Pallet system comparisons

[Spruewell]

I’ve been looking around at different pallet systems for a while. Trying to decide which systems are most effective for hand loading a VMC with a 4th axis.

What are some of your experiences with the different systems you have used? Repeatability, maintenance, versatility, rigidity, ease of installation?

 

[Vancbiker]

When I worked for Ellison back in the late 80s to early 90s, they sold several SMW work switcher manual pallet systems. I don’t think any of the users kept them installed for much more than a year. Users told me that they ended up just being more in the way than providing any real efficiency gains. They made reaching into the work area a longer distance so setups were harder. Also saw one machine where the pallet locking lever was left unlocked and the lever collided with the doors and enclosure damaging them when the operator started the cycle.

 

[Mr. M]

I like the Schunk Vero for 4/5 axis workholding pallets. We have had it on a few machines for 5+ years with next to no issues.

 

[Spruewell]

I’ve looked at the SMW pallet setup. It looks a lot like the mitee bite system. Seemed a bit clunky to me. I also had doubts about repeatability and rigidity with that system.
the schunk system looks good, just expensive. how does it do with rotational repeatability on a single base? It appears that they use multiple bases to deal with rotation as I don’t see any features on it that would provide for that.

 

[Mr. M]

The one we use is the NSE Plus 138-V1 which is a single unit and we use it for up to 8x8x6" blocks in our 5 axis all the time. It uses an index pin to locate rotationally. The biggest part we did was 15x15x3" and it would be able to deflect .01-.015" at the extents but came back to the same zero each time. That was definitely pushing it but it got the job done

 

[Spruewell]

Have you had issues with chips getting into the base and binding up the locking mechanism?

 

[Mr. M]

We have had not had issues with that. Operators have done well at cleaning it off when changing fixtures.

 

[Mhajicek]

I've had good luck with Lang. There are some quality knockoffs now for a little less money.