Workholding stabiliser system to debut in Europe at EMO 2023

The Blue Photon Workholding Stabilizer System being used with third-party stabiliser equipment for adding extra rigidity to tall components while they are being machined

US firm Blue Photon has designed a new, photo-activated adhesive workholding system, comprising patented grippers and inserts, intended for use with stabiliser systems marketed by BIG Daishowa and others that add extra rigidity to tall components while they are being machined.

The Workholding Stabilizer System will be launched in Europe at EMO Hannover 2023, taking place 18-23 September, on the Blue Photon stand (Hall 5, Stand B84). Representatives from European sales agent NCMT will be on the stand throughout the exhibition to help with live demonstrations and answer questions.

The workholding system comprises a Blue Photon stabiliser puck, an adjustable stabiliser arm and a base mount, for which there are multiple options including T-slot, threaded hole and magnetic. The puck is positioned in an optimal location on the workpiece to provide maximum extra support during machining by transferring some of the cutting force to the machine table and structure.

The extra stability raises production throughput by allowing faster feeds and speeds to be programmed without affecting the surface integrity of the part, and also increases yield by avoiding scrap and rework that could result from unstable clamping.

The Blue Photon puck attaches to the workpiece using grippers placed into fixed inserts

The puck attaches to the workpiece using grippers placed into fixed inserts. It is simply necessary to position the puck and turn on ultraviolet light from a Blue Photon controller to cure BlueGrip adhesive previously applied to the grippers. The process is completed in 60sec, minimising idle time and maximising throughput.

Other notable benefits of the adhesive system are that there is no need to drill and tap or otherwise clamp the part, while the absence of additional workholding geometry means that cutter paths are unrestricted and cycle times are not unnecessarily extended.

On the stand at EMO, there will also be a selection of Blue Photon’s other innovative adhesive workholding products. They are ideal for securing awkwardly shaped and/or delicate parts to allow maximum access to tools for tight-tolerance, multi-axis milling, turning, electrochemical machining, electrical discharge machining, grinding or laser cutting. They are equally suitable for use in assembly or inspection.