IIoT-ready Digital clamping technology — a reality check

Related Vendors

Stark Spannsysteme GmbH

Renishaw plc

Ramada Acos

Stark Spannsysteme, a company belonging to the Roemheld Group, wants to dispel many doubts about digital clamping options ....

Many companies are grappling with the question of whether it is even worth digitising their workpiece clamping technology. This is because they are struggling with high cost pressures, have to manufacture increasingly precise components and, at the same time, respond to a growing variety of variants, as Stark has observed. However, digital clamping systems could well eliminate this dilemma, emphasises Martin Greif, Managing Director of Stark Spannsysteme. Digital zero-point clamping systems and machine vices from Stark, for example, can be seamlessly integrated into production environments. Using ‘intelligent’ sensor technology, they record the most important process data in real time – continuously and without compromising the advantages of conventional, reliable workpiece clamping. The system statuses ‘clamped’ and ‘released’ indicate whether the workpiece is securely fixed in place.

Data acquisition guarantees repeatable clamping

Precise information on forces and pressures ensures repeatable clamping operations. And information on the workpiece position supports precise machining, while temperature and wear data indicate when maintenance is required, as Greif explains. Incorrect clamping, incorrect positioning and deviating clamping forces and pressures would thus be detected immediately. This minimises scrap, shortens set-up times and optimises machining processes – resulting in increased productivity. The sensor data collected also facilitates predictive maintenance by indicating signs of wear at an early stage. This prevents unplanned machine downtime and pays off in terms of process reliability, adds Greif.

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Digital clamping systems are already IIoT-ready

Greif cites the fact that digital clamping elements are ready for IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and can therefore be easily integrated into existing control systems as a further advantage. This makes them ideal for high-precision, automated manufacturing processes and for use in CNC machining centres. Stark systems are therefore future-proof, as they already offer the option of integrating data and energy transfer into machine tables with an electrical interface. The only prerequisite is that the machine tools are also equipped with these. ‘Many investments pay for themselves within a few months,’ emphasises Greif, referring to this section.

Incidentally, the Stark.intelligence modular sensor system enables the integration of digital zero-point clamping systems into networked manufacturing processes. The data collected by this system can then be integrated directly into the machining process via an IO-Link interface and used for automated production. It also digitally records the clamping status, provides valuable ‘health data’ about the clamping devices and thus enables transparent monitoring and condition-based maintenance.

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