The ability to maximise the capabilities of existing machine tool resources is a key benefit of the latest LEAVE, Chick and Abbott jig and fixturing systems – available in the UK from leading workholding and machining equipment supplier, 1st Machine Tool Accessories Ltd (1st MTA).
At the heart of LEAVE’s product range is a series of ready-to-use baseplates, angle plates and cubes, which are augmented by an array of positioning, support and auxiliary components. These include universal stops, mechanical and magnetic clamps, supports, jaws, vices, bushes, blocks, dowels and accessories to enable customised workholding solutions to be developed at a fraction of the cost or lead-times associated with custom-designed jigs and fixtures. They are also equally suitable for use with other popular baseplate systems.
All key components are hardened and ground for accurate workpiece location and extended service life. As a result, LEAVE equipment can be repeatedly re-configured to suit applications for single or multiple components measuring from a few millimetres to more than one metre in size – avoiding the need for valuable workholding resources to be dedicated to specific applications. Additionally, the system provides precise co-ordinate specification and fully adjustable datum planes for simplified part programming.
Combining high clamping capabilities with extreme flexibility and positional accuracy LEAVE fixturing and workholding equipment can be mounted on all types of machine tools. Furthermore, assemblies can be fitted with hydraulic or pneumatic clamping units, or mounted on rotary tables to meet the most diverse of manufacturing applications.
Abbott tooling columns, angle plates and bases complement the company’s high capability chuck jaws and accessories, to provide users with a range of integrated workholding solutions.
Manufactured from high strength aluminium alloy Tenzaloy, Abbott tooling equipment offers a practical and inexpensive method of accurately securing workpieces for vertical or horizontal machining operations.
Columns are available in a variety of sizes and styles – including two-sided, square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, window, V and X shaped units – which can be mounted directly onto machine tables, pallets or rotary tables. Standard models offer excellent vibration damping and corrosion resistance and can be supplied in multiple configurations to any required height, width and thickness. Bases can also be customised to fit any machine pallet and a number of column types can be produced in steel or cast iron to meet specific user requirements.
Chick’s System 5 modular workholding systems maximise CNC machining productivity by providing rigid, accurate and reliable component location under all manufacturing conditions.
Available in sizes and configurations to suit both horizontal and vertical machining centre applications, Chick Qwik-Lok and Multi-Lok workholding units provide a high strength dual-station clamping action. All models are sealed to avoid swarf ingress and incorporate quick-change low-profile machineable jaws for optimum cutter accessibility and fast changeovers. They also feature precision die cut location for high accuracy, while the units’ corrosion-resistant stainless steel slide assemblies ensure a long service life.
Produced in 3, 4, or 6 sided versions, Multi-Loks enable the maximum number of parts to be machined in a single cycle. They can also be integrated with Chick’s dedicated indexer subsystem or Pneu-Dex indexing equipment to further increase productivity.
Chick’s comprehensive range encompasses everything from precision foundation plates, set up blocks and conversion faceplates, to mounting accessories and replacement jaw sets. In addition, the company offers customised workholding packages to suit horizontal and vertical machining centres from a number of leading machine tool manufacturers including HAAS, Mazak, Fadal, Fanuc, Matsuura and Kitamura. Each package is tailored to the appropriate machine tool and comes complete with all hardware and interfacing equipment for immediate use.
Further enhancing the versatility and productivity of the latest LEAVE, Abbott and Chick workholding systems is Kitagawa’s advanced range of NC rotary tables and machine vices, enabling 1st MTA to provide a comprehensive one-stop shop for both ‘off-the-shelf’ or bespoke workholding, jig and fixturing applications.
The full range of Leave, Abbott, and Chick Workholding products are all availalbe from 1st MTA. If you have any questions or queries about the products mentioned in this article, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0800 783 0510 or enquiries@1mta.com.
