Rotary tables
outperform predecessors
WORKHOLDING and machining equipment supplier,
Kitagawa Europe used EMO to launch the MR201 and
TW2180 high productivity NC rotary tables for the UK and
European market. Building on the proven capabilities of its
MR series units, the MR201 achieves a clamping torque of
820Nm from a standard 0.5 MPa pneumatic supply - more
than twice the performance of the range’s MR200 model. It
also provides a maximum indexing speed of 41.6 rev/min -
up 25% on the MR200 - and incorporates the compact
design and indexing accuracy of other MR series units, so it
could be a good choice for a wide variety of high speed,
rotary axis machining applications. The new unit also
features a 202mm diameter faceplate and a compact motor
casing for maximum machining flexibility.
Kitagawa’s TW2180 is an advanced twin spindle table,
tilting axis rotary unit capable of supporting simultaneous
machining operations of two workpieces in a single set up.
It measures just 999mm wide and features two 180mm
diameter tables with maximum indexing speeds of 33.3
rev/min. In addition, the new TW2180 provides a tilt range
of +110 o of vertical and a tilt axis speed of up to 16.6
rev/min.With clamping torques of 400 Nm in the rotary
axis and up to 800 Nm in the tilting axis, the TW2180 is
also suitable for aggressive, high speed machining
operations. The unit can also be fitted with an optional
rotary joint to allow pneumatic or hydraulic fixtures to be
used without external pipework, improving tool access and
increasing the available machining area.
Based in Wiltshire, Kitagawa Europe offers a wide range
of workholding and productivity solutions and draws on
over 60 years chuck development and manufacturing
experience - and has established its B200-series power
chuck range globally. Other principal products include
Kitagawa rotary tables, IEMCA bar feeders, Chick
workholding solutions, CoolJet high pressure coolant
technology, Absolent filtration systems, Darex drill and tool
sharpening equipment. www.kitagawaeurope.com
Compensating and precise
ACTIVE pull-down force distributed on six jaws with
highest axial run-out accuracy is now available from
Schunk with its new Rota NCS sealed 6-jaw power chuck,
available in 250, 315, 400 and 500mm sizes. The pull-down
effect produces good results for plane parallelism and
rectangularity; achievable axial run-out accuracy is less
than 0.01mm. Six pendulum jaws ensure a high true
running accuracy and minimum workpiece deformation.
With its six jaws the ROTA NCS allows clamping of
noncircular components whilst thin-walled workpieces
are also clamped with utmost care and minimum
deformation. Integrated permanent lubrication ensures a
constant jaw clamping force and hence
high efficiency; hermetically sealed, it
is largely maintenance-free. All
functional parts are also hardened
and ground to ensure a long working
life. www.gb.schunk.com
january 2008
A new system provides a method of achieving
optimum clamping performance on the smallest
cross section of material
Getting its teeth
into workholding
AT the heart of the Lang Grip-Fix system
is Lang’s patented ‘Form Closing’
technology. It consists of holding teeth
and depth stops arranged in a crenulated
pattern 0.2mm deep. Clamping is
restricted to just 3mm of the workpiece,
which is retained securely by the
matching holding teeth in both the billet
and the vice jaws (using supplier Thame’s
Makro Grip vices). Closing pressure is
then transmitted evenly to the material
blank through the depth stops.
The shape of the special Form Closing
pattern is pressed into the workpiece
using the Grip-Fix stamping unit. Using
a foot or hand operated pneumatichydraulic
power multiplier, workpieces
can be stamped in less than five seconds.
Quick and fine adjustment controls
rapidly centre the billet, while a scaled
stop for easy alignment enables batches
of parts to be stamped even faster.
Materials which can be clamped using
the Grip Fix system include steel,
aluminium, copper, brass and polymer,
making it suitable for a wide range of
applications where material costs need to
be reduced, the part needs to be reliably
fixed, and clamping loads minimised so
as not to crush the component. It can
even be used to stamp the ends of round
material, where just a few teeth will give
a rigid fixing ready for machining.
Once the workpiece has been stamped,
lateral alignment in the Makro Grip vice
is simple, fast and accurate. The form of
the holding teeth ensures that the part
can be positioned within a repeatable
workholding
tolerance of ±0.02mm after rough
alignment with the engraved scale on
the vice jaws, or by pushing it against
the adjustable stop which comes with
each Makro Grip. The Grip Fix
stamping unit can apply up to 20 tonnes
of pressure for hard materials, and is
also available in a floor standing unit.
This is equipped with dual stamps for
long workpieces, cutting processing
times down to only three seconds.
Users of the system will be able to
reduce the amount of material they use,
and rapidly and reliably align parts for
machining. They will also be able to
confidently perform heavy machining
operations and cut more of the part in
one setting, thanks to fewer
obstructions for the tool and its holder.
With a history dating back to 1946,
Thame Workholding specialises in all
types of innovative workholding
equipment. Most of its products are
designed and manufactured at its ISO
9001/2000 accredited factory in
Buckinghamshire. Thame Workholding
has representation in Germany through
its subsidiary company HWR
Spanntechnik, as well as reseller
partners worldwide. The company also
distributes workholding and
automation products from Lang
Technik throughout the UK and
Ireland. In addition to the distribution
agreement, both companies collaborate
on product development and
technological innovation.
www.thameworkholding.com
MWP
55
To view a Ceros magazine you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser and have the flash player 8 or higher installed. To install the latest flash player, click the icon above, install the flash plugin and then click here to refresh this page.