Best Centric Vises Are Ideal for 5-Axis Machining

The range of workholding products offered by 1st Machine Tool Accessories has been significantly expanded following an agency agreement with BEST GmbH, Filderstadt, Germany. The company is a leading manufacturer of low-profile, centric (self-centering) vices that are particularly suited to clamping components undergoing multi-axis metalcutting applications on machining centres. There are similar products on the market, but 1st MTA asserts that the BEST range combines top quality and high clamping forces up to 100 kN with very competitive prices. Other notable qualities of the vices are an ability to clamp on only 3 mm of material; and ± 0.01 mm centring accuracy with five microns repeatability of centricity for manual and pneumatic vices, and one micron repeatability for hydraulic types. Vices range in length from 115 mm to 500 mm and have up to 50 mm stroke. Face plates and adapters allow them to be fitted to any machine table, pallet or rotary table. The manually operated centric vices are designated BSM. Depending on requirements, they can be screwed conventionally to the table or used as a zero-point vice on the BEST Realpoint quick-change system (or other manufacturers’ zero-point clamping systems after simple adaptation). Vibration absorbing, thermally stable epoxy mineral tombstones with integrated Realpoint zero-point clamping are available.

For more information on Best Centric Vises Are Ideal for 5-Axis Machining talk to 1st Machine Tool Accessories