Magnetic chuck table, is a compound name of magnetic chuck and magnetic table, which are synonyms. Today, HVR MAG is going to introduce a type of workholding fixture for CNC machining that has zero power consumption during holding.
Currently there are three types of magnetic chuck table for machining workholding, listed as below:
Electromagnetic chuck table – dependant on continous electric power. This workholding chuck has the advantage of being able to turn the magnetic pull off, releasing the metal part quickly and easily. The disadvantage of this chuck is that it releases the part when the electrical current is stopped, often putting the worker at risk of injury if it happens during a work process.
Permanent magnetic chuck table – with permanent magnetic poles and constantly pull on the part; requires no power supply for work.
Electro-permanent magnetic chuck table – electrically activated permanent magnetic chuck, with zero power consumption in workholding. This device locks the part with a jolt of electricity and then uses another jolt of electricity to unlock it. If there is a power outage while working a part, the chuck continues to hold tightly. Each magnet has an electrical coil around it that can reverse the polarity of the magnet extremely quickly. Another function of the coil is to control the amount of magnetic pull the magnetic chuck exerts.
Traditionally most workholding methods involve many variations of mechanically securing the workpiece. In order to reduce setup time and facilitate multiside machining, magnetic chuck table has evolved to maximizing work holding power while taking into account the application. However the strongest magnetic chuck is not necessarily the best.
If, you’re looking for a workholding fixture that supports 5 side machining with low or nearly zero power consumption during working, then the third type, electro permanent magnet is the best choice.
It can not only provide fast workholding for a wide variety of parts. Even thin parts can be held by nesting the part on the magnetic table. Moreover, it remains holding even if power outage. Power only necessary to turn chuck ON/OFF – not for holding part.
The selection of workholding tool is a very important part of machining. If there’s a failure in operation, the failure was due to the workpiece been pushed out of the position by the force of the cutting tool. Or the workpiece flexed because it was inappropriately supported. Therefore, it magnetic chuck table is suggested instead of other CNC workholding fixtures for fast setups and part changeovers.
