Following on from our previous Mach 2016 Preview, here you can see some of the products we will have on show from Chick Workholding and Kitagawa. If you would like to see our previous Mach 2016 preview, please follow the link below.
Mach 2016 Preview – Tecnomagnete
FLEXIBLE AND FAST-ACTING WORKHOLDING
The US workholding system manufacturer, Chick Workholding, represented in the UK by 1st MTA, offers a number of versatile solutions for clamping products quickly on machining centres. For example, an Indexing Sub System (ISS) will be demonstrated to show how it is able to present more components to a spindle by adding a fourth axis, a configuration that has the potential to increase a manufacturer’s profitability enormously.
The system on a vertical machining centre typically comprises four Chick Qwik-Lok twin-station workholding units mounted on the faces of a Multi-Lok square section column held horizontally between a rotary indexing table and a tailstock clamped to the machine table. On a horizontal-spindle centre, the Multi-Lok is clamped to the rotary table.
In this way, a minimum of eight components can be milled and drilled in a single CNC program, while if machined soft jaws are used, many more can be presented to the spindle, resulting in fewer tool changes per component and even more efficient production.
Another Chick product on show, which is a direct replacement for the old-fashioned wind-up vice, is the One-Lok clamping system, as will be explained on the stand. Unlike a traditional vice, which requires up to 70 complete revolutions of the operating handle to be fully opened or closed, One-Lok features a ‘QwikSlide’ mechanism that allows the moveable jaw to be easily unlocked and slid forwards or backwards to within a few turns of full closure, greatly speeding workpiece set-ups.
Its maximum grip capacity of 17 in (432 mm) is complemented by the manufacturer’s ‘Boltfast’ jaw system, which enables jaws to be replaced quickly and efficiently with a repeatability of 0.02 mm. The system’s compact, modular design also features innovative ‘squeeze’ clamping, which imparts a pull down action and virtually deflection-free clamping with a maximum retaining force of 4.5 tonnes.
ROTARY TABLES
On show from Kitagawa will be a representative selection of the Japanese manufacturer’s rotary tables. A new model on the stand will be will be the Kitagawa TT150 tilting type rotary table with 150 mm faceplate and MAC mini controller for providing 4th and 5th NC axes on a machining centre.
High clamping torques, extreme rigidity and fast operation are key features of Kitagawa’s heavy duty GT series. Available in three models with tables from 200 to 320 mm diameter, the units incorporate a novel piston design that delivers component clamping torques of up to 2,800 Nm.
Productivity is further enhanced by the tables’ rigid yet compact design, which allows maximum metal removal rates to be combined with high indexing accuracy and repeatability. The series also features a rapid clamping action for reduced cycle times and maximum production throughput.
At just 99 mm deep, the body of the Kitagawa CK160 NC rotary table has a smaller footprint than any other model on the market. The ultra-compact 4th axis is suited to mounting on the table of a BT30-taper machining centre and provides manufacturers with a larger working envelope on any size of machine.
The CK160 is offered with a built-in rotary joint, in which case it is designated CKR160. A conventional table would typically measure half as much again from the face plate to the back. The rotary joint, which has seven ports for pneumatic and hydraulic supplies, allows the unit to operate on the C-axis of a 4-axis machining centre. Indexing accuracy is 20 arc seconds, with 4 arc seconds repeatability.
1st Machine Tool Accessories will be exhibiting during the Mach Exhibition at Hall 5 Stand 5120 where you will be able to view the range of workholding products by Chick Workholding, and see the range of rotary tables supplied by Kitagawa.
If you would like any further information about any of these products but won’t be able to see us at Mach, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01725 512 517 or enquiries@1mta.com.
