Tombstone Fixtures Easily Configured from Back-To-Back Vises
Mount Kurt Manufacturing’s VersastileLock vises back to back to create an economical tombstone fixture for horizontal machining centers (HMCs) with work envelope size and weight limitations. The tool can be 200 to 300 lbs lighter than a tombstone with clamps or vises.
Posted: March 4, 2020
Mounted back to back, Kurt Manufacturing Co. (Minneapolis, MN) VersatileLock vises provide a convenient way to use tombstone workholding fixtures on horizontal machining centers (HMC) with work envelope size and weight limitations. The tight-tolerance fixtures use standard vise components mounted to a base.
The vise is available in 4-, 6-, and 8-in models with jaw capacity ranging from 4 in to 10 in. Depending on model size, the back-to-back tombstone can be 200 lbs to 300 lbs lighter than a tombstone with clamps or vises. Because of their narrower profile and lighter weight, they fit into smaller machining centers better than larger vise tower setups.
The rigid, compact design is made possible by the one-piece vise body and stationary jaw design integrated with the AngLock feature. The pull-type jaw clamping design reduces jaw stationary deflection by at least 80%, providing highly precise clamping repeatability of 0.0005 in.
VersatileLock vises used in back-to-back tombstones have matched stationary jaws coplanar within .001 in. Body heights are matched ±0.001 in. The one-piece vise body and stationary jaw provides maximum strength while reducing deflection. Clamping force for the 6-in manual 3600V model is 6,356 lb at 80 ft/lb of input torque. The AngLock design resists part lift during machining operations. The 80,000-psi ductile iron body eliminates chatter or vibration from the process.
The assemblies are backed by the company’s lifetime warranty.
Kurt Manufacturing Co., 9445 East River Road N.W., Minneapolis, MN 55433, 877-226-7823, workholding@kurt.com, www.kurtworkholding.com.
