At the LIGNA 2007, the vacuum specialist J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten presents a new small-part vacuum clamping system to the international public. With this system, even demanding wooden parts with small dimensions can be clamped flexibly and rationally on woodworking centres with console tables (or smooth or slotted tables). The small-part clamping system is a completely new development and is based on only a few components: a base plate made of an extruded aluminium section and so-called suction pins which are arranged in a grid pattern. The aluminium bases are ready for installation and can be mounted as needed on one or more consoles. Depending on the shape and composition of the workpiece , a number of suction pins are then activated to form a "suction carpet". This makes it possible to grip workpieces of all shapes and sizes without having to manufacture and install a new clamping device for each different part.

Each suction pin is retractable, rather like the tip of a ball-point pen. When a pin is depressed, it is flush with the surface of the plate and its vacuum supply is deactivated; when it is released by pushing it again, it projects above the surface of the plate and its vacuum supply is activated. Only the pins within the contours of the workpiece are activated, while the other pins remain retracted and inactive. Activation of the desired pins for a given workpiece can be done either manually or with the aid of the CNC program, using the machine spindle. The advantage of the second method is that no further setting up is necessary for machining a part for which a CNC program exists. The system uses two vacuum circuits, one to secure the base plate on the console or the machine table and one to grip the workpiece with the aid of the activated suction pins.

The dimensions of the aluminium base plates are 300 x 200 mm and several such plates can, if necessary, be installed on a console. Special solutions for specific customer applications are also available. Depending on the area, many suction pins can be activated, which means that relatively high holding forces can be achieved even with small workpieces. The tip of each pin has a friction pad, which means that high horizontal forces, such as those which occur during drilling and milling, are no problem. This, in turn, means that high cutting rates can be used, reducing the machining times. The set-up times are also very low, since the suction pins can be unscrewed from the plate and repositioned or replaced as desired. The rubber parts of the suction pins can be replaced quickly if they become worn, which means that productivity is not reduced by interruptions and machine downtimes.