In addition to a number of new products, Schunk Intec Ltd (www.gb.schunk.com) will be introducing its new Schunk Synergy Concept (Hall 5 Stand 5040). This involves machine tools ‘working in synergy’ with an overhead gantry system that provides a ‘complete work-handling and tool-holding solution’, along with sorting, stacking and packaging.

Meanwhile, Schunk’s Tribos is a precision tool-holding system for micro machining. The Tribos-Mini, which is designed for high-speed micro applications, can now be integrated with an HSK-E 20 spindle interface. The Tribos-RM with an extended L1 dimension of 78mm is particularly suitable for five-axis machining. To allow the machining of hard-to-reach areas, the mount can also be combined with the standard Tribos-SVL tool extension, which offers adaptations for HSK-A 32, HSK-A 40, HSK-E 32 and HSK-E 40 interfaces.

Schunk will also be showing its Tendo-E Compact hydraulic expansion tool-holder. Capable of reducing set-up times by up to 60% and accommodating 2,000Nm of torque, the Tendo-E Compact delivers micron precision for a host of machining applications.

Another product of interest is the SPM Plus 138 fixture membrane. Manufactured from aluminium, this clamps a multitude of geometries from all sides and provides a pull-down effect. First, a 0.5mm-high tuning ring is inserted between the quick-change pallet module and the fixture membrane, and then the exact workpiece geometry is milled according to the blank on the fixture’s clamping surface. Once prepared and the tuning ring removed, workpieces can be inserted within seconds and the complete circumference clamped by locking the Vero-S module, which deforms the fixture membrane to provide the clamping. Since the whole process is within the elastic range of aluminium, the clamping operation can be repeated several thousand times.