The production departments of companies which machine wood and plastic are often equipped with modern, high-performance CNC machining centres with fast tool-changing facilities, but the handling and clamping of the workpieces is still done conventionally, not to say slowly and clumsily. It is an anachronism that this cancels out the time-savings achieved with the machines and prevents productivity improves.

The prerequisites for the use of vacuum clamping systems on modern CNC woodworking centres made by the various manufacturers differ as widely as the machines themselves. No problem, says the vacuum specialist J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten, whose wide product range of vacuum clamping systems includes, for example, standardised vacuum clamping systems with which the CNC woodworking centres from the well-known Italian manufacturers Biesse and SCM/Morbidelli can be equipped very individually.

The suction blocks used here are fully compatible with the originals and thus fit precisely into the mountings on the widely used Italian CNC machining centres. The suction blocks VC-B and VC-S are now available in new sizes, permitting retrofitting on all machines made by the two Italian companies. In addition, the adapter plates can be used to extend to clamping range as far as the end stops, permitting even narrow and curved workpieces to be positioned precisely. The suction blocks VC-B and VC-S are equipped as standard with sensing valves, which means that unused bocks can be left on the console. Even the usable Z height is maintained, since the suction blocks can be used either alone or together with the original suction pads. The users save money and can gradually convert their machines to the high-quality standard suction pads from Schmalz, whose sealing lips can be replaced quickly and easily, without the need for adhesives, when they become worn.

In addition to the vacuum clamping system VC-B/VC-S, Schmalz offers four other clamping-technology solutions for all conceivable applications. Vacuum clamping systems from Schmalz are fitted as original equipment on many machines and are also ideal for upgrading existing and older machining centres. Thanks to the wide range of components, vacuum clamping systems can be mounted on the tables of machines made by almost all manufacturers (such as Homag, IMA, Weeke, HolzHer, Masterwood, SCM/Morbidelli, Biesse, Busellato, Anderson, etc.).