As manufacturing industry increasingly has to embrace the complexities of 5-axis CNC machining, whether 3+2, 4+1 or fully interpolative. A critical yet often underestimated aspect of the process is how to secure the workpiece reliably and repeatably. It is especially important when the one of the machining centre’s rotary degrees of freedom is a swivelling trunnion. As maintaining rigidity and stability is paramount when a component is subject to high kinetic forces.
At the same time, there is a contradictory requirement to hold the workpiece on as little material as possible. So that the maximum surface area can be accessed by the cutter. Only in that way can potential collisions be avoided and the component be produced economically in the fewest number of operations. The aim invariably being one-hit completion. It is clear that a single workholding solution cannot optimally suit every application and deliver high dimensional accuracy as well as vibration-free machining to achieve fine surface finishes. So it is highly advantageous if a supplier of workholding equipment can offer numerous different solutions.
This is where 1st Machine Tool Accessories (www.1mta.com) scores highly. It offers what is probably the most comprehensive variety of 5-axis clamping options on the British and Irish markets. Being sole sales agent for no less than four overseas manufacturers of top-quality, high-precision workholding solutions aimed at multi-axis machining.
They are CHICK, which manufactures workholding products of robust construction for precise part location, enhanced accessibility, high accuracy, and with features designed to maximise efficiency and reduce setup times; SINCO whose versatile, modular, MultiZero system provides a dense grid of precise conical slots, making it possible to have hundreds of zero points in one solution; WALMAG, which produces electro-permanent magnetic workholding that delivers a powerful combination of secure and uniform clamping, superior accessibility, elevated levels of accuracy and inherent safety when machining ferrous materials; and BEST, renowned for its low-profile, centric vices that have high retention forces, despite requiring as little as 3 mm of material on which to hold a part.
1st MTA provides local consultation and engineering expertise, including the provision of standard and customised manual, hydraulic and pneumatic fixturing arrangements that distribute forces evenly to avoid component distortion, which is particularly important when thin-wall features are involved. All solutions are designed to maximise a manufacturer’s component quality and productivity.
Contact us today for further information: 01725 512517
