Product category:
Workholding - miscellaneous clamping systems, components
News Release from: Roemheld UK | Subject: Vices
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 October 2007
Vices provide accuracy for 5-axis
machining
Hilma SCS120 and SCS80 vices from Roemheld provide accuracy for Hemlock Engineering when machining on their fast 5-axis milling machines.
When Hemlock Engineering invested in two of the fastest 5-axis milling machines in the world in 2005, they knew that they needed vices that would help them maximise the machining capabilities That is why they specified Hilma SCS120 and SCS80 vices from Roemheld
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Feb 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Vices are designed for 5-axis, 5-side machining
Vices with a range of jaws are designed specifically for the rapidly developing 5-axis market and enable free access to the workpiece for complete machining on all sides, in a single set-up.
Nick Marks, Technical Support Engineer for Hemlock, said: "There was no point buying expensive machines and skimping on the vices as speed and balancing is vital.
Accuracy and repeatability are also key and you cannot afford to be even a few microns out as it can cause larger errors and mismatches by the time the work piece has been moved in several axes.
We often hold large pieces of metal on the 3mm lip of the Hilma vices in the knowledge that the parts will be held securely and safely.
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Versatile vices reduce set-up times for batch work
Using versatile vices alongside their own batch-produced components has enabled a workholding product manufacturing company to reduce set-up times dramatically.
Vices allow free access to 5-axis workpieces
Vices - with a range of special jaws - designed specifically for the rapidly developing 5-axis market enable free access to the workpiece for complete machining on all sides, in a single set up.
All sides machined in one vice set-up
A working model of a range of vices will demonstrate the free access to the workpiece it provides, enabling complete machining on all sides, in a single set-up.
I had used Roemheld before and knew they would be the right choice for our 5-axis requirements." As well as the two 5-axis Mikron 7 pallet machines, with high-speed spindles, Hemlock also runs 13 CNC machines enabling this Nottingham-based company to offer both high volume and niche machining supported by a full in-house design service.
The company produces parts for printers for the food industry as well as supplying general sub-contract engineering for the aerospace and automotive industry.
The introduction of the 5-sxis machines in 2006 has enabled Hemlock to undertake more specialist work, leading to new clients including a Formula One contract and enquiries from the military.
Nick Marks said: "5-axis capabilities have opened a few more doors for us and enabled us to offer more one-off machining.
Pieces that would take seven or eight operations on the HAAS machine can be done in one machining cycle with 5-axis.
We used to have to make lots of jigs for angled holes and compound angles but now it is a lot simpler." However, Hemlock has also found that 5-axis machining involves more expertise and more staff training than is required for simply producing volume work.
The company believes this promotes good practices as the operators have to be very accurate setting up the machine and use lasers to set the tools and probes for positioning.
CAD/CAM is also an important part of 5-axis machining, resulting in a need for operators who can model in CAD and machine in CAM.
The Hemlock 5-axis machines undertake varied materials, primarily of titanium or aluminium and the machined units ranges from small components to large plates.
Nick Marks said: "The nature of 5-axis machining puts a lot of strain on the vices and the biggest problem is that jaws can bow.
However, Hilma vices are strong enough to cope with the demands of 5-axis work and perform to the tight tolerances and high repeatability we require.
They are also excellent when it comes to maintenance as there is no room for swarf to get in and with good housekeeping they last extremely well." Export makes us a large percentage of Hemlock's business at the moment and this trend looks set to continue.
The 5-axis capabilities continue to generate a large number of enquiries and Nick believes that specialist work is the way forward for the company.
He said: "A lot of volume work is going over to Eastern Europe from the UK but it is starting to come back due to quality and reliability issues. Request a free brochure from Roemheld UK ...
Hemlock can offer the more complex machining capabilities that are at a premium within the market and, with our 5-axis machines combined with our design and engineering expertise, we can attract niche work in specialist areas that many competitors simply cannot tackle.
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