SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems extends its series of digitally controllable magnetic grippers with the compact SCHUNK EGM-M monopole gripper. The smallest SCHUNK gripper so far (26 mm x 98 mm) is still precise and powerful and is suitable for handling parts weighing up to 7 kg. Since its magnetic field reaches to the outer edge, no interfering contours will become a problem. The monopole grippers can be similarly used as suction cups, can be positioned anywhere on the workpiece, and can be flexibly combined with larger units. As all the SCHUNK EGM magnetic grippers of this series, the monopole grippers are working with energy-efficient electro-permanent magnets. They do not require compressed air or vacuum. Only a short current pulse for 300 ms is required for actuation and deactivation. Since no energy supply is required in activated condition, the parts keep reliably gripped even in the case of an emergency stop or a sudden loss of power.

The SCHUNK EGM-B bi-pole gripper was designed for handling heavy and complex ferromagnetic parts. On option, they are available with one, two, or four pole pairs in different arrangements. Pole extensions allow them to be adjusted to the individual handling objects. Different workpieces can be alternately handled by every SCHUNK magnetic gripper and five sides of the workpiece are freely accessible. Their low deadweight allows a high dynamic for challenging applications. Since the grippers meet protection class IP52, they are the ideal solution for flexible loading of machine tools. The magnets are available in pole sizes 30, 50, and 70 mm. They can be easily equipped with pole extensions via thread and pin holes.

The individual holding forces of every magnetic gripper depend on the workpiece surface quality, the material, and the workpiece geometry. Under ideal conditions, the EGM gripper has gripping forces of 1.2 and 22,5 kN, is designed for parts weighing a maximum of 147 kg, and a material thickness starting from 3.5 mm. For handling of thin sheets, the gripping force can be reduced in eight stages with an additional control unit. The magnetic gripper can be used in confined spaces due to its compact dimensions. The maximum ambient temperature amounts to 40° C, the activation or deactivation time amount to 300 ms.

SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems has developed the highly flexible manual chuck ROTA-S flex particularly for users, who want to machine a possibly wide workpiece range on milling/turning machines. It is a combination of the proven lathe chuck of the serie ROTA-S plus with extended guideways, and transforms them into large, light chucks, which are particularly versatile in use.

Compared to conventional lathe chucks used for large clamping diameters, the weight with ROTA-S flex drops down to 60%. At an identical table load much heavier workpieces can be machined, and due to the low height enough space remains for the workpiece and the tools. On the other hand, for machining smaller workpieces the extended guideways can be easily disassembled, so that the workpiece accessibility has been considerably improved compared to a clamping application with conventional large chucks. A special lubrication system ensures for permanently high clamping forces of both variants. Dirt seals prevent chips and dust from entering the workpiece. The ROTA-S flex can be easily assembled on a machine table, and by using the optimized jaw quick-change system, retrofitting can be done within seconds. The chuck clamps small parts as reliably as large ones, and thereby ensures maximum operator’s safety. The clever clamping solution is available in the sizes 700, 1000, and 1200 for ROTA-S plus, and the manual chuck ROTA-S plus 2.0 is available in sizes 315, 400, and 500. Depending on the size, the chuck (without top jaws) weighs 170 kg, 360 kg, or 490 kg. The ROTA-S flex can be combined with numerous chuck jaws from the 1,200 types of the world’s largest standard chuck jaw program from SCHUNK.

With the Lean Automation Program from SCHUNK, the competence leader in clamping technology and gripping systems, machine tools can be automated quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. The principle is simple: via a shank interface, handling and cleaning modules are clamped in toolholders, deposited in a tool rack, and on request they are exchanged in the machine spindle.
In order to prevent the force build-up on the machine spindle from becoming too high when the machine tool is self-loading, SCHUNK has developed the GSW-B-AGE compensation unit. It compensates tolerances, inaccuracies in all six degrees of freedom, and simplifies automated joining processes, where the workpieces are to be fixed over bolts or pins. Moreover, the workpieces are pressed with a compensation unit against the fixed jaw of a clamping force block, until the clamping process is finished. The compensation unit is equipped with an interface to the gripper on one side, and on the other with a 20-mm shank, which can be clamped in many conventional toolholders. The SCHUNK unit can be used together with centric or parallel grippers.