A clamping device includes a clamping chuck and a clamping element, which can be clamped thereto. The clamping chuck has a receiving opening for the clamping element and clamping members for clamping the clamping element in the receiving opening. The clamping element is elongated, while the clamping chuck is provided with an elongated receiving opening for the clamping element. A resiliently flexible centering element, which aligns the clamping element in response to the insertion into the receiving opening at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the receiving opening, is arranged on the clamping chuck in the insertion area of the receiving opening. Such a clamping device is suitable in clamping systems by means of which large to very large workpiece carriers can be clamped in the work area of a machine tool in a repeatably accurate manner.

The instant-mount aspect of the present invention allows a user to rapidly accurately dismount a mounted CNC calibration device from a CNC work table, and rapidly replace the CNC calibration device to its previously mounted position within 0.0001, in seconds. The alignment aspect of the present invention allows faster and more robust high-accuracy alignment of a CNC calibration device once it is mounted on a CNC work table. The remote nest aspect of the present invention allows rapid re-positioning of a CNC calibration device within a CNC milling machine cabinet in a way that does not disrupt the data connection between the CNC control computer and the CNC calibration device, and allows for utilization of more of the worktable surface during milling operations.

A tag cassette assembly for use in connection with an engraving process carried out in an engraving machine includes a single piece cassette body of plastic material, the cassette body including a first major side and a second major side and a periphery formed by minor edges; a tag secured in a capture space of the cassette body; wherein the cassette first major side is configured to provide access to a first side of the tag to facilitate engraving and the second major side is configured to provide access to a second side of the tag to facilitate engraving.

A mechanism retains an asymmetric work piece in a fixed orientation during a machining process on diversely positioned surfaces falling on multiple work piece axes. The mechanism includes a body having an upper surface forming an elongated V-shaped groove, a planar lower surface spaced from the upper surface, and a through passage extending between the upper and lower surfaces. A fastener includes an elongated shaft which extends within said passage, and has an upper end emerging within the V-shaped groove for engaging the work piece, and a lower end extending below and configured to abut the lower surface to maintain the shaft under tensile loading. A plurality of discrete mechanisms can be commonly mounted on a machining table in a spaced-apart relationship with the V-shaped grooves in axial alignment to support a single super elongated work piece. The fastener can be axially advanced or retarded to vary tensile loading.

The present invention relates to a clamping mechanism that is configured to securely hold a workpiece in a machine tool, such as, but not limited to a vertical machining center, or a horizontal machining center, etc. More specifically, the clamping mechanism is configured as a modular soft jaw. A multiplicity of clamping mechanisms can be used to cooperatively secure large workpieces. Furthermore, a multiplicity of clamping mechanisms can be incorporated into a job set-up so a multiplicity of workpieces can be processed concurrently. The present invention's clamping mechanism can be secured in orientations such as, but not limited to a machine tool table bed, a fixture plate, a tombstone, etc. The present invention's modular, soft jaw clamping mechanism can be used in conjunction with other work holding equipment, such as, but not limited to jigs, fixtures, tools, vises, clamps, etc.

A T-slot mounting and alignment system for non-rigidly mounting a workpiece or fixture to a work-piece positioner table, welding positioner table or machine tool table having one of more T-slots includes a T-dog, a dog nut, at least one bolt, and at least one fastener. The at least one fastener fastens the T-dog to the workpiece or fixture, and a dog stem of the T-dog extends through a guide slot in the workpiece or fixture and into the T-slot in the table. The dog nut mates with the at least one bolt and tightens to engage a distal end of the dog stem, wherein clearance is provided in the assembled structures to prevent the workpiece or fixture from being tightly clamped against the table. Consequently, compensation for misalignments is possible during setup.

A work holding clamp system for securing a workpiece to a work surface having a work surface T-slot arranged along an ‘X’ axis, comprised of a base plate secured to the work surface and having a plurality of T-slots, each of the plurality of T-slots are aligned with one of a plurality of axis including at least the ‘X’ axis and a ‘Y’ axis that is transverse to the ‘X’ axis. The work holding clamp system includes a workholding element selected from the group consisting of wedge clamps, pivot clamps and workstops, that may be secured within a T-slot of the plurality of T-slots provided in the base plate.

A clamp includes a base portion and a grip portion. The base portion has a base end. The base portion includes an outer cylindrical member disposed about a clamp center axis. The outer cylindrical member extends from the base end to an outer distal end. The outer distal end of the outer cylindrical member defines an annular first clamping surface disposed about the clamp center axis. The outer cylindrical member defines a base internal cavity extending from a base opening. The grip portion includes a cylindrical body and a grip member extending radially outward from the cylindrical body. The grip portion includes a second clamping surface. The cylindrical body is configured to be positioned within the base internal cavity of the base portion such that the second clamping surface of the grip portion radially overlaps the annular first clamping surface of the base portion.

An elongated T-slot protection device comprising an elongated member having a body, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of legs. The protection device is placeable into an elongated opening of a T-slot, and covers the elongated opening to prevent debris from entering the T-slot formed in a work surface.

A pallet clamp includes a clamp receiver 110 and a clamp 130. The clamp receiver 110 has an abutted surface 111 with serrations, whereas the clamp 130 has an abutting surface 132 with serrations. The clamp receiver 110 has both of a pressed surface 180 and a counter pressed surface 181 which face in directions perpendicular to the direction along the extension of the serrations. A biasing means 150 press-fits the clamp receiver 110 and the clamp 130 to each other so that the abutting surface 132 and the abutted surface 111 come into tight contact with each other, which causes the pressed surface 180 and the counter pressed surface 181 to be pressed in opposite directions.