Schunk offers SPM Plus 138 direct clamping fixture membrane

Manufactured from aluminium, the Schunk SPM Plus 138 provides direct clamping of a multitude of geometries from all sides with its novel pull-down effect. Firstly, a 0.5 mm high tuning ring is inserted between the quick-change pallet module and the fixture membrane. Then the exact workpiece geometry is milled according to the blank on the fixture's clamping surface. Once prepared, workpieces can be inserted within seconds and the complete circumference is clamped by locking the Vero-S module, which in turn deforms the fixture membrane to provide the clamping. Since the whole process is carried out within the elastic range of aluminium, the clamping operation can be repeated several thousand times. In contrast to conventional clamping blocks, the clamping force of this method occurs at the circumference of the whole workpiece contour and not just along an axis. The resulting force-fit clamping ensures an even, gentle and very secure clamping set-up. The membrane is actuated via an SPC quick-change clamping pin that connects with the pneumatically actuated quick-change pallet module. A clamping depth of only a few millimetres means that the workpiece is fully accessible from five sides. The fixture membrane can be located on the quick-change pallet module with a repeat accuracy of less than 0.01 mm. The maximum workpiece diameter is 120 mm.