ACE Issue 23 2019 | Page 10

Polygonal clamping delivers results in turning applications F or years, customers have been using TRIBOS polygonal clamping technology to achieve excellent results in applications such as micro cutting and to lower tool costs. With TRIBOS ER, SCHUNK is now bringing the patented technology of polygonal tool clamping to sliding and fixed headstock lathes and rotary transfer machines. Pilot users, such as Zisterer Präzisionsdrehteile GmbH in Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany, are impressed. The company has reduced machining time in demanding milling applications by one third while signifi- cantly improving surface quality. There are good reasons why SCHUNK is now unlocking the potential of polygonal clamping technology for lathe chuck technology. For one, the requirements for sliding headstock 10 lathes are constantly growing. At the same time, customers are facing considerable pressure to lower prices, particularly for high-volume parts. For Zisterer Präzisionsteile GmbH in Villingen-Schwenningen, SCHUNK's decision to standardise the TRIBOS ER came just in time. The manufacturer of complex hydraulic components was regularly experiencing process disruptions due to tool breakages as tools with a long overhang and cutting diameters of 2mm could not withstand the vibrations that occur. Halving the speed was the only way to ensure the process stability required for high-volume production. Instead of 12,000 to 15,000 RPM, the company had to accept speeds of 6,000 RPM and the resulting reduction in cycle time.