CLAMPING THIN WALL ALUMINUM

Due to its properties, thin wall aluminum can be problematic to hold during a machining operat ion. Too much clamping pressure and the workpiece distorts; not enough and the workpiece slips.

Certainly slippage is unacceptable, but in precision machining, distortion is even worse. The workpiece may at first seem to be acceptable, but when inspected, the distortion from the force of clamping the workpiece can clearly be seen.

Another issue to consider is repeatability.

In production machining it is important that a machining operation be consistent from one workpiece to the next. A key element to this success is to get consistent enough clamping pressure on a workpiece in order to hold it rigid for the machining operation, but without distortion or slippage. One common resolution is to reduce the speeds and feeds of the operation down to a value where the clamping pressure can be reduced as to not show distortion. However, this is a costly alternative in the production environment where machine time is extremely valuable.

Emuge has a proven approach to these types of workpieces - the System SG expanding bush. This system utilizes as much of the workpiece surface as possible spreading out the clamping force into a greater surface area of the workpiece. Implementing this system enables users to maintain the required rigidity in their operation, the ability to achieve higher transferable torque values, and in turn, enables speeds and feeds to be optimized for tool life and production quotas.

The correct approach for clamping thin walled aluminum workpieces can yield exceptional results.

Emuge Corporation West Boylston, MA emuge.com