Tensioned, centered and aligned

With the KFDF flat body flanged mandrel, Ringspann offers an extremely compact precision clamping tool for optimizing many turning, drilling, grinding, milling and balancing processes in gear manufacturing, gear wheel production and tool manufacturing. It scores with extremely precise concentricity, a short clamping length and a standard clamping diameter of up to 375 mm, which can be extended to up to 560 mm by using alternative clamping elements. Its flat clamping body centers the workpiece and aligns it flat.

The turning and drilling of steel coupling elements, the grinding of carbide rollers, the milling of aluminium gearbox covers or the gear grinding of stainless steel hollow shafts are just a few examples of the wide range of applications for the KFDF flat body flange mandrel from Ringspann. They illustrate the versatility of this compact clamping device, which is particularly at home in machining processes that place increased demands on precision. Aside from its run-out accuracy of ≤ 0.01 mm, it ensures precise centring and a flush alignment of the clamped workpiece. “The uneven deformation of workpieces – a common problem when using three-jaw chucks, for example – can be ruled out with our flat body flanged mandrel thanks to the full 360° clamping,” says Christoph Schulz, product manager for clamping fixtures at Ringspann.

The KFDF belongs to the group of purely mechanically operating precision mandrels in Ringspann's portfolio and can be individually configured in the company's one-stop shop (webshop) in all standard variants for executable clamping diameters from 120 mm to 375 mm. In addition, the German manufacturer offers standardized flats that can be used to expand the clamping diameter up to 560 mm. Additional adaptations to various spindle connections, special workpieces or customer specifications can be realized by means of adapted holders, contact rings, intermediate flanges or spring accumulators. “Within the scope of the geometry and tolerance specifications of the workpieces, we can fulfill almost every customer request here,” emphasizes Christoph Schulz.

powerful elasticity

Ringspann's KFDF is a system of six main components, the functional power plant of which is a prestressed, fan-shaped slotted, round steel disc. The clamping diameter of the elastic flat body expands due to the applied axial actuation force,  so that both a radial clamping force and an axial pull-back force act on the workpiece. In doing so, the workpiece is centered and aligned flush at the same time. “The pull-back force is applied against a contact surface on the outer surface or an individually designed anvil ring,” explains Christoph Schulz. The clamping pin is either connected to the power clamping device of a machine tool or is operated manually. Ringspann offers an optional assembly for manual clamping.

Versatile, efficient and safe

As with all of Ringspann's clamping fixtures, the KFDF was developed with a focus on increasing flexibility and reducing set-up times in machining operations. As a result, with this compact flat-body flanged mandrel, the company offers both the manufacturers and the users of machine tools a modern precision clamping system with which many turning, drilling, grinding and milling processes can be extremely efficiently carried out.

Thanks to its high adaptability and easy handling, it is one of those clamping systems that can give a significant boost to the machining of ring-shaped and cylindrical workpieces as well as housings with cylindrical bores in terms of process reliability and productivity. Since it works purely mechanically, it does not require any pneumatic or hydraulic energy supply. In addition, it is suitable for both wet and dry machining. “And thanks to its high operational reliability and excellent concentricity, it is a further clamping solution for many automated processes, especially in balancing technology,” comments Christoph Schulz.