Toolholding & Workholding

END USER: Wagner Machine Co., (217) 384-0072, www.wagner-machine.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: 5th Axis Inc., (858) 505-0432, www.fifthaxis.com. CHALLENGE: Reliably and cost-effectively grip parts during 5-axis machining. SOLUTION: A compact, dovetail-style, 5-axis clamping system.

The technology to form, press and grind indexable carbide inserts has evolved to such a high degree that the methods to effectively clamp inserts in a cutter body have struggled to keep up, but strides are being made. Some insert shapes have advanced to the point where they have a true, 100-percent, 3D geometry with almost no flat surfaces.

Dillon Chuck Jaws announces a new line Air Chuck Jaws including both Style M and Style R, such as those often machined using air chucks. CNC-machined for accuracy, the pins serve as a locator and allow precise repeatability plus fast installation.

The Positrol cartridge arbor with interior swing clamps is designed to increase part rigidity during machining operations without interfering with tool paths.

Northfield Precision Instrument Corp. introduces its customized Model 650 chuck. This chuck has been engineered using one chuck and two sets of flexing jaws.

Developed for the world's most intensive cutting applications, Secure Grip is an easy to use system that locks the collet and cutter into the holder.

I'm not a huge fan of machinist's vises. Even with a speed handle and a couple cups of coffee in your belly, it seems like it takes forever to crank them open wide enough to change a pair of jaws.

With Kitagawa/NorthTech Worlkholding's automated pallet jaw system, robotic automation is a viable solution for low- and moderate-volume parts production in a CNC lathe.

Riten introduces a modified face driver specifically designed to hold workpieces with diameters of 2" or less. In lieu of individual drive pins, the unit features a multi-toothed drive disk that securely penetrates the face of the part. It is ideal for gear hobbing and other aggressive machining operations.

Ever machined parts so small that they not only fit on a penny but can sit on old Abe's nose? Cutting parts and part features in this Tom Thumb world often comes with Titanic-sized challenges, such as unexpected cutting tool breakage, deburring parts the size of typical burrs and machine tool spindles speeds that come up short.

The HAINBUCH SPANNTOP high-precision workholding system offers users the option of converting the basic chuck for OD, ID and 3-jaw clamping operations with a change-over time of 2 minutes or less. Equally important, in each mode, the chuck delivers proven performance and high repeatability, according to the company.

Techniks magnetic chucks are a fast workholding solution that reduces mold setup and/or changeover time by 50 percent, and allows machining on five sides. Use magnetic workholding for all types of milling, drilling, through-hole drilling and boring operations on all sizes of molds or other workpieces.