Part 3 | Upgrade Your CNC Machining Productivity with Quick Change Pyramid Fixtures

Upgrade Your CNC Machining Productivity with Quick Change Pyramid Fixtures

Write this down: the RockLock quick change system from 5th Axis is the workholding setup that boosts productivity and machine utilization more than any other.

As you may have guessed from the 5th Axis name, RockLock helps you get the most out of your 5-axis machining centers—and all CNC machines as well. In this short and sweet blog post today, we’re covering a couple steps you can take to maximize the work you do. Let’s get right into it.

Maximize Available Space with Pyramid Fixturing 

The benefits of using pyramid fixturing for 5-axis machining are easy to appreciate. The multiple sloping faces of the pyramid allow easy access to the workpieces while vastly increasing the available space in which to stack parts. This combination results in more time cutting and less time changing out parts. That’s a money-making formula.

5th Axis, one of our premier workholding partners at AME, offers fixture pyramids in a wide variety of configurations. Choose from three- or four-sided pyramids and multiple pyramid angles to maximize part access for your individual application.

Add RockLock Quick Change System for Speedy Changeovers

Now that you’re down with the concept of the pyramid fixture, there is one additional feature that can take your machine utilization numbers into the stratosphere: the RockLock quick change system. There is no quicker way to accurately change out parts in your CNC machines.  

Precision ground pull studs on the base of each RockLock pyramid fixture precisely locate with the corresponding base plate mounted on the work table. The patented free-float design ensures equal force on all four pull studs, guaranteeing repeatability of less than 0.0003 inches (8 microns). This extremely high repeatability not only reduces setup errors, but allows for fixtures to be shared across multiple machining centers with identical results.  

Important note: fixturing pyramids with the RockLock system can be changed out manually, but are ideally suited for automated work changing systems. 

If You Have 5-Axis Machining Centers, Talk To AME

This industry is uniquely focused on continuous improvement and boosts to productivity. For CNC machines, RockLock from 5th Axis is simply unbeatable. When you’re ready, talk to us at AME about adding this pyramid fixture to your workholding setup.

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