Chucks Automate Part Loading

Unilock, a Big Kaiser brand, offers its 120/70 automation chuck series said to expand automation capabilities by enabling an intelligent interface and communication back to the controller using standard Unilock knobs. The Unilock system is a comprehensive positioning and clamping system that can be applied to virtually any manufacturing or assembly process, the company says.

When the chucks are integrated into the table, robots are able to pick and place fixtured workpieces into the machine. The system checks for workpiece presence, proper orientation and clamping, and then communicates back to the controller when the workpiece is in place and ready to be machined. Once a part is finished and removed from the work envelope, the machine will not begin a new cycle until a new component is in place.

The top surface of the ESA 120/70 chuck uses an air blast originating off the chuck’s contact surface to self-clean as the workpiece approaches. A slot in the chuck enables coolant or chips to flow out of the center clamping area and away from the precision locating features. The chuck offers 60 lbs of clamping force, or as much as 1,870 lbs with the turbo assist feature. The system offers locating repeatability of 0.0002" and a holding force of 11,240 lbs.