Direct approach

The Schunk Vero-S quick-change pallet modules offer a whole bundle of advantages for users when it comes to direct workpiece clamping without interfering contours.

These benefits include free five-sided access to the workpiece, a defined clamping solution, high repeat and positional accuracy and also high pull-down forces for challenging operations.

Now, Schunk further extends its modular system and these benefits for direct workpiece clamping by introducing the new Schunk WDB basic modules, WDS staple modules and the WDN direct clamping modules. These new additions will ensure that the efficient principle will also work in the tool and mould making industries as well as other sectors where end users work with freeform parts with complex geometries, small lot sizes and high precision requirements.

By using Schunk WDB basic modules, WDS staple modules or WDN direct clamping modules that can be flexibly combined with the clamping pillars in various heights, moulding plates, freeform parts and other workpieces can be directly clamped on the machine table in no time at all.

No additional clamping devices are required, so there are no interfering contours. The compressed air supply of the direct clamping modules is ensured via media transfer. Monitoring of the workpiece presence is also possible. The clamping pillars ensure a defined clamping situation, a reliable simulation and a collision-free, highly efficient operation.

Credit to the high accuracy of the clamping solution, workpiece changes can be implemented quickly. In addition, part clamping can be conducted precisely and easily according to the existing retrofitting plan and the parts can be machined again.

The modular nature of the product ensures that custom solutions are not required. The new module sizes of the extended modular system have a height from 80mm and are finely graduated in 10mm steps that are easy to implement. The staple modules are available in five heights that comprise 30mm, 50mm, 80mm, 120mm and 160mm. These can be actuated with a hexagon key. The force and form-fit clamping connections lock the individual modules with pull-down forces of up to 25,000N at an actuation torque of 50Nm.

This ensures the integrated pull-down function exerts maximum hold and in turn delivers maximum stability. The direct clamping modules are available in three versions that connect the clamping pillars with the workpiece pneumatically actuated (6 bar) with a fixed Z-axis reference.

The system can also be manually or pneumatically actuated with integrated compensating function in Z-direction (11mm). The latter is used for deformation-free support of the workpieces. For implementation on every common machine table, the modular system includes basic module versions for T-slot plates, grid plates, and Vero-S clamping stations.

Standard fixed clamping pins without recess mount, cylindrical clamping pins and conical clamping pin extensions are available as an interface to the workpiece. Special clamping pins with floating pitch compensation in one or two axes (each ±1mm) can be used for compensating workpiece tolerances or thermal expansion.

Every interface uses a scope-free taper centring, which ensures a repeat accuracy of <0.005mm. Feed chamfers at the module interface allow quick joining of the clamping pillars. The workpiece is clamped via spring force in a self-locking and form-fit fashion without needing compressed air and the workpieces remain safely clamped even in the case of a sudden pressure drop in the air system.

In order to increase service life and process reliability, every functional part such as base body or clamping slide is made of hardened stainless steel are absolutely corrosion resistant and easy to clean.

Schunk www.gb.schunk.com