Toolholding & Workholding

Schunk Inc. offers modular clamping columns that enable direct clamping of molding plates, freeform parts and other workpieces on the machine table without additional clamping devices or interfering contours. The clamping pillars ensure collision-free processes, a defined clamping situation and a reliable simulation of the machining process, according to the company.

Applications that require minimal batch sizes, high precision requirements, and complex geometries need high-tech solutions to get the job done. SCHUNK's new modular system for direct workpiece clamping is ideal for complex jobs. Modular clamping columns enable direct clamping of molding plates, freeform parts, and other workpieces on the machine table within seconds, without additional clamping devices or interfering contours. The clamping pillars guarantee collision-free processes, a defined clamping situation, and a reliable simulation of the machining. In addition, changes in the workpiece can be implemented quickly due to the high precision of this clamping solution.

AMT Innovations offers a state-of-the-art workholding product, Get-A-Grip. The new cutting-edge triangular dovetail will never distort or deform the workpiece. The dovetail provides three evenly spaced, radial force vectors for superior gripping. Through carefully thought out triangular contact geometry, this product eliminates the need for an indexing pen. The pioneering internal clamping geometry reduces material preparation area and can be strategically placed where the finished part may have a pocket, which greatly reduces secondary operations.

Speedgrip Chuck Inc., an Elkhart, Ind.-based designer and manufacturer of highly engineered workholding mechanisms, has been sold to an affiliate of Stratford-Cambridge Group, a private investment firm headquartered in Plymouth, Mich. Speedgrip announced the transaction in a news release issued Dec. 16.

Cutting tool maker SGS Tool Co., Munroe Falls, Ohio, recently signed a licensing agreement with Haimer GmbH, Igenhausen, Germany, for the tool holding company's HAIMER Safe-Lock System, according to a recent news release. SGS Tool, a market leader for solid carbide end mills in North America, has begun offering their high quality cutting tools with the HAIMER Safe-Lock System. The unique Safe-Lock design in cutting tools and tool holders combines high-precision, shrink-fit clamping with a positive form locking mechanism.

Koma Precision Inc. provides a series of angle head demonstrations for aerospace applications in this brief report posted as a video sidebar to the "What's your angle?" feature article in the January 2016 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

BIG Kaiser Precision Toolng Inc. provides a series of angle head demonstrations in this 3-minute report posted as a video sidebar to the "What's your angle?" feature article in the January 2016 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.