Many companies are grappling with the question of whether the digitalization of their workpiece clamping technology is worthwhile. They are under cost pressure, need to manufacture increasingly precise components, and must respond to a growing variety of variants. Digital clamping solutions offer clear advantages here, emphasizes Martin Greif, Managing Director of STARK Spannsysteme GmbH, a company of the ROEMHELD Group.
Real-time data for more process safety and quality
Digital zero-point clamping systems and machine vises from STARK can be seamlessly integrated into manufacturing environments and continuously capture the most important process data in real-time with intelligent sensors. 'With our digital clamping solutions, we combine reliable workpiece clamping with the ability to monitor and optimize processes in real-time,' explains Greif. Clamping states ('clamped' / 'released') indicate the secure workpiece fixation.
Precise information on forces and pressures ensures repeatable clamping processes. Information about the workpiece position enables accurate machining, while temperature and wear data indicate necessary maintenance.
Incorrect clamping, wrong positioning, and deviating clamping forces and pressures are immediately detected. This minimizes scrap, reduces setup times, and optimizes machining processes – productivity increases.
In addition, sensor data facilitate predictive maintenance by early warning of wear phenomena. This prevents unplanned machine downtimes and improves process safety.
Easy integration into control systems
Another advantage: Digital clamping elements are IIoT-ready and can be easily integrated into existing control systems. They are therefore ideal for highly precise, automated manufacturing processes and use in CNC machining centers.
They are future-proof, as they already offer the possibility to integrate data and energy transmission in machine tables with electrical interfaces as soon as machine tools are equipped with them. 'Many investments pay off within a few months,' says Greif.
STARK.intelligence – digital process monitoring
The integration of digital zero-point clamping systems into connected manufacturing processes enables the modular sensor system STARK.intelligence. The data it captures can be directly integrated into the machining process via IO-Link interface and used for automated manufacturing. Additionally, it digitally captures the clamping state, provides valuable health data of the clamping tools, and thus enables transparent monitoring as well as condition-based maintenance.
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