INTRODUCTION
Preparing the CAM, choosing the material, checking the stock, and … How do I fix it, what strategy do I use to get the most out of the material, won’t it take me longer to prepare it than to machine it, is it worth it?
These are some of the questions that go through a milling machine operator’s head before starting to manufacture the part… The decision is not trivial, in fact, it is probably the one that can have the greatest influence on the final result. You can already have a multitude of good tools at your fingertips, but if the stock material is not well fixed, or involves a lot of preparation time, the cost of production shoots up considerably; more so if it is the production of prototypes and short series.
The production of short series and prototypes by subtractive manufacturing is a fundamental tool in many of BCNC’s projects, both for our customers and for the internal development of projects or machinery.
Taking into account the need and the current context of the industry, where customization and efficiency are key, we have decided to manufacture our own modular grippers.
These grippers are one more resource to take into account in order to be able to machine different types and sizes of blanks.
WHAT ARE MODULAR JAWS?
Modular jaws are a very versatile way of staking. They can be used for machining thin plates (> 10 mm), large blocks or parts with soft jaws. They work well with ground and unground blanks. Their great advantage over the conventional vice is their modularity, which allows them to work with blanks of all sizes.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
This method consists of mechanically clamping the parts by means of 4 screws.
The clamp is designed so that one module is completely fixed and the other module moves along the grooves of the milling cutter table so that it is at the other end of the blank. When it is in position, the base is fixed first so that the mobile part of the module that we have moved is in its furthest position from the blank.
In this way, when we proceed to fix the moving part, it exerts a horizontal and downward force that anchors the part. In addition, thanks to the geometry of the inserts (“talon grip”), which is a sharp lip, they penetrate the part, obtaining even more grip.
This type of setup provides a really strong bond between the blank and the cutter, allowing very aggressive operations.
Its low profile allows to take advantage of the available height of the milling cutter, being able to work without problems with high pieces or long tools.
It is a very fast set-up method and allows a fast and precise material change in case of series production.
CONCLUSION
By developing our own modular grippers, we have the ability to design and manufacture products that are perfectly adapted to the specific needs of our customers. This shows our commitment to providing customized solutions that maximize productivity and efficiency.
By having total control over the design and manufacture of modular grapples, we can guarantee the quality and durability of our products.
Another important aspect of developing our own modular grapples is the ability to innovate and adapt quickly to changing market needs, as the BCNC team is constantly looking for improvements and new features that can add value to our products.
In short, we have decided to manufacture our own modular clamps to offer customized solutions, ensure the quality and durability of our products, and stay at the forefront of innovation in the milling industry.
Our modular clamps are a fundamental part of our constant quest for excellence.
