Industry 4.0 Zero-Point Tooling System Provides Operational Security

Erowa Technology’s modular tooling system (MTS) 4.0, on display at the company’s IMTS booth, is claimed to be the first zero-point tooling system with wireless digital status monitoring. With integrated sensor technology, the MTS 4.0 maximizes process safety by monitoring the tooling system where the machining process takes place, ensuring that the status of the chuck is always known. Moreover, through sensor data, new evaluation options are created, which enable focused reports on the chuck status. 

In contrast to conventional zero-point tooling systems, Erowa says, monitoring sensors were specifically designed for the MTS 4.0. Each of the four chucks in the MTS 4.0 base plate are equipped with a sensor to check the presence of the workpiece holder and to monitor the actuating piston. There is also a force sensor to measure the clamping power. Similar to previous MTS versions, the chuck is operated with compressed air for opening, reclamping and cleaning functions.

The chuck data and status can be visualized in real time through a display unit or the machine control unit. Because of the comprehensive monitoring of the MTS 4.0, Erowa notes that it can be assured that the pallet is safely clamped during the machining process.

In addition, it is possible for preventative maintenance (PM) messages to be displayed when service is needed on the chuck. This is to ensure a machine is always operating at peak performance and that there will not be any unnecessary downtime. Overall, the comprehensive status monitoring is said to provide operators with the certainty and security that the machine is safely operating both with manual loading/unloading of pallets and in a fully automated process.