Clamping free-form components fast and securely

With the newly developed, globally unique clamping equipment set made up of more than 100 parts, freely formed 3D-printed or casting parts without straight surfaces can be clamped quickly, reliably and with repetition accuracy. The intelligent system permits the five-sided finishing of the components without interfering contours. All individual components are available as CAD data for digital work preparation via programming. The elements are made of nitrided tool steel and are delivered in a convenient case. That awakens childhood memories.

“Through incredibly many combination possibilities, there is practically no situation that cannot be solved and no workpiece, regardless of how freely formed, that cannot be clamped,” promises Manuel Nau of AMF (Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG) enthusiastically. The company presents a modular construction kit of the most varied clamping equipment for free-form clamping. With an intelligently configured set of over 100 elements, the clamping equipment experts say they are reacting to the needs of many production companies. It plays no role whether it’s used for freely formed castings, additively manufactured parts or plastic parts. Through the endless combination possibilities, all conceivable shapes can be clamped for further processing or finishing on 5-axis machining centres. Handling is simple and practical because workpieces can be pre-fixed in every position.

Clamping free-form components quickly and securely

Using vertical and cross-axes as well as support and clamping elements, users put together solutions for every conceivable clamping situation and for every individual free-form workpiece. Three special T-slot base plates in the dimensions 400 x 280, 475 x 350 or 550 x 380 mm serve as a base. They can be clamped to the machine table with AMF zero-point clamping modules. Base elements with especially designed hexagonal T-nuts ensure a higher load capacity. Vertical axes brace components at every height between 60 and 220 mm. With cross-axes and support and stop elements, we get closer to the workpiece and secure it against vibrations without clamping it. Then it’s fixed through compact clamping elements for processing. These have a clamping force of up to 2.5 kN and a clamping stroke of 3 mm. And all of this with process reliability and repetition accuracy. Finishers thus have the freedom and accessibility needed for five-sided processing without interfering contours. 

A wide array of support and compression pieces make contact with the component. The construction kit contains over 30 of them. These can be square supports, clamping points, V-block supports or clamping elements. They ensure maximum degrees of freedom with precisely defined positions in all levels. The holding forces can be applied not just horizontally, but also vertically. “And so the clamping situation is adapted to the workpiece and not the other way around, Nau promises.

Advance installation with set-up plan and CAD data saves time

Besides free, manual set-up, the clamping fixtures can be planned in advance with a set-up plan and the corresponding CAD system. All individual components are available as data for digital work preparation via CAD/CAM programming. The revolutionary and globally unique clamping equipment made up of more than 100 parts – without the base plates – is delivered in a convenient case. Users will be reminded of the construction kits they enjoyed as children.