Vacuum workholding from Schunk

Normally plates are very difficult to be handled and clamped mechanically, but even thin plates can be fixed precisely and deformation-free with the Schunk Planos. The system consists of one or several combined matrix plates and a vacuum generator. During the clamping operation, the workpiece is mounted on the Planos and the vacuum is activated. The component is quickly clamped at a height tolerance of +/-0.02 mm. Mechanical stops are also available to aid positioning and additionally absorb shearing forces. The vacuum system from Schunk is a modular design and can be extended in many ways to meet the specific needs of the end user. It can be also applied to existing set-ups by fixing the matrix plate with a quick-change pallet system, clamping blocks or clamping claws on the machine table. The standardised matrix plate has a base body made of high-tensile aluminum that is available in 300 by 200, 300 by 400 and 400 by 600 mm sizes with grid dimensions of 12.5, 25 and 30 mm. Depending on the workpiece geometry, type of machining and the horizontal forces, the suction surface and required grid dimension can be determined. The smaller the grid dimensions, the higher the holding forces. On request, the matrix plates can be additionally equipped with friction pads. These pads are automatically activated via the vacuum supply. This causes higher shearing forces. Compared with matrix plates without friction pads, the horizontal holding forces increase by up to 30% with friction pads.