Manufacturer Challenge
The project demanded a work-holding system that could orient, support, and rotate an awkwardly long blank—without human intervention:
- Full 360° access : a 4th-axis rotary table had to index the part through multiple toolpaths.
- Two-point support : the blank’s length and feature density made single-end gripping impossible.
- Broach-timed orientation : the internal spline had to clock each part for accurate feature location.
Rapid, automated loading to keep the cell’s cycle time competitive.
Northfield Precision Solution
We delivered a dual-chuck package that drops onto the mill’s table with minimal setup:
- Primary Rotary Chuck – A Northfield Model 470 (4-in., 2-jaw) mounted to the 4th-axis table. Special jaws grip the O.D., while a contoured stop locates the broached I.D. for perfect timing.
- Secondary Support Chuck – A Northfield PowerBlock 470 (4-in. square vise) mounted on a riser to match center height. Hardened, ground jaws and a precision stop cradle the opposite end, holding the workpiece perfectly horizontal during rotation.
- Automation-Ready Interfaces – Both fixtures are pre-plumbed for robot pick-and-place and allow unobstructed tool access to every required milling surface.
Results
Engineer's Tip
For long or awkward parts in multi-axis milling, use synchronized dual-chuck workholding to maintain precise orientation and minimize vibration. Pre-plumb automation interfaces to enable seamless integration with robotic loading and maximize lights-out productivity.