Lang’s Vario Tec accessory jaws are designed for use in a 6" Kurt vise. Movable pins allow quick setup changes for different workpieces without having to exchange jaws, and pins that are not used can be pushed back into the jaws. Also, the jaws can be set at a 45-degree angle by pushing in specific pins. According to the company, the jaws are safe for milling and increase both quality and repeatability.
When a casting proved too malleable for traditional gripping, Thomas/Euclid Industries adopted — and succeeded with — Blue Photon adhesive workholding.
Moving to five-axis machining enabled this shop to dramatically reduce setup time and increase lights-out capacity, but success relied on the right combination of workholding and automation.
