STANDARD PARTS & MACHINE ACCESSORIES - LATEST NEWS

Spend a minute; save pounds, says Roemheld managing director, Bill Neal.

Roemheld are inviting end users to spend a minute and save £££s by answering a few questions.

Hyquip will then email back an estimate of how much money Roemheld solutions could save you over the course of a year, based on the information provided.

“We know that Roemheld products, in particular our Zero Point System, can greatly reduce changeover times which results in tangible cost savings in a very short space of time," says Roemheld managing director Bill Neal. "This campaign allows us to provide estimates of exactly how much that saving could be, tailored to each company’s unique requirements. So far the response has been very positive.”

To support this campaign, Roemheld is also holding a series of technical seminars throughout the country commencing in June 2007. These will feature senior technical directors from the Roemheld group, representing Hilma, Roemheld and Stark, who will discuss the latest technical innovations in areas such as 5-axis machining and zero point mounting, and how these can translate into ROI.

STANDARD PARTS & MACHINE ACCESSORIES - LATEST NEWS

Roemheld has responded to the demands of new machining technologies and manufacturing methods by developing innovative new workholding solutions in 5-Axis machining.

With Roemheld 5-Axis machining, the spindle tooling is kept as short as possible for rigidity and allows maximum cutting forces to be applied. This high degree of freedom for spindle and tools results in low risk of collision. Free access to the workpiece, which is absolutely essential for optimum and complete machining of a workpiece on all sides, is also provided.

An optimum jaw width, combined with a clamping force that more than meets the demands of faster machining times, ensures Roemheld now offers an innovative, new range of vices that are the most exciting development to come from Hilma for many years.

If you would like an Application Engineer to visit and assess your requirement, a demo vice or further information contact Hyquip on 01204 69995.

STANDARD PARTS & MACHINE ACCESSORIES - LATEST NEWS

Hyquip is Europe’s leading supplier of Carr Lane toggle clamps for just about every application. These versatile clamps offer fast, easy workholding. Carr Lane’s complete toggle clamp range includes horizontal and vertical handle hold-down clamps, push/pull models, latch-action clamps, toggle pliers and air-powered clamps. All are available in a wide selection of sizes and holding capacities.

Latest in its growing range is an assortment of self-adjusting, push/pull toggle clamps with spring-loaded plungers and latch-action hook clamps with a manual safety lock.

Also new is a range of automotive-type heavy-duty vertical-handle clamps with holding capacities up to 24000N. Designed to deliver both high clamping forces and long service life, these precision steel clamps are available as complete clamp units or basic toggle mechanisms with optional handles, grips, clamping arms and base plates.

Patented automatic toggle clamps feature clamping action which automatically adjusts for different workpiece thicknesses. The horizontal-handle automatic clamp works within a lower profile than its vertical-handle predecessor to consistently clamp varied parts and compensate for wear in long production runs. The unique automatic toggle edge clamp is similar to the other automatic models, but applies force both forward and downward at the same time.

Many toggle clamps from Carr Lane can be ordered in stainless steel as well as standard steel finishes. Mini sizes and clamps for heavy-duty applications are other options, as well as straight or flanged bases and open or solid arms.

For more information, about Carr Lane products, visit our on-line Carr Lane catalogue - Click here

Precision Antennas specialises in designing, manufacturing, testing and installing a wide range of communication equipment. The company has to be able to react quickly to customer demands and produce small batch runs of complex components, often at very short notice.

This has resulted in the installation of Roemheld System Bock TV100 vices, with interlocking bases, on a palletising system. This has not only enabled Precision Antennas to quadruple the number of components produced per hour, but also to dramatically reduce set-up times from one and a half to two hours, down to just half an hour.

Alan Brooks, Manufacturing Manager for Precision Antennas, said: "We had tried other brands, but after 2,000 or so components, the clamps started to wear. We also needed to be able to machine our components on both sides, with the minimum downtime. We looked at the System Bock vices and felt that they offered the quality and repeatability we needed at the right price. On a practical basis they were easy to use, the right weight to manoeuvre and flexible enough to allow us to machine components of different sizes and shapes at the same time."

Alan has also found the System Bock machineable soft jaws increase productivity: "They are easy to change over, offer high repeatability and enable jobs to be swapped without having to re-set the vices."

Price is a key issue for the business as customers expect Precision Antennas to drive down costs year on year. To do this without affecting quality or the production process means increasing productivity. Installing the System Bock vices 12 months ago has meant that more components can be machined at the same time without compromising on the 15 micron accuracy required. The reduced set-up times have freed up operators as well as reducing the downtime of the production line. With batch runs ranging from 200 components to 10 off at a time, this fast set-up and repeatability is vital.

With customers continuing to demand short batch runs and complex machining, Alan is confident that they will continue to invest in equipment, like Roemheld System Bock, that combines the utmost repeatability with ease of use and set-up.