Tooling Technology in Fort Loramie, Ohio, recently announced a line of quick-change devices aimed at lean manufacturing. The Segen Quick change system reportedly replaces "old-fashioned" nuts, bolts, fasteners and hand tools, and is said to significantly reduce the time wasted on industrial setups, changeovers, workholding, clamping, fixturing and alignment.

Segen Quick change devices consist of a steel cylinder lock and a corresponding knob. The cylinder lock, designed to receive and mate with a conical male knob, locates and positions the knob to within 0.0002" with a holding force of up to 25,000 lbs. per device, depending on cylinder specifications. Positively locked in a static state, the cylinder lock actuates when air pressure is applied to release or receive the knob. The cylinder locks stay mechanically secure until pneumatic pressure is applied to automatically release them, which ensures a fail-safe hold even if pneumatic pressure is lost.

Tooling Technology's "Segen Locks" are reducing the production costs of machine builders, manufacturers and end users in plastics, robotics, appliances, medical equipment, automation, windows, aerospace, welding, automotive, tool making, electronics, metals, and other markets by making old-style bolts and dowels obsolete, according to the company.