Product category:
Robotics, Handling and Storage
News Release from: WDS | Subject: Mitee-Bite clamps
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 09 May 2003
Low-profile clamps cut production time
Low-profile Mitee-Bite clamps reduce production time by allowing for more components to be machined on a single plate and maximising the machinable area of the objects.
WDS has a complete new range of low-profile Mitee-Bite clamps, designed to reduce production time by allowing for more components to be machined on a single plate and maximising the machinable area of the objects Clamps in the range feature a cam action for automatically matching irregular shaped castings and rotating clamping elements, which quickly adapt to hold any component surface
When it comes to securely holding rough cylindrical or irregularly shaped castings for machining operations, the ideal clamp needs to be robust, versatile and provide maximum surface exposure for reducing the number of machining stages.
These requirements are perfectly met by the new range of Mitee-Bite clamps from WDS which, in the case of the Pitbull clamps, can provide an impressive 680kg of vertical and horizontal force while taking up only 12.7mm2 of foot space.
The reduced size and complexity of the clamps helps manufacturers minimise costs in terms of equipment expenditure and improve productivity by allowing an increased number of components to be machined on each fixture plate.
For example, a super low profile version for T-slot machine surfaces boast a unique T-nut feature with a tapped locking screw hole that allows only the clamp itself to stand above the table.
Other T-slot designs are available with low-profile cam actions which minimise set up times through reducing the number of screw turns required for fixing and by automatically following the contour of irregular shapes.
Their clamping elements can be quickly rotated to accept components at either stage of finishing, cutting loading times and increasing the flexibility of the machining centre in terms of handling different materials and surfaces.
Machining times can also be reduced when finishing rectangular parts by using cam action Series-9 clamps, which feature hex shaped holding elements that also rotate to provide a total adjustment of 24mm without requiring a different hole location.
Versions are also supplied with a variety of easy to machine contact washers to ensure that even the most irregular shaped objects can be securely and quickly held.
Featuring the same cam action, new Mitee-Bite toe clamps are also available as part of the range and are designed to hold multiple parts in series on a single fixture plate.
By machining the correct depth slot in the base plate and tapping two mounting holes for each clamp, the first clamp becomes locating edge for the next work piece, increasing the number of components held and released with the same screw action.
Uniforce clamps require a similar method of operation, but their long wedge elements are designed to hold many more components with higher forces and yet are as easy to release.
The new range of Mitee-Bite workholding equipment from WDS also includes such innovative products as the ID Xpansion clamps for holding lathe parts from an internal diameter and Mitee-Grip paper that holds a work piece to the plate through heat induced adhesion.
The complete range is now in stock at WDS, enabling orders to be dispatched same day for next day delivery as standard. Request a free brochure from WDS ...
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