Vice gives 180% CNC milling productivity increase

A 180 per cent increase in CNC milling productivity is being achieved with Leader Chuck System's newly-introduced MultiVice MMCC multi-jaw vice system at precision machinist John Bissett

An amazing 180 per cent increase in CNC milling productivity is being achieved with Leader Chuck System's newly-introduced MultiVice MMCC multi-jaw vice system at precision machinist, John Bissett Ltd.

Paddy Joyce, director of the Dublin-based company that specialises in the supply of components and assemblies in the food, print, electrical and glass industries, says the benefits of the MultiVice MMCC will be even greater when a 24-tool machining centre is installed.

"At the moment, however, the new multi-jaw vice system is in one case enabling us to produce 32 components in a single cycle on any one of our four CNC milling machines rather than having to machine single components using a conventional vice," comments Paddy Joyce.

"The MultiVice MMCC has given us a fantastic rise in throughput with quicker load/unload times and reduced machine dead time," he adds.

"And it has also made us much more efficient overall by eliminating the time and effort we traditionally spent developing jigs and fixtures for high-volume applications." As well as being one of Eire's leading suppliers of small and volume batch precision machined components and assemblies, Bissett manufactures conveying systems and, says Paddy Joyce, continually invests to remain competitive.

Supplied by Machine Shop and Engineering Supplies Ltd of Dublin, Leader Chuck System's exclusive Eire agent, the MultiVice MMCC is designed to at least double the workholding capacity of vertical and horizontal machining centres, milling machines and grinders.

Developed for long-run, large batch work, MultiVice MMCC utilises 'Dual Action' jaw vices to create an ultra-flexible vice system capable of accommodating a high number of components at one time on the same table.

Instead of locating and gripping components against centrally-fixed jaws, MultiVice MMCC comprises a series of in-line Dual Action vice jaws fixed to the sub-plate with location dowels.

Each fixed Dual Action vice jaw has an integral moving jaw with 3.5 mm of clamping stroke.

The number of vices that can be used is limited only by the size of the machine table.

In Bissett's case, a four x four-station 622 mm system has been supplied.

The sub-plate slot centre pitch of 80 mm has been chosen, and this will enable Bissett to later fit Leader's award-winning MultiChuck MMY to cater for components that require self-centring.

Using a permanently fixed jaw as the datum, each Dual Action vice jaw is subsequently fixed and positioned by dowel pins 'behind' the previous jaw at a distance dictated by the workpiece size.

This eliminates compound gripping force and thus generates a very stable and highly accurate vice system.

Standard false jaw size is 60 mm wide by 12 mm long by 25 mm high, though other sizes are available to optimise the component variations being handled.

The quick change jaws feature an innovative design of positive dovetail location for continuous repeatability, and they can be provided in a variety of materials.

Flush-fit between false jaw and vice body prevents the ingress of swarf and the table T slots can also be protected by utilising a novel swarf guard that also provides a positive component location stop.

As well as achieving secure locking/unlocking with just a quarter turn of the key, MultiVice MMCC provides these additional benefits: * Rigid clamping gives increased tool life through less vibration.

* No component lift when clamping.

* Maximised use of the z axis through its low height.

* High clamping pressure.

* Optional height blocks that raise clamping to the point of cut.

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