Fresmak, S. A., has exhibited a 3-sided pyramid – as shown in the photograph – with three ARNOLD SC vices at the EMO show in Hannover.
It is surprising that such an ancient geometrical figure should be so useful with ultra modern 5-axis machining centres.
Most of these machines work with tilting machines. This means that the milling head has the standard 3 axis and that the table tilts and rotates. In order to machine the work-piece, the milling head needs to be perpendicular to it and this is done by the table.
These machines are capable of positioning at 90º, rotated to the horizontal or vertical milling head. The greater angles to these are called ‘negative angles’. These angles can be up to 130º and above but never over 180º. The pyramids, as opposed to cubes or columns, are specially useful when the parts to be machined require greater negative angles than those provided by the machine table.
This geometric form together with vices provides greater flexibility for these machines now flooding the market.
