Toolholding & Workholding

A new standard line of machinable shaft-end adapters that are offered with a plain bore or keyway and a variety of options is being introduced by Stafford Manufacturing Corp.

BIG KAISER has added inch standard sizes for the U.S. market to the production of its BIG-PLUS BBT30 basic arbors (shell mill holders, endmill holders, shrink fit and blanks). The expansion allows for enhancements to the BBT30 program that satisfy demands specific to the North American market.

Mitee-Bite Products introduces the TalonGrip long-length serrated grip. The new grips were produced as a "drop fit" into the original 6" TalonGrip jaw set and provide line contact the full length of a workpiece. The standard TalonGrip grips are popular due to being compact (0.750" or 19 mm) long and designed to be placed anywhere in jaw whenever specific tooling clearance is required.

Carr Lane Manufacturing Co.'s pivoting edge clamp is well suited for holding large castings and other tall workpieces, and converts easily from manual to hydraulic operation, making it versatile and flexible. The pivoting jaw exerts clamping force forward and downward at the same time.

Blue Photon Technology & Workholding Systems LLC's workholding products are a manufacturer's solution to hold parts for tight-tolerance machining and inspection. Complex-shaped, hard-to-hold parts and delicate materials like ceramic and laminated composites are well suited to the technology, which supplies up to 605 lbs. of tensile holding power per patented gripper.

Absolute Machine Tools partner PCI SCEMM (a Tongtai company) has introduced the e-Spindle, a new electro-spindle that integrates sensors and actuators to monitor cutting processes and adjust parameters to optimize tool life and workpiece quality.n

The iTendo hydraulic expansion toolholder helps reduce vibrations, chatter marks and tool failure.n

Global demand for toolholders, specifically arising from the automotive and defense and aerospace industries, will witness a relatively steady growth between 2018 and 2028, as predicted by a research intelligence report. While the demand for toolholders will be largely driven by emerging economies, in particular the manufacturing sector, China is likely to make substantial investments in high performance cutting tools, considering the robust manufacturing and industrial output in the region.

The Schunk EGB with IO-link is a compact mechatronic 24 V gripper for small components that allows flexible processes during fast-paced pick & place. It is based on the tried-and-tested Schunk EGP, and scores with a high speed and high gripping force.

Multiple-axis machines increase workpiece accessibility but some jobs still require these specialized toolholders.

For years, collet-type toolholder assembly and setup have relied on cumbersome, error-prone manual methods that waste time and money. From a wall filled with adjustment charts, operators reference torque values based on specific collet series holders and tool diameters. Then they must locate the appropriate torque wrench, unlock it, set its torque level and re-lock it before tightening a toolholder's collet retention nut. This complex procedure leaves many shops scrambling to regain precious lost production time – and often leads to inaccurate torque settings that can damage toolholders and, in some instances, impact workpiece precision negatively.

High-speed machining — in excess of 20,000 rpm — often is used in aerospace when machining exotic alloys and hard metals, such as titanium. At these speeds, precise, secure seating of tapered toolholders in the spindle becomes even more critical. Failing to pay attention to this single detail can lead to decreased productivity, less precise machining, reduced tool life and damaged workpieces.