If reduced setup times and increased productivity are critical to your operational success, then you should consider making the change to magnetic workholdings.

Magnetic workholding overcomes many of the intrinsic problems associated with the manual clamping of components by multiple vises, toe clamps, strap clamps or other forms of tactile workholding. But the benefits extend well beyond the shop floor where ease of use and quick changeovers rule the workday. Improved ROI and productivity are two bottom-line benefits this type of workholding solution.

Magnetic Workholding Essentials

Workholding magnets are an alternative to mechanically holding work-pieces in machining operations. They are constructed of a series of magnetic poles, pods, set up blocks, pole extenders, or modules. As more pole pieces make contact with a work-piece, a stronger magnetic clamping force results. They are controlled in such a way that clamping power is both uniform and instantaneous.

These workholders use either permanent or electro-permanent magnets. The permanent magnet workholder does not require power while the electro-permanent magnet uses power in order to energize the magnet via an electronic control. This electric power is only used during start up, so a continuous supply of electricity is unnecessary, hence, power outages or brownouts are never a safety issue. Depending upon the application, workholders using magnets can exert a uniform and instantaneous clamping force of 12 tons per square foot. Recent advances in magnetic materials have increased their clamping power while reducing their footprint.

Magnetic Workholding on the Shop Floor

Reduced setup times and faster changeovers are two benefits that this type of workholding brings to the shop floor. Unlike mechanical clamping that requires adjustment, there’s no need to adjust the workholders so time is saved. But the benefits do not stop there.

Vibration reduction is a complementary benefit. Since the magnetic clamping force is instantaneous and uniform, vibrations are minimized. With less vibration, work-pieces are machined with greater precision, more repeatability, less scrap or rework, and less deformation of cutting tools.

Operational and Economic Benefits

Because of their intrinsic benefits, magnetic workholders are a boon to productivity. Fifty percent reduction in setup time has been attributed to this type of workholding in some instances. Cycle time improvements from less vibration and uniform holding force are added benefits causing an extension of tool life and spindle up-time. These benefits translate to better profit margins and ROI paybacks in record time. The technology of practical magnetic workholding is in place now.

DocMagnet Inc. designs and supplies Magnetic Workholding equipment. DocMagnet Magnetic Chucks have all metal surfaces and are built and tested to the highest quality.

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