Zero point clamping system

Zero point accuracy with equaliser

The STARK.balance fast closing clamp offers a very large equalisation of ± 0.75 mm and has been specially developed to meet the special requirements for direct clamping and large pallets.

Functional principle

• During the clamping process, the retractable nipple moves into the fast closing clamp until it rests against the piston crown.
• The clamping mechanism (1) & (2) can equalise for position deviations from the retractable nipple to the element with little force.
• For the equaliser element in one axis and for the element without centring in the X and Y axis (± 0.75 mm).

Equalisation via fast clamping clamp

Area of application

• Different materials between pallet and plate
• Pallets with the same retractable nipple
• For a large number of pallets
• Direct tool clamping
• Tolerance range ± 0.75 mm

Low production costs
For large centre distances, the advantage of a large equalisation can lead to much cheaper manufacture and thus significant cost savings. There are no processing steps, which also reduces the
cycle time for the manufacturing of fast closing plates and pallets.

Thermal expansion
Temperature changes, e.g. night 17 °C / day 32 °C, require special precautions to prevent redundant dimensioning (e.g. in the case of aluminium, this change in temperature modifies a centre distance
from 1000 mm to 1000.36 mm).

Manufacturing tolerances
Due to the large equalisation, it is sufficient to prepare the position of the elements and retractable nipples with generous tolerances. The entire system is always zero point accurate.

You determine the zero point.
Zero point and axis alignment are retained and are always known. A total of up to ± 0.75 mm can be compensated.

Direct clamping

Clamping directly on thread

STARK has developed the STARK.balance product families for the special requirements for direct workpiece clamping.
The STARK.balance series has special advantages: existing threads on the workpiece can be used. A special fit is not required. Thanks to an integrated equaliser function in the clamping element ± 0.75 mm, the workpiece can be clamped directly in the thread without any additional effort.
The retractable nipples are available with different threads. They can be screwed in either manually or automatically. The system is zero point accurate and therefore the workpiece can be used across several machines or for intermediate measurements.

Example requirements

• Workpiece processing with zero point accuracy across multiple machines
• 5-side accessibility
• Use existing threads on the workpiece
• Zero point oriented flexibility
• Equaliser options for tolerances and temperature variation
• Predestined for castings

Release hydraulically:

• The piston (2) is subjected to the hydraulic pressure (1) and moves upwards. The spring assembly (3) is compressed.
• The balls in the ball retainer (4) move outwards to the parking position.
• The retractable nipple (5) moves into the fast closing clamp until it rests against the piston crown.
• The clamping mechanism can equalise for position deviations from the retractable nipple to the element with little force. For the equaliser element in one axis and for the element without centring in the X and Y axis (± 0.75 mm).
• The retractable nipple (5) is pre-positioned.

Clamp mechanically:

• The hydraulics are released. The hydraulic pressure drops to 0 bar.
• The spring pre-tensioning force is initiated via the piston (6), the piston moves down and grips the retractable nipple. The fit is joined and the retractable nipple (7) is positioned with high precision.
• The zero point element positions in both axes and the equaliser element ensures a completely defined system by positioning in one axis.
• The balls (8) lie form-fitted between the piston and the retractable nipple in the contour provided.
• The force of the springs (9) now acts directly and permanently on the retractable nipple and pulls it down into the system.

Detailed information on the STARK.balance product family can be found in the catalogue download: