Tool handling and workholding solutions at MACH 2026

Roemheld ModuHub equipment range is designed to help operators handle heavy or awkward components safely and efficiently during manual assembly. It also has the facility to feed back production data

Roemheld will launch the Elmo RW 850, a compact addition to the company’s line of mould and die changing carts, designed for environments where space is at a premium at MACH 2026, taking place 20-24 April, at the NEC in Birmingham (Hall 6, Stand 450). Unlike larger models in the range, the 850 variant is especially manoeuvrable. With its tight turning radius, it is able to negotiate narrow aisles and cramped production floors that often make changing injection moulds and punching dies arduous or logistically difficult.

Movement of the cart is electrically powered under manual control. What sets the Elmo apart is its integration of ergonomic safety measures and precision control. It features an electro-hydraulically actuated scissor lift with precise height adjustment and a table equipped with hydraulic ball bars, allowing near-frictionless positioning of tools weighing up to 850kg. For security, the table has protection rails around the periphery and the ball inserts automatically lower during transport, ensuring the tool sits firmly on the table.

Pictured right: the new Elmo RW 850 mould and die changing cart

While Roemheld’s RW range is for entry-level mould and die changing, where the operator manually slides the tool onto the machine bed, its QDC (quick die change) range features integrated push-pull chain drives for medium to heavy tools. At the touch of a button, these systems grasp the tool and pull it into position, and push it out again after use, removing the need for physical effort from the operator.

An example from this range will be on the stand in the form of a station that can be loaded ergonomically with a tool from the front or from either side. All QDC systems enable manufacturers to handle smaller batch production more economically, while significantly reducing strain and injury risks.

Featured also will be Roemheld’s ModuHub equipment. Its primary function is to provide a standardised platform for manual production where workpieces can be positioned, clamped and moved with high precision. Using a plug-and-play approach, the system allows manufacturers to quickly swap out different modules, such as rotating units, tilting stations and height adjusters, to suit the specific ergonomic and technical needs of a project.

Pictured left: on the stand will be an example of Roemheld’s QDC (quick die change) product line, capable of accepting a tool delivered from the front or either side

ModuHub is engineered for Industry 4.0 integration. It often features integrated ducting for power, compressed air and data, ensuring that the workspace remains free from external cabling. Connectivity allows the equipment to communicate with control units, facilitating real-time monitoring of clamping pressures and positioning data. For businesses looking to scale, it offers a future-proof solution that balances human-centric ergonomic design with the efficiency of a highly connected, automated environment.

Making another appearance will be the Hilma.UC 125, a mechanically-operated, self-centring machine vice designed for high-precision three- to five-axis milling. The modular workholding station features a design that allows easy tool access from all sides, enabling the use of short cutters for increased accuracy.

The system utilises two individual jaws that travel simultaneously toward the centre to clamp workpieces with a force of up to 52kN. Precision is maintained through a central bearing that ensures every component is located within ±0.01mm repeatability, while an active pull-down mechanism prevents the workpiece from lifting once secured.

The universal clamp (UC) is capable of accommodating a variety of prismatic and round geometries. Its modular concept includes numerous jaw options up to 125mm wide and an opening that can be extended to 600mm, which is among the largest available on the market.

Pictured right: the Hilma.UC 125 centric vice from Roemheld

To prevent base distortion, the vice employs separate tensioning and adjustment spindles so that clamping forces are not applied directly to the base. For mounting flexibility, the Hilma.UC 125 can be secured directly to a machining table or integrated into a zero-point clamping system using optional adapter plates.

Demonstrating the German manufacturer’s diverse range of products for securing parts for machining, Roemheld will also have on its stand a variety of powered swing clamps, which are either hydraulically or electrically actuated. They function by rotating a clamping arm over a workpiece and then pulling down to secure it and are primarily designed for use in automated production environments. The arm swivels completely out of the way when retracted, leaving the work area unobstructed for loading and unloading.

Electric swing clamps are an ideal eco-friendly solution for environments. Driven by a maintenance-free 24V DC motor, the units often utilise IO-Link connectivity to provide real-time data feedback on clamping force and position. They are inherently safe due to a self-locking spindle drive that maintains holding pressure even during a power failure and they include built-in sensors that immediately halt movement if the arm encounters an obstruction.

Pictured left: the arm of Roemheld’s swing clamps can swivel out of the way automatically to enable workpiece loading and unloading, or even temporarily in a CNC cycle to allow machining of the workpiece area it was holding

Hydraulic swing clamps are the industrial standard for applications requiring maximum holding power. Capable of generating forces exceeding 40kN, the units are available in single-acting versions that retract via spring force or double-acting versions that use hydraulic pressure for faster, more predictable cycle times in automated lines. They are built for extreme durability, often rated for a million cycles, and offer various mounting styles including threaded-body versions that can be integrated directly into fixtures to save space.

Additionally, there will be a range of Stark zero-point clamping solutions on the stand to entice visitors. Available in manual, hydraulic and pneumatic versions, they are capable of repeatability as high as ±3µm. As with all zero-point systems, the primary goal is to move fixturing time offline. While one part is being machined, the operator can prepare the next job on a separate pallet. Changeover takes only seconds, reducing setup times by up to 90%, significantly increasing spindle uptime and making it profitable to run small batches or even single-piece orders.