With the new Matrix Plate, the vacuum technology specialists J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten are now entering the market for clamping technology for metal-working machines. With the experience gained from innumerable installed vacuum clamping systems for the industrial CNC machining of wooden workpieces and thousands of suction blocks intended for the same purpose, the market leaders in the sector of vacuum clamping technology regard themselves as well-equipped for other applications. The Matrix Plate is a modular vacuum clamping system for the secure fixing and clamping of large-area workpieces, with flat and smooth lower sides, made from metals such as aluminium, titanium or stainless steel or from plastic.

Vacuum clamping systems with additional benefits

Schmalz would not be Schmalz if the new vacuum clamping technology did not differ in its technological highlights from the products of other manufacturers. The matrix base-plates are machined extremely precisely (+/-0.02 mm) from a very hardwearing aluminium material and equipped in the factory with all necessary functional surfaces and connection interfaces. These include additional mechanical stops at the edges of the plate to prevent lateral movement of the clamped workpieces. If necessary, these stops can be removed or repositioned quickly and easily. Hose nozzles are also provided as standard for connection of the vacuum supply or for connecting several Matrix Plates together to form a larger clamping surface. Clamping brackets for securing the Matrix Plate to the machine table are also optionally available. It goes without saying that the Matrix Plate is available in various standard sizes, and these can be combined in a modular manner to cheaply and easily form clamping surfaces of any desired size.

Rubber friction pads provide a high coefficient of friction

But the clever feature of the Matrix Plate - and one which distinguishes it from the products of other manufacturers - is that each Matrix Plate can optionally be equipped with friction pads which considerably increase the coefficient of friction and prevent the workpiece from moving even if it is subjected to high lateral forces during machining. This also means that higher horizontal holding forces are applied directly to the clamped workpiece and that the parts are not only held over the entire surface and without distortion, but that higher feed rates and cutting speeds are possible, depending on the material and the milling tool selected for machining (soft cutter with positive geometry).

Robust and flexible sealing cords for more precision

The Matrix Plates have slots with a cross-section of 5 x 5 mm into which sealing cords are inserted to match the shape and size of the workpiece. These cords compensate for any unevenness on the bottom of the workpiece and thus ensure secure clamping which, in turn, is a prerequisite for reproducibly precise machining and also provides maximal efficiency in the generation of the holding forces by the vacuum. With the new vacuum clamping system from Schmalz, it is possible to securely and precisely clamp large, flat components and workpieces which are very difficult to clamp mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically.

Simple clamping and easy set-up and conversion

For even more precise clamping of critical workpieces, it is also possible to machine the Matrix Plates with a milling head after they have been mounted on the machine table to achieve an accuracy in the order of 1/1000 mm. Clamping and releasing of the workpieces can be controlled with a foot switch or a manual switch (interlocked with the CNC controller of the machining centre or milling machine). Furthermore, one or more Matrix Plates can be installed or repositioned very easily and quickly, thus improving the application flexibility of the machines.