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.