5-Axis Workholders Enable Flexible Fixturing and Access

Bringing flexible workholding to 5-axis machine tables

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc. has expanded its line of 5-axis workholders, which locate and stabilize workpieces without obstructing access to the top and sides of the part. They also allow a clamped workpiece to be flipped into new orientations for subsequent machining operations without unclamping it. The workholders are also for machines with retrofit 4th- and 5th-axis tables.

The 5-axis Duo Bridge, with dual 45° 105/65 base plates, can be mounted directly on the top of a 5-axis table or loaded through a pair of zero-point chucks. Unilock 5-axis riser chucks, extensions and reductions, with a working diameter of 80mm, are available as base plates or as stacking modules in 75mm and 100mm heights. The infinitely adjustable First Grips and Dovetail Grips are only limited by the length of the thread that pulls the jaws together.

“BIG Kaiser’s approach to 5-axis workholding seamlessly fits into existing workholding solutions while providing the increased flexibility of Unilock zero-point solutions,” said Gerard Vacio, product manager of workholding systems. “Our clients match workholding to the workpiece and maximize the capabilities of their 5-axis machine tools. We can also provide specific solutions for dedicated production environments. We interface with virtually any workholding product that fits in the machine.”

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc.
www.bigkaiser.com

Vise for 5-axis milling on trunnion tables

OML’s Genius vise for 5-axis milling in trunnion-table machines is available from Lexair Inc. The vise reportedly maximizes clamping force at the top of the jaws by pulling them closed with a collapsing lead screw, while holding the bottom of the jaws in place with an opposing force screw. By holding the vise jaws apart at the bottom and pulling them closed at the top, the vise pulls the workpiece down against the stops as closing force increases. The vise is available in two sizes and can hold parts with a maximum clamping force of 9,000 lbs. According to the company, the vise secures odd-shaped workpieces, such as turbine blades and blisks, and presents them to the spindle with minimal obstruction, reducing setups and ensuring repeatability of 0.0008″.

Lexair Inc.
www.lexairinc.com

Air chuck is customized