Smart Clamping
The BLOCK-SC 4.0 consists of a real time monitored and sensorized clamping system, that allows detecting wirelessly and precisely the correct or incorrect position of the clamping jaws and the pressure in the system.
The system has a user-friendly, wireless and inexpensive set of components that allow the detection, visualization and management of the clamping conditions of the work-piece at any time, avoiding automatically unnecessary machining in case of wrong placement of work-pieces.
The BLOCK-SC 4.0 system
Designed for working in hostile environments (high temperatures, chips, cutting fluids, turning tables, mo- ving tooling, etc.) it is fitted with a potentiometer that accurately measures the position of the jaws. When the work-piece is changed, it is not necessary to manually modify the position of the potentiometer in order to detect the new position.
A pressure switch detects the pressure in the system. Pressure over the work-piece must be ensured in addi- tion to having the work-piece clamped by the jaws.
The wireless communication system, based on wireless sensorization and monitoring, is a key element. Due to the working environment of clamping systems, wired communication between sensors and the control unit or robot is not feasible.
All these elements are essential to avoid machining of incorrect work-pieces, which in many cases cause dis- ruptions in the production process.
Elements of the system
Characteristics of the system
- Simple, reliable and lasting coupling to the BLOCK-SC.
- Extremely compact.
- Completely watertight, IP67 water ingress protection standard.
- Resistant to elements such as chips and coolants.
- It sends information of the position of the jaws wirelessly through RF with a maximum latency of 3 seconds.
- There is no electrical connection with the outside.
- Equipped with long-lasting batteries
Control unit
It is equipped with a touch screen that allows both monitorization of each block as well as configuration of the different units. Small in size, it shows clear and intuitive information that allows the user to navigate through the existing menus in an user friendly way.
Provided with access rights in order to limit certain actions to defined users.
It can receive information from a maximum of12 blocks, each of them related to a specific pressure and position sensor.
The touch screen shows the status of each block, if the work-piece is clamped or not, if the clamping is done properly and whether there is pressure. In addition, it also contains several configuration tabs that allow:
- Assign each BLOCK the position and pressure detection unit.
- Wireless calibration of position and pressure de- tection units.
- Define the correct clamping position and the unclamped position for each block and type of work-piece to be machined.
The display screen is protected by a housing that gua- rantees correct operation in an industrial environ- ment. It has potential free relay outputs for accessing and machining signals that make possible a connec- tion with a robot or similar, offering a complete elec- trical insulation.