MMX vice system slashes dead time

MMX vice system slashes dead time

Keywords: Machining, Productivity, Cost

The MultiVice MMX vice system available from Leader’Chuck Systems is said to be designed to significantly improve the workholding capacity of vertical and horizontal machining centres, milling machines and grinders.

The system claims to provide unrivalled levels of power and accessibility in confined spaces, and its simple but novel design is believed to be the secret of its success.

Comprising a series of clamping stations for multiple part loading – for example, using the MMX 55, a 400 mm by 400 mm plate offers up to 12 clamping stations – MultiVice MMX achieves secure locking/unlocking simply and quickly with just a quarter turn of the key.

MultiVice MMX boasts a number of features that set it apart, but the angled jaw actuator wedge is of particular advantage when the system is used on a two- or four-sided vertical tombstone. With positive dovetail location for continuous repeatability, MMX provides parallel,self-aligning clamping.

MultiVice MMX’s low height (20 mm and 25 mm)maximises the machine’s Z- axis (height can be increased by using blocks) lengths are 70 mm and 87 mm (moving jaw) and 35 mm and 44 mm (fixed jaw). Vice widths are 33 mm and 55 mm. The system can be mounted directly onto a machine table or any type of subplate, tombstone, cube or pallet.

The use of MultiVice MMX at Mordun Chuck Jaw Company(Plate 7) is not only saving the overhead of at least one person per machine per shift, but it is also enabling the Leicester-based manufacturer to minimise dead time in the production of its bolt-on machine tool chuck accessories.

Additionally, the system has provided mordun with an unrivalled level of flexibility in the manufacture of families of parts in short batches and in fast turnaround times.

 Plate 7 Leader MultiVice MMX vice systems has saved at least one salary at Mordun Chuck Jaw Co

“The days are gone when users simply installed a CNC machine and bolted-on their favourite vice”, says Mordun’s managing director Tim Hare. “Yes, the machine would run all day –but it seemed the cutters spent more time around the product rather than actually cutting metal. There were not many finished components on the floor!”

“MultiVice MMX is a world away from that, enabling us to quickly accommodate as many components on each loading after every change in product type”, he adds. “And that is extremely important to Mordun because, as a manufacturer of low-cost consumable items, if we are not cutting metal we are not making money.”

“Our investment in the MultiVice has more than repaid itself –not only by reducing our finishing department from four men to one, but also by enabling us to produce highly-accurate products in a much more streamlined manufacturing process.”

Details available from: Leader Chuck Systems Ltd, Tel:+44 (0) 121 771 4843; Fax: +44 (0) 121 771 0966; E-mail: information@leaderchuck.co.uk;Web site: www.leaderchuck.co.uk