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Double up on workloading to your M-Cs, grinders

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Feb 19, 2002

Multi-jaw vice workholding can effectively double the workholding capacity of vertical and horizontal machining centres, milling machines and grinders.

The display being mounted by award-winning Leader Chuck Systems will demonstrate how the company has again broken new ground in fast, precise and multi-productive workholding with the MultiVice MMCC multi-jaw vice making its MACH debut.

MultiVice MMCC can effectively double the workholding capacity of vertical and horizontal machining centres, milling machines and grinders.

Specifically designed for long-run, large batch work, MultiVice MMCC utilises any number of 'Dual Action' vice jaws to create an ultra-flexible yet cost-efficient vice system capable of accommodating a high number of components at one time on the same table.

The development - the latest in Leader Chuck Systems' series of workholding firsts - was in response to customer demand following the successful launch of the MultiVice MMX, for small batch, large variety throughput requirements, and the MultiChuck MMY concentric clamping system, winner of an International Machine Tool Industry Award at MACH 2000.

MultiVice MMCC is designed for high-volume applications and, instead of locating and gripping components against centrally-fixed jaws, it comprises a series of in-line Dual Action vice jaws fixed to the sub-plate with dowel pins.

Each Dual Action vice jaw has an integral moving jaw with 3mm of clamping stroke.

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

A permanently fixed jaw provides the datum.

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

The quick-change false 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.

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; and * High clamping pressure.

In addition, the company's MACH stand will also feature MultiVice MMX vice system and MultiChuck MMY concentric clamping system alongside Leader Chuck Systems' market-leading own-brand lathe chucks - standard CNC rotating power chucks (130mm to 400mm diameter) and self-contained pneumatic chucks (80mm to 500mm).

There is as well as a range of chucks from Gamet, Hainbuch, Hewa, MicroCentric and Zweifel, for which Leader Chuck Systems holds the exclusive UK agency rights.

MACH 2002 - NEC, Birmingham - April 29-May 3.

Hall: 5.

Stand: 5507.