Tag: milling

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Custom 4th Axis Tooling Package

Brief: 

The brief of this job is to create a custom tooling package for mounting on a 4th axis rotary table. Holding a raw aluminium extruded blank, for finish milling in a single operation. 

Challenge: 

As our work holding must not get in the way of their tooling paths. Therefore, the challenge is incorporating milling clearances within the axial locator and jaws.

Custom Northfield Model 670 set-up
Custom Northfield Model 670 set-up
Custom Northfield Model 670 0
Close-up Northfield Model 670

 

Solution: 

Our solution is a Northfield model 670, 2 Jaw Chuck with a custom set of internal grip jaws. Additionally, a custom axial locator that is finish ground and Electro Discharge Machined (EDM) allows for the required customer tooling clearances.  

The design also incorporates a timing block. This ensures correct loading of the parts each time, and that they do not spin or change orientation during the milling operations. 

Finally, the chuck is mounted to a 4th axis rotary table with a custom Northfield backported adapter plate. This allows air passageways to run though the rotary table into the rear side of our chuck for normal clamp and unclamp operations.  

Do you have a current 4th or 5th axis project? Get in touch to see how we can help – TOLL FREE: (800) 810-2482

Contact Northfield – Northfield

 

Custom Northfield Model 670 0
Close-up Northfield Model 670
Custom Northfield Model 670 set-up
Custom Northfield Model 670 set-up

 

Custom Air Collet 1
Custom Air Driven Northfield Collet Set-up
Custom Air Collet
Northfield 16c Collet Chuck
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Custom Collets – Air vs. Hydraulic

 

Collaborating with the finest in machine tool productivity innovation.  

Brief: 

The task is tooling up a standard dual head rotary table to accommodate the bolt carrier.

Challenge:

The challenge of this job is to provide a work holding solution, allowing actuation of the work holding on the customers table.  

Custom Air Collet 1
Custom Air Driven Northfield Collet Chucks
Custom Air Collet
Northfield 16C Collet Chuck

Northfield Solution: 

The Northfield 16C collet chucks are air driven units as standard. Pairing these with an adapter plate and air tube allows actuation on the customers rotary table. Additionally, these chucks allow the usage of standard 16C collets. 

Air vs Hydraulic: 

These chucks are also available in a hydraulic format. This same setup has been supplied to other manufacturers with a hydraulic configuration. Providing a greater grip force than our air driven units. This is useful when heavy milling or turning operations require a higher grip force capacity and the material being held supports such a setup.  

Sound useful? Then reach out – TOLL FREE: (800) 810-2482

Contact Northfield – Northfield

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Custom Full Wrap Jaws

Custom clamping jaws, developed for a vertical machining environment. A Northfield 650 air chuck has been adapted to work with custom jaws.

FullWrap_Jaws_Clamping_Air_Chuck

The ‘pie’ shaped top jaws provide a full wrap clamping around the work piece. This project also includes a custom spring loaded locating pin assembly. Designed to orient the customer’s workpiece allowing fast and accurate change over.

Can we do the same for you? Reach out and an engineer will be in touch to collaborate on your next project.

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Pitch-line Gear Chucks

Introducing the series of pneumatic actuated pitch-line gear chucks.

 

Helical Gear Chuck
Helical Gear Chuck

Spur Gear Chuck
Spur Gear Chuck

How can we help you?

These two chucks are 7-inch diaphragm chucks. For multiple gear sizes, chucks can be provided with interchangeable cages and top jaws.

How do we do it?

We attach a custom designed axial locator cage to a standard chuck. This contains a series of floating gage pins in a flexible mounting. Then, we load the gear over the pins into the chuck. The jaws clamp over the pins to center and grip the gear providing a “best fit” centerline of the pitch diameter.

 

Pitch line gear chucks can be provided in sizes from 3-inch to 12-inch diameter, sliding jaw or diaphragm models and can be applied to spur or helical gear applications.

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Custom Diaphragm Chuck for milling precision gears

Every week exciting new projects are heading out the door, such as this Custom Diaphragm Chuck for milling precision gears.

Brief:

The customers work piece is a small precision gear that requires milling on one face, timed to existing geometry.

Challenge:

The outer diameter of this gear shouldn’t be touched, gripping is only possible on the root diameter.

Solution:

A Northfield DPH-400 (.00050” T.I.R.) 4” diameter diaphragm chuck was provided, with sub jaws, changeable inserts and stops for different sized work pieces.

  •  Wire cut inserts clear the major diameter and clamp on the root diameter.
  • Changeable stop pads have timing pins, to orient the work pieces prior to clamping.
  • The base stop has a ground indicating band for initial setup.
  • The chuck’s ‘pull-back clamping’ action ensures the part sits flat.

 

Don’t forget you can also follow our most recent projects on LinkedIn.

 

Do you have a unique working holding requirement? Then get in touch now. Our sales team are always available to answer your questions. https://www.northfield.com/contact/