Click & Clamp Centering Vise Reduces Set-Up Times

The GARANT Xtric centering vise from Hoffmann Group USA (Knoxville, TN) is equipped with a chuck jaw quick-change system that enables easy, tool-free changeover. A click mechanism gives the vise an interchange accuracy in the micrometer range. Top jaws, which can be rotated by 180 deg, allow for a large clamping range and high variability when fixing components. Clamping with multiple GARANT Xtrics is not a problem because the center can be adjusted precisely in order to achieve top precision. “This centering vise is suitable for clamping both blanks and finished parts,” said Charlie Slagle, the president and chief executive officer of Hoffmann Group USA. “In addition, pre-stamping components is not required. This means a time savings of 50 percent is possible when setting up.” With the GARANT Xtric, the top jaws can be replaced or rotated by 180 deg by hand without using any tools. For this purpose, the top jaws are inserted into a dovetail and pushed down via two spring plates until they engage. There is no need to remove and re-thread the spindle nut – a unique “click and clamp” system that can significantly contribute to a reduction in set-up costs.

With its rotating top jaws, the centering vise provides a particularly large clamping range of 0 to 144 mm (using the Model 80S) and 0 to 194 mm (using the Model 80M). An additional model with a jaw width of 125 mm will be launched soon. All models are alternatively available with pivot jaws. If a clamping force of 25 kN is applied directly on the component, the vise will also be suitable for clamping unfinished parts. If a gripper jaw with GARANT tooth form is used, pre-stamping can even be eliminated. For shops that already use the Lang system, there are suitable top jaws with the Lang system tooth form. The top jaws are available both uncoated and coated. In order to clamp larger workpieces using multiple centering vises, the center can be adjusted precisely to the micrometer. And, if required, it can be shifted by up to 0.5 mm on each side (by one mm total). To do this, simply release the screw on the side, reset the center using pin wrenches and then retighten the screw on the side.

Longitudinal grooves for precise alignment on the machine table, bores for the Lang positioning system and adapter plates for clamping on the GARANT Zero Clamp zero-point system round off the range. Adaptation to other zero-point clamping systems is also possible.

Hoffmann Group USA, 202 North Seven Oaks Drive, Knoxville, TN 37922, 844-448-7725, www.hoffmann-group.com.