With this addition, the vacuum specialists J. Schmalz GmbH in D-72293 Glatten have reacted to the wishes and suggestions of their customers in trade and industry. Just like the existing suction blocks with a height of 50 mm, the new suction blocks are mechanically fixed on the consoles of the machining centre to prevent them from moving while the workpiece is being positioned. Once the workpiece has been placed on the blocks and the vacuum has been switched on, the suction blocks and the workpiece are clamped precisely and securely to the consoles.

The new 85-mm suction blocks were developed primarily because better access and more free space is frequently needed around the edges of the workpieces for complete machining and for five-axis machining of complex workpieces. Clamping the workpieces on the higher suction blocks results in a considerably increased machining height. In other words, the distance between the console and the lower edge of the workpiece is larger, which means that the edges of the workpiece can be machined more easily and that it is even possible to mill the lower sides around the edges.

Almost all versions of the suction blocks, with the exception of those equipped with sensing valves, are available with a height of 85 mm. With these 85-mm suction blocks, the user can assemble his own vacuum clamping system more flexibly. All necessary data, application notes and ordering information for the new suction blocks can be found in the new brochure "Vacuum Clamping Systems". There is also an online ordering system at www.schmalz.com with which orders can be executed quickly and reliably. The main benefit of this system to our customers is that they can build clamping systems much more quickly and thus react flexibly to the demands of their customers.