RT-AB - Large Part Loading

[[Ke...]]

Just curious if anyone using a rotary table has any innovative solutions to loading large (over 100lbs or larger, and/or parts have larger ID than the RT's OD.

Thanks!

[[Cl...]]

Not on a CMM, but on a Keyence. We have modified the rotary chuck to accept larger Ø - longer, heavier parts.
Not sure how/if this would work on a Zeiss RT?

[[Ke...]]

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Would you be able to post a pic of your modified chuck, for reference?

[[Cl...]]

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This RT can be disassembled easily. The three jaws were then modified
to be longer and able to accept a longer and larger OD part.

[[Ri...]]

I haven't ever really used an AB, but back in my old life with the old RB for the Accura I used to put 150lb parts on the rotary that I couldn't clamp. I would just create a measurement routine that measured the OD of the Rotary Plate to set as the origin, then did my best job of getting the part as close to "on-center" that I could. Now this was for measurement of tooling dies that I inspected maybe once or twice a month - I wouldn't do this for production. For production, I'd look either for a different chuck, or custom jaws.

[[Ke...]]

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I'm not dealing with production. I only measure larger parts a few times a year, and I have been using the same method as you described to center the parts... however, I'm starting to get parts on the larger side (maybe 200-300lbs) that I need to move on & off the rotary table safely (I'm pretty fond of my fingers and back 🤣 )

...I'm trying to stay away from using a hoist, as the last thing I need to do is slam into the RT with it.
Right now, I'm using Rayco Fixture components to build a makeshift "rail" to slide the parts on & off.

[[Ma...]]

We measure quite a number of heavy parts on our rotary tables. We have adapted 12" round permanent magnet chucks to all of our RT faceplates. We have various sizes of 3-jaw chucks that can mount to the magnetic chuck and also several sets of three tee-slot extension bars that can effectively extend the diameter of the faceplate to 500 mm or more.
We use hoists to load heavy parts on our CMMs routinely but the hoists feature finely variable speeds so that lifting and lowering can be accomplished gently.

[[Ke...]]

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I like the magnetic chuck idea...

- T-Slot Bar - Such as?
https://www.minitecsolutions.com/product/21-0986-0/

If you have a hoist recommendation, I would appreciate it 😃

[[Ma...]]

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Hi Keith, here is a pic of the 12" magnetic chuck and extension bars. We also use these little Starrett magnetic holders to secure parts to the RT. We grind them to the same size in sets of 3.

We use DEMAG DCS-PRO hoists in 0.5 and 2 ton sizes.
https://www.demagcranes.com/en-us/produ ... hain-hoist

RT_MAG.jpg