Case Study of Modular Pull Clamping System

Quick and easy changeover & fixture sharing among machines

FUJIMEC specializes in machining precision parts and difficult-to-machine materials. They machine, solder, weld, and assemble parts for semiconductors, liquid crystals, and vacuum equipment. FUJIMEC has vertical, horizontal, and 5-axis machining centers and they use Modular Pull Clamping System to change fixtures on these machines.

Previously, fixtures were mounted directly on their machine table or mounted with a quick change plate made by another manufacturer depending on each machine. It sometimes took several hours to mount fixtures, vises, or chucks to their machine table directly because it required centering by an experienced operator.

Another problem was that their previous fixed-size quick change plate did not allow the same fixture to be installed on machines of different sizes. Even if a new workpiece came in, it was only machined on a particular machine that could install the fixture.

FUJIMEC introduced Modular Pull Clamping System and succeeded in drastically reducing the setup time and standardizing fixtures among their various machines. Modular Pull Clamping System positions and fixes fixture plates with an accuracy of 0.005 mm. Anyone can change the fixture securely in just a few minutes with easy operation, so the setup time was greatly reduced.

Modular Pull Clamping System can mount to the desired position on fixture plates, making it possible to share fixtures in their machines of different sizes. FUJIMEC is also highly satisfied with the pull clamping screws which are easily used for any fixtures because they are space-saving, easy to install, and cost-saving.

In addition to these advantages, FUJIMEC utilizes Modular Pull Clamping System as a workholding solution. They use it as pull-in clamps on 5-axis machining centers by installing clamping screws to the bottom of their workpieces. The 5 surfaces have zero tool interference with the fixtures and this contributes to the process integration. When it is necessary to raise a fixture, fixture plates can be stacked using Modular Pull Clamping Systems, and no centering is needed, making it easy for anyone to operate.

FUJIMEC has made a new quick change system using Modular Pull Clamping System and succeeded in improving their machine operating rate and shortening their product delivery time.