Increasing customers' ROI by up to 400% 01 February 2012 Respected southern African distributor of international capital equipment and consumables, First Cut, is bringing the Power Matrix magnetic clamping solution from Eclipse Magnetics in the UK to SA. Eclipse Magnetics produced the first ever switchable permanent-magnet chuck in 1934. Today its magnetic chucks are renowned worldwide for their safe and efficient holding of workpieces for grinding, milling and cutting. Power Matrix chucks are available in a number of variations which include the Modular System and the Rail System. "The Power Matrix Modular system comprises a number of magnetic clamping modules connected in sequence to a control panel. Modules can be positioned in any configuration to suit specific workpieces," says Francois Marais, sales representative from First Cut. The chuck consists of a magnetic grid made up of electronically-switched square pole permanent magnets. 'South' poles surround each 'north' pole, providing an equal resistance to bi-directional forces and producing the highest clamping forces possible for the pole size. Each pole is a cube: the top face is the working area, while the remaining five sides are clad with magnet material. "The Power Matrix configuration reduces swarf retention and allows for thinner materials to be clamped than is possible on parallel pole chucks," says Marais. It uses two types of permanently magnetic materials. When the chuck is on, the magnetic fields of the materials are in opposition, sending the magnetic force through the top face, thereby clamping the workpiece. To turn the chuck off, within a fraction of a second, one of the magnet materials' polarity is reversed electronically by pushing a button on the controller. This forms a different magnetic circuit, effectively holding the magnetism inside the chuck. The electronic current is used solely to switch the chuck on or off. Failsafe and energy efficient clamping "Because Power Matrix chucks use permanent magnets, no power is required to hold the load and the chucks are therefore failsafe – if the power fails, the load is still held by the magnets," says Marais. Permanent magnet chucks have no I— day-to-day running costs and are advantageous in terms of reducing the carbon footprint due to their reduced energy usage. Electro-permanent magnetic chucks provide powerful clamping for larger workpieces and when compared to manual clamping systems offer a much faster set up/ removal. "When a new job goes onto the production line, traditional chucks have to be clocked, which is extremely time-consuming," says Marais, adding, "In addition, the accuracy levels are much lower than with magnetic chucks and if a clamp needs to be adjusted, the whole process needs to be stopped and the clamp has to be moved to a readily accessible point for adjustment to take place. With the Power Matrix system, there is continuous access to machining, cutting or drilling of five faces so the operator does not need to stop and relocate clamps." Marais points out that the Power Matrix is characterised by a higher feed rate and improved waste metal removal. "The Power Matrix system offers distinct operational advantages and cost-savings in comparison to other workholding systems and we are excited about the rapid return on investment it can provide our customers with," Andrew Poole, Managing Director of First Cut says. |
