Pallet System enables minimum workpiece resetting.
Press Release Summary:
Unilock Quick Change Pallet System provides repeatable workholding fixtures set-ups for production run machining and grinding operations. Unit consists of stationary modules directly installed on machine worktables and tombstones. Modules are mountable on horizontal, angled, and vertical plates. System features 0.005 mm repeatability, high clamping forces of up to 25,000 lb-ft and 0.2 sec air-actuated locking mechanism.
Original Press Release:
Quick Change Pallet System Provides Increased Productivity and Flexibility for Manufacturers
The new UNILOCK Quick Change Pallet System from SCHUNK, Inc. provides accurate and repeatable set-ups of workholding fixtures for production run machining and grinding operations. By employing this unique clamping system, workpieces can be set and moved through multiple machining operations with a minimum of resetting, cutting set-up time up to 90%.
UNILOCK consists of stationary modules that are installed individually or in multiples directly on machine's worktable or tombstone. Existing workholding devices such as vises, chucks or special workholding fixtures are mounted on the UNILOCK "clamping plates" that mate precisely to the modules.
UNILOCK Clamping modules also offer added versatility for machine set up. They may be mounted on horizontal, angled or vertical clamping plates. Fixturing for operations on horizontal or vertical milling machines is readily accomplished. Because the clamping modules are designed to accommodate existing workholding devices, UNILOCK is ideal for multiple machines in a work cell, with palletized workpieces quickly transferred from one workstation to another.
The clamping plates are locked into the UNILOCK modules through a fast-acting (0.2 seconds) air-actuated mechanism. Once the clamp modules are set in place, workholding devices are positioned with great accuracy (0.005 mm repeatability) and held securely to the worktable or pallets with high clamping forces up to 75,000 N or 25,000 lb-ft. This clamping force is maintained by a steel spring assembly and does not require air other than for the release of the fixture.
Zero points are established at and set by the location of the clamping modules on each machine. Very accurate repeated positioning of work pieces, or pallets holding workpieces, is assured throughout all transfers in the production process. UNILOCK modules are available for both manual and automated workholding devices with part set up and transfer easily adapted to an automated system.
UNILOCK Clamping modules are engineered for low maintenance and long life. They are virtually contamination free allowing for use in long production runs. They are part of a wide range of Stationary Workholding solutions manufactured and supplied by SCHUNK.
