Newport Pagnell-based Schunk Intec Ltd (www.gb.schunk.com) says that its new hydraulic compensation jaws set a new benchmark for low-deformation workpiece clamping.

According to the company, it is the first time that chuck jaws for compensating the workpiece clamping process have successfully been combined with centrifugal-force compensation, vibration-damping characteristics and micron-precision concentricity.

An integral oil chamber with related clamping technology is a central feature of the hydraulic compensation jaws; as these individually adapt to the workpiece, form tolerances in castings (for example) are compensated accordingly.

Furthermore, in comparison with conventional three-point clamping, the number of clamp points is doubled, minimising any opportunity for workpiece deformation.

Indeed, clamping force can be reduced considerably in comparison with previous solutions without restrictions on process reliability, says Schunk.

At high speeds, the hydraulic clamping system is said to automatically guarantee centrifugal-force compensation, which ensures that the correct clamping force is always maintained.

For maximum component accuracy, concentricity can be adjusted (with micron precision) on the chuck jaws.

Additionally, the vibration-damping characteristics of the oil chamber system benefit the surface quality of the workpiece — and tool life is increased.