Workholding

Small Shop Sees Big Gains from Right-Sized Automation
A three-person German machine shop applies quick-change workholding and flexible robotic automation to succeed in a high-mix/low-volume production environment.

Palletization Slashes Setup Time for Racing Shop
Whereas his predecessor had left Big Kaiser’s Unilock pallets in the corner, Charlie Mitchell of Andretti Autosport saw that they could help him reduce setup time on his milling machines in an environment where quick turnaround is essenti...

The Fixture Niche
Oddly shaped parts that require custom fixtures are a particular specialty for this CNC machine shop. Here are a few principles it follows for effective fixture design. 

News of Note: October 2018
The NTMA appoints a new president, Röhm acquires Master WorkHolding, Renishaw opens new demo center and more industry news. 

Five Live Centers for Five Applications
It is vital for a shop to select the right machine tool components for the right job, and live centers for lathes are no exception.

Trunnion Machine Smooths Shop’s Workflow
This article looks at an automotive aftermarket supplier that consolidated its multi-machine process into a single machining cell.

Collet Chucks Overcome Distortion for Automated Gear Machining
To accommodate its customers’ need for just-in-time orders of small batches of gears, this company’s automated manufacturing cells rely on collet chucks that overcome a common distortion issue arising from tapping and heat treatment.&nbs...

Precision Workholding Matters
This article explains some of the advancements in precision workholding demands and the solutions that are available to improve production and quality in shops making precision parts.

How Intelligent Clamping Technology Can Contribute to Process-Flow Optimization
Germany’s Metav 2018 trade fair presented various hands-on solutions in regard to Industry 4.0, automation, digitalization and data-driven manufacturing. One topic that stood out was intelligent clamping technology with integrat...

With Face Drivers, Shop Faces Long Cycle Times Head On
By switching from jaw chucks to face drivers, a manufacturer of large shaft components was able to reduce the number of setups, cutting cycle times on some parts from days to hours.