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Product category: Vices, chucks, towers, pillars, cubes, tombstones - prismatic work
News Release from: Schunk Intec | Subject: Multiple clamping workholding vice (vise) unit
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 22 February 2007

Three vices delivered in one saves costs

A multiple clamping workholding vice (vise) unit reduces the need for numerous vices, providing the user with reduced costs, fewer set-ups and improved productivity.

At the UK's recent Southern Manufacturing Exhibition, Schunk introduced a range of innovative new products including the Kontec MTC multi-clamp vice unit The MTC now reduces the need for numerous vices, providing the end user with reduced costs, set-ups and improved productivity

With only a few modifications the Kontec MTC can be changed from a centric vice to a vice with a fixed jaw or even to a double clamping vice.

This flexibility means a tremendous reduction of initial costs compared to the price of specialized clamping vices.

The fixed base jaw can be equipped with top jaws from the extensive Schunk jaw programme allowing the MTC vice to achieve jaw strokes in the range of 40mm to 70mm.

* Used as a fixed jaw vice - by rotation of the spindle, the moving jaw is guided towards the workpiece and is clamped by means of a torque wrench (optional).

In this situation, the indexing pin is in the extreme left bore and fixes the left base jaw in a fixed position.

* Used as a double vice - the indexing pin is removed completely.

The spindle is then held in a floating position, enabling clamping of irregularly large workpieces.

The fixed and secured middle jaw serves as the stop or fixturing element.

* Used as a centric vice - the indexing pin is inserted in the middle bore.

This fixes and locks the entire spindle in position.

By turning the drive spindle both base jaws are guided centrically towards the workpiece by turning the spindle.

The Kontec MTC has extremely compact dimensions and this limited use of space enables the user to optimally use the available machining area.

The MTC unit is equipped with a mounting groove as well as bores for connection to the machine table.

Using a torque wrench the spindle can be adjusted and achieves clamping forces from 15kN to 25kN.

The MTC is available in three sizes with a jaw width of 60, 80 or 100mm and its chip-repelling contour and robust functional components guarantee to keep maintenance to a minimum whilst providing an exceptionally long product life span.

The high degree of robustness and flexibility enable the MTC vice to work hand in hand with the Schunk Unilock Quick-Change-Pallet System.

Also on show was the Tribos Micro-Mini range for secure and precise clamping of tools with small shank diameters.

A new addition to the Tribos toolholding family; the Micro - Mini is capable of clamping diameters as small as 0.3mm (0.012in) with h6 shank tolerances.

Based on the Tribos polygonal clamping technology, the Micro-Mini eliminates the need for special cutting tools with larger tool shanks - significantly reducing set up times and enhancing productivity.

Available as standard in HSK-E sizes of 25, 32 and 40mm, or as 100mm long x 12mm diameter shank universal tool extensions, the Micro-Mini is the ideal toolholder for extremely accurate applications The clamping principle of the TRIBOS Micro - Mini extensions works upon the elastic restoring forces of the toolholder steel to securely and quickly clamp cutting tools.

The clamping process can be completed within seconds by means of a hydraulic clamping device - no heat is required.

The Schunk SVP-2 manual clamping or the SVP-3 automatic clamping devices are both available with the corresponding reduction inserts.

For the holding of intricate parts with difficult shapes, Schunk exhibited the PGN-plus and PZN-plus grippers.

Ideal for situations where long fingers and high gripping forces often stand in conflict with the requirement of having compact sizes of the gripper housing, this exciting new range offers innovative solutions to this problem.

The grippers are equipped with a precise multi-tooth guidance.

Forces and moments of the gripper are spread over several surfaces of a multiple-tooth guide, enabling longer fingers.

The base jaws are precisely adjusted into the housing (0.01mm) in order to achieve a low guide clearance and to minimise wear.

The base jaws are synchronised by a stable wedge hook mechanism, which is guided via surface contact.

The required forces are achieved by a pneumatic piston whilst the gripper offers a range from 2mm to 35mm stroke per finger.

The PGN-plus 2-Finger-Parallel-Grippers are available in 8 sizes to cover a range of gripping forces between 140N and 13,000N.

Additionally, the PZN-plus 3-Finger-Centric-Gripper is offered in seven sizes offering gripping forces from 580N to 38,700N.

The finger positions can be sensed by magnetic or inductive proximity switches or by a freely programmable position control system.

When using the FPS position control system, up to five positions per stroke can be monitored.

Each gripper can be ordered in a heat resistant or corrosion-proof design, with or without internal/external acting spring pressure for additional clamping force or safety facility and also in combination with a dust cover or with a spring operated pressure plate.

Engineering drawings in all current 2D and 3D CAD-formats are available for download on the Schunk Web site homepage.

This will save you precious time and additionally is free of charge.

With the gripper series PGN-plus and PZN-plus SCHUNK offers universal grippers for all kinds of application.

All products were well received by visitors to the Schunk stand.

The innovations demonstrated by this market leading manufacturer of workholding technology generated significant interest. Request a free brochure from Schunk Intec ...

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