Centric clamp for centric clamping of different workpieces in relation to a defined center such as the center plane

Abstract

The centric clamp for centric clamping of workpieces in relation to a defined center is characterized by the fact that the tasks of moving clamping jaws and ensuring the movement of clamping jaws are decoupled from each other.

Description

[0001] Conventional centric clamps consist of a housing, two axially displaceable jaws, and one or more elements that move the jaws and generate the clamping force. This clamping force can be mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical. In mechanical centric clamping technology, counter-rotating threaded spindles are used to transmit the clamping force and ensure the synchronous movement of the clamping jaws. This principle is also found in electric centric clamps. In these clamps, the threaded spindle determines the achievable stroke. In pneumatically or hydraulically driven centric clamps, the movement and synchronization of the clamping jaws are achieved with an element such as a chuck piston.

[0002] In highly automated applications, pneumatic or hydraulic workpiece clamping systems are predominantly used today. With these centric clamps, the movement and synchronization of the clamping jaws are achieved by a controlling element, such as a chuck piston. The stroke per jaw is relatively small, as the movement of the controlling element is transformed into a movement of the clamping jaws. The controlling element is typically movable in the vertical direction, meaning that an increase in the clamping jaw stroke can only be achieved by increasing the clamping height.

[0003] The invention addresses the problem of creating a centric clamping device with a large jaw stroke and simultaneously a low overall height, which can be used in applications with a high degree of automation. This problem is solved by the centric clamping device with the specified features described in claim 1.

[0004] The invention relates to a centric clamping device for the centric clamping of various workpieces with respect to a defined center point, such as the center plane. The positioning of the clamping jaws is achieved by a threaded spindle with opposing threads. The clamping force is generated and maintained by additional elements. Optionally, a displacement measuring system for determining the clamping jaw stroke can be integrated.

[0005] An example implementation will be shown using the Fig. explains: In Fig.The centric clamping device is shown with a base body (1), threaded spindle (2), and clamping jaws (5) and (6). The clamping jaws (5) and (6) are mounted axially displaceably on the base body (1). One or more cylindrical pistons (3) and (4) are mounted on each side of the base body (1). Together with the clamping jaws, they enclose chambers (7) and (8) which are filled with a medium, e.g., air or hydraulic oil. The clamping jaws are moved by generating overpressure in front of or behind the piston using a power unit. The same pressure is always maintained in the chambers (7) and (8) in front of and behind the piston, respectively. Furthermore, the clamping jaws (5) and (6) are connected to a rotatably mounted threaded spindle (2), which has a non-self-locking right-hand and a left-hand thread, so that when the threaded spindle rotates, the clamping jaws either move towards each other or away from each other.The clamping force is generated by overpressure in the enclosed chambers (7) and (8). The threaded spindle remains outside the force flow and only forces the clamping jaws into a coordinated position. Reference symbol list 1 Basic body 2 threaded spindles 3 power cylinders 1 4 power cylinders 2 5 basic baker 1 6 basic baker 2 7 chambers 1 8 chambers 2

Claims

[1] The centric clamping device for centrically clamping workpieces with respect to a defined center is characterized by , that the tasks of shifting clamping jaws and ensuring the movement of clamping jaws are decoupled from each other. [2] The centric clamping device according to claim 1 is characterized by , that the clamping jaws are each moved and held in a clamped position by one or more cylinders driven by a pneumatic or hydraulic unit. [3] The centric clamping device according to claim 1 is characterized by , that the positioning of the clamping jaws is controlled by a counter-rotating threaded spindle with a right-hand and a left-hand thread. [4] The threaded spindle according to claim 3 is characterized by It does not transmit any clamping force and merely determines the position of the two clamping jaws relative to each other. The threads are not self-locking. [5] The centric clamping device according to claim 1 is characterized bythat it can have a measuring system for determining the jaw stroke.

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