Schunk offers six-jaw pendulum compensation chuck for parts likely to be deformed

​Gripping systems and clamping technology leader Schunk has expanded its product range with a sealed six-jaw pendulum compensation chuck Rota NCR-A for clamping deformation-sensitive workpieces.

The product features special seals located on the serrated jaw interface and pistons of the Rota NCR-A that prevent grease from being flushed out and also prevent the clamping force from gradually being lost. Precise chuck function is ensured, even at low clamping forces. In addition, the seal prevents chips or dirt from ingress into the chuck body. This increases process reliability and lengthens maintenance intervals, translating into less frequent lubrication and cleaning of the lathe chuck.

The Schunk Rota NCR-A consists of a central chuck piston carrying three inner pendulums aligned at 120°. Each pendulum is connected to two base jaws. This ensures workpiece centring between six contact points, which can be adjusted in pairs. As the clamping forces are directed towards the chuck centre, optimal centring is achieved without distortion of the workpiece. The chuck perfectly adjusts to the workpiece with its oscillating jaws.

With conventional jaw clamping, this configuration allows for maximum concentricity of the workpieces and ensures optimal centring at the same time. In the case of ring-shaped workpieces, deformation is reduced by a factor of 10, as compared to clamping with three-jaw chucks. Users can also clamp the pendulum of the Rota NCR-A in the centre position during the final processing stage or when clamping pre-turned surfaces so that all six jaws move concentrically. The clamping force between the first and second clamping can be adjusted by means of a pressure reduction at the hydraulic cylinder. An extremely rigid chuck body and long jaw guidance ensure high repeat accuracy and precise results.

Standard jaws can be used to replace elaborate system jaws and special solutions on the Rota NCR-A jaw interface. This saves both time and costly special solutions, increases flexibility, and reduces set-up costs. Because of its high precision, it is possible to eliminate entire production steps, for example, by reaching tolerances during the finishing process that would otherwise only be reached in complex grinding operations. Since the chuck has a very flat design, there is plenty of workspace in your machine for the workpiece and the machining procedures.