subject: Are You a Wrench-Free Facility? [print this page] Are You a Wrench-Free Facility? Are You a Wrench-Free Facility?
I often find myself looking back to the days when, as a "wannabe" toolmaker, I had my butt (frequently) kicked because I failed to allow for the machine backlash or I overestimated the speeds and feeds for the HSS tooling of the time. Trying to clamp the workpiece without distorting it was an art-form and quite tricky to master.
As we fast-forward to the present day, significant advances have been made to all three areas of the metal-cutting process but unlike the machine and tooling, our manufacturing industry has failed to fully embrace the latest technologies associated with workholding favoring more conventional practices.
Sadly, more often than not, I am introduced to a machining application, where the machine tool is undergoing the most rigorous and complex program humming along at high speeds when, at some point, the machinist intervenes by opening the door and pulling out his trusty wrench.
After spending the past 25 years beating the magnet drum along with others in my industry, I have been bewildered as to what causes this reluctance to accept change. When we look at the advantages of magnetic workholding over conventional clamping, there are very few arguments not to convert:
* Speed of set up
* Accessibility to the workpiece
* Greater machine capacity
* Locational accuracy
* Clamp uniformity
* Ergonomic convenience
* Economy
I am coming to the conclusion that the primary reason is due to the apparent absence of security - fear of the unknown - a bit like the blanket that we carried around as toddlers, we need to be weaned off gently with a fair amount of hand-holding.
Magnetic force is invisible; almost too good to be true. The application of grunt force to the end of a wrench seems much more sensible and reliable. Ironically, today's magnetic force is powerful and predictable, and regardless of whether my daughter pushes the button, or the 250LB machinist pushes the button, the workpiece will be clamped equally as well.
The fact remains that in the past, magnetic chuck suppliers and I have failed to convey a message that is believable and at the same time we have not supported new users adequately in the critical areas of education and training.
I will be making every effort to reverse this trend in the future. The more clients know about this technology, the more they'll be convinced that magnets have a significant place in the management of steel.
