WORKHOLDING


doesn’t require pallets, and uses fi xture plates and zero-point clamping instead. “So if your process has to go


BIG Kaiser’s chucks are easily mounted in custom fi xture designs.


from a four-axis to fi ve-axis to a turning machine or VTL [vertical turning lathe], normally this is not possible as machine pallets/work- holding are not compatible with each other within those machine groups. Using a ZP system, such as Schunk, we can overcome the differences and allow all processes to be automated, so that’s a huge benefi t,” he said. Humphreys makes a bottom- line case for investing in Schunk quick-change clamping systems. “If you buy a machine tool that


costs you a million bucks, if you can get your machine tool to run 85–90% spindle use, you’re getting the maximum out of the machine,” he said.


LIFTING


• Flat lift ratings of 220 to 4,400 lbs.


HOLDING


• Grade 42 neodymium assemblies


CLEAN UP


• Push, hang & trailer-type sweepers


Booth C20046


For a traditional machine shop, one that’s constantly changing over jobs, you’d be lucky [if you have a pallet changing machine] if you’re in the 40% region, 50% if you’re really lucky, Humphreys said. “And if you’ve got no pallet changer, you might be getting 20%, 25%, so by automating you are effectively getting more hours out of your machine tool, and hours equal money,” he said. “And you can integrate not just one machine tool, but you can have three or four integrated and maybe have only one or two operators running the whole cell.” Among the opportunities created by the Schunk quick- change system is the ability to automate a machine tool that traditionally is diffi cult to automate (eg, a fi ve-axis vertical spindle that doesn’t have an automatic pallet changer), Humphreys said.


The second opportunity is the ability to integrate different types of machines.


“A good example would be I’ve got fi ve-axis work, and I’ve also got some three-axis work and I could also do with a vertical machining center,” he said. “You could rough out your components on a four-axis machine or even a three-axis and put it in a fi ve-axis for fi nishing in the same system. So you can then spread the load and actu- ally control your investments.”


See us at HOUSTEX Booth #2025 70 AdvancedManufacturing.org | January 2017


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