I often run large parts that would be greatly simplified by the type of clamping provided by zero point clamps, but don't require the automation or precision that comes with them.
A good example is a large hook that I've just machined - 320mm thick plate, barely fits on our 3m x 2m table. All edges are fully contoured and profiled, making it very difficult to hold on to effectively on the second side.
The cheapest zero point clamp I can find is about £650 for a single mechanical/air release unit. I can't swing that on a single job if I'd need half a dozen of them, and I don't have a running job that would really benefit from them that I could offset the cost against.
Does anyone make any workholding systems similar to zero point clamps, but with more emphasis on one off parts/awkward setups? Ideally cheaper, something that you would buy as needed on a job by job basis. I could get away with a few holes on the bottom of these types of parts, but a dovetail a la the Technigrip for example would be unacceptable.
A good example is a large hook that I've just machined - 320mm thick plate, barely fits on our 3m x 2m table. All edges are fully contoured and profiled, making it very difficult to hold on to effectively on the second side.
The cheapest zero point clamp I can find is about £650 for a single mechanical/air release unit. I can't swing that on a single job if I'd need half a dozen of them, and I don't have a running job that would really benefit from them that I could offset the cost against.
Does anyone make any workholding systems similar to zero point clamps, but with more emphasis on one off parts/awkward setups? Ideally cheaper, something that you would buy as needed on a job by job basis. I could get away with a few holes on the bottom of these types of parts, but a dovetail a la the Technigrip for example would be unacceptable.