DockLock Airline Zero-Point Clamping System

Kurt’s new pneumatic zero-point clamping system runs on existing shop air readily available in every machine shop. The Kurt DockLock Airline system is a high precision system, which can reduce setup time over 90 percent by rapid change-out of large and small machine fixtures. The Kurt DockLock system features a tapered plug design to aid in positioning and clamping in one easy step even when the pallet has slight tilt.

Kurt zero-point system uses a form-fitting clamping design with self-locking clamp segments and tapered plug design which creates a powerful, three-surface contact and lock-down force pulling the plugs all the way into the cylinders. The system design prevents vibration and tilting with the lock-down force not found in other zero point systems. This a vitally important feature for 5-axis machining and horizontal CNCs, which can induce an enormous amount of force on the holding system. The system uses 2,880 lbs. of pull-in force and 9,000 lbs. of retention force to securely hold the docking system in place.

The system is comprised of flanged cylinders, tapered plugs which can be easily incorporated into a machine shops fixturing systems as needed. Or they can be integrated into preconfigured base plates and pallets available from Kurt. “The DockLock Pneumatic system is competitively priced with other pneumatic zero-point systems and made for Kurt in Switzerland by Vischer & Boli,” reports Steve Kane, global sales and marketing manager for Kurt.

Additional standard features of the DockLock system include air-blast cleaning to remove debris from the flange, compact tapered plug design, mechanical clamp and air unclamping, and pallet monitoring ports for adding sensors.