Catalogue gets to grips with workholding

The new workholding catalogue from WDS is the latest in a series of application specific catalogues designed to make specifying and ordering production components easier and cheaper.

The new workholding catalogue from WDS is the latest in a series of application specific catalogues designed to make specifying and ordering production components easier and cheaper.

Covering items from magnetic chucks, hoist rings to inserts and an extensive range of cubes, double-siders and baseplate systems for both horizontal and vertical machining centres, the comprehensive catalogue is an essential guide for manufacturers who need to machine or grind large numbers of components as accurately and efficiently as possible.

Aimed at production engineers and designers alike, the new workholding catalogue offers the dual benefits of large stock support and the removal of small order surcharges, allowing users to develop the optimum system at minimal cost.

The catalogue also provides a basis for users to design custom assemblies, with all products available ready modified for bespoke applications using the WDS "specials" service.

The magnetics section includes an updated range of rectangular and circular chucks and tables with permanent, electromagnetic or electropermanent operation.

Offering lower profiles, consistent magnetism across the surfaces and improved holding power thanks to the latest Neodymium magnets, the range allows for use in an increased number of turning, machining and grinding applications.

Other machining and grinding products covered include a wide range of baseplates, fixture plates, double sided tombstones and cubes suitable for light to heavy-duty applications.

Units can be supplied with part machined surfaces or completely finished with fixing and location points ready applied according to customer requirements.

For attaching base and fixture plates, WDS has included the latest Ball Lock mounting system which can reduce machine bed set up times from an hour to 60 seconds or less without sacrificing accuracy.

Employing a series of bushes and bearings, the system removes the need for indicating dowel pins and offers a combined positioning and clamping action with a few twists of an adjustable handle.

Other fixing systems on offer include WDS' own fixture plate inserts which provide benefits over cap screw attachment methods of reduced wastage and faster machining.

The innovative counter bored system also removes the need for expensive matrix plates in repetitive production runs and reduces the risk of swarf blockages and resulting machine damage.

For manoeuvring complete workholding systems, WDS has also included a range of hoist rings designed to provide longer lasting and safer alternatives to traditional attachment methods such as eye bolts.

The new range consists of four different designs, offering secure fastening and more flexible movement of loads on all lifting rigs no matter what angle or surface type.

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