Magnetic Workholders

[Husker]

We are a tool and die shop and we are trying to get away from squaring material before it comes over to the cnc's

Right now we square blocks up on an old manual horizontal mill and a vertical mill and takes a long time.

We are wanting to look into these magnetic workholders for setting up in the cnc and face and square the block and machine holes or whatever is needed in the block. Then flip the block onto a fixture with established datum points of some kind and machine back side .

 

Has anyone ever used these magnetic vises or workholders ?

I would be happy to hear of any other ideas you guys have too also on how your processes are for squaring blocks up before machining

 

Thanks

[Oppiz]

When possilble, I prefer to square and machine in one setup by holding on to extra material in vise.

[MIL-TFP-41]

Magnets work good. on some we have stops you slide the material up to then turn the magnet on. when roughing make your cut direction go toward the stops....magnets do have crazy holding power as long as your material is thick enough. Chips wind up being a PITA tho, especially in pockets, even on a horizontal.

[Sticky]

Are there any precautions for mounting heavy duty magnets to CNC machines? Seems like they could potentially give you some issues with drives and stuff.

[Redfire427]

Are there any precautions for mounting heavy duty magnets to CNC machines? Seems like they could potentially give you some issues with drives and stuff.

 

No, the magnetic field is very small. With electromagnetic chucks, you "activate" the poles with a surge of electricity and once activated, will remain activated. We have many of these chucks and they work very well for the application listed above. We machine mild steel "pucks" that screw onto the chuck, then you can face the pucks off for a perfectly flat surface, or, you can pocket the pucks or install dowels to locate parts. As mentioned, chips can be a problem, it just depends how close the machining is being done to the chuck.

 

Carmen

[Sticky]

Cool, thanks for the info Carmen.

[jeff]

When possilble, I prefer to square and machine in one setup by holding on to extra material in vise.

I do this too,but when all edges are sawed and nowhere near square you still have to facemill 3 sides.

Are magnetic vises uber expensive?

[Hardmill]

Ive used these at several shops and they are great

http://www.tecnomagnete.com/Eng/engfresa.htm

 

A bit pricey but well worth it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PEACE