Why dovetail workholding? 
Dovetail workholding is unique and ideal for holding workpieces that require larger metal removal, and multiple machining passes and operations. The puzzle-piece connectivity provides maximum holding strength with minimum material contact.

That means that more of the part is accessible, which is even more advantageous when addressing complex components within limited machining envelopes. All that’s required are a few simple passes with minimal metal removal and your workpiece is ready to grip for a multitude of operations.

(Machining) Five Sides on Five-Axis Machining
One of the key benefits of dovetail workholding is the unique underneath grip that provides the greatest access to workpieces, making it possible for true five sides machining.

​Furthermore, dovetails are a versatile solution that can hold a greater variety of parts, in effect reducing the need for custom fixtures and allowing you to standardize on a clamping method and equipment across a wide variety of workpiece types and sizes.  ​

Why Jergens?
​With Jergens Fixture Pro®, you can take the next step in productivity by adding quick-change to the equation. A new group of modular dovetail vises and adapter bases ensures secure clamping and provides Jergens repeatable quick-change solution so you can spend more time in the cut and less time in part changeover. The combination of this type of high-strength workholding with these new modular vises represents a dramatic decrease in overall setup and cycle times.
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Here's how the math adds up. Part Security + Increased Accessibility + Quick-Change + Number of Parts = Next Level Productivity. Level one: For every securely fixtured workpiece, more operations can be performed without the need to index or reorientate because so much of the workpiece is unencumbered. Level two: When the workpiece needs to be repositioned or changed to the next one, it is done via one of two high-speed changeover solutions - Quick-Loc™ or QLS. Level three: In the case of QLS, several workpieces are loaded along multi-sided columns taking advantage of available vertical (or horizontal) space, filling the machining envelope with numerous parts, and all of those are quick-change as well. Workpieces stay securely clamped in the dovetail vise and adapter base during the changeover to facilitate immediate reloading and secondary operations as needed.

Of the new vises, two are engineered with Jergens Quick-Loc™ pallet system and include industry-standard patterns 52mm and 96mm. With a single drive screw, Quick-Loc™ provides fast and repeatable fixture changes for small tooling platforms. A square aluminum adapter base provides the connection to either of the two patterns. A third vise features Jergens Quick Locating System (QLS) mount, for column-mounting possibilities, and a corresponding round adapter base.

The famous Vulcan greeting from Star Trek takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to tool life. This was recently proven at Apex CNC Swiss, a machine shop specializing in high precision complex parts machined from hard materials and alloys.

According to Chuck Fluharty, co-owner of Apex,

“We were machining an electronics circuit board standoff in 303 stainless on a Star SR-20RIII machine. The part required a 0.180" (4.6 mm) deep hole threaded with a 0-80 thread. At the time, we were working with tooling from a well-known German maker that delivered 200 to 300 parts before tool failure. We did not feel that this was acceptable and, when we contacted the manufacturer’s technical support, they advised that that performance was ‘normal.’ We immediately began to look for an alternative.”

When Chuck and his team tried the Carmex mini mill-thread design, they saw production rise to more than 2,000 parts. More than that, they completed a further 500 parts in 17-4 stainless prior to failure.

Easier Positioning And Clamping For Multiple Part Setups
Many machining operations benefit from multiple part setups, right? Maximize machine uptime, capacity and capability.

Size, shape and complexity of surfaces to be machined usually dictate what’s possible. So does the total machining envelope that the CNC will allow. Jergens has an answer to how to best position and clamp the highest number of parts while staying clear of tool paths and spindle movements – sound OK?

Watch Your Machining Take Off On A Rail
The OK-Vise® is Jergens low profile modular clamping system that uses the RM Multi-Rail and clamping modules to hold tight and stay out of the way. General-purpose and totally customizable, Multi-Rail and the other OK-Vise® system components, make it possible, even easy, to configure your workholding exactly to your need in order to optimize machining.

We’ve recently added a number of fixture set components for even greater ease of use and capability, including Parallels and Side Guides for positioning, as well as Clamp and Stop Modules to hold workpieces securely during machining.

