Based in an impressive, 5000 square feet manufacturing facility in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, Micron Precision Engineering Ltd have earned a reputation for supplying its customers with high-quality components at a cost-effective price and in a timely fashion.
To enable the efficiencies that allow economical prices to be quoted and to facilitate the prompt production of high quality parts, the company has made regular investments in advanced machine tools. Micron Precision Engineering Ltd now boasts an impressive range of highly efficient 3, 4 and 5 axis CNC milling, 3 and 4 axis CNC turning facilities.
To release the full productive potential of the company’s new 5 Axis (DMG Mori DMU75 Monoblock) machine tool, Micron Precision Engineering Ltd recently invested in an advanced InoFlex concentric and compensating 4-jaw chuck from Thame Workholding.
Stuart Denton-Beaumont, Micron Precision Engineering Ltd. General Manager explained. “Our new, large capacity 5 axis DMG Mori / DMU75 machine tool has the capacity to machine components of up to 840mm diameter, 500mm long with a maximum weight of 600Kg and is capable of producing a wide range of work including round, rectangular and geometrically irregular parts. As standard chucks are somewhat limited, we searched for a secure, fast and flexible workholding method to help ensure the new machine’s efficient operation. A visit to an exhibition provided the answer we were looking for.
“Gareth Barnett, the Sales Manager of Thame Workholding recommended and demonstrated the capabilities of the Inoflex 4 jaw self-centering chuck. As the Inoflex is able to securely hold a wide range of odd shapes and is extremely versatile, we were happy to place an order.
“Now fitted, our VD050 Manual closed centre 4 – 20 inch capacity Inoflex chuck, has proven to be easy to use, fast to set-up and very repeatable. Although most of all, we have been impressed by its adaptability and ability to securely hold any shape of component. Now, our new machine tool and the use of our Inoflex 4 jaw self-centering chuck have enabled us to take on a range of additional work.
Stuart Denton-Beaumont continued. “When purchasing new equipment we look to deal with companies who are able to deliver technical support and to adapt their products to our own specific needs. We have been impressed by the advice and the service we have received from Thame Workholding, in addition to help in other areas, Thame have designed and manufactured bespoke jaws for our Inoflex chuck to suit a particular application.”
Gareth Barnett, Thame Workholding Sales Manager added. “In the past, companies have used rigid concentric 3-jaw chucks for clamping round parts and worked with two-jaw vices for rectangular and geometrically irregular parts. Now, the current trend is towards combined turning and milling machines for the production of round, rectangular and geometrically irregular parts. Thame Workholding has reacted to these developments by offering the first universal clamping tool for clamping circular, rectangular and also asymmetrical shaped parts.”
Available exclusively in the UK from Thame Workholding, the Inoflex concentric and compensating 4-jaw chuck is unique, in that it is able to securely hold such a wide variety of dissimilar shaped parts.
The use of this cost-effective all-rounder, means that users no longer need expensive special clamping solutions as, in addition to securely clamping round, cubic and geometrically irregular parts, the Inoflex also delivers high levels of repeatability and roundness accuracy on deformation-sensitive workpieces. The ingenious chuck, is available in a manual format from Ø 160-1200 mm, and as a power chuck from Ø 210-1000 mm, and can be used on all modern machine tools.
Based in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, Thame Workholding manufactures and supplies a wide range of cost-effective standard and bespoke workholding products to its global customer base. In addition, the company provide a range of highly efficient workholding solutions from leading manufacturers such as Lang Technik, Horst Witte, Samchully and HWR Spanntechnik, on an exclusive UK agency basis.
To ensure the production of cost-effective, high quality products, the company uses a range of modern 3, 4 and 5 axis machine tools with multi-pallet and automated loading for unmanned machining. Thame Workholding’s impressive manufacturing facilities are supported by a high accuracy CMM inspection provision and 3D CAD and CAM modelling.
With a high proportion of products being designed and manufactured in-house, Thame Workholding has developed into a leading international provider of practical workholding solutions that are suitable for all categories of machining, in both standard and special applications. The company is accredited to Quality Standard ISO 9001:2008 with the scope of design, manufacture, assembly, supply and maintenance of workholding equipment.
