When you’re trying to get work done, but you don’t have enough hands to hold everything, you rely on vices and other options to provide additional support. If that’s still not enough, though, a 4th axis workholding system can be the right choice. This will give you additional stability and security and can make cutting, assembly, and other aspects of product development and creation far easier. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a 4th Axis Workholding System?
A 4th axis workholding system is designed to improve both the accuracy and the productivity of your CNC machining. This can reduce the time it takes for setup, and can also provide more control over parts that are hard to hold. The goal of this system is to make sure that parts can be held and stabilized so that work on those parts (or with them) can continue with the quality that’s required for the end result. Not having that stability can affect quality in a negative way.
What Does 4th Axis Really Mean?
When considering 4th axis workholding, think of the 4th axis as another point where the product or component is held or balanced. It’s an extra “hand” on the item that’s being worked with, so anyone working with that item can do more with it and have confidence in the setup and ability to create what’s needed. The rotating axis is an additional clamping mechanism, so jobs that are complex or that have multiple parts can be easier to handle.
How Does This System Benefit You?
The 4th axis workholding system can have a lot of big benefits for anyone who’s trying to work with multiple parts or small components that all have to go together at one time. Whether you need extra stability for small items or you want to make sure you can have several components working together at once, this kind of system can be the best choice for your needs. It also increases efficiency because setup is faster, and multiple people aren’t needed to hold items on the same project.
Can These Systems Handle Big Projects?
It’s important to note that a 4th axis workholding system can be used to handle both big and small projects. It’s typically more commonly used with projects that have small components and can be hard to hold, balance, or stabilize. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used with larger items or projects, as well. Anything that requires multiple hands or touchpoints can benefit from a 4th axis workholding system because this system adds an extra rotary axis to the part that’s being worked with at the time.
Get the Additional Workholding Support You Need
If you need 4th axis workholding support or you want to learn more about how this system can work for you, get in touch with us at PAWS Workholding today. You can contact us online or by phone at (866) 686-7297. We’re here to provide the quality support that works for your machining needs.
