Thame Workholding offers Lang Tri-Top 3-face tombstone fixture
1 min read
Multiple workpiece clampings minimise 4/5-axis machine downtime and facilitate setting-up. The system is highly accurate, with the Lang Quick-Point 96 system securing the 5.5 kg aluminium Tri-Top in place and the Lang Quick-Point 52 system that secures the Makro-Grip vices to each of the Tri-Top's three faces. (The integer refers to the centre distance in mm between any two adjacent clamping studs of Lang's four-stud clamping system.)
Lang Technik has achieved a marginal interference circle with a diameter of just 256 mm – even with three fully-extended Makro-Grip reversible jaw vices in place – by opting for three rather than four faces on its new tombstone fixture. These 'all-round' vices themselves can be turned through 90° with marginal interference, while the Tri-Top 3-face tombstone 52 providing easy access for cutting tools within the working envelope of even the smallest machining centre.
Optimum accessibility for 5-face machining begins with the Makro-Grip reversible jaw vices, which are fitted on their undersides with four clamping studs for high repeat accuracy zero-point positioning and secured in place via a single screw. Clamping of the workpiece itself via Lang's double-sided Grip-Fix contour requires just 3 mm of clamping depth on a square or rectangular workpiece to provide maximum holding power at minimum clamping force. Advantages include material savings due to minimal wastage and unrestricted access for five-face machining which facilitates the use of short cutting tools.
The light weight of the new Tri-Top 3-face tombstone 52, which has a diameter of 178 mm (without bump stops) and a height of 167 mm, makes initial setting-up fast, accurate and ergonomically acceptable, while individual Makro-Grip vices are easily loaded/unloaded when in place or removed and replaced as required.
