Workholding is an often overlooked part of machine work. Typically, operators and workers put materials into some type of industrial equipment for stability and hold. However, the right hold is absolutely vital for precision and safety. If materials slip during a machine process, there are more consequences than just an off specification product. Ultimately, when workholding fails, it is not uncommon for machines to become damaged and injuries to occur to operators. This is why it is vital to examine and understand the different types of workholding industrial equipment and their applications.
A Stable Tabletop Holds With Vises
Vises are one of the more common methods for holding materials. They provide a high degree of stability since they are typically mounted directly onto a table or work bench. Vises can achieve a strong hold due to their design. A fixed jaw is set opposite a second jaw which runs along a guide rod that is turned to tighten the vise. Some models also have removable handles so the vise can be tightened beyond hand-tight with a wrench.
Vises come with many accessories and options for flexibility in their usage. Some models come standard with suction cups so they can be temporarily mounted to a bench and then be easily moved to another work area. When working with malleable materials, plastic jaws can be used to prevent marring and denting without compromising hold.
Clamps – The Workhorse Of Workholding Industrial Equipment
When most people think of workholding, they picture clamps. Whether it is a simple spring clamp or a C clamp, this type of industrial equipment has at least a thousand and one uses. Clamps are easy to apply and are great for a quick hold. They are like a third hand at times, making it much easier to set items together with glue or hold down materials as they are cut or otherwise worked. Common examples also include pipe clamps, f clamps, and even flooring clamps.
Clamps are also a type of safety industrial equipment. By holding materials with any type of device, the hands are removed from the work area, helping to prevent cuts and impact injuries. Best working procedures always require workholding devices to be used instead of simply holding materials or bracing them against the worker’s body.
Choosing the right clamp is all about determining capacity. Essentially, capacity is the maximum size of an object that can be safely and securely fastened. The easier way to visualize capacity is to open a C clamp as wide as possible. Technically, capacity is measured from the inside edge of a clamp’s frame to the center of its screw when the tool is wide open.
Powered Devices And working of milling machine Automatic Machining
For heavy duty work, powered workholding industrial equipment is commonly applied. These devices are most likely powered with hydraulic or pneumatic systems. Besides achieving a superior, controlled force, powered components can also be attached to computer and computer numerical control devices for automated production. In many industrial and manufacturing settings, the majority of materials are held secure with powered and automated systems.
This set up is ideal for strong, effective holds that can be quickly employed during automatic processes. Operators can load materials into a machine and remotely perform the machining steps. This system makes for a safer work environment, as operators are not working in close proximity to machine tools.
Guides And Fixturing Components
In many automated processes, workholding industrial equipment is also used as a machine guide. When the machine reaches a stop, it can move on to the next step in the machining process. Tooling balls, work stops, and spring plungers best wood for furniture frames are just a few examples of this type of component. The stops are securely fastened to the materials or machine itself in order to function as an accurate guide or stop. In this way, workholding devices can perform double duty.
Matching The Right Industrial Equipment To The Right Job
The right tool is required for safe and reliable machine work. By taking the time to explore all of the options when it comes to clamps, vises, and other workholding industrial equipment, manufacturers will benefit from greater precision, fewer rejects, and less safety incidents and accidents. Cutting corners is never acceptable; it is always better to take the time to employ a clamp or vise rather than working with materials in hand or braced against the body. Overall, these devices are designed to aid in nearly every machining or industrial process.
