Engineered Workholding Solutions

INSTANTLY ALIGN AND LOCK VISES AND FIXTURES ON MACHINING CENTERS FOR ULTRA ACCURATE SETUPS
Quickly align and setup any part on any machine with the DockLock® zero-point workholding system from Kurt Manufacturing Company (Minneapolis, MN). The DockLock system provides the fastest, most accurate and repeatable method for making setup changes on all types of horizontal and vertical machining centers.

A demonstration of a Kurt DockLock system used with a Fanuc robot.

For example, a typical workholding setup change requiring 20 minutes using standard methods is done in less than two minutes with the DockLock. Operation is simple. The DockLock allows the user to locate or remove the workholding from a machine, or move it offline or to another machine and/or back again in just seconds with zero-point accuracy every time.

Available in pneumatic and hydraulic models, DockLock systems may be ordered in standard, automatic and heavy duty models for most applications. The hydraulic DockLock Safe 20 model consists of a patented hydraulic actuated locking cylinder that instantly aligns and locks a vise or fixture with a clamp down force of 2,800 lb per locking cylinder (12,456 newtons) and with a retention force of 9,000 lb per locking cylinder (40,033 newtons). For other models, the Safe 30 has a clamp down force of 20,000 newtons, retention force of 60,000 newtons, and the Safe 50 has a clamp down force of 30,000 newtons, retention force of 90,000 newtons.

Once positioned, the workholding remains immobile using the DockLock. A uniquely designed collet connection dampens vibration tendencies in the workholding setup, which is an important design feature. “The DockLock system is a proven workholding system used throughout Europe,” reports Mike Chester, a technical service representative for Kurt. “U.S. machine operators have grown to like it because of its simplicity and ease of use. The top down design makes the fixture handling process effortless. With few components, the system is easy to keep free of chips and coolant. Also, the system’s rugged design requires minimal maintenance and ensures long life through repeated use.”

Kurt also offers the D688 vise with an 8.8 in jaw opening and repeatability to within 0.001 in. It produces up to 7,968 lb clamping force with just 80 ft-lb input torque. Designed for the high performance requirements of the latest machining centers, the D688 meets the needs of today’s highly skilled and demanding machinists.

Designed with high precision roller bearings and alloy steel screw mechanism (competitor models use less efficient ball bearings), D688 vises distribute clamping force evenly and precisely across the full jaw surface. The Anglock® design in the movable jaw (patented by Kurt) further reduces jaw lift. Providing overall vise rigidity while absorbing machining vibration, Kurt D688 vises have porosity-free, 80,000 psi ductile iron bodies.

Additional features include removable, hardened jaw plates, ergonomically designed vise handle, and GrooveLock® workstops that store easily in the vise body.

Kurt Manufacturing Company, Industrial Products Division, 9445 East River Road NW, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55433, 877-226-7823, Fax: 877-226-7828, workholding@kurt.com, www.kurtworkholding.com.  

VICE BOOSTS RIGIDITY AND PROCESS ACCURACY FOR 5-AXIS MACHINING
The newly redesigned RZM Centric Vice from Röhm Products of America (Lawrenceville, GA) provides exceptional workholding rigidity and contributes significantly to higher accuracy 5-axis machining. The vice’s new design features clamping jaws positioned relatively high and a horizontal spindle situated at the top of the vice and closer to the jaws for unmatched stability. The jaws are shorter and complement the vice’s overall compact height of only 7.7 in to keep interference to a minimum, while Röhm’s special double jaw-guidance system ensures precision positioning.

A demonstration of the Röhm RZM Centric Vice.

In operation, the first jaw moves along an outside guideway as the second jaw travels on an inside one. This quasi-telescopic arrangement allows for a greater guidance length without placing any significant limits on machining operations. When fully opened, the RZM presents little, if any, interference, and its telescoping design allows the jaws to close to the zero point. For small or fragile parts, Röhm’s SKB claw jaws are an idea attachment for the RZM. These jaws securely clamp unfinished parts at depths as shallow as 0.078 in. Hardened claws on the jaws create an interlocking hold for extremely strong clamping, but with minimal required force and only a slight loss of material.

ZG and ZS manual lathe chucks from Röhm feature enhanced designs that include control edges for adjustability, safety adapters to regulate force and spray water rims that protect machine tool spindles. The control edges on the chuck bodies allow for fast and simple on-machine scroll adjustments. The new safety adapters on the chucks let users easily set and control clamping force via a torque wrench – a capability especially beneficial when machining deformation-sensitive workpieces. Located at the upper edges of the chucks, the spray water rims redirect cutting fluids away from machine spindles to help prevent contamination and increase their working lives.

Röhm redesigned its RKE NC-Compact Vice clamping system to include several technical improvements to further optimize its function in CNC machining centers with high working accuracy. Featuring a solid steel body with its contact surfaces and guides hardened and ground on all sides, the RKE NC-Compact Vice now offers better chip discharge with fewer interfering contours. Furthermore, protective caps and dirt protectors prevent chips from penetrating the inside of the vice body. A central grease nipple sits next to the adjustable drive spindle for easy accessibility and simple lubrication of the spindle threads and all guides.

An overview and demonstration of the Röhm RKE NC-Compact Vice clamping system.

Röhm Products of America 5155 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite K, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, 770-963-8440, www.rohm-products.com.

TURN-KEY WORKHOLDING
Everyone wants to bring down the cost of manufacturing while increasing production. One common solution to this issue is turn-key workholding or fixtures from DocMagnet, Inc. (Raleigh, NC). A turn-key system improves production, the quality of the part, and tool life. It is a solution that has an initial expenditure with a long term payoff, cutting down on set up time adding location repeatability and reducing machine time.