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These days it is common for robots to be deployed in the production of high quality workpieces. A clamping device is required to hold the components firmly in place ready for machining. However, when using a conventional palette storage system the machining steps can be carried out only in a fully automated process. Then, production flow is held up if components need turning or if clamping jaws - even entire fixtures - need to be changed. This is where ROEMHELD, the well-known specialist in clamping technology, can help. At EMO 2013, the international trade show for production technology, the company presented some very well received clamping solutions for automated workpiece processing - solutions that can be implemented sustainably from the smallest of batch sizes.

QUESTION: Over the past 20 years international usage of machine tools has risen by 70 per cent. Half of all such machines come from Europe alone and are supplied to more than 70 countries. These are figures published by the VDW, the German Machine Tool Manufacturers Association, and they indicate a major opportunity for suppliers of production technology. But in the global competition who really is ahead?

GUIDO BORN (Product Manager Workpiece Clamping Systems at ROEMHELD’s Hilchenbach site): The theme of this year’s EMO 2013 held by the VDW was “Intelligence in Production”, so it required intelligent solutions for production technology that are sustainable into the future so that they can cope with the enormous pressures on costs and the ever-increasing demands for efficiency and environmental sustainability. I think that we in Europe have a certain leadership role to play here in all of these aspects, and that we are ahead of the global competition.

QUESTION: What does that mean for your particular sector - clamping technology?

GUIDO BORN: We are constantly striving to reduce clamping and set-up times for our customers in the machining of their workpieces. At EMO 2013 in Hanover we once again demonstrated some innovative automation solutions for workpiece clamping, and these were very well received. Shorter clamping and set-up times, longer machine runtimes, greater accuracy of workpiece machining and precise repeatability of every clamping force and positioning routine are the most significant advantages of this automation solution and they were a clear focus of our design work.