Workpieces clamped for 5-sides, 5-axis machining

Patented clamping system provides up to 40kN clamping force for obstruction-free machining on five sides and allows high speed, continuous 5-axis cutting motion of sculptured surfaces.

Kurt has announced another workholding first to be introduced at IMTS 2006 - the VB 5 AX 100 clamping system for the latest 5-axis machining centers.

Now, machine on five sides with one single clamping operation using the Kurt VB 5 AX 100 clamping system.

This patented clamping system provides up to 40kN clamping force for obstruction-free machining on five sides.

It allows high speed, continuous 5-axis cutting motion of sculptured surfaces, pockets and other 3D features in a single clamping set-up.

"This new Kurt VB 5 AX 100 clamping system addresses another advanced technology area of the machining industry," reported Steve Kane, sales manager for Kurt Industrial Products.

"This is especially true in the high-tech world of aerospace and automotive design where turning to 5-axis machining is a means to speed manufacturing and increased repeatable accuracy.

The ability to machine complex shapes, undercuts and difficult angles in a single setup reduces tooling cost and labor time, resulting in a better cost per part in addition to maintaining repeatable accuracy throughout the part run." The new Kurt VB 5 AX 100 clamping system is designed to eliminate jaw deflection and/or part misalignment during machining operations.

The system will handle blank work pieces, machined work pieces, and round and irregularly shaped work pieces easily with repeatable accuracy.

The system is adjustable to handle any desired clamping width, limited only by the size of the machine table.

The system's two clamping jaws, one stationary and one moveable, can be positioned at any desired distance from each other.

Basic specifications of the Kurt VB 5 AX 100 are: clamping force 0-40kN; clamping width 2-236mm (can be extended with optional spindle screws); clamping depth 8mm; height above machine table of 175mm with extended height options to 200mm and 225mm.

Mounts easily on standard T-slot tables, location grid machine tables or any custom fixture.

The Kurt VB 5 AX 100 clamping system is the latest addition to the VB DockLock Zero-Point Workholding System marketed in the United States, Canada and Mexico by Kurt in partnership with its manufacturer, Vischer and Bolli of Dubendorf, Switzerland.

* Kurt Manufacturing at IMTS 2006, Chicago, USA, September 6-13, Booth E-2749.

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