Precision Workholding Q&a: 5-Axis Machining
EMUGE-FRANKEN precision workholding product manager emphasizes tighter tolerances and complex geometries in Q&A about evolving manufacturing challenges.
The EvoGrip’s compact design enables multi-sided machining with five axes and makes clamping devices of this type universally applicable. EMUGE-FRANKEN USA
In the following Q&A, David Jones, precision workholding product manager for EMUGE-FRANKEN USA, West Boylston, Massachusetts, discusses evolving manufacturing challenges, emphasizing tighter tolerances and complex geometries.
What manufacturing challenges and trends are you seeing today?
Jones: Our customers, who span industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, general metalworking and more, are increasingly facing tighter tolerances and accuracy requirements during parts manufacture. Parts are often complex with intricate geometries, which are challenging to clamp. At the same time, manufacturers have to meet fast delivery timelines.
How do workholding solutions need to evolve to meet today’s challenges and trends? And how could shops improve their workholding strategies if it’s been two, three or more years since they last upgraded?
Jones: As with any tooling there is evolution, and what may have been considered to be advanced five or 10 years ago is often deemed the norm (typical) today. As a manufacturer of precision workholding solutions, it is critical to keep looking forward and to take into account the latest technology available when reviewing an application. The same holds true for shops using the same tooling for years when there may be a better, newer solution that could result in overall cost savings. Whether it be time savings, scrap rate reduction, or decreasing the number required tools, it all adds up to an overall job cost savings. And sometimes a higher initial tooling investment is required to gain these savings.
What types of questions are you typically receiving from your customers who need to specify and implement a new workholding solution?
Jones: In addition to the questions about pricing and delivery that we receive on a regular basis, we receive inquiries about how to improve precision workholding processes.
Questions include:
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