CREDIT: REGO-FIX
REGO-FIX USA will feature its powRgrip (PG) 48 toolholding system for large-diameter tools and aggressive machining at the Wichita Industrial Trade Show (WITS), October 21 to 23, at the Century II Expo Hall in Wichita, Kansas. Visitors to booths #314 and #316 will see how the PG 48 toolholding system reduces the risk of cutter vibration, runout, and pullout with big, long cutters during heavy machining operations.
For cutters up to 40mm (1.500") in diameter, the PG 48 holder ensures concentricity and total indicated runout (TIR) with deviations of less than 3µm (0.0001") for tool lengths up to 3 x diameter and length pre-adjustment with a repeat accuracy of less than 10µm (0.0004"). The holders also incorporate special cap nuts from the well-established REGO-FIX secuRgrip tool locking system that essentially eliminate cutter pullout when using large-diameter tools in heavy material removal applications.
The powRgrip system uses a taper-to-taper, press-fit collet holding design that creates a vibration-damping gap to interrupt the strength and severity of vibration waves. Three components make up the powRgrip system: holders, collets, and press-fit assembly mounting units.
Because of its tool size capability, PG 48 holders require the use of a dedicated press-fit assembly unit called the PGS 48. The PGS 48 is an automatic toolsetting press that generates up to 15 tons of force to press and remove collets from the holders and is a single-series machine designed only for PG 48.
The hydraulic press-fit assembly units quickly press collets into holders. The collets’ high-precision tapers match equally high-precision internal tapers in the holder to create the system’s extreme levels of transferable torque. Unlike other clamping systems where heat or hydraulics are used, taper-to-taper systems like powRgrip use the mechanical properties of the holder material to generate tremendous gripping force.
Tool setting is accomplished in no more than 10 seconds without the heat or hydraulics used in other tool clamping systems. REGO-FIX powRgrip technology allows tools to be used immediately after the clamping cycle concludes without the limitations and tool-life compromises of other systems.
WITS attendees will also experience the REGO-FIX PGA 9500 Clamping Unit that provides a simple but effective method of automating the tool setup process when using the powRgrip toolholding system.
The PGA 9500 easily connects via an industrial or collaborative robot to other equipment, such as presetters, as well as to tool storage areas. The system features an Ethernet-based bidirectional communication protocol and can be accessed for commissioning and maintenance via a human-machine interface (HMI) dashboard from a web browser or any internet-enabled device, including a mobile phone.
Its automatic door and easily controllable clamping device make the PGA 9500 well-suited for working within existing automation systems. Speed and consistency are significant elements of any automated system, and the PGA 9500 is capable of 122 tool changes per hour. That change rate translates to cycle times of approximately 30 seconds. When full automation is neither desired nor necessary, the system can easily be changed to its regular configuration.