Product category:
Chucks and collets for rotational work
News Release from: Schunk Intec | Subject: Four-jaw power combination chuck
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 March 2006
Four-jaw combination chuck cuts cycle
time by 40%
Switching to a four-jaw combination chuck has reduced cycle time in the manufacture of tubular goods for downhole applications by 40% and made set-up easier and safer.
Hunting Energy Services in Louisiana, USA, has reduced cycle time in the manufacture of its tubular goods for downhole applications by 40% by switching to the new Schunk Rota four-jaw power combination chuck The company manufactures oil country equipment and produces premium threads on tubular goods for downhole applications on land, deep water or offshore
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Oct 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Most of the threading operations require tight tolerances.
It sought an improved method of production because, Ken Bonvillain, operations manager at the Hunting Services plant, said "We have to stay at the forefront of new technology if we are to remain at the forefront of the manufacturing business.
We have purchased the new Schunk power combination chuck for use on a Mazak Slant Turn 80/N, using a special threading software to produce the exacting thread pitch depths, etc.
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The conventional way to machine and thread pipe ends is through the utilisation of chucks mounted to the front and the rear of the lathe's spindle." The most common way to machine the tube ends is chucking with a three-jaw power chuck on the front of the machine and a manual four-jaw chuck on the rear of the machine.
Depending on the application, this front and rear set up may be reversed.
The front mounted chuck has to be adjusted in order to make the ID of the tube end run true.
This is accomplished by inserting shims between the chuck and the chuck jaws.
The shimming is repeated over and over until the desired run out is achieved.
The jaw-adjustment process is cumbersome, time consuming and extremely dangerous for the operator.
To overcome these problems, Hunting Energy purchased the new Rota four-Jaw Power Combination Chuck.
This pneumatic power combination chuck is unique for its versatility and performance.
The chuck has a steel body construction and offers a large through hole.
The four-jaw power chuck closes concentrically, allowing each jaw to be adjusted independently for 'fine tuning' before machining.
It has also been designed to help combat user fatigue under prolonged use.
Using the new chuck, Hunting Energy has substantially reduced cycle time.
"Before using the Schunk chuck, manually chucking and truing the part with shims took as much as 40% of cycle time.
With the new chuck we have cut down cycle time and, more importantly, have improved our reject rate," Bonvillain said.
As a combination chuck, the new design is suited for a variety of applications, not just long pipe but also for couplings, valves, off centre parts and cast parts.
Independent, hardened guide ways for the master jaw allow an independent adjustment of the jaws.
This decrease the stress on the guideways while increasing chuck life.
For operator safety, this chuck has an indicator to ensure proper jaw position in the clamping zone.
The new design of chuck has been made possible by the ELKE electro-pneumatic control system, which is at the heart of the new chuck development.
It allows the workpiece to be pre-clamped concentrically at a pre-determined low clamping pressure, allowing the part to be adjusted or positioned within the desired tolerance.
After the workpiece has been positioned properly, the final clamping pressure for machining is induced.
Schunk has incorporated a pre-programmed PLC that monitors airflow and pressure.
A compact, completely self-contained unit, the ELKE unit can simply be unplugged and replaced in the unlikely event of failure. Request a free brochure from Schunk Intec ...
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