Accuracy and Repeatability are Vital to the Manufacturing Industry

Eaton Cooper Power Systems have been using Hilma NC vises as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) fixturing solution for more than 30 years. Because of the high quality products, this has provided many advantages of hydraulics, without the need for external pumps, lines, or valves.

Finding Compatibility and Reliability

Mike Hemmat, Senior Manufacturing Engineer of Eaton Cooper Power Systems, contacted ROEMHELD North American regarding the replacement of older Hilma vises. It was revealed that his company had been using the same Hilma hydro-mechanical vises in production for over a remarkable 30 years. Eaton possessed an extensive collection of specialized vise jaws and had no interest in undertaking the task of modifying or rebuilding their inventory. Hence, ensuring compatibility with these existing jaws became a crucial prerequisite for the replacement vises.

ROEMHELD North America, with its world headquarters in Germany, also holds a long and successful history dating back to its establishment in 1870. In 1991, Hilma and ROEMHELD North America joined forces, forming a single entity. Now, this company provides highly precise power workholding devices primarily tailored for CNC machines.

So, considering this merge of the companies, ROEMHELD North America was able to provide Jake Lew, Lead Machinist and 42-year veteran at Eaton Cooper, with a sample of its latest NC100 Hydro-mechanical vise. Lew was thrilled to confirm that Hilma-ROEMHELD had retained the outer dimensions on the new vises in order to ensure seamless integration into customers’ manufacturing processes and compatibility with Eaton’s inventory of specialized jaws.

While the external dimensions remained consistent, Hilma-ROEMHELD had implemented significant advancements in the internal vise design and updated the vise spindle to enhance performance and durability.

Endorsements and Effective Solutions

David Vilcek, Manager of Workholding and Assembly for ROEMHELD North America, remarked “The NC vise is very easy to use, and a great way for shops to achieve the advantages of hydraulics, including high clamping force and high repeatability, without retrofitting.”

He continued, “With a few cranks of the handle, hydraulic pressure can be built up to 14,000 lbs. of clamping force (on the largest size), which you can view on the indicating gauge, providing enhanced precision and repeatability,” said Vilcek. ”The ergonomic benefits are immense, since14,000 lbs of clamping force can be achieved with as little as 20 ft-lbs of torque, a benefit that operators and safety managers find impressive. The NC-vise is easy to maintain, and also very versatile, in that it can be switched quickly from clamping small to large parts, simply by pulling the pin and sliding back the power unit, then reinserting the pin. By purchasing this one vise, a machine shop can greatly increase its productivity across a variety of jobs and realize the benefits of hydraulic workholding without all the added expense and maintenance hassle of pumps, lines, valves, etc.”

Precision and the Test of Time

According to Lew, Eaton originally purchased Hilma vises in 1985 for use in its first machining center cell, MC1. Now, these older vises have been replaced with the new NC vises from ROEMHELD North America. “The vises cost a little more,” said Lew, “but they locate within .0003 inches, the clamping force is 100% consistent, and they last over 30 years.”

“It was a smart decision to go with the Hilma production style vises,” Lew said. “We know the quality is great by how long they have lasted.”

“Eaton Cooper uses fourteen Hilma vises in production, and the first two replacement vises were delivered in June. ROEMHELD North America is proud to partner with Eaton Cooper to ensure their manufacturing is good to go for the another 30+ years!” said Vilcek.

Eaton Cooper Power Systems, located in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, holds a long and successful history. Originally founded as the Electrical Connectors and Manufacturing Company in 1933, it later evolved into the Kyle Corporation, specializing in power distribution hardware and solutions. After merging with Cooper Industries in 1985, the company was subsequently acquired by Eaton Corporation in 2012, culminating in its present identity as Eaton Cooper Power Systems.