News And Updates

Leader says ‘preparation isn’t everything’

A new centring vice from Leader Chuck Systems has been specifically designed to further enhance the productivity of multi-axis machining techniques. Part of Leader’s ZeroClamp range, the 80 mm centric vice can be accurately secured to the machine tool’s table, or any other workholding interface, either with the serrated multi-point clamping rail or via the zero point clamping console, that uses HSK-like face and taper contact.

Specially developed forms on the jaws avoid jaw lift; they pull down as up to 17 kN of clamping pressure is applied to the workpiece. At this pressure, most materials can be securely held without any stamping or raw material preparation.

“This new chuck negates the need to invest the significant capital required to purchase any material preparation equipment. All but high-tensile steel can be fixed without the lost time required to stamp billets, and the holding pressure is great enough to allow full performance machining,” explains Managing Director, Mark Jones.

Available with hard and soft jaws, the precise centre of the vice can be adjustable to +/- 0.02 mm, and it can be quickly rotated by 90^o in just a few easy steps. “This function makes even further use of the flexible machining capability of 5-axis simultaneous cutting technology,” says Mark Jones. “While the simultaneous movements of the machine tool’s axes can provide exceptional cutting performance in one set-up, the geometric form of some components will not allow the machine to approach all five faces. With the ability to rotate the vice jaws at a right-angle, engineers can gain clear access to machine every design feature required.”

Leader offers bespoke engineering support for its products, which is crucial for any engineering business that is new to 5-axis machining or looking to invest in high efficiency machining techniques. Mark Jones concludes: “It is easy to purchase a workholding solution that, on paper, appears to meet the challenges of the manufacturing process. However, in its application this solution might not perform as required or expected. All of our staff are experienced engineers, and the solutions they suggest will perform as specified.”