Published 03/06/2013

Workholding Device for Precision Five-Axis Milling

Available from Lexair, OML’s Genius five-axis vise is designed to maximize clamp force at the top of the jaws by pulling them closed at the top with a collapsing lead screw.

Edited by: MMS Editorial Team

Available from Lexair, OML’s Genius five-axis vise is designed to maximize clamp force at the top of the jaws by pulling them closed at the top with a collapsing lead screw. The bottom of the jaws is held in place with an opposing force screw. The pull-to-close vise is said to avoid the tendency to splay apart at the top. By holding the vise jaws apart at the bottom and pulling closed at the top, the vise pulls the workpiece down against the stops as the closing force increases.

Designed for production machining and precision five-axis milling with trunnion table machines, the vise is constructed of precision hardened and ground steel components. It can secure oddly shaped workpieces such as turbine blades and blisks, and present them to the spindle with minimal obstruction, reducing setups. The jaws are guided on two heavy steel shafts for quick, accurate centering on a pallet or machine table. A telescoping stainless steel cover encloses the collapsing lead screw to protect it from chips and coolant. Repeatability is 0.0008".

The vise is available in two sizes and is capable of holding parts ranging to 8" with a maximum clamping force of 9,000 lbs. The device is equipped with a pair of positioning keys, grippers and wrench. A variety of stops, jaw plates, gripper inserts and other accessories are available.

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