500mm x 350mm pieces

[sndsa]

Hi Guys,

We have a standard sized block (L x B) for most of our moulds:
500mm x 350mm x (height 30mm - 80mm) mild steel.
This is the largest size I can easily fit into the Haas VF2 without overtravel problemsetc.

I have these pieces flame cut and the sides don't need to be machined at all and obviously aren't that perfect either.

For eg I have 3 pieces for one mould.
Top - 30mm thick
middle - 50mm thick
Bottom - 30mm thick

All will be machined or at least drilled straight through (so needs to be at least 10mm above the bed.

Currently I weld these on some say 10mm or 20mm 'wings', clamp them down while some 10mm or 20mm spaces to support beneath the job. I first Face the surface and then do my machining.Generally I only ever need to machine from one side.

from here I grind off the plates, flip it, clamp the job with standard top clamps and face 1/3 at a time, moving clamps when I need to.

very tedious and very time consuming.

I have tried these Vertex free vices :
VERTEX MILLING,GRINDING,TOOLING,CNC,LATHE,GRINDER
however jobs are hard to keep straight, clamps don't offer much 'grip' on the beds and have had some jobs come loose (perhaps this is because of the rough flame cut finish).

I have hydraulic vices but nothing big enough. My bed can't really handle much more, maybe 600mm in X, nothing extra in Y

I don't have much machining experience and cannot spend the entire day machining so I need to find some quicker,easier options.

Once a job is in, it will generally stay for a day or two while I finish.
What are some common practices here?

thanks
darren

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

If you have enough vertical clearance, independent jaws like those used on Vertical Turret Lathes and Vertical Boring Mills would do the job. In fact, that's exactly how we made press platens for hydraulic moulding presses in one of my earlier lives.LOL

Dick Z

[sndsa]

mmm for most jobs I do have clearance,

Biggest problem is my toolchanger is internal so would need to keep longs tools out