Double Acting Work Supports are unique in the industry and their secret weapon is a radically new sleeve design. Thicker by 2.5 times over other work supports on the market, this efficient sleeve consistently contacts around the plunger to give uniform clamping load and grip. This feature provides an improved uniform clamping surface with reduced Elastic Deformation under load.
You will want to use work supports whenever your application requires positive retraction of the work support plunger such as in automatic or un-attended applications. The support plunger is retracted when hydraulic pressure retracts the shuttle cylinder, meaning you will not be relying on a mechanical spring to return the plunger to its initial starting position.
You will want to consider work supports whenever your application requires extremely tight tolerances. When pressurized, the TuffGrip™ work support sets a new industry standard for minimizing elastic deformation and maximizing uniformity in clamping surface stability.
You will want to use work supports if you have an application where the single acting fluid advanced work support may "kick" your part out of position when unclamping the system. The hydraulic pressure on the internal sleeve gripping the plunger is maintained until the double acting positioning piston retracts, opening an internal check valve. This check valve releases the pressure on the sleeve, releasing the plunger after it has been "pulled" back from the piece part. This "shuttle" action prevents "part ejection" that can be experienced in some instances with fluid advanced work supports.
U.S. Patent No. 8,444,128
When do I need to use Double Acting Work Supports over other work supports?
You will want to use double acting work supports whenever your application requires positive retraction of the work support plunger such as in automatic /un-attended applications. The support plunger is retracted when hydraulic pressure retracts the shuttle cylinder, meaning you will not be relying on a mechanical spring to return the plunger to its initial starting position.
You will want to consider double acting work supports whenever your application requires extremely tight tolerances. When pressurized, the double acting work support sets a new industry standard for minimizing elastic deformation and maximizing uniformity in clamping surface stability.
You will want to use double acting work supports if you have an application where the single acting fluid advanced work support may “kick” your part out of position when unclamping the system. The hydraulic pressure on the internal sleeve gripping the plunger is maintained until the double acting positioning piston retracts, opening an internal check valve. This check valve releases the pressure on the sleeve, releasing the plunger after it has been “pulled” back from the piece part. This “shuttle” action prevents “part ejection” that can be experienced in some instances with fluid advanced work supports.
I understand that this work support has 2 strokes, a shuttle stroke and a work support stroke. Do these strokes add one upon the other resulting in a total stroke of 0.875 inches?
No, the work support plunger stroke is contained within the advance piston shuttle stroke. The work support plunger is spring advanced resulting in the plunger being extended while the piston shuttle is retracted. When the advance piston strokes forward, the support plunger contacts the part and compresses the spring, and then the internal sleeve locks the plunger in place.
Does the shuttle extend and stroke the full 0.50 inches every time?
Yes, the advance shuttle will travel full stroke every time, stopping on an internal component allowing the internal sequencing to then lock the work support plunger.
Where do I position my part so it is in the work support plunger “working zone”?
Position the part in the middle of the work support plunger stroke. The catalog chart lists a dimension that represents the fully extended length. For best performance, position your part at the fully extended stroke minus ½ the plunger stroke.
I thought it was wrong to clamp over a column of fluid? How can I clamp over a work support that is inside a cylinder supported by hydraulic fluid?
While it is not always the best option to clamp over a column of fluid, neither is it always wrong. Certain considerations must be addressed and adhered to when this is done. In this application, the work support is supported by the advance cylinder which is held firmly against a shoulder inside the body. This positioning is maintained by a 3:1 ratio of seating force verses the support force of the work support plunger. This advance /support ratio has shown to be the most stable combination, and has the least elastic deformation compared to other units on the market today.
Top Flange
Top Flange Position Sensing
Capacity Chart
Elastic Deformation Chart
Custom Contact Spring
NOTE: Vektek recommends only 17-7 stainless steel springs. Too light of custom spring force may not actuate the plunger, especially if a custom contact bolt is used. Too heavy of a custom spring may cause damage to the device’s internal components. Vektek cannot guarantee that custom springs will provide proper plunger actuation.
Custom Contact Bolt
39-000-72
(-013)
39-0510-66
(-016)