Welcome to the future of workholding

With technology in our industry endlessly evolving, it’s important that YMT Technologies continues to offer you the very best workholding and toolholding solutions available. After weeks of rigorous testing and examination by our experienced applications team and by many of our current 5th Axis Workholding users, we have decided to move forward with an alternative supplier for our 5 axis vices and our mechanical zero-point bases. Our new range of workholding solutions enables far greater performance and flexibility for your fixturing requirements going forward.

With that being said, we’re thrilled to announce that YMT Technologies are now UK partners with Jergens for their Fixture-Pro® 5 Axis vices and Quick-Loc zero point bases. Jergens have been making workholding solutions for 80 years, and with such experience and expertise, they have developed the best performing and most flexible self-centring vices available in the world today. Along with Jergens extensive range of 52/96 zero-point systems, we now have a range of fixturing solutions to accommodate almost all applications.

“This is an incredible acquisition for YMT Technologies and we’re incredibly proud to represent such a household name here in the UK,” said Luke Puplett, Development Manager at YMT Technologies, “With numerous jaw and insert options, the Jergens Fixture-Pro® vice range is the most flexible self-centring vice in the world today.”

“There is a growing need for automating the manufacturing process in our workshops” Luke Puplett continues, “With many businesses looking towards palletised automation products, it’s important that YMT Technologies can offer not only quality workholding products to give your parts security for lights-out machining, but it’s fundamental that we offer you outstanding flexibility to ensure the product can be used for a high number of different applications. Jergens Fixture-Pro® vices and Quick-Loc zero-point pallets are the perfect solution.”

Jergens have really thought about all aspects of the Fixture-Pro® self-centring vice range. Due to their unique pull-down jaw design, all Fixture-Pro® vices are equipped with quick-change jaws which means no tools are required to swap or reverse the jaws. With jaw lift being a common occurrence in many self-centring vices, the Fixture-Pro® vices do two things to successfully eliminate it. The vice captures the front of the jaw with an angle that forces the jaw down as it builds resistance. The second design Jergens implemented allows the carrier to float, so when the clamps build resistance, the top of the jaw carrier and the bottom of the jaw pinches the rail that runs the length of the vice and forces the back part of the jaw down too. These two important features ensure the entirety of the vice jaw is contacting the rail and is therefore providing unmatched rigidity for OP1 and OP2.

Jergens Fixture-Pro® vices are equipped with 96mm and/ or 52mm pitch patterns in the bottom of the vice, which are compatible with Jergens Quick-Loc pallets, Lang Quick Point, 5th Axis Rocklock and others. The Jergens mounting stud receivers are the same as the Lang version; this means both Jergens and Lang systems can interchange without the need to swap mounting studs.

Luke Puplett finalises, “Jergens Fixture-Pro® vices and Quick-Loc bases are manufactured to the highest standards, with every feature created with the operator in mind. YMT Technologies and Jergens will work closely together over the coming years and we’re very excited about what the future holds.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL JERGENS WORKHOLDING RANGE 

The ultimate heavy duty angle head

Since YMT’s inception in 1981, the company’s profound understanding of machining applications has allowed it to source an unmatched range of cost-effective equipment that enables machine tools to realise their full productive potential. Rather than being an added cost, the efficiencies made possible by YMT’s tooling division provides users with rapid ROI’s and improved profits. A perfect example of YMT’s range is the popular OMG products.

With over 50 years of experience within the global machine tool business, OMG has developed unmatched levels of expertise in the design and manufacture of high quality tapping spindles, multi spindle heads and spindle speed increasers. The company boasts a comprehensive series of robust, high quality Angle Heads that cover a wide range of application.

The OMG TA range

The comprehensive OMG TA range is now regarded as the ultimate heavy duty Angle Head series by users throughout the world.

Whether a requirement is for higher spindle speeds or to machine components at various angles, OMG’s high-quality TA spindles are able to increase machining capabilities and to boost efficiencies. The use of OMG’s TA Angle Heads allows users to release the full latent potential of their machine tools, to broaden the scope of the work they undertake and to enter new markets.

Recognising the need for high levels of adaptability, complementing its application specific range of TA Angle Heads, OMG has developed an advanced modular TA Angle Head system that allows users to achieve cost reductions and to increase profits. Also, on the rare occasion that a product from OMG’s standard TA Angle Head range will not meet a customer’s specific requirements, the company is able to design and manufacture special Angle Heads to satisfy the most challenging of applications.

All OMG TA Angle Heads are supplied with an internal channel coolant system. OMG TA Angle Heads’ standard torque arms allows the head to be changed automatically. The coupling system between the conical pin, which can be axially adjusted, and the “V”-housing of the stop-block, allows the closing of the space between the parts. This results in a rigid, backlash free system that delivers maintenance savings, in addition to extending both tool life and bearings life.

Also available, for maximum stability – The OMG TriBlock and QuadBlock torque arm systems, each with an adjustable pin, allowing both radial and axial thrusts to be effectively opposed and providing the possibility of milling or finishing with total security.

All standard OMG TA Angle Heads are made from solid steel resulting in maximum strength, minimum possible size (ideal for thin wall milling) and less weight. Each body is niploy treated and anti-corrosion coated, giving the guarantee of high levels of protection against rust as well as acid and aggressive lubricant-coolants. Each TA Angle Head contains precision bearings, or when models are intended for high stock removal conditions, tapered roller bearings. Lubrication is provided by long-life grease.

