Blum-Novotest presented it new MG81 multi-purpose measuring device at the Control 2025 exhibition in Stuttgart earlier this month. The compact device, which is the size of a bank card, has been specially developed for sensor-based status assessment of clamping systems. The recorded values are transmitted wirelessly to the machine tool control system in real time, meaning they can be incorporated directly into the process.

Winfried Weiland, head of marketing at Blum-Novotest explains: “The aim of an automated machining process in the spirit of Industry 4.0 is to record all relevant influences and come up with appropriate actions. With the new MG81, we’re integrating the transmission system and sensor technology directly into the clamping systems, making it is possible to record important process data in real time during machining. This includes the current workpiece temperature, the clamping pressure, the presence of the workpiece and the clamping jaw position. As a result, the machining centre can access and react to the process-relevant data of the clamping device at any time.”

For instance, the MG81 is used in automated processes in which workpieces with strongly fluctuating input temperatures undergo machining. Sensors integrated into the clamping jaws record the temperature of the current part, which is then transmitted to the control system, where it can be immediately evaluated in the process.

The system is also used to monitor the clamping pressure. This is how corresponding sensors can detect whether a workpiece is being clamped securely and with constant force. Another example is automatic pre-positioning of the clamping jaws according to the current workpiece size that will be machined: if workpieces with different dimensions are to be automatically fed to the clamping device, the process is supported by integrated position measuring sensors.

More information www.blum-novotest.com