components act as pressure,
or impression, pins and allow
elements to be quickly fixed
in place.
Another possibility is found
in stops, from eccentric stops
to adjustable screw stops,
through to 5D-workpiece
stops. These generally act
as positioning aids for
workpieces on assembly
equipment and in machine
tools, where – for example
– different fixture slats can
be universally aligned and
adjusted.
This is by no means an
exhaustive list of options
– although a practical one
is available from norelem
in THE BIG GREEN BOOK.
Machinable wedge clamps,
precision indexing and
lateral spring plungers, as
well as cam screws and talon
grips, provide a wealth of
fixing options, depending
on the requirement. But,
again, the specific solution
chosen should be right for
www.fastening-solutions.co.uk
“THERE IS A VAST ARRAY OF
POSITIONING ELEMENTS AVAILABLE. AS
WITH ANY ASPECT OF ENGINEERING,
SELECTING A POSITIONING, CLAMPING
OR WORKHOLDING SOLUTION SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED IN LINE WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICATION.”
pins and cylindrical pins.
Meanwhile, other components
can now be installed with
sensors – such as strain
gauges – to provide realtime
feedback as to whether
a clamping or positioning
process has been completed.
It’s reassuring to know
that there’s always an option,
no matter how specialised
the application, to fix,
clamp, position and hold
your workpieces in place –
and norelem is here to help
you make the right choice,
through the complete range
in our engineering directory,
THE BIG GREEN BOOK. But
it’s more exciting to see how
this oft-overlooked aspect
the application, to safeguard
quality and drive up
efficiency.
POSITIONED FOR THE FUTURE
As Industry 4.0 gains a firm
foothold across the globe,
one more thing we need to
consider is how connected
technologies are changing
positioning and workholding
for the better.
For a number of years,
norelem has been supplying
a range of sensor-equipped
and IoT-ready solutions
designed to help engineers
explore new possibilities
in their equipment, to
further enhance quality and
efficiency through smart
technologies.
One example: springloaded
thrust pieces that
combine reliable positioning
with inbuilt condition
monitoring sensors. And now,
more and more components
are joining this range, such as
ceramic support pins, locating
of our industry is advancing
in step with Industry 4.0,
as connected technology
expands its footprint
worldwide.
This also means that
positioning and workholding,
like every aspect of
engineering, needs to be
aligned, ready and futureproofed
for further change
beyond 2020, to further
improve accuracy and
efficiency as we go.
It is, after all, all in the
positioning.
norelem
www.norelem.co.uk
0121 222 5322
27
/www.fastening-solutions.co.uk
/www.norelem.co.uk