The OMG MO series spindle speeders

The OMG “MO” series of spindle speeders has been designed and developed to provide a high quality product that ensures maximum reliability and precision in milling, drilling and engraving applications. OMG’s technically superior spindle speeders are a result of decades of accumulated know-how and intense R&D. The MO series delivers a maximum speed 35.000 rpm, whilst the range allows the machine tool to rotate at low rpm and also provides the possibility of using hard metal tools. The series’ compact design, robust construction, heat-treated steel parts and the use of involute ground gears guarantees the transmission of high power ratings with amazingly low noise levels.

Available with manual or automatic tool change options and with coolant through the tool centre as standard or on request, the MO series spindles are supported by a set of preloaded precision ball bearings with oblique contacts that ensure greater strength and rotation precision of less than 0,01 mm.

 

TA.CP light duty angle heads

The new generation of TA.CP angle heads represents an innovative range that is ideal for use on smaller machine-tools. Although the reduced weight and size of the TA.CP angle heads applies less of a load to tool changers, the innovative, strong product delivers high levels of performance. TA.CP angle heads remarkable low weight characteristics have been achieved by manufacturing the head body from aeronautical aluminium alloy and by engineering a simplified and lightened torque-arm system.

Feel it in the air

Advances in modern CNC machines have increased productivity and increased the need for better lubrication in order to keep up with the faster spindle speeds and demands of today’s machine tools. These advances have also led to an increase in metalworking fluids being generated and emitted into the air. Without an efficient extraction system, such as those produced by AR Filtrazioni, these airborne metalworking fluids can pose a potential health threat to the employees and cause environmental concerns.

 

Exclusively represented in the UK and Eire by YMT Technologies Tooling Division, AR Filtrazioni designs, develops and manufactures its industry-leading products at a 3,500 m2 state-of-the-art facility in Bergamo, Italy. With over 30 years’ experience of producing oil and mist extracting systems, the company is at the forefront of research and development within the air purification industry. With health and safety being a major influence in many workplaces and with growing public interest regarding climate change, AR Filtrazioni has developed products to address these important issues.

 

Metalworking fluids (MWFs) provide many positive attributes. However, operators can be exposed to MWFs by inhaling aerosols (mists). The amount of mist generated and resulting level of exposure depends on many factors, such as the type of fluid and its application process; the temperature of the fluid; the specific machining or grinding operation; the presence of splash guarding; and the effectiveness of the extraction system in capturing and removing the mist.

 

Suitable for ‘at source’ extraction, as a one-to-one, multiple extract or ‘free-hanging’ application, AR Filtrazioni’s wide range of air filtration systems efficiently remove airborne contaminants such as coolant mist, oil mist and smoke generated by lathes, grinding machines, milling machines, 3-, 4- and 5-axis machining centres, and so on.

 

These products guarantee a healthy working environment with clean air, in compliance with all Health and Safety Regulations in force in every country across the globe. With low running costs and maintenance requirements the efficient operation of the extraction system can extend the lifespan of the machine tool and increase precision in the machining process. Every system has to pass strict quality and inspection tests so the reasonable investment required can be recouped in a very short timeframe.

 

Designed as modular units for versatility the company offers a series of products for the removal of oil mist, smoke, dust and odours produced during the manufacturing process. Two of the most popular ranges are the Arno Series and the Eco Series.

 

For use on machine tools carrying out heavy duty production over multiple shifts, the Arno Series has substantially constructed elements to provide reliable around-the-clock operation. Up to five filter stages, which can be specified according to the type of pollutant and kind of machining process, reduces the residual concentration of pollutant in the air at the exhaust to less than 0.1 mg/m3. Suitable for all machine tools, including machining centres, lathes, grinding machines, boring machines, shaping machines, laser cutting and electro discharge machines (EDM), the Arno Series provides an airflow rate of between 1,000 and 4,000 m3 per hour to extract oil mist, smoke and micro-dust.

With an airflow rate of between 500 and 730 mper hour, the Eco Series of air cleaners are designed for direct attachment to most machine tools – removing airborne particulate from the machining enclosure and protecting operators, computers, machinery, and supporting plant. A high quality, compact solution the Eco Series is suitable for suction and purification of oil mist, micro-dust and smoke produced during wet or dry machining processes. The filtration unit is equipped with a drainage system for the recovery of re-condensed coolant liquid.

 

These industrial systems are designed to be ducted or mounted directly to machine tools, and feature variable speed controllers for precise management of airflow and subsequent negative pressure within the machine tool enclosure. Compact and highly efficient, these extraction units feature high efficiency motors for near silent operation and reduced operation energy consumption.

 

“Efficient extraction will not only reduce the exposure levels of machine operators and other staff to MWF aerosols, but also improve the working environment because coolant vapour will not be condensed on the walls and ceilings,” explains Luke Puplett, YMT Technologies’ Tooling and Equipment Manager.

 

The severity of any MWF aerosols generated and subsequent exposure depends on a wide variety of factors. In general, the exposure will be higher if the operator is in close proximity to the machine, the operation involves high tool speeds and deep cuts, if the machine is not enclosed, or if extraction equipment was improperly selected or poorly maintained. Additionally, high-pressure and/or excessive fluid application, contamination of the fluid with tramp oils, and improper fluid selection and maintenance will tend to result in higher exposures.

 

Luke Puplett concludes: “To minimise the potential health risks associated with occupational exposures to metalworking fluids manufacturers need a fluid care plan and a correctly specified extraction system. Choosing the most appropriate filter to meet your needs is simply a matter of contacting YMT, our technicians are available to evaluate the application for free, make the appropriate recommendations and quote the best solution.”