Until today it has been difficult to directly clamp on a quick-change pallet system large workpieces due to thermal dynamics, inherent stress or other difficulties in accurately mounting clamping pins for quick-change pallets. SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems provides the right solution. The SCHUNK VERO-S SPD clamping pins compensate in a range of +/- 1 mm and pave the way to efficient direct clamping.

In order to use this effect, the SCHUNK VERO-S quick-change pallet modules are briefly open for finish machining, and therefore a tension-free state is achieved. When the modules are relocked, the flexibility of the VERO-S SPD clamping pins avoids that the workpiece will deform again, and high precision results are achieved. The flexible clamping pins are available in two versions: the SCHUNK VERO-S SPD-B, which allows the compensation of +/- 1mm in one direction, and the SCHUNK VERO-S SPD-C, which compensates +/- 1 mm in diameter. The flexible clamping pins can be used with every SCHUNK VERO-S NSE plus module. As all the SCHUNK VERO-S components, the SCHUNK SPD clamping pins are also manufactured from stainless steel. They are connected with the workpiece with standard (M10) screws. The holding force amounts to 35 kN.

Direct clamping has numerous advantages
For direct workpiece clamping with the SCHUNK VERO-S, users do not need conventional clamping equipment such as clamping claws or lathe chucks with several chuck jaws. Instead, mold plates, freeform plates and other workpieces are initially surface milled at the base plate to the same level with defined tapped holes and are then equipped with clamping pins of the quick-change pallet system. The parts can be exchanged in the machine with quick-change pallet modules within a few seconds, and are immediately precisely clamped. In comparison to the conventional clamping solutions, there are no interfering contours around the edges from chuck jaws or clamps in case of a direct clamping solution, so 5-sided machining with maximum accessibility is ensured. Plus unproductive downtimes just like time-consuming set-up, retooling, aligning or determining the zero point can be eliminated from the machine consistently. Direct clamping is similarly effective, if workpieces are repeatedly modified or have to be machined under deadline. Due to the existing tapped holes the parts can be exchanged on the machine very precisely and within a very short time.

German based high precision products solution providers for metal cutting, HAIMER will be giving live demonstration of its latest tool holding, clamping and balancing machines at the India’s largest die mould exhibition, Die Mould India 2016. The company is going to highlight its revolutionary tool holding devices, power clamp range of shrinking technologies and balancing machines along with other technologies.

The company will showcase:

Tool Holders
HAIMER offers the right clamping technology for every industry, application and typical machining operation. Take advantage of the innovative solutions from the technology leader for tool holders.

Shrinking Technology
For years, HAIMER has been the leading developer of inductive shrink fit technology for tool holders. Rely on our broad experience and use the world’s largest range of shrink fit equipment and coils. With the Power Clamp range, HAIMER provides its shrink-fit chucks with a comprehensive and well thought out range of devices of inductive shrink fit machines. By doing so, you profit from the fact that HAIMER perfectly coordinates shrink fit machines and chucks in its own production.

Balancing Machine
With the Tool Dynamic series HAIMER offers a universal machine concept for balancing tool holders, grinding wheels and other rotors. Increase your productivity with less unbalance in your production. With the Tool Dynamic balancing machine series, HAIMER offers a comprehensive solution for the balancing of tool holders, grinding wheels and big rotors with diameters up to 800 mm. Starting from the table and complementary machine TD 1002 to the automatic balancing machine TD 2010 Automatic, HAIMER has for every need the suitable balancing machine.

With more than 10,000 possible combinations SCHUNK offers the world’s most comprehensive line of modules for high-performance assembly. At the core of the design is a unique support column system consisting of numerous standardized pillar profiles, adapter plates, centering and connecting elements, offering maximum flexibility of the system design. To further expand the application possibilities, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems now presents two new components:

Fast and precise positioning
The SCHUNK VEH adjusting unit enables especially easy and precise fine adjustment of handling systems. The flat and compact quick-adjustment module can be directly positioned under the bases of Pick & Place units or other handling modules. An Allen key is used to adjust the pick and place positions of the handling system in seconds, both in the linear and the rotative axis. The SCHUNK VEH is ideal for both the SCHUNK SOE single base and the SCHUNK SOD double base, and is available for pillar diameters of 55 mm and 35 mm.

Mounting plate for compact assemblies
The SCHUNK APDA mounting plate expands the already very diverse combination options of the modular system. It allows mounting of components directly above existing pillars in order to produce especially compact solutions. The mounting plate offers diverse mounting options on all five surfaces and is ideal for pillar diameters of 55 mm and 35 mm.

