What is a pneumatic vise?

A pneumatic vise uses compressed air instead of a manual handle to open and close its jaws. Clamping stays consistent from part to part, and the vise can be triggered by a CNC or robot. That's why pneumatic vises are common in automated machining cells.

Should I choose a pneumatic or hydraulic self-centering vise?

Pneumatic VFB vises run on shop air at up to 9 bar (6 bar for size 250). They're a good fit where air is already available and cycle speed matters. Hydraulic VFB vises run at 60 or 120 bar and deliver up to 62,000 N. For maximum force in a compact vise, the VCV High-Pressure Self-Centering Vise operates at 250 bar.

What is the difference between C1 and C2 models?

C1 models offer a longer jaw stroke. C2 models use a shorter stroke to deliver greater gripping force, and are available in sizes 100 through 250.

Can I confirm jaw position?

Yes. The "S" Vise Inductive Proximity Sensor Mounting Kit replaces the existing cover plate and can be ordered with the vise or added later. Sensor kits with M5 or M8 proximity sensors are available.

VFB Self-Centering Clamping Force Block

Traditional manual vises dominate CNC shops, but hand-cranking and per-part setup adjustments can create a measurable bottleneck in high-mix or high-volume machining. The VFB pneumatic self-centering vise from Vektek replaces manual actuation with air power. Our solution centers automatically, which aligns toolpaths and helps operators move to the next load cycle. The VFB self-centering clamping force block comes in several models, each with rapid pneumatic jaw actuation.

Catalog Section | Install / Maintain

For proper sealing, the mating surface must be flat within 0.08 mm with a maximum surface roughness of 1.6 µm R_a.

Max operating pressure 9 or 6 bar.
High jaw repeatability:
VFB 66-100: 0.01MM
VFB 160-200: 0.02MM
VFB 250: 0.03MM over 100 cycles
Wedge and piston design.
Stroke range from 4 to 30MM.
Operating temperature range from 5° to 60° C.
Hardened steel construction.
Pneumatic connections on the side or bottom.

STANDARD PART NUMBER TO ORDER → VFB-160-C1-PN

VFB

VISE

VFB

160

SIZE

66 | 100 | 160 | 200 | 250

C1

VERSION

C1 = Long stroke
C2 = Short stroke, greater gripping force – Not available in size 66 pneumatic, 66-200-250 hydraulic

PN

ACTUATION

PN = Pneumatic
ID = Hydraulic

STANDARD PART NUMBER WITH OPTIONS → VFB-160-C1-PN-X-XX-X-

OPTIONS

D = Version with serrated base jaw 1.5 x 60º
Z = High precision version +/-0.01

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

MH = Top jaw blank (kit of 2 pcs)
MT = Serrated top jaw blank 1.5 x 60º (kit of 2 pcs)
S = Mounting kit for inductive sensor application (excluded VFB 66)
Inductive sensor (M5 for VFB 100-160, M8 for VFB 200-250)

* The gripping force is the arithmetic sum of the individual forces created at the fingers at “F” distance at max pressure.
* Closing and opening times are purely the times that the base jaws are in motion. Valve switching, hose filling, PLC/CNC reactions, and other potential delays are not included and must be taken into consideration when determining cycle times.

Model No.	F	Clamping Force (N)	Max Pressure (bar)	Jaw Stroke per Jaw (mm)	Max Jaw Length (mm)	Open/Close Time	Air Consumption (cu. in.)	Weight
VFB-100-C1-PN	16	7600	9	6	150	0.2 s	135	4.5 kg
VFB-100-C2-PN	16	19000	9	2	60	0.2 s	135	4.5 kg
VFB-160-C1-PN	25	20000	9	8	200	0.4 s	500	14 kg
VFB-160-C2-PN	25	48000	9	3	60	0.4 s	500	14 kg
VFB-200-C1-PN	32	22000	9	10	280	0.85 s	685	23 kg
VFB-200-C2-PN	32	52000	9	4	105	0.85 s	685	23 kg
VFB-250-C1-PN	40	22000	6	15	500	1 s	1420	35 kg
VFB-250-C2-PN	40	55000	6	5	150	1 s	1420	35 kg
VFB-66-C1-PN	10	4500	9	2	60	0.1 s	30	1.5 kg

