problems with existing flexible tooling technology

Impossible to Verify Automatically

Parts can only be cut as accurately as they are held.

Existing flexible tooling systems do not have end effectors that can be positioned or locked, so any verification must be done manually. (read: labor intensive, time consuming and error prone)

Traditional end effector heads pivot freely which makes it impossible to automatically verify position.

Because traditional end effectors cannot be locked, automated probing is impossible no matter how the probe is positioned.

A painful workaround: parallel bars are inserted manually and adjusted to capture distance from end effector to spindle...

and then measured to determine end effector location. This process must be repeated for each actuator, which nullifies the usefulness of the system!

Section view of traditional electric actuator.

Traditional electric actuators are filled with hundreds of complex, powered parts.

Electric actuator upper section, comprised of linear bearings (as shown) or an even more problematic hydraulic clamping sleeve (not shown).

Large traditional electric actuator installations require miles of wiring and tubing.

Complex & Unreliable

Large tooling systems consist of thousands of electronic and mechanical components, all connected by miles of wiring and tubing.

Failure of a single component can compromise the entire system. Waterjet environments are particularly hostile, often causing significant maintenance problems after just a few years.

Limited Flexibility

Traditional Actuators are manually mounted in fixed positions or modified with complex and costly adapters.

Large systems, often incorporating hundreds of these actuators, are costly and time-intensive to assemble – not to mention highly-susceptible to human error.

Part locating fixtures require manual adjustment.

Adapters require time-consuming manual installation.

Actuators must be mounted in angular tables in order to hold deeply curved parts.

Traditional flexible tooling systems can only hold parts for one machine tool.

Facility modifications required for installation of traditional flexible tooling system.

Inefficient & Costly

Due to their size and complexity, the cost of a flexible tooling system often exceeds the machine tool it’s underneath.

Permanent installation requires significant facility modification and ongoing maintenance costs.

All this, for a tool that may only operate a few minutes each day.

Advanced Machine Works

problems with existing flexible tooling technology

Impossible to Verify Automatically

Complex & Unreliable

Limited Flexibility

Inefficient & Costly