Two of Leader Chuck System’s US-based partners, CARVEsmart and Orange Vise Company, have announced a collaborative technology agreement set to benefit all new and existing customers.
Managing Director, Mark Jones, explains: “Under the agreement, CARVEsmart, maker of the original quick-change vice jaw system featuring dovetailed jaw technology, and Orange Vise Company will form a special relationship that provide the latter with the exclusive opportunity to offer CARVEsmart patented features in the Orange Vise Integrated Jaw System (IJS). Both companies have recently made major investments in equipment as part of the venture.”
CARVEsmart dovetail and clamp features are machined directly into the Orange IJS vice eliminating the need for master jaws. This saves 38 mm of opening. The 6 inch Orange IJS vice accepts all CARVEsmart dovetailed jaws. The fully machinable jaws result in a larger machinable workholding zone that permits holding larger parts deeper into the jaws of the vice for better performance.
The patented CARVEsmart system is designed for production and toolroom applications replacing the often cumbersome, conventional method of attaching vice jaws to a vice. Dovetailed jaw changes are fast and easy with the ‘from the top’ clamping system.
The clamp assembly pulls dovetailed jaws tightly into two axes while a SMARTstop pin locates the jaw accurately in the third axis promising +/- 7.5 micron relocation. The SMARTstop slot and pin is internal to the dovetail allowing vices to be mounted side-by-side.
Extruded aluminium dovetailed jaw stock is available in five profiles in lengths up to 2,400 mm. It can be cut to any length the user requires. Steel options are 60/62 HRc hardened tool steel, 48/50 HRc A2 machinable tool steel, and 1018 steel. Specialty jaws are also available.
“We are thrilled to be associated with such a fine maker of vices,” says Doug Fontaine, National Sales Manager for CARVEsmart. “Establishing this relationship is a major step forward for the product lines of both companies. The best news is that sharing our technologies gives users a pathway to integrate the highest quality, fastest vice jaw system made throughout their workshop.”
According to Eric Sun, founder of Orange Vise: “When we began to explore this opportunity it became clear that our two companies share the same business philosophies – superior products made from the best materials. Users will be thrilled with the simplified jaw changes and versatility CARVEsmart brings to the Orange IJS vice system.”