The Flattest Pneumatic Quick-Change Pallet Module in the World

21 October 2011

At EMO 2011 SCHUNK, the competence leader for clamping technology and gripping further enlarged its program with the launch of the VERO-S Quick-Change Pallet System. With a height of 20mm, the VERO-S NSE mini module from SCHUNK is the most flat pneumatic Quick-Change Pallet Module in the world. This provides ideal conditions for retrofitting existing machines to allow direct clamping of small workpieces.

The patented drive concept consists of a fast stroke and a clamping stroke that ensures the compact module has a highly compact per-formance. At a module diameter of 90mm and a clamping pin diame-ter of only 20mm, the NSE mini also has integrated turbo function and enormous pull-in forces of up to 1500N. The clamping pin is positioned via a short taper and is fixed with three clamping slides. Locking is done mechanically via spring force. It is self-locking and form-fitted. The large contact surfaces between clamping slide and pin minimize the surface pressure in unclamped condition and also the wear of the module.

Since the minimum clearance between two clamping pins amounts to 100mm, the NSE mini has particularly small and variable gauges for bore holes for workpiece and pallet clamping. It provides flexibility in the field of zero point clamping that has never been seen before. Even small workpieces can be directly clamped and are completely machined from five sides without restricting accessibility of the lathe chuck or chuck jaw. For this purpose, the clamping pins of the Quick-Change Pallet Systems are screwed directly into the workpiece. The components are quickly exchanged in the machine and are positioned, fixed and clamped in the Quick-Change Clamping Modules at a repeat accuracy of less than 0.005mm. In order to optimize accessibility, the clamping height of the workpieces can be adjusted with module height extensions and therefore the machine spindle can reach all five sides of the workpiece without needing special tools.

For maximizing service lifetime and process reliability, the NSE mini and all the other VERO-S modules are fully equipped by default. All functional components, base body, clamping pin and clamping slide are made of stainless steel. Moreover, the maintenance-free mod-ules are protected against chips, dust and coolant. In order to avoid chips jamming in the module during workpiece change, the base plate can be provided with a bore hole for an air purge connection underneath the opening of the clamping pin. If the modules will be automatically loaded, the clamping slide positions can also be moni-tored.

Like all of the Quick-Change Pallet Modules from Schunk, the VERO-S NSE mini is integrated into the world’s largest modular system for highly efficient workpiece clamping, which can be combined with a great variety of clamping pallets, clamping devices and multi clamping stations. Set-up costs of up to 90% can be saved with this clamping system.