The SCHUNK pillar mounting system allows the combination of diverse handling modules without mechanical adaptation by means of mounting and centering holes, for an exact fit and angular precision as well as safe, stable, and reproducible mounting of components. It can also be used for the installation of cameras, sensors or lighting elements, as well as for the construction of presses and other applications. As opposed to welded frames it offers high flexibility and variability, and compared with aluminum profiles it offers high precision of form and position as well as precise reproducibility when systems are dismantled for maintenance, for example. To ensure high stability and minimal form and position tolerances of 0.02 mm as well as vibration-free movement also in the case of long support columns, all columns are hard chromium-plated and ground. Three pillar diameters are available: 55 mm for robust assembly systems, 35 mm for compact solutions, and 20 mm for reduced-space miniature applications. The lengths are available in 10 mm steps and extend from 100 mm (ø 20 and 35) or 150 mm (ø 55) to 500 mm (ø 20) or up to 1,000 mm (ø 35 and 55). All diameters are in stock at SCHUNK and are only adapted to the required length at the time of ordering.

Can flexible automation production be implemented according to the requirements of industry 4.0? Yes, underscores SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems, and proved this with evidence at the Hannover Messe. Together with several partners, SCHUNK transforms the visions of the smart factory into reality by showcasing an assembly cell. The most apparent characteristic: The condition and process monitoring, and the communication are directly done at the component level. The smart SCHUNK modules are closing the gap to the handling objects, and allow a consistent flow of information from the gripper finger to the ERP system.

The industry 4.0 assembly cell, which has been designed by SCHUNK, the software specialist ORBIS, the plant builder Erhardt + Abt, plusdrei engineering team, and SIM Automation, impressively shows how Pick & Place units, 3-axis room gantries, robots, and mobile platforms autonomous cooperate during assembly, control, packaging, and transportation, and therefore allow smart production. With every new component, and every priorized order, the cell newly invents the matching choreography. Every individual process step is in detail monitored by sensors, and is reported to the handling system or even the plant control unit and the ERP. The SCHUNK assembly units and handling components and even the system control unit are connected with each other by fieldbus or ethernet, and build a cyber-physical system. Smart, intelligent SCHUNK grippers, lightweight arms, Pick & Place units, and linear direct axis allow a decentrallized control on the components level, making a dynamic and flexible process. “The intelligence of handling components is a decisive key on the way to building a smart factory,” Dr. Markus Klaiber, TCO of SCHUNK said.

Integrated communication and control of process
The precondition of such a scenario is already given: SCHUNK mechatronic grippers and SCHUNK force-moment sensors which can be adjusted by force and position, allow precise condition monitoring. The SCHUNK FT sensors detects slightest deviations even before a failure of malfunction could happen, and creates the best preconditions for a predictable and effective intervention in the framework of a predictive maintenance. They allow a decentralized intelligence within the individual task, and are suitable for controlling the process parameters, decentralized quality assurance, and documentation of the quality criteria. SCHUNK grippers, change systems, and rotary feed-through which are suitable for fieldbus, present a barrier-free communication between component and system. Versatile SCHUNK gripping modules, efficient change systems, and highly dynamic, freely programmable linear direct axes finally allow a flexible process design at a maximum productivity.

Mechatronic or pneumatic
A mechatronic high-end solution is not required for every industry 4.0 scenario. Three of the altogether six stations of the SCHUNK assembly cell have been conventionally equipped with pneumatics, and by means of intelligent SCHUNK Sensors they are ready for the smart production. “No matter if pneumatic or mechatronic, gripping, turning, changing, Pick & Place or translational motions: SCHUNK offers the matching component for the smart factory,” said Dr. Markus Klaiber. Users can freely choose among the standardized SCHUNK product range, the degree of intelligence and flexiblity of every individual process step. “Depending on the application it can be sufficient to equip a pneumatic SCHUNK gripper with a sensor which is suitable for industry 4.0. Two stations further, the highly flexible mechatronic SCHUNK solution may be the better choice,” explained Klaiber. No other manufacturer covers such a broad range of industry 4.0 suitable actuators as SCHUNK does.

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.

With the SCHUNK SRM high-performance rotary unit the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping systems presents a new benchmark in the area of pneumatic rotation. Even the outer features of the unit different from other rotary modules on the market. The most striking features are the low interfering contour, the specially developed internal high-capacity dampers for maximum performance in a compact space and the large center bore for the feed-through of cables, hoses, workpieces or for the use of a camera. The inner workings of the unit are just as impressive: the torque, mass moment of inertia and rotating time of the SRM significantly exceed predecessor, the SCHUNK SRU-plus. In the size 40 version, for example, the torque was increased by 25%. The increased mass moment of inertia is just as impressive: the compact SRM 16, for example, can rotate loads three times higher than the SRU-plus 20. The screw connection pattern of the new high-performance module is accordingly large and robust.

Correspondingly compact, it ensures a customized design at an affordable ratio that is unique for the market. SCHUNK optionally offers an air feed-through for compressed air or gases as well as an electric rotary feed-through for the reliable feed-through of sensor and actuator signals. It also offers the possibility of inductive monitoring. Future versions will feature multiple damping options for high loads, short cycle times in minimal installation space and highly efficient high-speed applications with a maximum number of cycles. An optional pneumatic or locked center position will also be developed. To speed up commissioning, the SRM features a pre-defined shock absorber stroke and fast clamping of the end position. In addition, a marking facilitates setting of the angle of rotation. The SCHUNK SRM is initially available in sizes 16, 32 and 40. Other sizes and options are in development.