 32 mm square), to suit all types of application. Coval makes all of them from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) for resistance to wear and oil.
For further information www.coval-international.com

At September’s EMO 2023 exhibition in Hanover, Haimer presented a variety of innovations in the area of tool clamping technology: from the Micro Collet Chuck and the High-Performance Chuck, to the world premiere of the company’s Hybrid Chuck technology. There were also new software versions for Haimer shrink fit, balancing and pre-setting machines, enabling smooth data exchange among each other, and with machine tools and automation. The highlight at the booth: an impressiveautomation cell for tool set-up, including an automated guided vehicle to and from the machine tool.

As a world premiere, the Haimer Hybrid Chuck features new and patented technology that combines the advantages of two clamping worlds: the vibration-damping properties of a hydraulic chuck with those of a high-precision, high-performance shrink-fit chuck.

The new Micro Collet Chuck, which also made its debut at EMO, is suitable for shank diameters from 1 mm and meets customerrequirement for maximum runout accuracy with simple handling.

Moving forward, all Haimer shrink-fit, balancing and pre-setting machines will receive a new software version that includes a bidirectional interface for connection to the new Haimer Tool Room Manager (TRM). This new software monitors the online status of all devices in the tool room, documents the processes and monitors compliance with the specified tolerances. An optional OPC-UA interface, client or MQTT Connect interface standardises access to machines, devices and other systems, and enables manufacturer-independent data exchange.

On the Haimer Tool Dynamic balancing machine, the new software also opens the door to automatic indexing. For this purpose, a small gripper features in the new models that rotates the tool awaiting balancing. The software does the rest without any further manual intervention of the operator.
For further information www.haimer.com

Headquartered in Austria, Amann Girrbach manufactures equipment to produce not only dental prostheses such as abutments, crowns, veneers and bridges, but also dentures. In its latest production system, the Ceramill Matik, the company is using a zero-point clamping system from Roemheld group company Stark Spannsysteme. The solution ensures enhanced repeatability when positioning raw material for five-axis milling of the complex profiles that characterise the prostheses. The products are available in the UKand Ireland through Roemheld UK.

Intended for extended periods of unattended production overnight and at weekends, the new machine is an intelligent solution that combines three operations in one: milling at up to 100,000 rpm, cleaning and automatic storage.

Marcel Humml, senior manager operational excellence, says: “The Ceramill Matik incorporates a five-axis machining centre with a 36-workpiece changer, whereas other products on the market have a maximum of 12 workpiece positions and are considerably more expensive.”

He adds: “When testing the Stark zero-point system, we concluded that we would like to have a few modifications. We didn’t want any visible screws and we preferred exposed sides so that water and dirt could run off better.Due to our compact holder size, we also requested a smaller support surface to save space. Stark undertook all of these modifications in their customised solution.The co-operation with Stark during the development phase of Ceramill Matik was unbeatable; the relationship really couldn’t have been better.”

Stark says that its zero-point product is for metal component machining on a factory floor and not originally intended for a small production centre producing fine, delicate parts.However, the company was happy to make the necessary adaptations to support automation in the dental sector.
For further information www.roemheld.co.uk

Tooling company Ceratizit has added two high-performance adapters to its range of hydraulic chucks: the HyPower Rough for demanding rough machining operations; and the HyPower Access 4.5° for optimal accessibility in the machining zone.

The HyPower Rough hydraulic chuck is for clamping milling tools with a HA shank.Offering high temperature stability of 80°C, these chucks are suitable for highly dynamic milling applications, even during cycles lasting longer than 240 minutes, reports Ceratizit. These dynamic milling applications include HSC (high-speed cutting), HPC (high-performance cutting) and SPM (structural part machining). According to the company,the HyPower Rough is also effective for the high-performance milling of precision components at speeds up to 33,000 rpm. Moreover, these hydraulic offer high levels of vibration damping in support of surface quality.

Meanwhile, the HyPower Access 4.5° hydraulic chuck is for precision finishing.And to ensure optimal flexibility and versatility, its dimensions match those of a shrink-fit chuck (DIN contour with 4.5°). These chucks offer customers the advantages of a hydraulic chuck for critical component structures, with suitability for reaming and drilling, as well as finishing during milling operations. The result, says Ceratizit, is outstanding surfaces and tight tolerances, as well as maximum process security and tool life.

Ceratizit’s product manager (clamping systems) Christoph Retter says: “Both the HyPower Access 4.5° and HyPower Rough offer outstanding radial run-out accuracy and an impressive clamping force for optimum results. Furthermore, they are easy to change, and save time where tool alterations need to be made as changes can be made in minutes using a single Allen key.”
For further information www.ceratizit.com

US firm Blue Photon has a new, photo-activated adhesive work-holding system, comprising patented grippers and inserts, intended for use with stabiliser systems marketed by Big Daishowa and others that add extra rigidity to tall components during machining. The ‘Workholding Stabilizer System’made its European debut at September’s EMO 2023 trade fair in Hanover.

The new system comprises a Blue Photon stabiliser puck, an adjustable stabiliser arm and a base mount, for which there are multiple options including T-slot, threaded-hole and magnetic. Users position the puck in an optimal location on the workpiece to provide maximum extra support during machining by transferring some of the cutting force to the machine table and structure.

Increased stability raises production throughput by allowing the programming of faster feeds and speeds without affecting the surface integrity of the part. It also increases yield by avoiding scrap and rework that could result from unstable clamping.

The puck attaches to the workpiece using grippers placed into fixed inserts. It is simply necessary to position the puck and turn on ultraviolet light from a Blue Photon controller to cure BlueGrip adhesive previously applied to the grippers. The process is complete in 60 seconds, minimising idle time and maximising throughput.

Further benefits include no need to drill and tap or otherwise clamp the part, while the absence of additional work-holding geometry means that cutter paths are unrestricted without necessarily extending cycle times.

Also on the stand at EMO was a selection of Blue Photon’s other adhesive work-holding products, which are suitable for securing awkwardly shaped and/or delicate parts to allow maximum access to tools during machining processes. They are equally suitable for use in assembly or inspection.
For further information www.ncmt.co.uk