Mite Bite Talon Jaws - Work Holding

[RJS100]

I am using my talon jaws for the first time. I made these jaws specifically to machine these parts made from some extra stock I have. The talon jaws hold the part by just .060 inches. The part is 6061 aluminum, 1.40 inches wide, and the stock is 2.25' wide. This leaves .425 inches of extra stock on the front and back. The image below shows what the part will look like after running a 3D adaptive tool path to remove the excess stock.

Once the excess stock is removed, the only thing holding the part is .060 thick aluminum. I know this is how the jaws are supposed to work, but is a .425" flange on the front and rear too big? I don't have an easy way to cut the stock closer to size.

Richard

[RJS100]

Correction... The bottom flange that the Mite Bite talons are holding on to (dark blue section show on the image) is .110 thick, not .060" that I noted above.

[tblough]

It all depends on how you are removing the material. Tool forces are low if you are using adaptive tool paths. Similarly, if you machine down by layers, the holding thickness is small only for the last pass. Do all your holes and other work before machining the periphery.

Do not over tighten the vise when using Talon or Versa Grips or the part will bow as it thins. Tighten the stock to make an impression, and then back off on the pressure to only enough to securly hold the part. Do not "tap" the part to seat it or you'll break the jaws.

[suntravel]

For parts like this I prefer 3M blue tape and CA to fix it on a scrap board of thick aluminum.

Uwe

[RJS100]

Thanks for all the tips. Funny, I just learned about the blue tape and CA approach, but since I have to make six of these brackets, I would prefer to use the jaws on this project.

The final thickness of this part is .625". Tom, just to clarify, when you said take the part down by layers, you meant multiple roughing step downs. If I take three depths of cut of say .210", and I use my normal optimal load (max engagement for each step over or WOC) for a half inch endmill of .0625", the cutting forces are about 18 ounces (at 4500 rpm & 30 imp). Do you think I need to reduce my optimal load or stick with the .0625" that I typically use?

Richard

[tblough]

I don't see why that shouldn't work

[RJS100]

Worked great! Thanks Tom.