STARK Spannsysteme presents six innovations in workpiece clamping technology at EMO. At the center is the STARK.spheric for distortion-free clamping. It has been specifically designed for the volumetric machining of large workpieces and is therefore a real game-changer, especially in the aerospace sector. Additionally, there are new collet nipples for direct clamping of particularly thin-walled components.
Innovations in clamping vices include pendulum jaws for the HILMA.NC to fix cast parts and flame cuts with rough edges, as well as the 5-axis clamping device HILMA.UC 125 with an extended clamping range for heavy-duty parts. Furthermore, STARK showcases the automation vice HILMA.ASH 125 with integrated sensors and hydraulic-free clamping with 24-volt technology in the new electric vice HILMA.EC 100.
Trade fair premiere: Also machining large volumes without stress with STARK.spheric
As a means against residual stresses in volumetric machining that lead to warping after releasing the clamping devices, the STARK.spheric celebrates its trade fair premiere. It addresses this problem, which exists, for example, in the aerospace industry, with a combination of zero-point clamping, pendulum compensation, and length correction.
The system allows workpieces to be specifically relaxed between machining steps without losing the exact position – the zero-point position remains stable at all times. It compensates for angular deviations of up to five degrees and length differences of up to 1.5 millimeters in a process-safe manner. At the same time, the axis alignment is maintained. This allows even difficult clamping situations to be handled precisely, such as carrier structures with two clamping points and clamping of flat components with three-point support.
Directly clamping thin-walled components
Another innovation is new collet nipples for direct clamping in thin-walled components. With only three millimeters of screw-in depth, they can also be integrated into sensitive workpieces. Accordingly, the material loss is also minimal when a threaded hole attached for workpiece clamping is removed later. In combination with the quick-clamping closure STARK.balance, even inaccurate drillings are securely held by the compensation mechanism. Direct clamping offers full accessibility for 5-axis machining without disturbing edges.
Securely clamping cast parts and flame cuts
Solutions for difficult clamping situations with cast parts and flame cuts with rough or skewed edges now offer innovative pendulum jaws for the 3-axis machine vice HILMA.NC. It has clamping forces of up to 50 kN and allows process-safe clamping with the new movable jaws at inaccurate component edges.
Downward clamping device HILMA.UC 125
For large and heavy workpieces, such as in tool or mold making, STARK has expanded the modular 5-axis clamping device HILMA.UC 125. A new base extension with an optional middle jaw allows clamping spans of up to one meter for heavy loads and large components. The new options connect the clamping device into a closed unit, which facilitates setup and also allows direct use in a zero-point clamping system.
The highly efficient downward clamping mechanism developed by STARK prevents the workpiece from lifting, and the closed force flow protects against deformations of the construction. The clamping force is applied via a pull spindle with up to 52 kilonewtons.
Sensors and support control for the automation vice HILMA.ASH 125
For automated processes, STARK presents the revised version of the automation vice HILMA.ASH 125. This hydraulically double-acting clamping device is now equipped with sensors for monitoring clamping force, position, and condition. The data is output via an IO-Link interface, which facilitates automation and enables predictive maintenance.
Two additional new features are a support control that checks the flatness of the workpiece and an integrated pneumatic cleaning of the control surface. With a clamping stroke of 110 millimeters, the system covers a wide range of workpieces.
Hydraulic-free with 24-volt or battery supply: HILMA.EC 100
A new product for electric clamping technology is the new HILMA.EC 100, a low-maintenance solution with 24-volt supply. Alternatively, the system can also be operated via an 18-volt standard battery. The clamping force can be software-controlled to values between five and twenty kilonewtons. With a clamping stroke of 70 millimeters and a jaw width of 100 millimeters, the compact center clamping device is ideal for hydraulic-free applications on modern machine tools with electric media supply.
STARK Spannsysteme and ROEMHELD at EMO 2025 in Hall 4, Stand F33
Contact:
