A hydraulic-expansion chuck for clamping a workpiece includes an annular body, an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and an axis of rotation. The chuck also includes a channel integrated into the annular body for receiving a pressurized hydraulic fluid to clamp the workpiece. The channel has an annular peripheral channel section formed radially between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface. The chuck also includes a holding contour with a plurality of expansion lugs disposed on the inner circumferential surface and a plurality of further channel sections branching off from the channel. At least one of the plurality of further channel sections extends into a respective lug of the plurality of expansion lugs, and the hydraulic-expansion chuck is manufactured by an additive manufacturing process.

A clamping device for clamping a workpiece to a machine spindle includes at least one clamping bush which extends around a central axis and has at least one clamping surface for the workpiece and at least one clamping body. The clamping bush on a side remote from the clamping surface at least one support surface which extends about the central axis along a helical line. On a side facing, the clamping bush comprises at least one support surface which extends about the central axis along a helical line with a predefined pitch and is inclined at an angle of inclination to a direction axial to the central axis. The clamping body includes a hydraulic chamber in the interior of the clamping body. The clamping device also includes a displacement element, and at least one pressure generator. A clamping force is generatable between the clamping bush and workpiece.

A clamping device for clamping a workpiece to a machine spindle includes at least one clamping bush which extends around a central axis and has at least one clamping surface for the workpiece and at least one clamping body. The clamping bush on a side remote from the clamping surface at least one support surface which extends about the central axis along a helical line. On a side facing, the clamping bush comprises at least one support surface which extends about the central axis along a helical line with a predefined pitch and is inclined at an angle of inclination to a direction axial to the central axis. The clamping body includes a hydraulic chamber in the interior of the clamping body. The clamping device also includes a displacement element, and at least one pressure generator. A clamping force is generatable between the clamping bush and workpiece.

A robotic tool changer ensures inherently safe decoupling operation by only providing pneumatic fluid to a decouple port of a pneumatic coupling mechanism in the case that the tool changer is seated on, and properly aligned with, a tool stand. Pneumatic fluid to decouple the pneumatic coupling mechanism is routed from an air source to the tool stand. A pass-through in the tool stand returns the pneumatic fluid to a pneumatic path in the tool changer leading to a decouple port of the pneumatic coupling mechanism. Hence, the tool changer must be seated on the tool stand for the decouple port to receive pneumatic fluid to operate. Furthermore, a safety coupling is interposed on the pneumatic path between the tool stand and the decouple port. The safety coupling requires the tool changer to be seated on, and properly aligned with, the tool stand to effect the flow of pneumatic fluid—otherwise, the pneumatic fluid is bled to the atmosphere.

A robotic tool changer ensures inherently safe decoupling operation by only providing pneumatic fluid to a decouple port of a pneumatic coupling mechanism in the case that the tool changer is seated on, and properly aligned with, a tool stand. Pneumatic fluid to decouple the pneumatic coupling mechanism is routed from an air source to the tool stand. A pass-through in the tool stand returns the pneumatic fluid to a pneumatic path in the tool changer leading to a decouple port of the pneumatic coupling mechanism. Hence, the tool changer must be seated on the tool stand for the decouple port to receive pneumatic fluid to operate. Furthermore, a safety coupling is interposed on the pneumatic path between the tool stand and the decouple port. The safety coupling requires the tool changer to be seated on, and properly aligned with, the tool stand to effect the flow of pneumatic fluid—otherwise, the pneumatic fluid is bled to the atmosphere.

A micro-gripper includes a support to which are articulated fingers and an actuating diaphragm, adjusting the spacing of the fingers. The support being circular, the fingers may be arranged in any number around it, and the diaphragm delimits a chamber with the support assembled to an equipment for distributing fluids, the pressure of which elastically deforms the diaphragm and controls a simultaneous movement of variations in spacings of the fingers. If the diaphragm is conical and the fingers link up all around, an independence of the movements of the fingers remains.

A workholder with a sleeve carried by a body and providing at least in part a circumferentially continuous fluid chamber between them and at least two circumferentially spaced apart locators carried by the body axially over the sleeve and projecting radially of the sleeve. A pressurized fluid in the chamber can change the diameter of the sleeve to move the locators generally radially relative to the body into firm engagement with a workpiece so that it is carried by the workholder. The locators may be received in part in a collar received at least in part axially over the sleeve with a portion of each locator projecting radially of the collar.

A spindle apparatus for use at a machine tool, in particular a lathe, has: a spindle assembly including a workpiece spindle to receive an elongated workpiece and a spindle motor for driving spindle rotation; and a rotary guide-bush assembly axially arranged with the workpiece spindle, the rotary guide-bush assembly including a rotary guide-bush to receive the elongated workpiece and supported at the rotary guide-bush assembly to rotate with the elongated workpiece received in the workpiece spindle about the axis while enabling a movement of the elongated workpiece in the axial direction. The spindle and rotary guide-bush assemblies connect to each other by a torque transferring connection, between the spindle and rotary guide-bush assemblies along the axis to transfer driving torque during acceleration or deceleration of the spindle rotation driven by the spindle motor to the rotary guide-bush of the rotary guide-bush assembly.

A tool holder with a main part, a deformable receiving portion for clamping a tool, and at least one blocking element which is designed to engage into a corresponding counter element on the tool in order to prevent the tool from moving axially out of the tool holder. The at least one blocking element is integrally formed with the receiving portion. A clamping system having such a tool holder and a method for producing a receiving portion for such a tool holder are also described.

A jig system with hydraulic expansion clamp mechanism for clamping a work piece includes a plate that is manufactured integrally as one piece using three-dimensional printing. The plate is formed with an expansion chamber that is defined by a surrounding wall for allowing the work piece to extend therethrough, an inlet that is fluidly connected to a hydraulic source that supplies pressurized fluid, and a passage that is fluidly connected to the inlet and the expansion chamber. When pressurized fluid is supplied into the passage from the inlet, the expansion chamber is caused to expand and move the surrounding wail inwardly into contact with the work piece.