A workpiece clamping device for a machine tool is provided, which has a base, first and second clamping jaws between which a workpiece is clampable, a drive, and an actuating element which is displaceable relative to the base and which is coupled to the first clamping jaw. A movement of the actuating element is brought about by the drive and the actuating element brings about a displacement of the first clamping jaw. A transmitter is arranged on the actuating element and is displaceable together with the actuating element and is displaceable relative to the actuating element. A first stop and a spaced-apart second stop are provided, between which stops the transmitter is displaceable together with the actuating element. When the transmitter abuts against the first or second stop, the transmitter is displaceable relative to the actuating element. A sensor is provided for detecting one or more positions of the transmitter.

A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

A workpiece fixing jig 1 includes a base 2 to be fixed on a table, and a clamping mechanism 10 provided on the base 2 for clamping a workpiece. The clamping mechanism 10 includes a first clamping portion 20 and a second clamping portion 30 provided to face each other. At least one of the first and second clamping portions 20 and 30 is configured to move forward and backward with respect to the other along a moving direction and the moving direction is set to a direction intersecting a direction in which the base 2 is fixed on the table. In using this workpiece fixing jig 1, the base 2 is fixed on the table after the workpiece is clamped between the first clamping portion 20 and the second clamping portion 30.

A system and method for using a robotic arm and a part gripping jaw to tend a CNC machine. A robotic arm picks up a part gripping jaw and used the jaw to grip a part, and moves the part into a vise in the CAN machine. The part gripping jaw has features which the vise engages, and secures the part in the part gripping jaw for processing in the CNC machine. The system and method includes a novel racking system, robotic end of arm tool, jaw grippers and vise system. The jaw grippers that hold the part are moved from the rack system, with the part to be processed, by the robot, to the vise where the vise uses the jaw grippers to secure the part for processing. After the part is processed, the robot removes the part from the vise with the jaw grippers and stores the part back into the rack system using the jaw grippers.

A vise system and method of manufacture of thereof includes: a base frame having an upper rail, a base portion, and a vise channel; a handhold vent in a lateral sidewall of the base portion; a jaw carrier assembly within the vise channel of the base frame; and a jaw assembly attached to the jaw carrier assembly.

A clamping device includes a zero-point clamping system, which can be actuated by a working medium; a machine vice, which can be coupled to the system; and a gripping and positioning device for transporting and positioning the machine vice on the zero-point clamping system. The zero-point clamping system contains at least one coupling element and the gripping and positioning device contains a docking device having at least one docking element, which can be coupled to the coupling element, for supplying the working medium to the system. To facilitate coupling, the at least one coupling element of the system is offset parallel to a receiving opening for a clamping element on the machine vice, and the at least one docking element is positioned in such a way that it is coupled to the coupling element by retraction of the clamping element located on the machine vice into the receiving opening.

A system and method for transferring a part being machined from a first fixture to a second fixture so that an un-machined side of the part can be exposed for machining, where the first fixture is secured to a first actuator and the second fixture is secured to a second actuator. The method includes securing the part to the first fixture and machining the part on sides of the part except a side of the part coupled to the first fixture. The method slides the first actuator away from the second actuator, operates the first actuator and the second actuator so that the part secured to the first fixture is aligned with the second fixture, slides the first actuator back towards the second actuator, secures the part to the second fixture and releases the part from the first fixture, and slides the first actuator away from the second actuator again.

A machine tool fixture to aid in positioning a part to be machined within a vise includes a vise block attachable to the vise, and a primary takeoff movably couplable to the vise block. A primary rod extends from the primary takeoff, and a receiving bore is formed in the vise block. A set screw bore intersects the receiving bore. A set screw is receivable within the set screw bore and bears upon a locking disk positioned between the primary rod and the set screw. The locking disk has a set screw contact surface and a rod contact surface, a contour of the rod contact surface matching a contour of a portion of an outer surface of the primary rod. A locating armature is configured to contact a part to be machined on the machining table to properly position the part relative to the machining table.