Getting Positioned For Productivity 
QuicklyT Slot, magnetic and Snap-in Parallels assist in the positioning of a workpiece on the RM rail, avoiding contact with the serrations through a raised datum surface. Mechanical and magnetic Side Guides also assist in positioning the workpiece. They are mounted either to the tapped holes in the side of the rail or via the strong magnet for a wide range adjustment and the ability to move rapidly from one location to another. You can adjust each side guide for a specific product while keeping the guide ready for the next production batch.

Clamped In And Held Tight
Holding workpieces securely with OK-Vise® is done with Clamp and Stop Modules. In addition to our full line, we have added new B and D Series Clamp Modules that feature a standard clamp combined with a riser plate (B Series), socket head cap screw, and t-nut, as well as a choice of jaw faces – smooth, serrated, mixed and mounting jaw. Stop Modules hold fast against clamping pressure and are also available in several styles including smooth, serrated, knife, V-stops – both vertical and horizontal – and more.
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In total, this system provides near-endless fixture configurations, consistent holding and machining of challenging workpieces both large and small including multiples clamped simultaneously, and the ability to mount to the Jergens Quick Locating (QLS) Grid System for next-level productivity.
For more information on the new OK-Vise® additions, or any of our complete line of workholding solutions, don't hesitate to contact us. 

Hoffman Estates, IL – BIG KAISER, a global leader in premium high-precision tooling systems and solutions for the metalworking industries, introduced Hydraulic Chucks for Swiss lathes in 2018, the first improvement to the technology in more than 30 years. This year, the program has expanded to include inch-size Standard Type chucks, as well as new F Type and R Type chucks.

Standard Type Hydraulic Chucks with tool-side clamping are now available in inch sizes with the clamping range of ø1/8”, 3/16” and 1/4”.

The new F Type’s single wrench enables easy cutting tool changes on the tool post. The easy-access rear clamping design is ideal for front tool post. Clamping from the opposite side of the cutting tool and optimum-length design improves overall ease of use. The F Type is available in a clamping range of ø3-10mm and coolant delivery is possible with an Rc(PT)1/8’’ screw.

The new R Type eliminates interference at both the upper or lower tool post positions with a unique block design and tightening at an offset position in the tool side. The R Type is available in a clamping range of ø3-10mm and its oil hole drills can be used for coolant delivery when mounted on the upper section.

To minimize machine downtime and provide operator safety, these Hydraulic Chucks use a simple hex wrench that requires only two to three turns for both clamping and unclamping. Tightening is complete when the clamping screw hits the bottom; controlling tightening torque is not needed.

​Once a Hydraulic Chuck is centered, the runout will not vary, even if a cutting tool is changed repeatedly. Runout of fewer than three microns at four times diameter can be achieved. Hydraulic Chucks have a standard pipe thread for coolant-through connection and are available for most Citizen and Star machines with 3/4'’ or 22mm straight shank.

We hope you can join Platinum Tooling for a FREE online Webinar hosted by GIE Media, Inc., this Thursday, June 17th at 9am to 9:30 am (Pacific time).

During this Manufacturing event, Preben Hansen, President of Platinum Tooling and longtime leading expert in the machine tool accessory market, will detail recent advancements in live tooling, angle heads and speed increasers.

In 2010, Preben started a partnership with Heimatec GmbH to be the exclusive importer of Heimatec products in North America. From there he grew his business and in 2018, bought out heimatec and formed his new company, Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc (PTTI). PTTI became the importer for North America of heimatec products, along with several other machine tool accessory lines, including Henninger, Tecnicrafts, and AMF.
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It’s easy to sign up…simply click the link below to register:

Champion Tool Storage currently have a variety of career opportunities available! Join their growing brand that is manufacturing high quality tool boxes and storage cabinets in Hood River.

Full time/ part time positions available, on the job training, paid vacation days, great team members!

To apply, email jobs@championbuilt.com or stop by at
Champion Tool Storage
3070 Lower Mill Drive
Hood River, OR 97031.

Next Generation Tooling has relocated the Northern California warehouse to a new expanded facility in Lodi, CA,

"This new place has a bigger demonstration area than our old facility," said Chris Savolainen, "we can now bring in some CNC equipment to run cutting tools for training and testing. But, more importantly, it has the power requirements we needed to be able to do that."

Chris continued. "The biggest feature of the new facility in Lodi is that it is so much easier for customers from the Bay Area and other parts of Northern California to get to us due to its more central location."

Get in touch with us is you would like to scheduled for one of our TECHNICAL TRAINING classes!.