Modular System Speeds Fixturing for HMCs, VMCs
Eastec 2017: Bluco’s 5016 modular fixturing system combines a baseplate and more than 250 components to enable quick, accurate and flexible low-volume workholding for machining.
Bluco’s 5016 modular fixturing system combines a baseplate and more than 250 components to enable quick, accurate and flexible low-volume workholding for machining. Baseplates come with a pattern of alternating 16-mm hardened bushings (±0.0004" between centers) and M16 tapped holes along with alpha-numeric engraving to help identify hole location. These tight tolerances ensure that fixtures built on the system are right the first time and can be rebuilt a week, month or year later with the same accuracy, the company says. According to the company, a typical modular fixture can be designed, built and ready to run the first piece in less than an hour, a contrast with dedicated fixtures that take days or weeks to complete.
The system can be used in both vertical and horizontal machining centers, and the baseplates are customized to fit the dimensions of each specific CNC machine. For horizontal applications, larger blocks and knees are available, or baseplates can be mounted to new or existing tombstones.
For greater efficiency, quick-release mounts can be added for rapid change over between jobs. The machine operator can work on setting up the next job on an optional secondary baseplate while the current job runs.
Related Content
-
Putting Production on Repeat with Machine Tool Automation
Cobots and automation advances have spurred tooling and workholding innovations like Big Daishowa’s zero-point workholding system and EWA fine boring head.
-
Medical Shop Performs Lights-Out Production in Five-Axes
Moving to five-axis machining enabled this shop to dramatically reduce setup time and increase lights-out capacity, but success relied on the right combination of workholding and automation.
-
Modern Bar Feeds Bring New Life to Automatic Swiss Lathes
Cam-actuated Swiss lathes are still the fastest way to process many parts. By adding modern bar feeders, this shop has dramatically improved their utilization with the ability to work unattended, even in a lights-out environment.