Magnetic chucks are designed for holding ferro-metallic work pieces with a strong, uniform holding force. They consist of an accurately centered permanent magnetic face magnetic chuckthat works in conjunction with an operator actuated permanent or electromagnet. The work piece closes the magnetic loop to create a secure anchor for the work piece.
Permanent Magnet vs. Electromagnet
Both permanent magnets and electromagnets can be used to produce a magnetic holding force. The choice of a permanent or electromagnetic design is dependent upon both machining applications and externalities. Since permanent magnets do not require electrical power, they are best used when there's no power available or it is unreliable. On the other hand, the magnetic field of permanent magnetic chucks cannot be adjusted, which can be a drawback for machining applications that require variable holding power. In applications where a variable holding power is required, an electromagnetic chuck is the better solution.
Electromagnetic Chuck Operation
Electromagnetic chucks are constructed with electrical coils wound around a steel core embedded in the chuck. To energize the electromagnetic field, a chuck controller is used to generate a variable DC voltage in the chuck's coils. The coil's electromagnetic field causes particles within the ferro-metallic work pieces to be aligned in a common direction. This alignment creates the electromagnetic holding force between the work piece and the chuck. The chuck's poles are magnetic as long as voltage is applied. The operator can adjust the controller's DC voltage to vary the strength of the magnetic field, which, in turn, provides the variable holding force.
The Variable Holding Power Advantage
Variable holding energy significantly improves the chuck's ability to help a broad range of machining uses that consist of cutting, milling, shaping, EDM, huge fee slicing operations and slim work for grinding. Electromagnetic chucks can effortlessly be interfaced with appliance centers for automation purposes.
Variable holding energy is essential for slim work applications. For example, when a element for getting machined is thin-0.25 inch or thinner-and the element is introduced to some appliance operator as one of the stack of comparable parts, the product should be lifted by applying the stack. long lasting magnets are not built to lift only one product from the stack of ferro-metallic parts. However, an electromagnet with variable voltage deal with permits the operator to cut back the magnetic potency in the direction of point precisely where only one product at a time may be lifted from the stack of parts.
Shop Safety
The variable holding energy of electromagnetic chucks give it an advantage over long lasting magnetic chucks. But their choice is dependent equally near to the machining ask for and store safety. thinking about that electromagnets need steady energy to operate, a energy failure can introduce a worker protection concern. while uninterruptible energy supplies, energy conditioners and battery backup products may be integrated in to the machining operations to handle these concerns, the ultimate choice is dependent near to the layout of the particular machining application.