Model No.	A	B	C	D	E	G	H	L	M	N	P	R	S	U	V	Z	X	Y	W	J	K	a	b	d	d1	d2	d3	d4	d5	d6	d7	d9	d10	d11	d12	d13	d14	d15	e	f	T	N	d8	p	t
VFB-100-C1-PN	102	64	50	45	102	4X7	80	63	90	51	6	M6	9	31	6	M5	20	2.7	1.8	71.5	20	47	66	58	34	68	35	13.5	40	19	31	41	6	M5	37	15	80	51	38	55.7	14.5	51	19.5	66	93
VFB-100-C2-PN	102	64	50	45	102	4X7	80	63	90	52	6	M6	9	31	6	M5	20	2.7	1.8	71.5	20	47	66	58	34	68	35	13.5	40	19	31	41	6	M5	37	15	80	51	38	55.7	15	52	19	66	93
VFB-160-C1-PN	160	110	78	55	160	5x10	140	103	140	89.6	8	M8	13	51.5	8	G1/8	16	3.2	1.8	88.5	32	78	104	91	25	84.8	60	18	48	24	70	67.5	9	M5	62	49.5	140	78	47.5	71	18.8	89.6	27.2	81	149
VFB-160-C2-PN	160	110	78	55	160	5x10	140	103	140	90	8	M8	13	51.5	8	G1/8	16	3.2	1.8	88.5	32	78	104	91	25	84.8	60	18	48	24	70	67.5	9	M5	62	49.5	140	78	47.5	71	19	90	27	81	149
VFB-200-C1-PN	200	130	106	65	200	7x10	164	128	186	92	8	M8	13	64	8	G1/8	18	4	2.3	93.5	40	102	140	118	35	89.5	74	19	65	27	87	85.5	9	M8	91.5	54	164	106	51	74	20	92	46	149	186
VFB-200-C2-PN	200	130	106	65	200	7x10	164	128	186	92	8	M8	13	64	8	G1/8	18	4	2.3	93.5	40	102	140	118	35	89.5	74	19	65	27	87	85.5	9	M8	91.5	54	164	106	51	74	20	92	46	149	186
VFB-250-C1-PN	254	156	124	79	254	7x12	202	159	232	103	10	M10	18	79.5	10	G1/8	18	4	2.3	103	50	125	170	142	45	98.8	90	19	86	35	109	108.5	9	M8	119	58	202	124	55	81	32.5	103	65.5	182	225
VFB-250-C2-PN	254	156	124	79	254	7x12	202	159	232	112	10	M10	18	79.5	10	G1/8	18	4	2.3	103	50	125	170	142	45	98.8	90	19	86	35	109	108.5	9	M8	119	58	202	124	55	81	25	112	61	182	225
VFB-66-C1-PN	66	42	34	29.5	66	3x5	54	37	59	26.4	4	M4	6.5	18.5	4	M5	15	2.7	1.8	53	14	30	43	38	26	49.5	24	11	N/A	12	19.5	26.3	6	N/A	23	16	54	34	30	N/A	10.2	26.4	15.8	40	59

Model No.	FA (N)	My (Nm)	Mz (Nm)	Mx (Nm)
VFB-100-C1-PN	5000	250	250	250
VFB-100-C2-PN	5000	250	250	250
VFB-160-C1-PN	10000	500	500	500
VFB-160-C2-PN	10000	500	500	500
VFB-200-C1-PN	13500	800	800	800
VFB-200-C2-PN	13500	800	800	800
VFB-250-C1-PN	22000	1200	1200	1200
VFB-250-C2-PN	22000	1200	1200	1200
VFB-66-C1-PN	2000	75	75	75

Model No.	Feed Hole 4 & 5 Actuation - A	Feed Hole 4 & 5 Actuation - D	Feed Hole 3 Air Purge - A	Feed Hole 3 Air Purge - D	Feed Hole 1 & 2 Lubrication - A	Feed Hole 1 & 2 Lubrication - D
VFB-100-C1-PN	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5
VFB-100-C2-PN	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5
VFB-160-C1-PN	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5
VFB-160-C2-PN	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5	ø 5 x 1.5	3.5
VFB-200-C1-PN	ø 7 x 1.5	5	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 6 x 1.5	4
VFB-200-C2-PN	ø 7 x 1.5	5	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 6 x 1.5	4
VFB-250-C1-PN	ø 7 x 1.5	5	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 6 x 1.5	4
VFB-250-C2-PN	ø 7 x 1.5	5	ø 6 x 1.5	4	ø 6 x 1.5	4
VFB-66-C1-PN	ø 4 x 1	2.5	ø 3.5 x 1	2.5	ø 3.5 x 1	2.5

The Advantages of an Air-Powered Vise

Our pneumatic jaw vise combines fast setup with rigid, wear-resistant construction to increase spindle uptime. The rapid-action vise closes and opens quickly, and the hardened steel body resists deflection to help maintain strict tolerance control across long production runs.

Manual vises rely on operator feel and introduce part deformation risks. To solve this issue, the VFB wedge and piston mechanism uses regulated air pressure to deliver a consistent clamping force across extended schedules. Side or bottom pneumatic connections make our air vise compatible with lights-out manufacturing. A CNC M-code triggers the actuation, so cobots and robotic machine tenders operate in sync at the machine.

Industries That Use Pneumatic Vise Automation

Our vise pairs with automated cells, and the transition from manual setups to powered clamping requires minimal fixture plate modifications. It supports:

High-volume automotive manufacturing: Use our quick clamp vise to accelerate repetitive loading operations and maximize daily throughput.
Aerospace component manufacturing: Center parts automatically, align toolpaths and maintain strict tolerances on complex five-axis components.
Contract machining: Our pneumatic machine vise adapts rapidly to high-mix production schedules and helps reduce costly setup times.

Pneumatic Vise FAQs

How much faster is VFB Pneumatic vs. manual vises?

Manual vises require physical handle turning, which consumes valuable operator time. Jaw actuation across the VFB lineup ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 seconds. This rapid movement significantly increases daily spindle uptime.

Can VFB Pneumatic replace my Kurt manual vise?

Yes, the VFB Pneumatic can replace manual vises in standard milling setups. The upgrade delivers centerline alignment and handles stock variation automatically.

Can robots load VFB Pneumatic vises?

Yes. The vise opens and closes in response to a pneumatic signal at the M-code level. Robotic arms, cobots and spindle grippers integrate directly at the cell.

What jaw options are available?

Our VFB portfolio offers several options, including serrated base jaws and optional top jaw blanks.

Is the clamping force sufficient for my application?

The VFB Pneumatic provides ample holding force for standard machining operations. For extreme hog-out milling or hardened alloys, the VFB Hydraulic Vise delivers greater holding capacity. If your application requires absolute maximum workpiece retention for the heaviest steel castings and exotic materials, our 250-bar VCV High-Pressure Vise provides our highest clamping force.

Calculate Your VFB Pneumatic ROI

A pneumatic system transforms slow changeovers into an automated, highly repeatable process. Use our ROI calculator to discover how much spindle time your shop can recover after an upgrade to air-powered clamping. You can also speak with an engineer today to discuss your specific production needs.