The ability to maximise the capabilities of existing machine tool resources is a key benefit of Leave, Chick and Abbott jig and fixturing systems - available in the UK from 1st Machine Tool Accessories Ltd.
At the heart of Leave's product range is a series of ready-to-use baseplates, angle plates and cubes augmented by an array of positioning, support and auxiliary components. These include universal stops, mechanical and magnetic clamps, supports, jaws, vices, bushes, blocks, dowels and accessories to enable customised workholding products to be developed at a fraction of the cost or lead times associated with custom-designed jigs and fixtures. They are also equally suitable for use with other popular baseplate systems.
All key components are hardened and ground for accurate workpiece location and extended service life. As a result, Leave equipment can be repeatedly reconfigured to suit applications for single or multiple components measuring from a few millimetres to more than 1m in size - avoiding the need for valuable workholding resources to be dedicated to specific applications. Additionally, the system provides precise co-ordinate specification and fully adjustable datum planes for simplified part programming.
Combining high clamping capabilities with excellent flexibility and positional accuracy, Leave fixturing and workholding equipment can be mounted on all types of machine tools. Furthermore, assemblies can be fitted with hydraulic or pneumatic clamping units, or mounted on rotary tables to meet diverse manufacturing applications.
Abbott tooling columns, angle plates and bases complement the company's high-capability chuck jaws and accessories to provide a range of integrated workholding products.
Manufactured from high-strength aluminium alloy Tenzaloy, Abbott tooling equipment offers a practical and inexpensive method of accurately securing workpieces for vertical or horizontal machining operations.
Columns are available in a variety of sizes and styles - including two-sided, square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, window, V- and X-shaped units - which can be mounted directly onto machine tables, pallets or rotary tables. Standard models offer excellent vibration damping and corrosion resistance and can be supplied in multiple configurations to any required height, width and thickness. Bases can also be customised to fit any machine pallet and a number of column types can be produced in steel or cast iron to meet specific user requirements.
Chick's System 5 modular workholding systems maximise CNC machining productivity by providing rigid, accurate and reliable component location under all manufacturing conditions.
Available in sizes and configurations to suit both horizontal and vertical machining centre applications, Chick Qwik-Lok and Multi-Lok workholding units provide a high-strength dual-station clamping action. All models are sealed to avoid swarf ingress and incorporate quick-change low-profile machineable jaws for optimum cutter accessibility and fast changeovers. They also feature precision die cut location for high accuracy, while the units' corrosion-resistant stainless steel slide assemblies ensure a long service life.
Produced in three-, four-, or six-sided versions, Multi-Loks enable a bigger number of parts to be machined in a single cycle. They can also be integrated with Chick's dedicated indexer subsystem or Pneu-Dex indexing equipment to further increase productivity.
Chick's comprehensive range encompasses precision foundation plates, set up blocks and conversion faceplates, as well as mounting accessories and replacement jaw sets. In addition, the company offers customised workholding packages to suit horizontal and vertical machining centres from a number of machine tool manufacturers including HAAS, Mazak, Fadal, Fanuc, Matsuura and Kitamura. Each package is tailored to the appropriate machine tool and comes complete with all hardware and interfacing equipment for immediate use.
Further enhancing the versatility and productivity of Leave, Abbott and Chick workholding systems is Kitagawa's advanced range of NC rotary tables and machine vices, enabling 1st MTA to provide a comprehensive one-stop shop for both off-the-shelf or bespoke workholding, jig and fixturing applications.