New Delphin BIG - a clamping system that takes up to 10ton

Citation

(2007), "New Delphin BIG - a clamping system that takes up to 10ton", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779cad.018

New Delphin BIG - a clamping system that takes up to 10ton

New Delphin BIG – a clamping system that takes up to 10ton

According to System 3R, seldom has one of its product created such a high level of interest and gained such rapid market penetration as the modular Delphin zero-point clamping system.

This machine-independent, highly flexible reference system provides increased productivity through quick changing, accurate positioning and fixing of the workpiece. Initially introduced to handle up to 3ton, new Delphin BIG now meets the need to machine very large workpieces – for example, those required in aerospace or the automotive industry – and can safely handle parts of up to 10ton in weight.

Delphin is an “open” reference system which is not limited by standard pallet sizes. Palletizing the machine table, however large, can be done by the customer or by System 3R to the customer's specification. The advantages said to be gained from palletization by reducing set-up times by up to 90 per cent through pre-setting outside the machine, are benefits whatever the size of workpiece and whether manual or automatic loading is used.

The design of the Delphin BIG conical chuck positioned on the worktable not only has fixed references built-in, but also integrated air cleaning for chip dispersal and a “soft landing” feature. The Z-reference is uniquely located within the clamping ring for extra protection. Depending on the size and weight of the workpiece the user decides the number of chucks to be mounted on each machine table, with their configuration being simply adapted to the specific application needs.

The conical Delphin BIG chuck also said to add greater flexibility to positioning the pallet or workpiece as the clamping rings allow it to be lowered at an angle to the machine table and not just from directly overhead. Because of the heavier weight factor involved, there is a built- in “soft-landing” and lift-off function which operates 3mm from final centering of chuck and clamping rings.

Assured positioning accuracy claimed of better than 5mm, means that several consecutive machining operations can be done in different machines with only one alignment procedure. The mechanical chucks, which are opened hydraulically, generate a self-locking force of 60,000N per chuck, and have automatic cleaning of all the reference surfaces. Heat expansion of ±0.4mm can also be allowed for.