Kurt's VersatileLock Vises Serve as Lighter Tombstone Alternative

 

Kurt’s​​​​VersatileLock can be mounted back-to-back to operate as a tombstone on smaller horizontal machining centers with work-envelope and weight limitations. The back-to-back tombstone is said to be 200 to 300 lbs lighter (depending on model size) than a tombstone with clamps or vises. The vise is available in 4", 6" and 8" models with jaw capacity ranging from 4" to 10".

The VersatileLock’s one-piece vise body and stationary jaw design, integrated with Kurt’s Anglock feature, provide the back-to-back tombstone assembly with rigidity. The pull-type jaw clamping design reduces jaw stationary deflection by at least 80%, the company says, enabling clamping repeatability of 0.0005". The vises have matched stationary jaws, which are coplanar to within 0.001". The body heights are matched to ±0.001". Clamping force for the 6"-capacity manual 3600V model is 6,356 lbs at 80 foot-pounds of input torque. The AngLock design resists the tendency for part lift during machining operations. The 80,000-psi ductile-iron body provides stability to minimize chatter or vibration from the process.