Choosing the Right CNC Clamps for Precision Machining

Clamping is one of essential arrangements in CNC production. The CNC tools and workpieces are mounted or held in clamps. There are multiple types of CNC machine clamps. However, the selection of clamping for CNC machining has to complement the CNC production requirements. If incorrect clamping is chosen, the workpiece and tool may be damaged due to impact of vibrations, breaking of tooltips, loosening of a workpiece, etc. All these factors introduce errors in CNC machined products. This post discusses guidelines to select clamping for CNC machining according to production requirements.

Guidelines to Select the Right Type of Clamping for CNC Machining

The type of clamping for CNC machining should be selected according to the production requirements. Often, the CNC production is done in batches. The products may possess simple or complex designs and according to these factors, the tool inclination, workpiece orientation, etc may differ. Clamping for CNC machining also makes an impact on workpiece processing time and production time (preparation and waiting time).

Here are a few guidelines to choose an appropriate type of CNC clamping system for low volume and high volume CNC production.

• Choosing CNC Clamping for Low Volume Production:

  Generally, the combination clamps are suitable for small-scale production.

• Building Block/ Combination Clamps:

  A building block clamp or combination clamp is a united clamping system. It features a building block that has multiple slots to mount various CNC machining tools. It possess a universally standardized design that can fit various CNC machining tools. In small-scale or low-volume CNC production, these types of tool clamps are suitable as they shorten the overall production cycle. The building block can be rotated to align the specific CNC cutting tool to the workpiece so that the time for tool replacement is reduced. This also makes these combination clamps ideal for seamless CNC machining.

The combination clamps may feature two supplementary components, which are listed below.

• Precision Flat Pliers:

  These are the assembly parts in combination clamps and they help align the tools in clamps. They are recommended to use if the clamping force is over 5000Kgf. This prevents the tool body from clamping force.

• Clamp Base:

  The clamp bases are surface plates set between the positioning surface and workpiece. These are used to precisely align the workpiece for correct interaction of tool and workpiece during CNC machining

• Choosing CNC Clamping for High Volume Production:

  The production cycles are lengthier in high volume production, and the waiting and preparation times are higher too. To reduce overall production time, hydraulic or pneumatic clamps are used.

• Hydraulic/Pneumatic Clamps:

  These are a special type of clamp used for firmly clamping tools for longer production cycles. These clamps use hydraulic or pneumatic energies as a power source to clamp the tools. These clamps can withstand higher machining force and achieve precision in positioning tools and workpieces.

Bonus
Electric permanent magnetic holding clamps are suitable for both types of CNC production cycles.

Electric Permanent Magnetic Clamps:

These are the magnetic clamps that can hold the tool in just 1 second. These clamps reduce clamping time and therefore production time is reduced eventually. These clamps are suited for small-scale and large-scale production, where the clamping force is not less than 450Kgf.

The selection of clamping for CNC machining is a task of the CNC machine operator. The operator should be trained to make the correct selection. That is why one should choose the CNC manufacturers with long-term experience and expertise such as BDE, Inc., for their machining projects. The company offers ISO 9001:2015 compliant CNC production.