Erwin Halder KG: New Multi Vice MS 125

Workpieces are securely clamped!

Precisely position different components

Wherever workpieces of different sizes and geometries are processed, having a flexible clamping system is an invaluable aid for the machinist. Consequently, with the new Multi Vice MS 125, Erwin Halder KG is offering users, particularly in the area of small batch production, varied possibilities for positioning and clamping diverse components on one basic body. It can be individually adapted, so that even workpieces with complex shapes can be easily machined – even from five sides.

Elements for reliable workpiece clamping are essential in all manufacturing processes. A faultless clamping system is indispensable for precise machining. Often the capability to quickly change workpieces through simple handling is a crucial factor. This capability reduces set-up times and ensures profitable machining.

Having to change the complete workholding system for each workpiece is particularly time-consuming and unprofitable. However, Erwin Halder KG has the right solution for every clamping situation. The newest member in the extensive product range is the versatile Multi Vice MS 125 that quickly and easily positions components and secures them for processing.

The mechanical MS 125 can be used on vertical and horizontal CNC-controlled milling machines for conventional clamping, grip clamping and pull-back clamping. The particularity: Rectangular, quadratic or round workpieces are firmly seated thanks to an extensive assortment of accessories in every size. With suitable alignment and fixation kits, support jaws, step jaws, base jaws and pivot jaws the user is able to fix virtually any conceivable workpiece geometry in place, without having to fall back on a different clamping system. The particular clamping elements can be exchanged very quickly.

Precisely manufactured in accordance with the Halder quality promise

The modular workholding system has been developed in three sizes: Model S is 280 mm in length and weighs 18 kg, model M has a length of 398 mm and weighs 30 kg, and the model L vice is 530 mm in length and weighs 38 kg and firmly holds even very heavy workpieces. All have a jaw width of 125 mm and a maximum clamping force of 40 kN. The smallest version, MS 125 S, is outstandingly suited for use on 5-axis machining centres.

All characteristics make the Halder Multi Vice an important element with a high level of flexibility for the user. Bernd Janner, Sales Executive for Erwin Halder KG: "Because the basic body is manufactured of nodular cast iron, the Multi Vice is extremely stable and robust – the same is true of the inductively hardened and ground guideways. Precise grooves have been incorporated on one end of the various jaws. Moreover, the MS 125 is equipped with a lateral exit opening for controlled discharge of coolant and chips. Last but not least, the precise guidance of the rigid spindle nut is representative of the high quality of the Halder clamping element."

For example, depending on the model there is a clamping shoulder for vertical implementation (S/M) or there are precise longitudinal or transverse guide slots for optimal alignment on the machine table. The system is tensioned with a torque spanner (max. 30 Nm); this makes it possible to work above the table even with an unfavourable clamping set-up. Thanks to the enlarged power stroke even blanks can be reliably clamped. In addition, a high-pressure spindle with transmitted power always ensures the same clamping force.

Multi-functional helper for all situations

The Multi Vice is aligned on the machine table and fastened with the associated clamping claws, as well as alignment and fixation kits. The workpiece stops, manufactured of burnished and hardened steel, can be mounted on both sides of the basic body. After clamping in the workpiece they can be pivoted away and thus make the end-stop side of the component free for machining– and they do this with a repeatability of approx. 0.01 mm.

If the user wants to clamp his pre-processed workpiece in the conventional manner, he can select profile jaws, adapter jaws, prismatic jaws, hard base jaws or soft jaws from the extensive Halder assortment. With a clamping width of up to 443 mm, workpieces can be accommodated for machining with different jaw designs.

The Multi Vice is particularly well suited for positioning and clamping workpieces with a wide variety of different geometries, such as complex blanks, flame cut and saw cut. To do this, different gripper inserts, such as pointed, smooth or round inserts with thread can be variably screwed into the hole grid of the supporting jaws. Bernd Janner in this regard: "The grip inserts are particularly practical, because they can be quickly fastened and enable non-uniform workpieces to be easily and securely fixed in place. The additional pivot function of the mobile support jaw quickly compensates for the disparities and non-parallel clamping surfaces. Through the penetration of the hardened and interchangeable grip elements into the workpiece, additional implementation possibilities arise for the user."

Extremely rigid clamping system

In addition, there are also variants for precise pull-back clamping. In this regard the functional concept of the support jaws particularly ensures flexible and absolutely secure clamping of blanks. The workpiece is positioned on ground locating pins that establish a connection to the guideway of the basic body. Through this feature the parallelity of the guideway or of the machine table is applied to the workpiece. This results in extremely high clamping accuracy. Thanks to this procedure, for the most part vibrations during the machining process are avoided.

Different wedge receptacles and locating pins in five different heights between 23 and 48 mm are fixed in place on the supporting jaws. The practical pull-back kit in two heights provides the user with the right accessories for clamping and pull-back of blank, unmachined and pre-processed workpieces. "The wedge elements, which are available in different designs and can be quickly interchanged, are particularly practical – depending on the shape, surface condition and material of the component", explains Bernd Janner:

Flexible 5-sided machining

The multifunctional MS 125 is excellently suited for 5-sided machining. Thanks to the 5-sided jaws, workpieces with a height of 90 mm above the guideway can be clamped. The insert plates that are available in three heights are pressed onto the guideway through the pull-back effect and thus establish a workpiece position that is precisely parallel. Through this measure workpiece vibration is avoided for the most part. Workpieces can be readily and flexibly machined with short tools, thanks to stable 5-sided jaws. A particular advantage of the 5-sided jaws is the excellent accessibility with short tools.

Bernd Janner summarises the advantages of the Multi Vice: "With the MS 125 users are on the safe side: The Multi Vice reliably and precisely clamps components of different sizes and geometries for machining. With this product, once again we have kept our promise of assuring users of results that are always precise and reproducible!"

Photo 1: The Multi Vice MS 125 from Erwin Halder KG quickly and easily positions components of almost any workpiece geometry and fixes them in place for machining.

Photo 2: The MS 125 is a flexible workholding system. The variant for pull-back clamping, for example ensures flexible and secure clamping of blanks with suitable wedge receptacles, wedge elements and locating pins. Other variants enable conventional clamping, grip clamping and 5-sided machining.

Photos: Erwin Halder KG